National BioDiesel Day? AutoBlog has the scoop

Maybe in a few years it can be changed to National Fuel Independance Day, but for now it's National BioDiesel Day! Very interesting article and link to the site anouncing and explaing the event at AutoBlog. Above is a map of Arab Oil Fields, the main source for our national dependance. The "Crack Dealers" in Sheets, that cry for our deaths as they count our dollars.
It's important that we take these issues seriously. It's easy to laugh off "National BioDiesel Day" as some "Greenie" non-event, but that would be to our shame. I see Bio Fuels, especially Bio Diesel as one of the most important changes this country NEEDS to make. It just makes too much sense.

Yes BioDiesel is difficult to buy at this time, and depending on where you buy it, may cost slightly more, but it burns much cleaner than Petro Diesel and requires no modification to run in any Diesel Powered Vehicle. Diesel, the man originally designed his engines to run on Peanut Oil, and despite the development and evolution of Diesel powerplants over the last century, you can take any Diesel vehicle and run them on BioDiesel, with no modifications. And you'd be improving the Environment, Health of your neighbor, Economy and National Security with no more effort than filling your tank. And BioDiesel would work so well in some of those great European Ford models that we don't get!

I'll take the Mondeo Estate with the 2.0TDCI and 6 speed manual!

MyFordDreams off for the weekend, Happy St Pat's

I'm going to be taking a break for a few days, don't expect to be posting. It's Saint Patricks Day Friday, and me being of Irish descent, I'm going to be going to the Parade in New York City and seeing family. You won't find me in some dark pub drinking green beer, that's not every Irishman. I won't be in church either, even though it is a feast day.

But I will be celebrating my Celtic heritage proudly and hopefully be surounded by Family and Friends. My oldest brother is a Fireman and will be marching. We're all very proud of him, and his involvment in several Irish American organizations like the AOH and Emerald Society. One of my brother in-laws is a Police Officer and will be playing the bagpipes for the first time in the New York parade, so we're all looking forward to that. Unfortunately my mother will not be in the city Friday, because the crowds and standing are too much, so hopefully my siblings and I will take a few pictures.

I'm Irish American on both sides, my Father's Grandfather being born in Ireland and both of my Mother's Parents being born in Ireland. My mother actually lived there for a short period, before her family returned to the US. And here's a stretch, but just so I can say that this post is Ford related, my Mother's Father worked in a Ford plant in New Jersey for a period of time.

Have a safe and happy holiday if you celebrate, and remember what it's really about, not beer and stupid hats, but family.

Jalopnik has the story on the coolest Rally school, but I don't think I'd fit in one of those little cars

Now tell me that this doesn't look like fun. I was reading Jalopnik, like I do everyday, and saw a story about Ford running a Rally Driving school, for kids as young as 10! Now we in the US have many driving schools, but this just struck me as very cool.

Last year the love of my life, offered to send me to a race driving school, but money was too tight, so I passed. I'd love to do something like this, but I'm not sure I'd fit in one of those little cars. Some day I guess

Jeremy Clarkson is not happy with his photo printer or the new Volvo C70

Jeremy Clarkson drives the new Volvo C70 (Focus Cabrio) and is disappointed. Not that you would know if you read the first page of his review, which deals with his odessy through the world of Photo Printers. He praises the styling and the stereo, but says the steering is awful, and he was afraid to really dig into the 220 hp.

I'm interested in what other reviews will say about the C70. Clarkson is not a review I would read if I was shopping for a car, but he is very entertaining. And he's one of the reasons we in the US love Top Gear. Word online is that the Discovery Channel is bringing an American cast to recreate Top Gear in an American version. But without that thoroughly British attitude, I'm not sure it will succeed. Clarkson is one of those people who can say anything and not many get offended. Well maybe they get offended, but who cares, he's entertaining.

Mazda 2 to be less ugly, facelift for Europe

These pictures are small, I'll try and post some larger ones when they are available. But the news is that the Mazda2, which shares a platform and powertrains with the Euro Ford Fiesta is getting a facelift.
You can see a familial look with the grill and tail lights. Looks like a Mazda3 that was left in the dryer too long.
A little improvement over the last 2, but still not as nice as the Fiesta.
This is the latest update on the Fiesta, and possibly the basis for a new US B-Segment model

Ford Reflex, needed my fix

I just didn't think I had enough pictures or links on my new favorite, the Ford Reflex so I did a Google search and came up with the following; Serious Wheels and Hybridcars.com andAutobytel and even Wikipedia . I wonder can you overdose on Reflex? No, so that's why I want to point out the following also, FordMuscle.com and TuningNews

I think the Reflex is the best new concept I've seen this year and could be a real exciting product that could draw new buyers to Ford. Think about it, there are "Green" websites and "MuscleCar" websites talking about the concept. It's an easy car to bring to market also. Base it on the new B-Segment platform for the US ( Fiesta/Mazda2) and build it in the same plant as the Bronco/EcoSport down in Mexico. I'd like to see a gas and diesel version and if it could be built and priced reasonably I wouldn't mind the Hybrid version. I'm not too hot on the solar panels in the roof or the "butterfly" doors, but neither would keep me from buyint one.

You may notice fewer posts over coming days, as I've been very busy with other matters. It's another case of "Life getting in the way of blogging," I'm not a journalist, this is just a hobby.

Lincoln/Mercury bizare internet sites

I was reading Jalopnik last night and they had a post to two sites that Lincoln and Mercury divisions of Ford have featuring bizare short films. It requires you to have a Flash player, but it's a free download if you need it. I would also say that like many videos, it requires a broadband connection.

I want to write it off as stupid, but it was amusing. I just don't see how it helps to sell cars. The first one is The Neverything (link in title) and the second is www.lovelybysurprise.com

Check it ou, then let me know if you think it will help sell cars.

Reader asks, "Can I convert my Ford to run on E85?"

I received an interesting email from a couple that have a Bronco II and wanted to know what they need to do in order to run it on E85. Now just for the record, I'm not an automotive mechanic or engineer, I don't even do my own maintenance on my truck. But this raised some interest on my part. Their Bronco II is an 88 with the 2.9L V6. So I did an internet search and found the article linked above. It says that at one point it was looking like Conversion kits would be marketed, but Federal rules were too much of a roadblock. But I'm not sure this would apply to do it yourself types.

Now, this is just a guess on my part, but in the case of the Bronco II, there may be an answer using Factory Ford parts. The Bronco II is based on Ranger mechanicals, and Ford did indeed offer Flex Fuel Rangers, capable to run on E85. So many of the Flex Fuel parts should be available in Salvage yards or even from your Ford dealer. In 1999 when I bought my Ranger, there was an option for a 3.0L V6 Flex Fuel, so the computer, fuel tank and lines should be a bolt over swap. It may be advisable to swap the engine and transmission as well.

I'll try and follow up on this subject over coming days.

AutoBlog post about Ford opening photo archives

I got my hopes up when I saw this post on AutoBlog. Ford is offering photos from their corporate archives. Much like the New York Times offers prints for sale.

But unless you want Mustangs and GT40s, you're out of luck. Don't get me wrong of course I love both Mustangs and GT40s, but would love to see more Ford products and especially some of the concepts from the past.

Ford Ranger Sever Off Road Vehicle package for the world, but not US

I had seen comments from several readers about a Ranger SORV or Severe Off Road Vehicle model and assumed that they meant the new Ranger that was introduced in Thailand recently. I then came across this article about the SORV Ranger in Indoniesia. It seems to be just a package on the current Ranger. I remember seeing a similar option on the UK Ranger a few months ago. It's a neat package, better shocks and some skid plates, as well as a new intake snorkelt and prefilter. In the US, you can bye these pieces from aftermarket companies, and I wouldn't expect to see any manufacturer to release a factory package like this any time soon. There's one simple reason, the American propensity for litigation.

Think about it, some idiot buys a truck from the factory with a snorkel, drives into a situation beyond his ability as a driver and a lawsuit is the result. It's a neat idea though, and if a Diesel Crew Cab Ranger were availalbe here in the US, I would consider some of these upgrades for myself.

Video of Kabura at UK site WhatCar, need broadband for best viewing

I found this article through Google, it's a UK website that has a video post of the Kabura concept on the road. Interesting point, if I heard it correctly, they said the price in the UK was going to be near 40,000 Pounds, that's over $80,000 US. I'm hoping I heard that wrong.
With talk of the Kabura possibly coming to production, I only hope Ford can some how bring the Reflex to market. I like both of them, but really love the Reflex. I'd like the Reflex to come to market in the low to mid $20k range.

I don't know how much the Brits pay for an RX8, but can't imagine that $80,000 would be reasonable for the Kabura. Can anyone from the UK tell me what they think?

Mazdaspeed 6 vs Subaru Legacy GT Spec B at Edmunds.com

My brother has one of these Mazdaspeed6 and it's an amazing car. And I'm posting this for him mostly. It makes sense to do a head to head between the Mazda and Subaru.
The Legacy GT spec B is an all wheel drive turbo charged midsize sedan that costs close the Mazda and doesn't have the "boy racer" look of the WRX STI Impreza.

But I want to know when we can expect this powertrain in the Fusion? Call it the SHO since SVT is essentially dead. Ford could use the image boost.

Focus (Euro C1) and Mazda3 selling like hot cakes in China! Why can't Ford sell this in US??

Here's an article discussing how well the new Focus and Mazda3 are selling in China. Every time I read an article like this, I want to smack whoever at FoMoCo made the decision not to bring the new Focus here. Again, the world gets new improved, and in the US we get warmed over mediocre. Igor a new commenter here, from the Foculjet forums says that a new Focus is due in 2008. I believe it's long overdue and by 2008 I'll be writing a new blog called "I remember when Ford built cars, do you?"

French own company starts first large BioFuel production, it's a begining

A promissing story over at AutoBlog, on a French owned Agri-Business starting large scale production of Bio Diesel. I'd like to see more American owned business take this leap, and I think we will. The unique oportunity we may see here, is that companies not ordinarilly associated with fuel production, can use what would be natural byproducts of their operations to help in the production of alternative fuels. Just think Anheiser Bush or Miller Beer could be filling your tank? Or how about Purina, the makers of animal feed? It's not such a stretch when you realize they have half the infrastructure in place, and it gives them a way to diversify with little risk.

The large oil companies can't be trusted to volutarilly make the switch to bio fuels, it would be like asking a crack dealer to switch to candy. So maybe what the US needs is legislation to incentivize bio fuel production and distribution. I had read recently that Ford Motor Company was lobbying in Washington. If Brazil and Sweeden can do it, why not the US?

I'm not so naieve as to believe that a sudden availability will slash our dependance on foreign oil over night. It will take years for our current vehicles to reach the end of their lives and be replaced by new ones. But with government tax breaks for owners and manufacturers to convert some older vehicles for Ethanol or E85, and the fact that Diesel vehicles require no retrofit at all. It could be possible within 10-15 years to cut our use of foreign oil by as much as 50%. It's going to be a cumulative effort of alternative fuel production and distribution, more fuel efficient powertrains, partial retrofit of existing vehicles and education of consumers.

I'm sure that E85 retrofits for older classic cars would be minimal and performance could be improved.

Review of Ford Falcon from Australia

It's no secret that I love the Australian Ford Falcon, and think that it should be here in the US. So as part of my policy of promotion for the Falcon, I offer you this link to an article reviewing the new Falcon's base model. You know for a "base" model it comes very well equiped, check some of the standard features.

White flag of surrender

There's a piece at AutoBlog with a link to Newsweek, that seems kind of stupid to me. The article discusses whether the domestic auto manufacturers should follow the lead of Harley Davidson, and cloak itself in an all American persona, what they call playing the "America Card." And while this could be working for Harley Davidson, that's because it's a much smaller market for motorcycles than Cars and Trucks. Not that the big three (2 1/2 ) don't do this already with Trucks, they do, and Toyota is trying to squeeze into that full size truck market. But pulling back into some segregated "American" mode isn't going to help.

AutoBlog rightly comments that it could be just waving a white flag in surrender. Giving up on certain market segments to concentrate on the more profitable sectors, such as Muscle Cars, Trucks and SUVs. It doesn't make sense to me, why give up any segment of the market. If the domestic brands would build interesting vehicles for the US market, like the do for the world market, and make sure quality was "Job 1" then they wouldn't need to concede defeat. I've pointed out many of Ford's offerings around the world, and how well they compete with Japanese and European makes. Why can't they do that here? Now is not the time to be the "Surrender monkeys" of the Auto Industry. Now is the time to innovate, bring new models with more efficient powertrains and exciting styling. Instead of "Dave" we should be getting the "Kinetic" designs that Ford is offering elsewhere. GM and Chrysler too, they offers some unique models and concepts for Europe and elsewhere, that never come to these shores.

The domestic auto makers, need to fight as if their very existence depended on it, because it does.

Ford Ka news at AutoBlog

There's a piece on AutoBlog, that links to a story at AutoExpress, about the new Ford Ka and it's Fiat 500 platform mate. There's a mistake in the AutoBlog piece, can anyone tell me what it is? I've talked about this before, not in the best light either. Check my previous post here; Dumb move

The Mazda BT50, their version of the new Ranger

OK, more Ranger/Mazda B series truck news. Just days after the anouncement of the new Ranger in Bankok, to nobody's surprise, Mazda unveiled their new BT-50 pickup.
It's identical to the new Ranger, and built in the same plant. So you'll notice the styling and specs are very close. The name change to BT-50 is supposed to designate it's half way status between a small truck and a large truck. Much is being made about it's 1 ton payload capacity. I think that's metric ton.
Styling is just as nice as the ranger. If you want to read more on it, here are several sites doing reviews;Bangkok Post CarKeys UK CarGuide Australia Car Today, South Africa

All the reveiws a glowing, as this new Ranger/BT-50 are great trucks.

More New Ranger over at MPH

The new Ranger from Thailand is being rolled out Europe, and MPH has the story and more pictures here MPH Online including new crew cab. Now you can tell me that this new Thai Ranger isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread, but if it's going to Europe, it can't be crap either. I think that if this Ranger doesn't eventually make it to the US market, it will be one more big mistake on Ford's part.

Ford Focus C-Max 4x4? over at Jalopnik

Europe seems to be the land of mini vans, although they avoid that label, preferring MPV or People Mover. And Ford seems to have a full spread for the market. Here is the Ford Focus C-Max. I've already posted photos this week of the Galaxy and S-Max, so you can see the family resemblance among them. Based on the C1 Euro Focus platform, this is a neat little package. And Jalopnik points to spyphotos of a possible 4x4 version.
If you want a Focus C-Max in the United States, buy a Mazda5, they're both C1 based. I believe the Focus version came first, as I know the C-max has been out for a few years.
Again with a glass roof. Ford can't seem to deliver a decent mini van in the US, but boy they've got some nice options in Europe.
This is the Fusion MPV, based on Fiesta mechanicals. So this would be the smallest, then the C-Max, S-Max and finally the Galaxy. These are their car based MPVs.
And this Ford EcoSport is a 4x4 version of the UK Fusion, sold in Latin America and possibly headed to the US.
And if the Galaxy is too small how about the Toureno ? This I believe is based on the Transit commercial van from Ford's European line.
No glass roof or sporty styling, I'm not sure if this is still offered.

But it's interesting that Ford can make not 1 but 4 interesting MPV/Mini Vans in Europe and we got the FreeStar??????