Posts Tagged ‘New Ford Cars’
Portland Auto Dealer: Ford Announces Redesign of 2013 Fusion Sedan
The much-anticipated Detroit Auto Show is next week, and industry experts are buzzing with anticipation over Ford’s redesign of the classic Fusion sedan. The Wall Street Journal reports that the 2013 Fusion “will look more like the ultraluxury sports car Aston Martin Vantage than the current boxy version.”
Ford is keeping details close to their vest. Photos and videos? Nowhere to be found. How about fuel efficiency? Mum’s the word. What about price? Their lips are sealed. How many will they produce? No one will say, though the WSJ notes that in October, Ford increased Fusion production capacity at its Michigan manufacturing plant to 350,000 units per year.
Long revered as an American auto maker, Ford has partnered with a European design team for the new Fusion. The same studio is responsible for the redesigned Ford Focus, while the American design team focuses on trucks and SUVs. According to journalists who’ve gotten a sneak peek at the redesigned sedan, the Cologne, Germany-based team has taken details of the Aston Martin and Mustang fastbacks and integrated them into the family-centric vehicle.
Form meets function. Sounds like a winner. If you’re looking for your own reliable, efficient Ford car, truck or SUV, browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Ford Dealer: Troubleshooting a Vehicle that Won’t Start
Most of the time, starting your vehicle is simple. Key goes in, key gets turned, engine turns over, and off you go. But what happens when that process goes awry? What should you do if the engine doesn’t turn over?
Clicking usually indicates a dead battery. Leaving the lights on after the car is stopped, as well as good old-fashioned time can run out this vital part. Keeping a set of jumper cables and a cheat sheet in your vehicle’s trunk or storage area is the first step toward helping yourself or a fellow traveler out of this jam. This guide from Via, the AAA magazine, and this diagram from the auto section of dummies.com are both detailed resources.
Silence could mean the battery’s cable connections have corroded past usefulness. If the car starts after you wedge a screwdriver (be sure the handle is non-conductive!) between the connector and terminal post, then your cables may need to be cleaned or replaced.
Dying after it starts is a serious problem, either with your fuel injector or the carburetor (whichever your vehicle has). If you have a carburetor, check the choke to be sure it’s opening and closing. If you have a fuel injector, take your car in for service immediately.
The vehicle cranks but won’t engage could indicate a fuel or spark plug problem. Check that fuel is reaching your engine and that your spark plugs are good.
Not starting on rainy days could mean engine trouble every day in an Oregon winter. If this is happening to you, check your distributor cap for moisture. Using a clean solvent – not gasoline, as it’s flammable and so are its fumes – turn the cap upside down, spray the solvent inside, and then dry it as best you can with a lint-free cloth.
Looking for your own reliable, efficient Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Ford Dealer: Ford Announces Production of the 100MPGe Focus Electric
Ford announced Wednesday that production of the 2012 Focus Electric, the company’s first five-seater, all-electric, gasoline-free vehicle, has begun. The Focus Electric will have a fuel efficiency rating of 100MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and joins Ford’s line of fuel efficient hybrid vehicles, including the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi. It will be the first electric vehicle to be powered at 240-volt outlets, providing a full charge in approximately three to four hours. Owners who don’t want to install a $1,500 240V home-charging system (set to be available at Best Buy) can use household 120V outlets, allowing the car to charge in 18–20 hours.
The Focus Electric debuted at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and uses unique technology in its heating and cooling system. While not nearly the most powerful car on the market – it clocks in at 123hp and has a top speed of 84mph – the Focus Electric’s quick charging time, family-sized seating room, and incredible fuel efficiency make it ideal for commuters. Its battery – approximately the same size as that in the Nissan Leaf – has an estimated range of 70 miles per charge.
Interested in owning a hybrid or electric Ford vehicle? Looking for your own efficient Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
sources: social.ford.com, caranddriver.com
Portland Ford Dealer: Top Five Safety Tips for Winter Driving
It doesn’t snow very often in this part of Oregon, but it certainly does get cold and often there is ice on the road. Add in extra traffic, stressed travelers, and driving to places that you don’t visit very often, and a simple journey can become downright dangerous. Here are five tips to stay safe on the road this winter.
1. If you hit ice or a large patch of water, take your foot off the accelerator and do not brake. The same goes for going around sharp turns – your vehicle will lose traction when you hit the brakes. Letting yourself coast through a slick patch or around a corner keeps control in your hands.
2. If you start to spin out, keep your feet off the brakes and steer in the direction the car is going. Trying to correct will only lead to overcorrection, but steering into the spin will take you off the slick patch and is more likely to leave you facing the proper direction and able to move off to the shoulder or continue driving.
3. Pack a survival kit: fluids for the car, snacks, blankets, jumper cables, and a spare tire and jack. Plan for the worst, hope for the best, and always be prepared.
4. Leave extra time and distance. More vehicles on the road means more accidents, more traffic jams, and longer time to get from point A to point B. Leave more room between you and other cars on the road, to help avoid being the accident that closes a lane or two of highway traffic.
5. Do a complete and thorough check of your car before you hit the road. Make sure your fluids and tire pressure are at their proper levels, your windshield wipers aren’t worn out, all lights and signals work, the spare is inflated, and all belts are in good condition.
Have you ever been in or narrowly avoided a winter weather accident?
Looking for your own safe Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Ford Dealer: Experience the 2012 Mustang Shelby GT500 at Damerow Ford!
At Damerow Ford, we love the Ford Mustang. We’re pumped for the 2012 Ford Mustang and love to admire our inventory. One model in particular, however,
stands out from the rest: the gorgeous 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 you see in this image!
Let’s start with the outside. The Shelby’s aggressive exterior design is complemented by a shiny coat of white paint with a red racing stripe down the middle, red accents, and a rear spoiler. Its wheels, while common to the Shelby model, can hardly be called “stock”. The interior is equipped with leather-trimmed sport bucket seats with racing stripes coordinated with the exterior color. Features include satellite radio capability, Microsoft Sync, electronic dash, leather seats, navigation, and much more.
While these features are certainly impressive, you’re probably wondering what’s under the hood. The Shelby includes a 5.4-liter 4V supercharged aluminum block V8 engine which achieves a jaw-dropping 550 horsepower. It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission for ultimate control both in the city and country roads.
If you’re interested in taking a look at this gorgeous model, we would love to show it to you! Give us a call at 800-732-8633 today to set up an appointment with one of our Ford experts. We look forward to seeing you!
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Auto Dealer: 2012 Ford Explorer Provides Great Value For Families
For the last two decades, the Ford Explorer has been one of the top-selling midsize SUVs on the market with its fantastic versatility,
interior comfort, and great design. In the latest version, the iconic Ford model will include the most innovative engine on the market: the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine.
As Car and Driver reports in their first test drive, the Explorer provides a very different experience than other EcoBoost-loaded Ford models like the smaller Ford Edge crossover. It draws about 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, which is nothing to laugh at in a 4-cylinder model. Due to the Explorer’s greater weight and length – with 7 seats and nearly 13 inches longer in length than the Edge – it doesn’t quite have the same “zip” of the Edge and smaller EcoBoost models. It does result in a nice increase in fuel economy, however, with a best-in-class 28 highway MPG.
The ultimate conclusion has the 2012 Explorer as a much improved version of the family vehicle we have always known and loved. While the Edge is likely a better fit for small families who often tow boats or other loads, the Explorer is the ideal option for families with children completing everyday tasks of taking children to school and hauling groceries.
We’re excited about what the 2012 Explorer has to offer, and we have a great selection of brand-new inventory arriving daily. Stay tuned here and on our Facebook page for more on all the latest Ford news!
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Ford Dealer: Fiesta ST Concept Looks Poised For Production
Wondering what Ford has in store for its small car lineup? Look no further than the Fiesta ST concept, which is making headlines left and right and looks
poised for production. Introduced at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, the ST was designed as a smaller version of the upcoming Focus ST, a performance version of the popular 2012 Ford Focus.
The Fiesta ST is a natural extension of the over-achieving Fiesta, and features muscular and sporty exterior styling along with a high-performance powertrain found in high-end models. Under the hood lies a 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine which achieves nearly 180 horsepower and 177 Ib-ft. of torque. This results in a 0-60 MPH time of under 7 seconds with a top speed of approximately 136 MPH, a very impressive line for a vehicle of this size.
We’re eagerly awaiting the announcement for production of the ST, and we hope you’re as excited about it as we are. Watch the video below and stay tuned right here on our blog and Facebook page for all the latest news on new Ford models!
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Car Dealer: Ford Mustang to Receive Full Makeover for 50th Anniversary
With the “retro” design upgrade of 2005 and further enhancements in 2010, the Ford Mustang has successfully evolved in a modern way while staying true to its
timeless history.
Enter 2015.
As Motor Trend anticipates the debut of the 50th anniversary model, it was leaked that the Mustang will again be receiving a major upgrade. Perhaps the biggest shift for this Mustang will be its deployment to other markets where it will be designed, like England, Japan, and Austrailia. This is largely why speculators are predicting a more sleek design and smaller frame.
A specific list of upgrades hasn’t yet been confirmed, but one certainty is that this Mustang will finally get an independent rear suspension and ditch the outdated live axle. What shouldn’t change is Ford’s newest engine, the 3.7-liter V-6 and 5.0-liter V-8 in the 2012 model. Rumor also has it that Ford’s brand-new EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder could bring a revival of the SVO model as well in 2015.
We are anxiously anticipating more details on the anniversary Mustang, which should be coming in sooner than usual with this level of hype. Stay tuned here and on our Facebook page for the very latest news on all things Ford!
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Auto Dealer: 2013 Ford Flex Spy Photos Reveal Compelling Upgrades
Think it’s time for an upgrade to Ford’s “big box” crossover? Ford does too.
As Car and Driver reports, the 2013 Ford Flex will include significant upgrades to both the interior and exterior. In photos ca
ptured on Ford’s testing grounds, it was revealed that the front end will have a more rounded shape closer to that of the 2011 Explorer. The 2011 model’s sharp, blade-like slats will be replaced with a single chrome bar extending the width of the car with more delicate surrounding materials. New wheels and changes to the rear exterior (covered in camouflage by Ford) also appear to be present in the upcoming model.
An exact list of interior upgrades isn’t yet available, but the conclusion was made that it will include the MyTouch Ford system, a new steering wheel and shifter, as well as updated gauges. The performance side of the equation also looks promising, with a 230-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost mill and the same 3.5-liter V-6 featured in the 2013 Taurus. It is also assumed to have many of the additional upgrades anticipated in the all-new Taurus, including a brake-based “limited-slip” function, electric assisted steering, and an improved brake system for greater stopping power.
We look forward to hearing more about the all-new Ford Flex as the details are released. Stay tuned for more information here on the blog and on our Facebook page.
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Auto Dealer: 2013 Ford Escape Crossover Photos Reveal a Whole New Shape
Ford’s vision for the future is to align its vehicle offerings with the ever-changing demands of the consumer. This will include a bold move of transitioning the world’s most
popular compact SUV over to the crossover category.
As Car and Driver reports, the 2013 Ford Escape will feature an entirely different body shape and engine makeup. Spy photos were taken on Ford’s testing grounds, and it was revealed that the new body style will closely follow Ford’s Vertrek concept as displayed at various auto shows earlier this year. The Escape will include a swoopy greenhouse, bulging hood, swept-back headlights, and a strong character line running from the front wheelarch to the edge of the taillights.
In addition to its all-new body style, the next-generation Escape will feature something Ford enthusiasts have been begging for: more models featuring the Ford EcoBoost engine. Made popular in the 2011 Ford F-150, the EcoBoost engine will add a new level of power and fuel efficiency to Ford’s most fuel-efficient SUV. Car and Driver estimates that the EcoBoost offering will likely come in the form of a 1.6-liter or 2.0-liter engine, drawing somewhere between 180 and 237 hp.
Ford’s post-2012 presence in the compact SUV market is still uncertain, but one thing is clear: the 2013 Escape will be provide an intriguing option to our customers. Stay tuned for more information as we receive it, right here on the Damerow Ford blog and on Facebook!
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.

