Another day, another 2013 Ford Escape recall: After issuing recalls for scary fires and gas pedals that wouldn’t quit in July, Ford is issuing a third recall for its sport utility vehicles, this time citing a fire hazard in the engine compartment. On the bright side? There were no Escape recalls in the entire month of August. [More]
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U.S. Car Makers Post Double-Digit Sales Increases
By 9.4.12
Need some decent news to brighten up your dreary day? This may not do it, but it’s worth a shot: Chrysler, GM and Ford have released their August sales numbers and each of the automakers saw substantial year-over-year sales increases during the last month of summer vacation. [More]
The 26 Top CEOs Who Made More Than Their Companies Paid In Federal Taxes
By 8.16.12
Once again, it’s time for the annual Institute for Policy Studies report on which top CEOs are earning more money than the companies they work for are paying out to federal government in taxes. [More]
Walmart Oil Change Turns Into $3,000 Disaster And I Can't Even Get Store To Call Me Back
By 8.7.12
An oil change seems like a pretty simple procedure, at least as far as automotive maintenance is concerned. And yet, one Consumerist reader now faces nearly $3,000 in repairs to her SUV because someone at Walmart mucked up the all-important “refilling” part of the oil change. [More]
Ford’s Steel F-150 Pickups Could Get Aluminum Body Makeovers To Save On Fuel Costs
By 7.27.12
Is it the end of the super steely era? Ford is reportedly mulling over a decision to use aluminum panels in its F-150 pickup trucks, which have utilized steel panels since the vehicle’s birth decades ago. The company has already moved toward technology that helps its vehicles save on gas, and this aluminum move is yet another, as it will cut 700 pounds out of the pickup. That’s a lot less truck to move. [More]
Ford Recalling 484,600 Escape SUVs Because Drivers Should Be Able To Ease Off The Gas
By 7.26.12
As if scary fires weren’t enough, it seems Ford is having even more problems with its Escape SUVs. This time the problem is focused on an issue with some models having sticky gas pedals — not quite ideal if you’d like to slow down your car at some point. Ford is now recalling 484,600 Escapes from 2001 to 2004 after discovering the problem. [More]
Ford Issues Immediate Recall Of 2013 Escape SUV Because Fire Is Scary
By 7.20.12
Fewer than 5,000 model year 2013 Ford Escape SUVs have been delivered to customers so far, including one to our colleagues over at Consumer Reports Cars for testing. But Ford has already announced a recall of the vehicles, ordering dealers to stop selling and offering test drives on the 1.6 liter engine base model. Ford has also asked Escape owners to stop driving their vehicles immediately. Why? The engine compartment fuel line might split and leak. If the engine is started or already running when a leak occurs, the vehicle could catch fire. [More]
Ford Developing Technology That Reacts To Calm Stressed Or Distracted Drivers
By 6.28.12
While it’s not the same as having a soothing chat with KITT the talking Trans-Am, the folks at Ford are working on technology that would not only recognize when drivers are distracted or in stressful situations but would also act to cut down on external factors in order to calm things down. [More]
Five Big American Businesses Teaming Up To Develop Plant-Based Plastic
By 6.5.12
Coca-Cola might be super proprietary about its secret soda formula, but when it comes to sharing technology that could help the earth, it’s willing to to spread the wealth with other big American businesses. Coca-Cola, Ford, Heinz, Nike and Procter & Gamble announced today they’ve teamed up to work on how to develop plant-based plastic material. [More]
It Could Take Years For Some Fuel-Efficient Cars To Be Worth The Savings On Gas
By 5.31.12
While car makers have been touting new higher-efficiency versions of some of their more popular vehicle brands, tests show that it could take years for the average driver to realize enough cost savings on gas to make up for the higher price tag. [More]
Sirius XM: Two Companies With Single Mission To Confuse Customers
By 4.11.12
When satellite radio providers Sirius and XM merged almost half a decade ago, consumers and regulators feared that the combined company would begin to act like a fearsome monopoly with a stranglehold on the entire satellite radio market. Not quite. They’re still acting as separate companies working together to confuse the hell out of their customers. Emily’s family are longtime XM subscribers who bought a car with a Sirius receiver, assuming that since it’s all the same company, the services are interchangeable. No, not even close. [More]
Giving A Ford Dealership Bad Survey Grades Is Basically Tossing Their Employees Out On The Street
By 4.4.12
Customer service surveys at car dealerships must be serious, serious business. That’s the only conclusion I can draw from Bob’s story about being bullied by the Ford dealership where he bought his Fiesta. They called him up to say that if he planned to rate his (unsatisfactory) service experience as anything but satisfactory, he would be hurting the dealership and practically stealing money out of employees’ pockets and yanking food out of their kids’ mouths. If he didn’t say nice things, the service manager insinuated, the dealership might decide not to service his car at all. [More]
U.S. Car Buyers Seeing Less Difference Between Car Brands
By 1.24.12
Not so long ago, saying the name of any of the top car brands — Toyota, Chevy, Ford, Honda, etc — conjured up very distinct associated images and preconceptions, especially when compared to the smaller and newer brands on the market. But it looks like that line between champs and challengers is blurring as consumers re-think what they prize in an automobile. [More]
Ford Falters, Chrysler Climbs In Consumer Reports' Annual Reliability Survey
By 10.25.11
Our corporate kin at Consumer Reports have released their Annual Auto Survey. And after years of solid showings by Ford on the reliability study, a trio of new models have weighed the automaker down, while Chrysler manages to inch up the ladder. [More]
Man Finds Parts Of His Stolen 1949 Ford Shoebox On Craigslist
By 10.21.11
Craigslist is a great place to find stuff. Like parts from the 1949 Ford Shoebox that was stolen from your driveway. [More]
25 CEOs Who Made More Than Their Companies Paid In Income Taxes
By 8.31.11
The Institute for Policy Studies has just released its 18th annual review of U.S. executive compensation and found that 25 out of the country’s 100 highest-paid chief executives actually earned more in 2010 than their companies paid out in corporate income taxes. [More]
Car Dealerships Adding Cafes, Beauty Salons & Other Gimmicks To Give Customers Something Different
By 7.14.11
In an attempt to rid U.S. consumers of the idea that domestic car dealerships are dreary, antiquated places with only a pot of burnt coffee to keep you awake while you wait in uncomfortable chairs, a growing number of car sellers are sprucing up their showrooms to keep potential buyers from running across the street to the cooler looking import lot. [More]
GM, Chrysler, Toyota Warn That Higher-Ethanol Gas May Void Warranties
By 7.5.11
Even though gasoline containing upward of 15% ethanol content (E15) hasn’t come on the consumer market, the government has already finalized the labels that will be affixed to pumps carrying the fuel, a sign of E15 will likely make it to your local gas station at some point. Now Bloomberg reports that nine automakers, including GM, Chrysler and Toyota have warned regulators that putting E15 in your tank may void your vehicle’s warranty. [More]
