2011 Ford Explorer Receives its First Recall

Ford's freshly launched 2011 Explorer SUV has received its first safety recall for a problem concerning the second row of seats. The recall affects approximately 1,658 Explorers made between July and December of last year.

According to a filling with federal safety regulators, the manual recliner mechanisms of the second row seats may "have components that are out of dimensional specification". The NHTSA said that in the event of a crash, "the seat back may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury."

The Detroit automaker said that as of January 21, 2011, it is not aware of any reports of this condition on vehicles in customer service.

Ford said it will notify owners and dealers will repair the seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about February 14, 2011. Owners of the affected models may contact the company's customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

VW Golf Tops European Sales Chart in First Half of 2009, Ford Fiesta Finishes Second

Despite the heavy competition from the new Ford Fiesta that increased its sales in Europe by a hefty 34.2 percent to 243,340 units in the first half of 2009, VW's Golf continues to dominate the sales charts in the Old Continent with sales up 12.7 percent to 254,023 units in the same period, according to data released by Jato Dynamics. The rest of the top five list was rounded out by the Peugeot 207 with 193,778 units (-20,6 percent), the Opel - Vauxhall Corsa with 181,751 units (-14.1 percent) and the Renault Clio with 144,512 units (-28.0 percent).

Notably, the first ten places were occupied exclusively by European automakers - okay Opel / Vauxhall (at least for the time being) and Ford are controlled by their American parent companies.

Volkswagen was also Europe's top-selling car brand in the first half of the year with 842,787 vehicles sold, up 0.7 percent over the same period in 2008. Ford finished in second place with 666,548 units, down 3.6 percent over last year, followed by GM's Opel - Vauxhall division with 557,739 units (-16.8 percent), Fiat with 542,115 units (-1.4 percent) and Renault with 520,763 units (-18.4 percent).

Data: Jato Dynamics

Ford Ka Tops Half a Million Sales in the UK

With a little help from the second generation Ka mini that has found its way in the driveway of more than 11,000 UK customers since its launch this past January, UK sales of Ford's mini have surpassed the half-a-million mark. The original, first-generation Ka was introduced in Britain in 1996.

Marketing director, Ford of Britain, Mark Simpson, commented: "There were eight competitors in the Ka's market segment in 1996 – now there are 26 rivals. Offering low ownership costs and cheeky distinctive styling, the Ka has maintained its strong appeal over the years and remains at the top of its segment."

The ‘Pawn Stars’ Crew On The 2011 Ford Explorer

The hottest show on television these days, at least in terms of ratings, is quite likely the History Channel’s mega-hit “Pawn Stars”. The show follows the exploits of the staff of Las Vegas’ Gold and Silver pawn shop, and it’s chock full of funny. You could try to write a sitcom like this, but you’d never get it right and viewers would never believe the stuff that comes in the door. What better way to highlight the differences between the 2010 and 2011 Ford Explorers than to hire the staff of Gold and Silver to treat it like an appraisal?

These guys are used to scams, since everyone is Las Vegas is working some kind of angle. The setup has the announcer trying to pass off a 2010 Explorer as the all-new 2011 version, and each of the staff get to point out key differences. Rick spots the exposed door keypad on the 2010, which is hidden on the 2011. Corey demonstrates that the 2010 Explorers didn’t get the My Ford Touch option, and The Old Man points out that the 2010’s V6 was down 80 horsepower on the 2011 V6. Cut to Cro-Magnon Man Chumlee rolling up in a 2011 Explorer, which they all agree is the real deal. Until they see the grille logo.

Props to Ford for jumping on the Pawn Stars bandwagon, and a tip of the hat to the guys at Pawn Stars. They’ve been in Vegas long enough to know that fame is fleeting, so you may as well enjoy the spotlight as long as you can.

Door Handle Issue Prompts Recall of 281,000 Ford F-150s

A recall has been put out for certain 2009-2010 model year Ford F-150s built from January 18, 2008, through November 30, 2009, because of a potential problem with the interior door handles. More specifically, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] said that the interior door handle spring may fracture during normal usage resulting in insufficient spring force to return the handle to the fully stowed position.

"In the event of a side impact crash, the door handle spring can fail causing the door latch to open," the government safety agency said in a filling. Ford said that as of January 21, 2011, there are no reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Owners of the affected F-150 models will be notified about the recall that is expected to on or about February 14, 2011.

Ford F-150 Video Parody: Presenting the Ballsy Ferd F-Teenthousand

Need a ride to make you feel four times the man you are? Look no further. The Ferd F-Teenthousand is here and it's the biggest and most awesomest pickup truck ever to walk the face of the earth. Ford people and F-150 owners that despise stereotypes and lack a whimsical sense of humor may want to skip this one. The rest can watch the video right after the jump along with a couple of original Ford F-150 ads that inspired the creation of this parody. [NSFW].

VIDEO: Ford Fusion Accident Leads to an Epic Landing

Now here's a scene you don't see every day. In fact, even if you tried to do it on purpose, we seriously doubt that you'd manage to pull it off no matter how hard and how many times you tried. The truly epic landing and vertical rest of this silver colored Ford Fusion (or at least it looks like a Ford') in the snowbank is the result of a multiple vehicle accident that took place on I-93 South bound just before Exit 3 in Windam in New Hampshire on Tuesday. Video follows after the break.

The Upgradeable Car: A Software Influenced Future for the Auto Industry

As an automotive blogger that also works in the IT industry, I feel I have a somewhat unique perspective on in-car technology. Whereas a new car may have a three to five year buffer between upgrades and replacement models, for electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers it's more like six to eighteen months.

This brings up an interesting conundrum: what to do when the sat nav or Bluetooth devices in your car age more quickly than the car itself? Few people this side of Dhiaa Al-Essa can afford to replace their car every six months, so the answer - to automakers at least - is to do the same as software companies: roll out upgrades.

It could be something as simple as the dealership checking your oil and tire pressure remotely to recalibrating the transmission or updating the car's sat nav system. San Francisco based Cisco Systems has even constructed an experimental dashboard out of LCD panels that acts as a giant touch screen: driver's can drag and drop instruments, personalize the look and feel of said instruments and add new functions such as g-force meters.

The obsolescent of in-car technology is becoming more and more of a concern, especially in the light that market research firm R. L. Polk reveals that many of us are keeping our cars for up to 9 years. Advances in computing technology in our car's ECUs and other systems are also bound to cause headaches for automakers in the future.

As Dirk Schlesinger, a senior director in Cisco’s Internet business solutions group explains, "Complexity is killing the industry. We can’t change the silicon fast enough."

Software updates, a common enough occurrence when your car is taken in for a service in this day and age, may soon be rolled out automatically and via the internet or satellite, like they are for computer software.

In the words of Dave Evans, Cisco’s chief futurist: “The car is becoming the most sophisticated piece of computer equipment you own.”

That's as good as maybe, but with technology such as Ford AppLink giving its drivers access to Pandora or Twitter from behind the wheel or GM / Mercedes-Benz's OnStar and Mbrace systems allowing remote support for driver's and their vehicles, one thing is for sure: the future is closer than we think.

Man Amasses Ridiculously Awesome Gulf Oil-Liveried Racing Car Collection

The ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton is one man's dream of assembling the largest assortment of racing cars ever to compete in the legendary colors of Gulf Oil. The collection comprises 14 of the most prominent Gulf Oil-liveried competition cars and has been created by Duncan Hamilton & Co.’s Chairman, Adrian Hamilton, for an unnamed but obviously passionate and extremely wealthy client.

All 14 cars were tracked down and acquired in just two years. The collection includes a variety of models ranging in age from the 1967 Mirage, which was the first Gulf-liveried car to run at Le Mans, to the 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo that competed in the GT2 Championship.

Commenting on the collection, Adrian Hamilton said: “My career has been punctuated by many remarkable cars – eg the one and only Mercedes-Benz 196 Grand Prix car in private hands, some nine Ferrari 250 GT0s, 20 GT40s, seven Porsche 917s and numerous Jaguar C and D-Types etc – but few projects have been as enjoyable and satisfying as this one. Like all racing enthusiasts I’ve grown up with the Gulf brand and it is a tremendous privilege to be able to build such a unique and lasting tribute to one of the greatest names in our sport. I am extremely indebted to my client for the opportunity.”

A total of 12 cars from the ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton will get their first public outing for all to see at Retromobile, an annual show of classic road and racing cars, which takes place at Porte de Versailles in Paris, from February 2 to 6.

In chronological order the 14 cars are:

• 1967 Mirage

Chassis No.10002 – the first Gulf-liveried car to run at Le Mans

• 1968 Ford GT40

Chassis No.1084 – 4^th, SPA 1000 km, Hawkins/Hobbs

• 1969 Brabham BT26

Chassis No.BT26/4 - 1^st German GP, Ickx

• 1970 McLaren M14

Chassis No.M14/A2 – 2^nd South African GP, Hulme

• 1971 Porsche 917

Chassis No.026 – 2^nd, Le Mans 24 Hours, Attwood/Muller

• 1970 Porsche 908/3

Chassis No.12 – Nürburgring 1000 km, Siffert, DNF

• 1972 McLaren M20

Chassis No.M20/3 – 1^st, Watkins Glen, Hulme

• 1974 Mirage

Chassis No.704 – 4^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Bell/Hailwood

• 1994 Kremer K8

Chassis No.K8/07/SP – 6^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Bell/Lassig/Donovan

• 1996 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail

Chassis No.022 – 3^rd, Hockenheim 4 Hours, Bscher/Nielson

• 2006 Courage C65 LMP2

Chassis No.07 – 7^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Gosselin/Ojeh/Ragues

• 2008 Aston Martin DBR9

Chassis No.007 – 4^th in GT1, Le Mans 24 Hours, Frentzen/Piccili/Wendlinger

• 2009 Aston Martin LMP1

Chassis No.DBR1-2/2 – 1^st, Asian Le Mans series, Okayama, Mucke/Primat

• 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo

GT2 Championship, Giroix/Goethe

VIDEO: Ford Puts Blind Drivers Behind the Wheel of the 2010 Mustang

While the law prohibits blind people such as Roger Keeney from Athens, GA from getting behind the wheel on public roads, no one said that they can't drive a car on special course. Ford gave this opportunity to Keeney and his friends at the Arizona Center for the Blind by organizing a special event at the Ford Proving Grounds in Phoenix. The car of choice was the revised 2010 Mustang. If anything else, it's pretty rewarding to see all those smiles. Watch all four vids after the jump.

VIDEO: Oops...Ford F-150 Steps Over Ferrari 458 Italia

The owner of a brand new Ferrari 458 Italia with some 500 miles on the odometer in Brandon Florida received a quick lesson on the disadvantages of a low slung sports car in the land of pickup trucks and SUVs when a Ford F-150 ran over its hood. We don't know if the F-150 driver mistook Maranello's creation for a red speed bump or if the Ferrari owner questioned Ford's 'Built Tough' slogan, but something tells us this video is going to become a hit. You can watch the clip after the break.

Top Gear USA Host to Coach Bloggers and Consumers at 2012 Ford Focus Global Test Drive Event in Spain

This young man you're looking at the portrait above is Tanner Foust and he will be on hand to teach bloggers [sic] and consumers at Ford's 2012 Focus global test drive event that will take place in Madrid, Spain from February 18 to 20. And who is Tanner Foust, we hear some of you in the USA and probably all of you outside the North American continent, ask? Well, Foust is one of the hosts of the American edition of the Top Gear show that airs on History Channel.

According to Ford, Foust is also a "rallyist, stunt driver, drift champion and television personality". No offense but we think "an over-hyped racing driver that has been shoved down our throats by PR people and certain websites because he won some low talent events like the X games rally and Formula D drift championship", is a more appropriate description that's closer to reality.

The Top Gear USA host will be joined at the Ford blogger and consumer test drive event by Justin Bell, a veteran driver who has raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Trans-Am and American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The Detroit automaker said the racing duo will "coach and assist bloggers and consumer participants in the first-ever Focus Global Test Drive program."

“Focus Global Test Drive will be a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for the participants,” said Foust. “I’m looking forward to helping these drivers put the next-generation Focus to the test, and to benefit the driver’s charities of choice.”

And if you're curious about the "how's and why's" of the event, scroll down for Ford's full press release.

Ford Press Release:

"TOP GEAR TV STAR TANNER FOUST TO HOST AND COACH FORD FOCUS GLOBAL TEST DRIVE PARTICIPANTS

Dearborn, Mich., Jan. 31, 2011 – Ford confirmed today that bloggers and consumers attending the Ford Focus Global Test Drive next month in Madrid will be greeted, hosted and coached by the versatile Tanner Foust, HISTORY television personality on the American edition of Top Gear. Foust brings a wealth of experience to the Global Test Drive program, with stunt driving, rally competition, three X Games gold medals and a pair of Formula D drift championships to his credit.

Teaming with 24 Hours of Le Mans, Trans-Am and American Le Mans Series (ALMS) veteran Justin Bell, Foust will host, coach and assist bloggers and consumer participants in the first-ever Focus Global Test Drive program.

Foust and Bell will help host Focus Global Test Drive participants at the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), near Madrid. An aeronautical research facility, INTA and its varied surfaces make an ideal location for dynamic driving events.

“Focus Global Test Drive will be a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for the participants,” said Foust. “I’m looking forward to helping these drivers put the next-generation Focus to the test, and to benefit the driver’s charities of choice.”

At the three-day event, Feb. 18-20, 2011, consumers and bloggers will be able to experience the Ford Focus in a unique new manner. Each challenge and course will highlight the driving dynamics and technologies in the vehicle. And throughout the event, charities will benefit.

To participate in Focus Global Test Drive, friends and fans from around the world were invited to submit simple video applications explaining why they should be included in this unique behind-the-scenes event. The application process invites prospective test drivers to “start more than a car” by generating the market equivalent of $10,000 for a specific charity of their choice from the categories of hunger, education and environment/sustainability.

With Focus Global Test Drive, there is something for everyone. Ford engineers will get rapid feedback from interested customers and prospects; drivers get a first look at the new car before it goes on sale; friends get to come along for the ride of a lifetime; and deserving charities will benefit in a big way."

Ford May Top GM as Best Selling U.S. Automaker This Year for the First Time since 1930

The last time that Ford overtook General Motors as the best selling automaker in the U.S. was in 1930. But as they say, records are made to be broken. And according to industry analysts, FoMoCo may very well take the first spot this year as the 'New GM' will emerge from Chapter 11 with just four brands -Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick. According to Autodata Corp., the four brands of the 'New GM' accounted for 16.5 percent of the U.S. market in the month of June while FoMoCo's share not including Volvo that's up for grabs, was 17.2 percent.

John Wolkonowicz, an industry analyst with IHS Global Insight, told Bloomberg News that "Ford is on a real roll right now," and that the automaker "could overtake GM this year."

"A lot of Pontiac buyers, young, blue-collar women, may not like the rest of the GM lineup," Wolkonowicz added. "They're certainly not going to buy a Buick."

But does it really matter who takes the first spot in sales? Well, it certainly makes the company's employees feel proud for their work, but that's about it. Don't forget, GM was the global leader and look where the automaker is now.

eBay Huh? Find: Ford Aspire Jet AirCar Prototype

Sometimes, we're absolutely dumbfounded by the type of products that people try to get rid off on eBay. Why would anybody actually want to buy a 1996 Ford Aspire with a pair of custom made wings? Beats us, but the eBay seller says that it retractable wings are street legal in Illinois if they are folded - we'd ask an official if we were 'high' enough to buy such a car and drive around in it. In any case, skip the jump to check out the photo gallery and the seller's amusing description.

Seller's Description:

Jet AirCar Prototype Mock-up was designed and built by Superior Areo Designs as a whimsical tribute to the concept of the flying car, or the roadable airplane. It is built on a 1996 Ford Aspire, but more on the car later. The Jet AirCar is constructed of wood, foam, metal and assorted other materials, some are actually from an experimental aircraft but most are hardware store grade. The Jet AirCar has not and never will fly, but it is an attention getter driving around town and in parades. Maximum taxi speed with the wings up is 35mph and 15mph with them in the down position. It is street legal in Illinois with the wings folded, 10ft high and less than 8 ft wide. Attaching the wing assembly takes about 30 minutes. The "Jet" engine is a nacelle only. It is taking up space in my hangar and I'm getting married in the fall so out it goes.

The car part of the Jet AirCar Prototype Mock-up is a 1996 Ford Aspire 4 door. It has a 5 speed manual trans, AM/FM radio cassette, good heater, nice interior, decent paint with little or no rust, good tires and an easy starting, strong running 4 cylinder engine. I got the car in 2006 from a local dealer friend of mine. They had sold the car in '96 and just taken it in trade from the original owner. It has about 110,000 miles, though the speedometer cable is damaged and I'm not completely sure of the mileage. The speedometer cable fitting is also the filler cap for the trans oil and it spits some oil when it runs. But the engine itself is tight and leak free. The wings can be removed but the wing mounting boards are riveted to the top of the car. The car has been stored in my heated hangar for the last 2 years, taken out only for some parades and car shows in 06 and 07. I have not kept the license or emissions test current and the winning bidder will have to accept that responsibility.

The vehicle can be driven with the wings attached, but at 30mph you will get nowhere fast. Best to put the wings in another vehicle, a small pickup or trailer would be fine. Winning bidder must make a 50% payment within 3 days of the close of the auction and the balance with 7 days of the close of the auction.

Link: eBay - Hat tip to Joe!