The Steering Column http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com Where I give my opinion on cars and you are entitled to it. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:54:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 I’m Back! http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=477 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=477#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:54:31 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=477 So, for the three of you that check out this blog from time to time, you’ll notice that I haven’t posted jack squat on this blog in, as it equates to in internet time, forever!

I could get into all of the particulars about why, but the bottom line is that I had no idea what I wanted to do with The Steering Column. I took some time off, did some other things, and tried to figure out where I wanted to go with this project of mine. After much deliberation, I have made up my mind, finally!

I have no real credibility, no access to the vehicles I’m discussing, no industry connections, and the only car I’ve had any real seat time with is a ’93 Honda Accord. Do you have any idea how liberating that is? I don’t have to be bothered with facts! I can say whatever the hell I want to about cars and it won’t matter! We are talking pure entertainment here. It’s like Top Gear, but not as old, not as expensive, and not nearly as entertaining.

Podcasting will resume in the coming weeks. I’ll try to find some other people to come on with me because podcasting alone is just lonely. I should also come up with some sort of theme song for it, don’t you think?

Anyhow, stay tuned and thanks for stopping by!

-T_D

]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=477 0 2012 Ford Focus Live Chat: Sync and MyFord Touch http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=470 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=470#comments Fri, 17 Dec 2010 21:41:58 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=470 Focus on the Customer Live Chat with Focus Technology Expert Gary Jablonski
(11/30/1999)
Friday December 10, 2010
11:09

Ford Motor Company:
Thank you for joining us today for the fifth in a series of live chats on the all-new 2012 Ford Focus. Today we are talking about the new smart technology you’ll find in the Focus, including the latest from our in-car connectivity system: MyFord Touch. We have Gary Jablonski, one of the original architects of SYNC, here to discuss the the new vehicle. We are taking this time to answer your questions about the new Focus, so please send them in!
One administrative note: when you submit a question, you won’t see it appear here right away. We get a variety of questions from many fans, and we need to keep things orderly, so we’ll be selecting questions for Gary to answer. Please be patient if you don’t see something right away.

So let’s begin!
Friday December 10, 2010 11:09 Ford Motor Company
11:12

[Comment From Brent Brent : ]
Will MyFordTouch be controlling the climate system since there are separate controls for the automatic temp control in the lower dash? Also, does the touch screen communicate information to the screen in the dashboard like the 2011 Edge?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:12 Brent
11:12

Gary Jablonski:
The answer to your first question is yes, MyFord Touch will allow control of the cliimate control system.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:12 Gary Jablonski
11:13

Gary Jablonski:
As for the Edge comparison question, there will be a single screen in the all-new Focus’ instrument cluster that will communicate climate, mileage, etc.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:13 Gary Jablonski
11:13

[Comment From jack black jack black : ]
what is the best phone to work with SYNC?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:13 jack black
11:14

Gary Jablonski:
You should go to www.syncmyride.com. We are constantly testing phone compatibility, and we publish our results to this site.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:14 Gary Jablonski
11:15

[Comment From Gio Gio : ]
Good morning, I’m very excited about all the tech goodies coming in the new Focus in particular the Applink feature of the MyFord Touch system. Can you tell us a little more about that feature and what if any companies are developing apps for this?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:15 Gio
11:15

Gary Jablonski:
Applink will first launch on the Ford Fiesta later this year. We’ve already announced parternships with Pandora, Stitcher and OpenBeak to develop the first applications.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:15 Gary Jablonski
11:16

[Comment From Ford man Ford man : ]
How often is SYNC updated and improved? I have an old system on my Ford
Friday December 10, 2010 11:16 Ford man
11:17

Gary Jablonski:
We’ve added features to SYNC since its launch in 2008, like Traffic, Directions and Information and 911 Assist.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:17 Gary Jablonski
11:18

Gary Jablonski:
You can log in to your account on syncmyride.com, where you can find information about updates available for your vehicle.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:18 Gary Jablonski
11:18

[Comment From Liz Liz : ]
What phone do you use with SYNC?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:18 Liz
11:18

Gary Jablonski:
I use a BlackBerry, and I’m currently testing AppLink with my phone right now.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:18 Gary Jablonski
11:19

[Comment From Carl W Carl W : ]
Hello Gary, thanks for doing this chat…..couple question re MyFord Touch going into the new Focus. Will it offer a valet anti-lock feature, I think it is called smart lock, so someone cannot check things such as your navigation history etc. 2nd question is what are the difference between MyFord technology and My Ford Touch, besides the obvious touch feature and screen size?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:19 Carl W
11:20

Gary Jablonski:
The navigation includes a valet feature, which protects your personal information when you give it to a valet.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:20 Gary Jablonski
11:21

Gary Jablonski:
The major difference is the screen size. MyFord is a 4″ screen without touch capabilities. MyFord Touch is an 8″ screen and navigation is only available on MyFord Touch.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:21 Gary Jablonski
11:21

[Comment From Tangelo hater Tangelo hater : ]
Will the touch give you feedback regarding mileage (specifically how efficiently you are driving) like what the ford fusion hybrid gives you
Friday December 10, 2010 11:21 Tangelo hater
11:22

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, the Ford Focus MyFord Touch will provide the driver feedback on fuel economy. Its really cool because you can see how your driving habits affect your fuel economy.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:22 Gary Jablonski
11:23

[Comment From Chris B Chris B : ]
When will the new Focus launch?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:23 Chris B
11:23

Gary Jablonski:
It will be on sale in early 2011.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:23 Gary Jablonski
11:23

[Comment From Roller Roller : ]
I heard the new Hyundais system does not require you to connect the bluetooth phone. it does it automatically. Is SYNC doing that?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:23 Roller
11:24

Gary Jablonski:
On MyFord Touch, we help the customer make a secure Bluetooth connection between their phone and their car to protect their personal information.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:24 Gary Jablonski
11:25

[Comment From Chris B Chris B : ]
Is the technology in the Edge the same as the Focus?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:25 Chris B
11:25

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, the SYNC technology is the same in the Edge and the Focus.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:25 Gary Jablonski
11:26

[Comment From Josh Josh : ]
Hi Gary, I just preordered a 2012 Focus titanium hatch. It looks like you replaced the steering wheel voice activation button with some kind of paddle; can you elaborate on this?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:26 Josh
11:26

Gary Jablonski:
It is a paddle-like control for SYNC, but functionally it works the same as the 2010 Focus.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:26 Gary Jablonski
11:26

[Comment From Chris B Chris B : ]
What is Applink ?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:26 Chris B
11:27

Gary Jablonski:
AppLink is a new feature for SYNC that will allow applications that run on the customer’s smartphone to interact with the vehicle audio system and display. For example, Pandora will play through the car’s audio system and can be controled with the steering wheel switches and the voice control.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:27 Gary Jablonski
11:28

[Comment From Captin Captin : ]
How loud is it inside the cabin when you are driving down the road? And how does the sync handle cabin noise?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:28 Captin
11:28

Gary Jablonski:
We’ve worked very hard to significantly reduce the noise levels inside the vehicle. SYNC includes noise rejection software technology to eliminate background noise from the phone conversation.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:28 Gary Jablonski
11:29

[Comment From Captin Captin : ]
Can people in the back seat use the hands free features with the sync?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:29 Captin
11:30

Gary Jablonski:
The microphone for SYNC can hear the passengers, but the system is really designed to help the driver. But sometimes its fun to let the kids talk to SYNC!
Friday December 10, 2010 11:30 Gary Jablonski
11:30

[Comment From Josh Josh : ]
Is the 4′ a color display?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:30 Josh
11:31

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, its a color display.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:31 Gary Jablonski
11:32

[Comment From Gio Gio : ]
On the build & price website, one of the interior options is SYNC without navigation or SYNC with navigation. Do you have to choose the SYNC with navigation option in order for the MyFord Touch system to have navigation?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:32 Gio
11:32

Gary Jablonski:
Full-screen navigation is only available through MyFord Touch with the 8″ display screen.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:32 Gary Jablonski
11:33

[Comment From Lawrence from Manila Lawrence from Manila : ]
Do the ford Focus 2010 have blutooth technology?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:33 Lawrence from Manila
11:34

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, the Ford Focus was the first vehicle that offered SYNC in 2008.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:34 Gary Jablonski
11:34

[Comment From Chris R Chris R : ]
Do they plan on actually adding real support for Apple iPod so that users aren’t experiencing USB removed errors?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:34 Chris R
11:34

Gary Jablonski:
Our SYNC team works closely with Apple to create the best possible iPod experience. We encourage iPod users to keep their iPod up to date at iTunes to get continuous improvements.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:34 Gary Jablonski
11:35

[Comment From Richard Lee Richard Lee : ]
How durable is MyFord Touch, in terms of climate conditions and longevity?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:35 Richard Lee
11:36

Gary Jablonski:
Quality and reliability are standards in automotive technology. They are among the highest in the world. MyFord Touch is designed to these standards and is expected to live the life of the car under all operating conditions.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:36 Gary Jablonski
11:36

[Comment From Mary Mary : ]
Are the heated seats and ambient lighting controlled through MyFord Touch?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:36 Mary
11:37

Gary Jablonski:
Heated seats are controlled through MyFord Touch, but ambient lighting is not.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:37 Gary Jablonski
11:37

[Comment From Jesse Jesse : ]
WIll there be any apps for AppLink like Facebook or Twitter?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:37 Jesse
11:38

Gary Jablonski:
OpenBeak, one of our first partners, is a Twitter client. OpenBeak allows your friends’ tweets to be read aloud to you while you’re in your vehicle.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:38 Gary Jablonski
11:38

[Comment From Focus Man Focus Man : ]
Should I order the navigation system in my Focus ?– it is expensive, and the sync system does navigation.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:38 Focus Man
11:40

Gary Jablonski:
Both are good navigation options. We’ve offered two choices for navigation to our customers. The MyFord Touch provides a full 8″ screen with maps. The base SYNC option with the 4″ screen provides turn-by-turn directions. It really comes down to your preference.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:40 Gary Jablonski
11:41

[Comment From Mitch Mattice Mitch Mattice : ]
I noticed from brochures before ordering my 2012 Titanium Sedan, that it Heated and COOLED seats were dispalyed on the Nav Screen, as was Heated Steering wheel. Are those features only available on the Euro Spec car, or can we see those here sometime soon?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:41 Mitch Mattice
11:41

Gary Jablonski:
In North America, you are able to control climate through MyFord Touch.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:41 Gary Jablonski
11:41

[Comment From Tom Rees Tom Rees : ]
Will you be offering internet in the car?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:41 Tom Rees
11:42

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, AppLink will allow the driver to access internet-enabled applications that are running on their smartphone without additional costs.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:42 Gary Jablonski
11:43

[Comment From Gio Gio : ]
Are there any plans to develop a system like GM’s new system which allows you to remote start the car and view vehicle health information through an app on your smartphone?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:43 Gio
11:43

Gary Jablonski:
All SYNC-equipped vehicles offer the Vehicle Health Report feature, which allows you to view your vehicle health information on syncmyride.com.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:43 Gary Jablonski
11:44

[Comment From Stan Brody Stan Brody : ]
not sure if this made it through…will Ford offer the Focus with a diesel power plant as it does in Europe
Friday December 10, 2010 11:44 Stan Brody
11:45

Gary Jablonski:
Here in North America, we will offer an advanced 2L direct injection TiVCT engine. The vehicle’s engine, coupled with our PowerShift Automatic transmission, is projected to deliver 40 mpg highway.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:45 Gary Jablonski
11:45

[Comment From Guest Guest : ]
Does sync work with satellite radio..?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:45 Guest
11:46

Gary Jablonski:
SYNC and satellite radio are separate features and are both available on the Focus. You can control SIRIUS satellite radio through MyFord Touch and by voice.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:46 Gary Jablonski
11:48

[Comment From Jake Jake : ]
Can the dashboard color screen show radio, climate, and phone information like current MyFord Touch vehicles? What vehicle functions can this color screen display?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:48 Jake
11:48

Gary Jablonski:
The 8″ touchscreen is the main area for radio, climate and phone information. The color screen in front of the driver in the instrument cluster is the main source of vehicle information, like mileage, etc.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:48 Gary Jablonski
11:49

[Comment From Martyn Allyson Martyn Allyson : ]
I saw that a new Focus might cost $25,000. Is that true?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:49 Martyn Allyson
11:50

Gary Jablonski:
The Focus will start at $16,270, which is carry-over pricing from 2010. We offer four different series and two transmission choices, providing our customers with a variety of options.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:50 Gary Jablonski
11:50

[Comment From Deb Glen Deb Glen : ]
How is SYNC different from OnStar?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:50 Deb Glen
11:51

Gary Jablonski:
SYNC makes the cell phone you know and love as user-friendly as possible when you’re driving your vehicle. It has no monthly fee.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:51 Gary Jablonski
11:51

[Comment From Mitch Mattice Mitch Mattice : ]
Why dont we see MyColor any more like that of the 2007 Mustang anymore?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:51 Mitch Mattice
11:52

Gary Jablonski:
MyColor is still available in the Mustang.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Gary Jablonski
11:52

[Comment From Michael Henry Michael Henry : ]
Will the ST be available at launch date?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Michael Henry
11:52

Gary Jablonski:
The ST will launch in 2012.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Gary Jablonski
11:52

[Comment From Joseph Caron Joseph Caron : ]
how many computer engineers do you have at Ford? Do you design everything in house?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Joseph Caron
11:52

Gary Jablonski:
We have a large engineering team here at Ford, but we also work with several partners, like Microsoft.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Gary Jablonski
11:54

[Comment From Scott Hill Scott Hill : ]
Do you think internet radio (Pandora) is going to kill satellite radio?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:54 Scott Hill
11:54

Gary Jablonski:
I think there is room for both technologies, and the serve different needs. For example, only satellite radio gives us continuous coverage coast-to-coast.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:54 Gary Jablonski
11:58

Gary Jablonski:
Alright, its been great talking to everyone, and I’ve enjoyed answering your questions, but now its time for me to go!
Friday December 10, 2010 11:58 Gary Jablonski
12:00

Ford Motor Company:
Thanks for joining us today.
The new Focus will launch with lots of new technologies like Sync and MyFord Touch that will keep you connected in your car. The Focus will go on sale early next year. Look out for future Focus On The Customer Chats so you can learn more about the all new Focus!
Friday December 10, 2010 12:00 Ford Motor Company
12:00

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Focus on the Customer Live Chat with Focus Technology Expert Gary Jablonski
(11/30/1999)
Friday December 10, 2010
11:09

Ford Motor Company:
Thank you for joining us today for the fifth in a series of live chats on the all-new 2012 Ford Focus. Today we are talking about the new smart technology you’ll find in the Focus, including the latest from our in-car connectivity system: MyFord Touch. We have Gary Jablonski, one of the original architects of SYNC, here to discuss the the new vehicle. We are taking this time to answer your questions about the new Focus, so please send them in!
One administrative note: when you submit a question, you won’t see it appear here right away. We get a variety of questions from many fans, and we need to keep things orderly, so we’ll be selecting questions for Gary to answer. Please be patient if you don’t see something right away.

So let’s begin!
Friday December 10, 2010 11:09 Ford Motor Company
11:12

[Comment From Brent Brent : ]
Will MyFordTouch be controlling the climate system since there are separate controls for the automatic temp control in the lower dash? Also, does the touch screen communicate information to the screen in the dashboard like the 2011 Edge?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:12 Brent
11:12

Gary Jablonski:
The answer to your first question is yes, MyFord Touch will allow control of the cliimate control system.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:12 Gary Jablonski
11:13

Gary Jablonski:
As for the Edge comparison question, there will be a single screen in the all-new Focus’ instrument cluster that will communicate climate, mileage, etc.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:13 Gary Jablonski
11:13

[Comment From jack black jack black : ]
what is the best phone to work with SYNC?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:13 jack black
11:14

Gary Jablonski:
You should go to www.syncmyride.com. We are constantly testing phone compatibility, and we publish our results to this site.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:14 Gary Jablonski
11:15

[Comment From Gio Gio : ]
Good morning, I’m very excited about all the tech goodies coming in the new Focus in particular the Applink feature of the MyFord Touch system. Can you tell us a little more about that feature and what if any companies are developing apps for this?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:15 Gio
11:15

Gary Jablonski:
Applink will first launch on the Ford Fiesta later this year. We’ve already announced parternships with Pandora, Stitcher and OpenBeak to develop the first applications.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:15 Gary Jablonski
11:16

[Comment From Ford man Ford man : ]
How often is SYNC updated and improved? I have an old system on my Ford
Friday December 10, 2010 11:16 Ford man
11:17

Gary Jablonski:
We’ve added features to SYNC since its launch in 2008, like Traffic, Directions and Information and 911 Assist.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:17 Gary Jablonski
11:18

Gary Jablonski:
You can log in to your account on syncmyride.com, where you can find information about updates available for your vehicle.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:18 Gary Jablonski
11:18

[Comment From Liz Liz : ]
What phone do you use with SYNC?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:18 Liz
11:18

Gary Jablonski:
I use a BlackBerry, and I’m currently testing AppLink with my phone right now.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:18 Gary Jablonski
11:19

[Comment From Carl W Carl W : ]
Hello Gary, thanks for doing this chat…..couple question re MyFord Touch going into the new Focus. Will it offer a valet anti-lock feature, I think it is called smart lock, so someone cannot check things such as your navigation history etc. 2nd question is what are the difference between MyFord technology and My Ford Touch, besides the obvious touch feature and screen size?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:19 Carl W
11:20

Gary Jablonski:
The navigation includes a valet feature, which protects your personal information when you give it to a valet.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:20 Gary Jablonski
11:21

Gary Jablonski:
The major difference is the screen size. MyFord is a 4″ screen without touch capabilities. MyFord Touch is an 8″ screen and navigation is only available on MyFord Touch.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:21 Gary Jablonski
11:21

[Comment From Tangelo hater Tangelo hater : ]
Will the touch give you feedback regarding mileage (specifically how efficiently you are driving) like what the ford fusion hybrid gives you
Friday December 10, 2010 11:21 Tangelo hater
11:22

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, the Ford Focus MyFord Touch will provide the driver feedback on fuel economy. Its really cool because you can see how your driving habits affect your fuel economy.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:22 Gary Jablonski
11:23

[Comment From Chris B Chris B : ]
When will the new Focus launch?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:23 Chris B
11:23

Gary Jablonski:
It will be on sale in early 2011.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:23 Gary Jablonski
11:23

[Comment From Roller Roller : ]
I heard the new Hyundais system does not require you to connect the bluetooth phone. it does it automatically. Is SYNC doing that?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:23 Roller
11:24

Gary Jablonski:
On MyFord Touch, we help the customer make a secure Bluetooth connection between their phone and their car to protect their personal information.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:24 Gary Jablonski
11:25

[Comment From Chris B Chris B : ]
Is the technology in the Edge the same as the Focus?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:25 Chris B
11:25

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, the SYNC technology is the same in the Edge and the Focus.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:25 Gary Jablonski
11:26

[Comment From Josh Josh : ]
Hi Gary, I just preordered a 2012 Focus titanium hatch. It looks like you replaced the steering wheel voice activation button with some kind of paddle; can you elaborate on this?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:26 Josh
11:26

Gary Jablonski:
It is a paddle-like control for SYNC, but functionally it works the same as the 2010 Focus.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:26 Gary Jablonski
11:26

[Comment From Chris B Chris B : ]
What is Applink ?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:26 Chris B
11:27

Gary Jablonski:
AppLink is a new feature for SYNC that will allow applications that run on the customer’s smartphone to interact with the vehicle audio system and display. For example, Pandora will play through the car’s audio system and can be controled with the steering wheel switches and the voice control.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:27 Gary Jablonski
11:28

[Comment From Captin Captin : ]
How loud is it inside the cabin when you are driving down the road? And how does the sync handle cabin noise?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:28 Captin
11:28

Gary Jablonski:
We’ve worked very hard to significantly reduce the noise levels inside the vehicle. SYNC includes noise rejection software technology to eliminate background noise from the phone conversation.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:28 Gary Jablonski
11:29

[Comment From Captin Captin : ]
Can people in the back seat use the hands free features with the sync?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:29 Captin
11:30

Gary Jablonski:
The microphone for SYNC can hear the passengers, but the system is really designed to help the driver. But sometimes its fun to let the kids talk to SYNC!
Friday December 10, 2010 11:30 Gary Jablonski
11:30

[Comment From Josh Josh : ]
Is the 4′ a color display?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:30 Josh
11:31

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, its a color display.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:31 Gary Jablonski
11:32

[Comment From Gio Gio : ]
On the build & price website, one of the interior options is SYNC without navigation or SYNC with navigation. Do you have to choose the SYNC with navigation option in order for the MyFord Touch system to have navigation?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:32 Gio
11:32

Gary Jablonski:
Full-screen navigation is only available through MyFord Touch with the 8″ display screen.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:32 Gary Jablonski
11:33

[Comment From Lawrence from Manila Lawrence from Manila : ]
Do the ford Focus 2010 have blutooth technology?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:33 Lawrence from Manila
11:34

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, the Ford Focus was the first vehicle that offered SYNC in 2008.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:34 Gary Jablonski
11:34

[Comment From Chris R Chris R : ]
Do they plan on actually adding real support for Apple iPod so that users aren’t experiencing USB removed errors?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:34 Chris R
11:34

Gary Jablonski:
Our SYNC team works closely with Apple to create the best possible iPod experience. We encourage iPod users to keep their iPod up to date at iTunes to get continuous improvements.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:34 Gary Jablonski
11:35

[Comment From Richard Lee Richard Lee : ]
How durable is MyFord Touch, in terms of climate conditions and longevity?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:35 Richard Lee
11:36

Gary Jablonski:
Quality and reliability are standards in automotive technology. They are among the highest in the world. MyFord Touch is designed to these standards and is expected to live the life of the car under all operating conditions.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:36 Gary Jablonski
11:36

[Comment From Mary Mary : ]
Are the heated seats and ambient lighting controlled through MyFord Touch?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:36 Mary
11:37

Gary Jablonski:
Heated seats are controlled through MyFord Touch, but ambient lighting is not.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:37 Gary Jablonski
11:37

[Comment From Jesse Jesse : ]
WIll there be any apps for AppLink like Facebook or Twitter?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:37 Jesse
11:38

Gary Jablonski:
OpenBeak, one of our first partners, is a Twitter client. OpenBeak allows your friends’ tweets to be read aloud to you while you’re in your vehicle.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:38 Gary Jablonski
11:38

[Comment From Focus Man Focus Man : ]
Should I order the navigation system in my Focus ?– it is expensive, and the sync system does navigation.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:38 Focus Man
11:40

Gary Jablonski:
Both are good navigation options. We’ve offered two choices for navigation to our customers. The MyFord Touch provides a full 8″ screen with maps. The base SYNC option with the 4″ screen provides turn-by-turn directions. It really comes down to your preference.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:40 Gary Jablonski
11:41

[Comment From Mitch Mattice Mitch Mattice : ]
I noticed from brochures before ordering my 2012 Titanium Sedan, that it Heated and COOLED seats were dispalyed on the Nav Screen, as was Heated Steering wheel. Are those features only available on the Euro Spec car, or can we see those here sometime soon?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:41 Mitch Mattice
11:41

Gary Jablonski:
In North America, you are able to control climate through MyFord Touch.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:41 Gary Jablonski
11:41

[Comment From Tom Rees Tom Rees : ]
Will you be offering internet in the car?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:41 Tom Rees
11:42

Gary Jablonski:
Yes, AppLink will allow the driver to access internet-enabled applications that are running on their smartphone without additional costs.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:42 Gary Jablonski
11:43

[Comment From Gio Gio : ]
Are there any plans to develop a system like GM’s new system which allows you to remote start the car and view vehicle health information through an app on your smartphone?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:43 Gio
11:43

Gary Jablonski:
All SYNC-equipped vehicles offer the Vehicle Health Report feature, which allows you to view your vehicle health information on syncmyride.com.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:43 Gary Jablonski
11:44

[Comment From Stan Brody Stan Brody : ]
not sure if this made it through…will Ford offer the Focus with a diesel power plant as it does in Europe
Friday December 10, 2010 11:44 Stan Brody
11:45

Gary Jablonski:
Here in North America, we will offer an advanced 2L direct injection TiVCT engine. The vehicle’s engine, coupled with our PowerShift Automatic transmission, is projected to deliver 40 mpg highway.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:45 Gary Jablonski
11:45

[Comment From Guest Guest : ]
Does sync work with satellite radio..?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:45 Guest
11:46

Gary Jablonski:
SYNC and satellite radio are separate features and are both available on the Focus. You can control SIRIUS satellite radio through MyFord Touch and by voice.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:46 Gary Jablonski
11:48

[Comment From Jake Jake : ]
Can the dashboard color screen show radio, climate, and phone information like current MyFord Touch vehicles? What vehicle functions can this color screen display?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:48 Jake
11:48

Gary Jablonski:
The 8″ touchscreen is the main area for radio, climate and phone information. The color screen in front of the driver in the instrument cluster is the main source of vehicle information, like mileage, etc.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:48 Gary Jablonski
11:49

[Comment From Martyn Allyson Martyn Allyson : ]
I saw that a new Focus might cost $25,000. Is that true?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:49 Martyn Allyson
11:50

Gary Jablonski:
The Focus will start at $16,270, which is carry-over pricing from 2010. We offer four different series and two transmission choices, providing our customers with a variety of options.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:50 Gary Jablonski
11:50

[Comment From Deb Glen Deb Glen : ]
How is SYNC different from OnStar?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:50 Deb Glen
11:51

Gary Jablonski:
SYNC makes the cell phone you know and love as user-friendly as possible when you’re driving your vehicle. It has no monthly fee.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:51 Gary Jablonski
11:51

[Comment From Mitch Mattice Mitch Mattice : ]
Why dont we see MyColor any more like that of the 2007 Mustang anymore?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:51 Mitch Mattice
11:52

Gary Jablonski:
MyColor is still available in the Mustang.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Gary Jablonski
11:52

[Comment From Michael Henry Michael Henry : ]
Will the ST be available at launch date?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Michael Henry
11:52

Gary Jablonski:
The ST will launch in 2012.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Gary Jablonski
11:52

[Comment From Joseph Caron Joseph Caron : ]
how many computer engineers do you have at Ford? Do you design everything in house?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Joseph Caron
11:52

Gary Jablonski:
We have a large engineering team here at Ford, but we also work with several partners, like Microsoft.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:52 Gary Jablonski
11:54

[Comment From Scott Hill Scott Hill : ]
Do you think internet radio (Pandora) is going to kill satellite radio?
Friday December 10, 2010 11:54 Scott Hill
11:54

Gary Jablonski:
I think there is room for both technologies, and the serve different needs. For example, only satellite radio gives us continuous coverage coast-to-coast.
Friday December 10, 2010 11:54 Gary Jablonski
11:58

Gary Jablonski:
Alright, its been great talking to everyone, and I’ve enjoyed answering your questions, but now its time for me to go!
Friday December 10, 2010 11:58 Gary Jablonski
12:00

Ford Motor Company:
Thanks for joining us today.
The new Focus will launch with lots of new technologies like Sync and MyFord Touch that will keep you connected in your car. The Focus will go on sale early next year. Look out for future Focus On The Customer Chats so you can learn more about the all new Focus!
Friday December 10, 2010 12:00 Ford Motor Company
12:00

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]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=470 0 Why Subcompacts Aren’t Selling Well http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=466 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=466#comments Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:58:45 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=466 When gas prices spiked and the economy took a dive for the shitter, American car makers placed their bets on smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles because that’s what the general public screamed for. But some of the latest numbers show just how fickle American car buyers are. Have the manufacturers mistakenly heard “small car” when the public was really screaming “ice cream”?

One of the biggest entries into the small car market this year was the Ford Fiesta. It’s good looking, fuel efficient, well-built, and well-appointed. It’s also going nowhere fast. Ford projected sales numbers for the fresh little subcompact to be 15,000 units for 2010, but they’ve only moved less than a third of that number. Comparatively, the current Chevy Aveo isn’t far off that pace and it’s not nearly as nice as the Euro-bred Fiesta. So, why is this answer to consumer prayer not being received with thanks? Americans are forgetful.

No, seriously. I dare say most of the country has gotten over the 9/11 terrorist attacks by now, so why in the hell would we be concerned about a gas price hike? I’m not saying we shouldn’t be mindful of it because it could just as easily happen again at the drop of a bomb. But America, as a whole, doesn’t have the greatest sense of history. We are so worried about right now, we tell history to get lost and tell tomorrow we’ll pencil it in.

The price of gas rocketed up to around $5 per gallon and riotous hordes of panicking people piled into gas stations, clambering for fuel wherever they could. And then the price started going down until it settled around where it is now. So, what’s the emergency? Americans went back to buying the cars we really want: big, comfortable land yachts. Sure, cars like the Ford Taurus boast fuel efficency, but it’s no Honda Fit when it comes to mpg’s. The Ford F-150 is still the best selling vehicle in the Ford lineup and that’s a truck. Chrysler is still coming out with big SUVs with all wheel drive and V8 power, not to mention the 300, Charger and Challenger. The could go on and on here, but the point is we, as Americans, love these types of cars. They are part of our landscape and heritage, and we aren’t going to give them up, even in the face of Armageddon.

But, more than any of that, what this truly reveals is that we aren’t quite ready to accept subcompacts in mass. Yes, the Mini Cooper has sold very well here in the states, but it has a novelty about it where the others in the segment don’t. Further proving this point, sales for the compact cars such as the Chevy Cruze and Kia Forte’ are looking good and the redesigned Ford Focus is expected to be a big hit. They may be smaller than full-sized sedans, but they aren’t as small as the subcompacts. Apparently, America just isn’t really to go that low.

So, the companies spending all this money to bring small cars to America have made a mistake and should cut their losses now, right?

Wrong. You see, life works in cycles. The earth is forever orbiting the sun, the seasons are in constant rotation, your body is always regenerating, and gas prices will spike. Yes, gas prices will inevitably go up again for whatever reason. Might be another terrorist attack. It might be something ridiculous the government has done to cause panic. Might be the damned zombie apocalypse, but it’s going to happen. It may seem like a reaction to what happened years ago at this point in time, but it’s really a preemptive strike. Americans just don’t know it yet.

-DeAndre Towns

]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=466 0 Honda CR-Z: Rumors May Be Answer to Prayer http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=460 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=460#comments Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:11:20 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=460 Sales figures have been released for supposedly sporty hybrid coupe hatchback thing Honda calls the CR-Z. They aren’t good. Long story short, it, along with the Crosstour and Insight, is sucking wind in the marketplace. I hate to say I told them so, but I don’t hate it enough not to go on.

The fact of the matter is that Honda has lost its way as of late. And while I can appreciate them trying to add some fun to this hybrid-mobile segment of vehicles, there are better-looking, more exciting, more powerful vehicles available for around the same price. According to the majority of journalists reviews I’ve read, this combination of sport, hybridness and fuel sipping just doesn’t work all that well.

Enthusiasts, including myself, have cried out for an end to this charade. According to the latest auto gossip, Honda may have heard us our screams of anguish. Rumor has it that there may be plans to have a non-hybrid version of the CR-Z with a naturally aspirated or turbocharged powertrain. A 1.6 liter turbo may be in the cards, which would put the interestingly strange Nissan Juke in the crosshairs.

And it gets better. There maybe also be a CR-Z-R. What’s that Honda? Making up for withholding the Civic Type-R from us yankees? How sweet! If it happens, expect a revvy 2.0 liter making 200hp.

If this is more than a rumor, my faith will be partially restored in the Honda brand. But until then, I’m going to find a Crosstour and beat it to death with a sledge hammer. Not like I can make it any uglier than it already is.

-Triple_Deuce

]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=460 0 2011Ford Focus: Live Chat with Jeff Fesseden http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=453 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=453#comments Tue, 07 Dec 2010 04:50:55 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=453 With an all new Focus on the way soon, Ford is again being sure to build buzz about their new baby. Part of that has been holding live chats with engineers who are responsible for different parts of the car’s development. I wasn’t able to get in all off them, but I will post the ones I have been a part of.

-Triple_Deuce

Friday November 19, 2010
10:59

Ford Motor Company:
Thank you for joining us today for the third in a series of live chats on the all-new 2012 Ford Focus. Today we are talking about how improved the sound quality in the new Focus. We have Sound Quality, or “Squeak and Rattle” as we call it at Ford, Engineer Jeff Fesseden to discuss the new vehicle. We are taking this time to answer your questions about the new Focus, so please send them in!
One administrative note: when you submit a question, you won’t see it appear here right away. We get a variety of questions from many fans, and we need to keep things orderly, so we’ll be selecting questions for Jeff Fesseden to answer. Please be patient if you don’t see something right away.

So let’s begin!
Friday November 19, 2010 10:59 Ford Motor Company
11:00

Ford Motor Company:
[Private Message to Triple_Deuce] Good Morning! Do you have a question for our Focus sound quality experts? (Reply Privately)
Friday November 19, 2010 11:00 Ford Motor Company
11:02

[Comment From OldBird OldBird: ]
How much quieter is the new Focus than the old one. I drove a 2008 model for a while…
Friday November 19, 2010 11:02 OldBird
11:02

Triple_Deuce:
[Private Message to Ford Motor Company] Just one so far. I was curious about what kinds of materials are being used to help reduce road noise and what kinds of techniques are being employed to keep things from rattling around and squeaking.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:02 Triple_Deuce
11:04

Jeff Fesseden:
We’ve refined the process since 2008. We are now meeting our improved global Ford DNA standards. The wind noise levels in this vehicle as compared to the 2008 model is like night and day. We’ll be one of the best in segment for interior quietness.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:04 Jeff Fesseden
11:04

[Comment From Brent Brent: ]
Will the 2012 Focus have SoundScreen windshield and front side windows? How does the quietness compare to a 2010 Fusion?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:04 Brent
11:06

Jeff Fesseden:
The 2012 Ford Focus has a laminated front windshield, which greatly improves interior quietness. I personally drive a 2010 Fusion Sport, and in my opinion, the new Focus interior sound levels are equal or better.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:06 Jeff Fesseden
11:08

[Comment From Carl Warmington Carl Warmington: ]
Hello Jeff, do you work with your Euro Team Dr Karl-Heinz Bürger or is North America doing its on thing?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:08 Carl Warmington
11:10

Jeff Fesseden:
We work with hand-in-hand with our global team. We are in constant contact with our European team to address issues quickly, creating the best possible solutions as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:10 Jeff Fesseden
11:11

[Comment From Koopers Koopers: ]
Is the new Focus a lot heavier because it is quieter?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:11 Koopers
11:12

Jeff Fesseden:
While the new Focus is heavier than the outgoing Focus, in terms of sound levels, we use lighter, recycled materials. The interior material is of a much higher quality than the previous Focus models.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:12 Jeff Fesseden
11:13

[Comment From C. Packer C. Packer: ]
How steep is the learning curve for someone in Squeak and Rattle, and what character traits best describe someone who is successful at it?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:13 C. Packer
11:15

Jeff Fesseden:
Both myself and Gurjeet came to Ford with engineering background, which is necessary to get into this game. To succeed in this field, it requires teamwork, collaboration and people skills. Its the willingness to get your hands dirty. We have learned to use creativity both mechanically and personally.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:15 Jeff Fesseden
11:15

[Comment From EricK EricK: ]
Is the sedan or the hatchback quieter?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:15 EricK
11:16

Jeff Fesseden:
They are both equally quiet, but I prefer a sedan while Gurjeet prefers a hatchback.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:16 Jeff Fesseden
11:17

[Comment From Triple_Deuce Triple_Deuce: ]
The Chevy Cruze is direct competition for the new Focus. There is a 5-door hatchback of the Cruze, but I don’t think GM is planning on bringing it to the states. Do you think that bringing the hatchback Focus to the US market gives you a distinct advantage over the Cruze?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:17 Triple_Deuce
11:18

Jeff Fesseden:
In direct comparion to the Cruze, offering a Focus hatchback gives us an instant edge. Our most recent experience with Fiesta shows that hatchback demand is outpacing our expectations. Fiesta and Focus together underscore the fact that the hatch is back!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:18 Jeff Fesseden
11:19

[Comment From Budman Budman: ]
Where was the video shot? Is that in MIchigan?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:19 Budman
11:20

Jeff Fesseden:
Yes, the video was shot at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. It was shot inside a transportable environmental four-poster rig. Essentially, it is a movable semi-trailer that gives us the ability to test squeak and rattle in a number of different conditions.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:20 Jeff Fesseden
11:21

[Comment From Chuck Gibson Chuck Gibson: ]
I have a 1988 Mercury Topaz that is really loud. What should I do with that?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:21 Chuck Gibson
11:22

[Comment From Paul Paul: ]
How cold does it get in the room in the video — how long do you have to be in that room?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:22 Paul
11:22

Jeff Fesseden:
Donate it to the charity of your choice and go to the dealership and order a 2012 Ford Focus!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:22 Jeff Fesseden
11:23

Jeff Fesseden:
Temperatures range from -30 degrees F to 140 degrees F. We conduct our testing in the rig that can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a half hour. On the day of the video shoot, the outside temperature was 80 degrees+ and humid!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:23 Jeff Fesseden
11:24

[Comment From Eric Eric: ]
Is the audio system evaluated for producing buzzes or rattles that you otherwise wouldn’t hear?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:24 Eric
11:26

Jeff Fesseden:
That is a standardized procedure to check the audio system for any squeak and rattle concerns in the early production phase. We check for functionality across the entire vehicle, including MyFord Touch, the audio system, window/seat functions, etc.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:26 Jeff Fesseden
11:27

[Comment From Carl Warmington Carl Warmington: ]
in the video posted on the fordstory.com which is very good, I wonder if in the bump road test you load the car eg:4 passengers etc, re like real life road experiences
Friday November 19, 2010 11:27 Carl Warmington
11:28

Jeff Fesseden:
Early production vehicles are loaded more heavily. As we get closer to regular production, it pares down to just a driver. Early production vehicles are loaded more heavily to identify any issues early in the process so that we have time to fix any issues that come up.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:28 Jeff Fesseden
11:29

[Comment From Coach Blake Coach Blake: ]
Do you and Gurjeet have any assitance or do you test all of these vehicles by yourself?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:29 Coach Blake
11:31

Jeff Fesseden:
Both Gurjeet and I represent larger individual teams. We are paired for the Focus launch. Gurjeet comes from the product development side, and I from the plant side. We work effectively together, and moreover we have eachother’s back.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:31 Jeff Fesseden
11:33

[Comment From Tom Tom: ]
For the enthusiast, will the ST allow for more engine noise than the standard Focus?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:33 Tom
11:35

Jeff Fesseden:
While we haven’t addressed where the Focus ST is being produced, we both hope that it’ll be at MAP!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:35 Jeff Fesseden
11:36

Jeff Fesseden:
As enthusiasts, we look forward to a muscular engine sound!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:36 Jeff Fesseden
11:36

[Comment From Air Guitar Dave Air Guitar Dave: ]
When you are in other people’s cars, or rental cars, do you find yourself catching squeaks and rattles and wanting to fix them? I know I do!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:36 Air Guitar Dave
11:37

Jeff Fesseden:
Definitely. We drive our spouses and friends crazy. Neither of us can stand any unwanted noise in the car. Both of us are very careful when packing our vehicles for any road trip.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:37 Jeff Fesseden
11:38

[Comment From Triple_Deuce Triple_Deuce: ]
I’m sure a part off keeping the squeaks and rattles away is making sure parts fit as closely and tightly as possible, but do the materials used to make those parts make a huge difference, and, if so, what advancements have been made in those materials?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:38 Triple_Deuce
11:41

Jeff Fesseden:
We have a program that runs material compatibility that helps us identify and implement potential issues in the early design phase. We keep appearance and feel in mind and put the solutions on the side of the vehicle that is not exposed to customers.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:41 Jeff Fesseden
11:41

[Comment From Manny Barry Manny Barry: ]
do you find often that a subjective medium such as squeak and rattle can come with more scrutiny than a quantifiable category such as fuel economy?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:41 Manny Barry
11:44

Jeff Fesseden:
Squeak and Rattle is one of the biggest customer dissatisfactions across the industry. Ford is best-in-class for Squeak and Rattle as reported by third-party quality measurement resources.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:44 Jeff Fesseden
11:44

[Comment From William H William H: ]
Will the titanium model be a lot quieter than the base model?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:44 William H
11:45

Jeff Fesseden:
The customer purchasing a S model will have just as good interior quietness as a customer purchasing a Titanium model.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:45 Jeff Fesseden
11:45

[Comment From Dubravko M Dubravko M: ]
Can you tell us something about Sound system (speakers, position etc.) in new Focus?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:45 Dubravko M
11:48

Jeff Fesseden:
The new Focus will feature a 10 speaker, 355-watt Sony premium sound system. But the part we are proud of is the fact that it performs well in both temperature extremes and high sound levels. Because of the way the system is isolated in the dashboard, it performs at optimal levels no matter how bumpy the road.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:48 Jeff Fesseden
11:49

[Comment From Stacey M. Boz. Stacey M. Boz.: ]
Does wear and tear factor in to squeak and rattle? Or can I expect my car to sound the same from the time it leaves the dealership to 100k miles and more?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:49 Stacey M. Boz.
11:50

Jeff Fesseden:
The cars are tested for durability up to 150,000 miles at various mileage increments and temperature extremes.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:50 Jeff Fesseden
11:51

Jeff Fesseden:
Following the proper maintenance schedule helps maintain your vehicle’s squeak and rattle integrity.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:51 Jeff Fesseden
11:52

[Comment From Stuart Adamson Stuart Adamson: ]
Right now, I have a Fusion. How does the Focus compare in size to both the Fusion and Fiesta? I am 2 meters tall, so I need room!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:52 Stuart Adamson
11:53

Jeff Fesseden:
I’m 6’3″ tall, not sure what that is in meters, and I personally drive a Fusion. I have no problem getting into a Focus or a Fiesta. Focus bridges the size gap between Fiesta and Fusion.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:53 Jeff Fesseden
11:53

[Comment From William H William H: ]
How long does it take to test a car to 150K miles?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:53 William H
11:54

Jeff Fesseden:
We run it on a four-poster for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It takes 12 days to complete 150,000 miles. The four-poster allows us to test all of the different road conditions that drivers may encounter.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:54 Jeff Fesseden
11:55

[Comment From Calvin Johnson Calvin Johnson: ]
Am I going to have a good game this week, or do you expect the Cowboys to roll a safety towards my side?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:55 Calvin Johnson
11:56

Jeff Fesseden:
Great to have a celebrity question!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:56 Jeff Fesseden
11:56

Jeff Fesseden:
I expect double coverage with Nate Burleson open over the middle with the agility of 2012 Focus.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:56 Jeff Fesseden
11:57

[Comment From Mike Hancock Mike Hancock: ]
What is the most funnest part of you’re job?
Friday November 19, 2010 11:57 Mike Hancock
11:57

Jeff Fesseden:
Gurjeet wants to answer this one:
Friday November 19, 2010 11:57 Jeff Fesseden
11:58

Jeff Fesseden:
We are the first to drive the cars as they come off the line. We are the first to drive it in the world!
Friday November 19, 2010 11:58 Jeff Fesseden
11:59

Jeff Fesseden:
Ok, its time for us to go back to the four-poster now.
Friday November 19, 2010 11:59 Jeff Fesseden
12:01

Ford Motor Company:
Squeak and rattle elimination is a proof point for a high quality vehicle.
We’re proud to deliver a C class car that rivals competitors from higher classes. The 2012 Ford Focus: Drive One….soon.

]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=453 0 2011 Ford Focus: Live Chat with Grant Weber http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=451 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=451#comments Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:35:22 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=451 With an all new Focus on the way soon, Ford is again being sure to build buzz about their new baby. Part of that has been holding live chats with engineers who are responsible for different parts of the car’s development. I wasn’t able to get in all off them, but I will post the ones I have been a part of.

-Triple_Deuce

Friday November 12, 2010
12:02

Ford Motor Company:
Thank you for joining us today for the second in a series of live chats on the all-new 2012 Ford Focus. Today we are talking about a hot topic: fuel economy. We have Ford Focus Fuel Economy Engineer Grant Weber here to discuss the new vehicle, plus members of the marketing and communications team. We are taking this time to answer your questions about the new Focus, so please send them in!

One administrative note: when you submit a question, you won’t see it appear here right away. We get a variety of questions from many fans, and we need to keep things orderly, so we’ll be selecting questions for Grant Weber to answer. Please be patient if you don’t see something right away.

So let’s begin!

Friday November 12, 2010 12:02 Ford Motor Company
12:02

[Comment From Marvin: ]
grant, it is great to be able to talk to you about the new 2012 focus.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:02 Marvin
12:03

Ford Motor Company:
[Private Message to Triple_Deuce] 2nd, actually. :) (Reply Privately)
Friday November 12, 2010 12:03 Ford Motor Company
12:03

Ford Motor Company:
Great, Marvin. Do you have a question?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:03 Ford Motor Company
12:03

Triple_Deuce:
[Private Message to Ford Motor Company] aww dang :P
Friday November 12, 2010 12:03 DeAndre
12:03

[Comment From Marvin: ]
My question is what would be the advantage of using the Eco boost 1.6 vs the 2.0 used in the 2012 focus?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:03 Marvin
12:06

Grant Weber:
Thanks for the question, Marvin. We will offer the 1.6L Ecoboost in Europe in the 2012 Ford Focus, but the fuel economy numbers for this engine haven’t been certified. European testing is entirely different from how we test here, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:06 Grant Weber
12:06

[Comment From Dave Deem: ]
How much of the ’40 MPG’ fuel economy is due to the GDI engine? Will this be an optional engine?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:06 Dave Deem
12:08

Ford Motor Company:
[Private Message to Triple_Deuce] We’ve got your question in the queue (Reply Privately)
Friday November 12, 2010 12:08 Ford Motor Company
12:08

Triple_Deuce:
[Private Message to Ford Motor Company] Thank you
Friday November 12, 2010 12:08 DeAndre
12:09

Grant Weber:
In North America, this is our standard engine.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:09 Grant Weber
12:09

[Comment From Triple_Deuce: ]
I was curious about the weight of the Focus and what plans are down the line to reduce weight in Ford products in the future.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:09 DeAndre
12:10

Grant Weber:
Moving forward, reducing weight is a key enabler for fuel efficiency. It improves performance and handling.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:10 Grant Weber
12:11

Grant Weber:
One of the challenges is maintaining the weight with all of the added content to this vehicle.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:11 Grant Weber
12:11

Ford Motor Company:
We see some great questions in the queue – we’ll get to them one by one. Thanks for your patience and keep ‘em coming!
Friday November 12, 2010 12:11 Ford Motor Company
12:12

Grant Weber:
We are using lightweight and stronger materials, like Boron steel, in the new Ford Focus to help maintain our weight while we add new features and content.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:12 Grant Weber
12:13

[Comment From LSchicago: ]
Will the 2012 Focus have under body shields to improve economy, and will they be standard on all models?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:13 LSchicago
12:14

Grant Weber:
Underbody shields are standard on the vehicle, which helps us achieve best-in-class aerodynamics.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:14 Grant Weber
12:14

[Comment From Trev: ]
How will the fuel economy with the 5 speed manual compare to the 6 speed auto?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:14 Trev
12:15

Grant Weber:
The reason we are launching with the DPS6 is because is provides better fuel economy than the manual.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:15 Grant Weber
12:16

Grant Weber:
DPS6= six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission
Friday November 12, 2010 12:16 Grant Weber
12:16

[Comment From Marvin: ]
with the impending fuel economy regulations, does this mean the end of the 3 pedal manual transmission?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:16 Marvin
12:17

Grant Weber:
No. We will always have a manual transmission option for those who want it.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:17 Grant Weber
12:18

[Comment From Bruce: ]
How much does the rolling resistance of the tires figure in to the fuel economy? Is there much differnce between different tire manufactures regarding rolling resistance and the same size tire?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:18 Bruce
12:19

Grant Weber:
Rolling resistance is another key enabler to fuel efficiency. We typically work with a supplier to deliver tire technology that delivers superior fuel efficiency while not compromising other tire attributes, such as: braking, wet handling, steering, etc.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:19 Grant Weber
12:20

[Comment From Tom Cottage: ]
Can be a hybrid with all–wheel drive as an option used in the new-generation of Focus in the future? We are considering a hybrid and want all-wheel drive.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:20 Tom Cottage
12:22

Grant Weber:
Hybrids are considered critical to our product portfolio. The Escape Hybrid is a great example as an all-wheel drive hybrid.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:22 Grant Weber
12:22

[Comment From Marvin: ]
is there any major difference between the fiesta and Focus DSP6?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:22 Marvin
12:25

Grant Weber:
Transmissions are the same in the Fiesta and Focus DSP6, but each vehicle has its unique gearset that is optimized for fuel economy and performance. Also, the Focus offers SelectShift, which allows the driver to drive to choose his or her own gear.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:25 Grant Weber
12:25

Ford Motor Company:
Here’s some more info on SelectShift: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=2578
Friday November 12, 2010 12:25 Ford Motor Company
12:26

[Comment From BS Phoenix: ]
The Valencia plant is producing the C-Max and will produce the Grand C-Max vehicles for the US, according to a Ford press release. Are you working on the fuel economy studies for these imports and does this include a diesel and/or PHEV?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:26 BS Phoenix
12:26

Grant Weber:
We’re working on the North America application for the C-MAX Grand, which is a 7-passenger vehicle.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:26 Grant Weber
12:26

[Comment From focusfan: ]
Will the new Focus have a Grill Shutter like the new Cruze?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:26 focusfan
12:27

Grant Weber:
Yes, the Focus features the Active Grille Shutter system. The Cruz is a lower grill shutter, while ours is a full grille shutter system.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:27 Grant Weber
12:27

[Comment From Zelda: ]
Grant, I saw yesterday that the Cruze will have a model at 42 mpg. Will we have a model that will meet or beat this?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:27 Zelda
12:30

Grant Weber:
Our high volume offering of the Focus with automatic transmission will be very competitive.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:30 Grant Weber
12:30

Grant Weber:
That is a great number that Cruz has achieved in its low volume vehicle.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:30 Grant Weber
12:31

[Comment From Triple_Deuce: ]
Am I correct and noticing there is a wagon variant as well as a sedan and 5-door hatchback of Focus? If so, what are the differences between the hatchback and the wagon and which of the has the lowest drag coefficient?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:31 DeAndre
12:33

Grant Weber:
The wagon is available in Europe. In North America, we are offering the sedan and the 5-door. The sedan is the most aerodynamic shape of the three.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:33 Grant Weber
12:33

Ford Motor Company:
Speaking of Europe – if you submit a video and application to the Focus Global Test Drive, you and a colleague could be chosen to head to Madrid and participate in a consumer test drive for three days in February. Check out this video:
Friday November 12, 2010 12:33 Ford Motor Company
12:33

Friday November 12, 2010 12:33
12:34

[Comment From JC: ]
Though this topic is about Fuel Efficiency, are there plans or talk of possibly bringing a larger/performance engine in say a year or so?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:34 JC
12:34

[Comment From Tom: ]
Will the American Focus ST be much different than the Euro version?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:34 Tom
12:36

Grant Weber:
We are bringing the Focus ST to the United States for our performance enthusiasts in early 2012.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:36 Grant Weber
12:37

Grant Weber:
The vehicle will follow our One Ford global plan and will predominately be the same vehicle in both Europe and the United States.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:37 Grant Weber
12:37

[Comment From Marvin: ]
what are way fuel economy can be improved in future fords? Stop/start?, 7, 8 speed transmissions?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:37 Marvin
12:38

Ford Motor Company:
Great ideas, Marvin! Maybe you should join the team here. Smile
Friday November 12, 2010 12:38 Ford Motor Company
12:38

[Comment From focusfan: ]
Does the new Focus help coach the driver to drive efficiently… like the cool “tree and leaf” display in the Fusion Hybrid?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:38 focusfan
12:39

Grant Weber:
We will have an EcoCoach mode in the instrument cluster, and an EcoRoute option in the navigation feature. EcoCoach helps guide your driving behavior to drive in the most fuel efficient condition.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:39 Grant Weber
12:41

Ford Motor Company:
Here’s EcoRoute in action:
Friday November 12, 2010 12:41 Ford Motor Company
12:41

Friday November 12, 2010 12:41
12:41

[Comment From JC: ]
Above, Grant Weber mentions that the Wagon is for Europe… has Ford made up its mind on this? Is there any chance we can see the Wagon here in the US?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:41 JC
12:42

Grant Weber:
There are no current plans to bring the Wagon to the U.S. But we are bringing the 7-seat C-MAX to North America.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:42 Grant Weber
12:43

[Comment From Ágó Béla: ]
Grant, should we expect further downsizing in order to reduce fuel consumption? A 1 liter ecoboost engine could deliver over 100 bhp, which is enough for 170 km/h, 0,7 liter (700 cc) could have 100 bhp teoretically. Maybe good for emission as well…
Friday November 12, 2010 12:43 Ágó Béla
12:44

Grant Weber:
Downsizing and boosting is a key part of Ford’s fuel economy strategy, and we are continually looking for ways to decrease fuel consumption.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:44 Grant Weber
12:45

[Comment From Ágó Béla: ]
Grant, based on the video above, How is the drag (cdxA) considered in the fuel economy in testing environment like there?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:45 Ágó Béla
12:48

Grant Weber:
The aerodynamic drag the vehicle experiences on the road is simulated on the electric dyno, which provides a mechanical resistance to the vehicle’s wheels in the test lab.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:48 Grant Weber
12:49

[Comment From Tom: ]
Will Ford be debuting any new products at the L.A. Auto Show?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:49 Tom
12:50

Ford Motor Company:
You’ll have to wait until next week, Tom. Smile

We’ll have our auto show coverage available here on The Ford Story in the What We Build / Auto Show section: http://www.thefordstory.com/auto-show-coverage/
Friday November 12, 2010 12:50 Ford Motor Company
12:52

[Comment From Tom: ]
Any word on when Ford will announce which C platform vehicle will be a plug-in hybrid? And a related question: what will be Ford’s answer to the Chevy Volt?
Friday November 12, 2010 12:52 Tom
12:54

Ford Motor Company:
We haven’t announced the specific model for PHEV yet. Stay tuned for that.

As to our BEV, we have the Transit Connect Electric small van, available now. Next year, we’ll be launching the Focus Electric. More on that at http://www.thefordstory.com/green/ford-focus-electric-gets-powered-up/
Friday November 12, 2010 12:54 Ford Motor Company
12:55

[Comment From Ágó Béla: ]
Grant, what fuel economy can be expected inthe next 4-5 years? Usually those projects has been started already. (l/100km)
Friday November 12, 2010 12:55 Ágó Béla
12:55

Ford Motor Company:

Warning bell: we have about 5 minutes left in our chat with Grant.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:55 Ford Motor Company
12:56

Grant Weber:
Ford will continue to deliver fuel economy leadership in the coming years!
Friday November 12, 2010 12:56 Grant Weber
12:57

Grant Weber:
The Focus and all of our future products will work toward our goal of great fuel economy and an uncompromised driving experience.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:57 Grant Weber
12:58

[Comment From JC: ]
Bringing a wagon Focus to the American market would be in tune with Ford’s downsizing philosophy.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:58 JC
12:59

Ford Motor Company:
JC: Thanks for your passion for wagons. Creating another model of Focus in the U.S. would be directly in conflict with our reduction of 97 nameplates. By keeping the number of models available on production lines, we greatly increase our quality. And our research has shown that the vast majority of our customers will be served by the sedan and 5-door hatch.
Friday November 12, 2010 12:59 Ford Motor Company
1:00

[Comment From Marvin: ]
Are you proud of your work on the new focus? personally as an owner of a 2000 Focus i am blown away y this new car, I cnnot express how impressed I am, how proud I am of ford.
Friday November 12, 2010 1:00 Marvin
1:01

Grant Weber:
Thank you, Marvin. As an owner of a 2001 Focus, I share your enthusiasm. I am excited to get my hands on the new Focus!
Friday November 12, 2010 1:01 Grant Weber
1:02

Ford Motor Company:
Thank you everyone for the really great questions. You’ve kept Grant on his toes for the last hour and we appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedules to spend with us.

Be sure to tune in here on The Ford Story every Friday for a Focus on the Customer chat with the passionate men and women behind the making of the all-new Ford Focus.

]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=451 0 Ford F-150 Roundup 2 Event w/Video http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=403 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=403#comments Sun, 07 Nov 2010 05:59:13 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=403

I love Six Flags. I love riding as many roller coasters as I can until my body is tired being exposed to varying amounts of g-force and adrenaline. However, my last visit had nothing to do with roller coasters or funnel cake, but the g-forces and adrenaline remained.

Ford has been touring some major cities, showcasing the latest upgrades to their perennial best-seller, the F-150 pickup truck. As the 4.6 and 5.4 liter V8s slip into retirement, four new mills fill the shoes of the old iron workhorses. FoMoCo was kind enough to allow the general public to register for a chance to test drive these highly capable engines and yours truly was not about to miss out on that opportunity.

So, let’s get down to business. The new base engine is the same 3.7 liter V6 you’ll find under the hood of the Mustang V6. It makes 302hp and 276lb.-tq., figures that completely destroy the old 4.0 liter V6, make the 4.6 liter V8 look asthmatic, and give the 320hp 5.4 liter V8 something to worry about. After drag racing the 3.7 (yes, they let us drag race them), it was clear that even in with basic equipment, this V6 was no slouch.

Next in line is the 3.5 liter twin turbo Ecoboost V6. This engine is the big story here, as Ford dares to market a V6 gas engine bolted to a couple of hair dryers in a work truck. Old school truck connoisseurs may snicker and play the part of a doubting Thomas when it comes to this small displacement and turbocharging business, but Ford means business with this engine.

Yes, this is essentially the same engine you will find under the hood of the Taurus SHO and Flex Ecoboost. That’s not to say that Ford simply turned it around for rear wheel drive and called it a day. It was explained to me that many key changes were made in order to assure that it could handle work truck tasks. They’ve also retuned it for this application. The horsepower number remains at 365, but torque has been boosted to a brawny 420ft-lbs. With the twin turbochargers providing 100% of that torque at 2,500 rpm, while delivering surprisingly good fuel economy (I heard reports of 29mpg on the highway with normal driving), what you have is an engine that is superior to the V8 options in nearly every respect. In my drag race in the Ecoboost, my 0-50 time was about 6 seconds and I wasn’t even trying, not to mention it was outrunning everything that dared to challenge at the tree. Turbo lag? What turbo lag? There may not be a replacement for displacement, but it’s sure as hell getting a run for it’s money.

Next in line is the 5.0 liter V8. What is there to say about it really? It’s fast. It roars. It’s satisfying. Practically speaking, there is no real reason to take the 5.0 over the Ecoboost, but it’s there for those either cant let go of the Big Displacement doctrine or just really want to here that V8 grunt when they stomp the loud pedal. Though, I am typically a man of practicality, I admit to being intoxicated by the raw grunt of the 5.0 liter. And yes, this is the 5.0 liter V8 in the Mustang GT. It has, however, been tweeked for truck duty and makes 360hp and 380lb.-tq here.

Last, but certainly not least, is the biggest engine in the lineup — the 6.2 liter V8. This is the engine you’ll find in the SVT Raptor, but they wouldn’t let us drive any of those. I pouted. But they did have a Harley-Davidson edition F-150 with the same engine in it. It goes without saying that it is fast. With 411hp and 434lb.-ft on tap, I went from 0-50 in about 5.7 seconds and that was without even burying my foot in the Harley-Davidson floor mat. And the sound that comes out of the ass of this thing is heavenly!

But the Harley-Davidson, as bad-ass-in-black as it is, is not the one I would recommend. The engine is awesome, all the trucks use the same basic six speed transmission and they all brake ridiculously well. The problem was the 6.2′s hydraulic steering system. The other models used Ford’s e-PASS (electric power assisted steering system) and it feels great. Though, I would like it to have a bit more feedback and weight, I was impressed overall with the performance. And this is where it all falls apart for the 6.2 liter. The hydraulically-assisted system isn’t bad, but it’s noticeably slower and tends to make cornering feel sloppy. That might also have something to do with the the massive cast iron engine block sitting atop the front axle, but I digress. This truck feels like it is built more for show than tow, but it still has plenty of go and it can actually tow plenty. So, if you need a Harley-Davidson Edition to match your bike and leather jacket, be my guest.

If I had to pick one to buy with my own money, it would have to be the Ecoboost 3.5 liter V6. For performance and fuel economy, you can’t do much better in this market. In fact, the marketing team said if you go into a dealer and say, “I want the one that will tow the most”, they are going to try and sell you an Ecoboost F-150. It’s going to be a hard road for Ford as they try to convince people who need trucks that Ecoboost is the way to go, but they made a believer out of everyone at the event. They are even going to torture test one like you wouldn’t believe. If you aren’t convinced that Ecoboost is for real after that, there is no help for you. And no, I am not getting paid to say this stuff (I wish I were). But, no matter what engine you opt for, you can rest assured that you have a very solid, capable truck that is built Ford tough.

-Triple_Deuce

A special thanks to Shawn, Manny, Mark, Mike and the other Mike for being genuinely awesome as well as my dad for being my cameraman.

]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=403 0 2011 Nissan Juke: The Ultimate Donut Machine http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=396 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=396#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:06:57 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=396 I was channel surfing this morning as I was putting off my morning workout and ran across this commercial for the Nissan Juke. I was entertained, to say the least.

This strange-looking crossover sport compact (or whateverthehell they are calling it) is said to be as entertaining to drive as it is awkward to look upon, and I can believe that. A light, sport-tuned car with some utility and a small turbocharged engine with a manual transmission as standard? Definitely sounds like cool stuff to me.

Nissan is likely banking on this commercial showing everyone else just how entertaining this car can be. I know I got a kick out of it.
-Triple_Deuce

]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=396 0 2011 Dodge Charger: Finally! http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=380 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=380#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:30:50 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=380 Wow, how long have we been teased with spyshots and partially camouflaged tested mules? Finally, Dodge has seen fit to release some official photos of their seriously refreshed muscle sedan. And thank God!!!

And you won’t have to wait much longer to actually buy one either. The new Charger is scheduled to be in a showroom near you before the year is out. I, personally, cannot wait to see this thing in the flesh. I have a feeling that the photos aren’t doing it justice.

But that’s not to say I’m in love with the whole design. In profile and from behind, this thing looks absolutely sick. But one thing I’ve never quite found so awesome is the front fascia. I’ve just always felt it could use a little more retro cues. However, it does look meaner and sharper than the last go-round and, admittedly, It’s growing on me. The only things I’d like to see is make that crosshair grill disappear or at least get rid of the chrome around it. From an artistic standpoint, I can appreciate it accenting the shape, but I also feel that it’s an unnecessary cue. Remember how happy we all were to see that the production Challenger didn’t share it’s concept’s crosshair grill? It’s not a dealbreaker, though. I’m sure that the aftermarket will have some sort of grill delete kit.

My favorite new thing about this car has got to be the back. I mean, how freakin’ cool are the taillights?!?! So cool, I could squeal! But I won’t.

Oh, and I need to correct something. Only the R/T will have optional part time AWD. Yes, you’ll be able to turn it off if you don’t need it, helping you save a few mpg’s over a full time system.

All in all, I think this is a great evolution and I like it a hell of a lot more than the outgoing model. With an upscale interior, more retro bodywork, and a competitive V6 option (again, finally!), the 2011 Dodge Charger is shaping up to be more of a contender than the last. I, for one, am eager! Let’s hope I get that job at my local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer.



]]> http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=380 0 Safety FAIL http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=363 http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=363#comments Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:49:15 +0000 DeAndre Towns http://www.steeringcolumnblog.com/?p=363 Volvo has always had a reputation for safety. As their cars have evolved, so have their technologies to protect occupants as well as pedestrians. The newest bit of safety kit available for their completely redesigned S60 sedan is the Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake. This system uses radars and cameras to detect pedestrians in front of the car and applies the brakes automatically if the driver fails to do so. Sounds great, right? Let’s see how it works!

Ok, so not so good. But hey, maybe it just needs a warm up before it stop killing bystanders. Let’s try it again.

Okay okay! Third time’s the charm.


And now the school children are street stains and the crosswalk.

The bottom line is that you need to be paying attention when you drive. Honestly, I wish companies would stop making more and more features that keep people from learning how to drive. And I mean really drive and drive well. We’ve got traction control, electronic stability programs, systems that detect your blind spots, systems that keep you in the middle of the road…blah blah blah. All its doing is giving people excuses to be distracted behind the wheel of two tons of moving death. It’s getting to wear you can practically take a nap and let the car do the driving for you. I don’t know about you, but that thought scares the hell out of me.

Hopefully, Volvo gets the kinks worked out of there new system. But, frankly, I hope nobody opts for the damned thing. Last thing I need is someone mowing me down with there shiny new S60 and being all, “That shouldn’t have happened! I have the Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake…” It’s all going to be academic when I’m laid up in traction for 6 months in a full body cast.

-Triple_Deuce

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