Mechanics Hate Us

Ford is essentially the top of the heap when it comes to trucks. The most popular full size pickup in North The United States is the F150, and for good reason. Ford has made other pickup trucks, too of course. Some of those other models have sold fairly well. The Ford Ranger was quite popular for some time. Nevertheless, the Ranger is being retired after 2011. The only other pickup offered by Ford, the Sport Trac, is ceasing production this year. Only the F series is going to stay within the Ford truck line, as the automaker is cleaning up house. Resource for this article – Nothing smaller than full size among Ford trucks after 2011 by Car Deal Expert.

Sport Trac getting shuttered

Ford has been retiring models and brands not popular enough to keep. As outlined by the Courier-Journal, the Sport Trac is done as of October 2010. Ford is shutting down the line, as it is just not selling. As a result of lack of more than a small following, the model just isn’t justified to keep producing. Initially offered in 2000, sales held steady for several years at around 60,000, however afterward steadily declined afterward. This year, less than 6,000 are sold. Trucks smaller than full size are down as a total market segment, making up only two percent of sales for the entire auto industry. Though the models cost less at the dealership than the F150, it would cost more to keep making the Ranger and also the Sport Trac. The F150 out performs them in sales too well.

Cleaning the cobwebs

Brands and models that do not sell are facing the firing line. According to Automotive News, Ford is paring its offerings down to no fewer than 30 automobiles. Ford offered up to 97 as most recently as 2006. Since then, Jaguar, Volvo, Aston Martin and Land Rover were sold. Also, Ford is closing one of its longest running brands. Earlier this year, the end of Mercury was announced.

Lean, mean automobile making machine

Why keep making automobiles that don’t sell? Ford isn’t. Ford is also redesigning autos to share more parts. Take the Fiesta, which has 10 variations offered worldwide. About 65 percent of the parts of that car are shared with other cars. Ford believes the turbo V6 within the new F150 will appeal to more people.

Citations

Courier Journal

courier-journal.com/article/20100925/BUSINESS/309260013/1008/NEWS01/Ford to end Sport Trac production in December

Auto News

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100927/OEM04/100929868/1257

High quality automobile, SUV and Crossover sales have  dropped more than sales of more affordable autos during this economic downturn. This news won’t shock anyone. Unnecessary indulgences are generally the first to get the ax when cash strapped people are buying less of everything. Spending to maintain the appearance of a certain social status has lost its appeal during these challenging economic times. Auto makers as well as firms across all industries are reviewing the viability of their entire product lines just to stay in business. Just to stay competitive, they’re having to eliminate less popular brands, such as Saturn and Pontiac. But they aren’t cutting their luxury car brands. Why not? Because luxury cars still offer a good value to the customer.

Expensive autos from Cadillac to Lamborghini offer the best safety features. Makers of luxury automobiles, Sports Utility Vehicles and Crossovers put in the cash to study and construct new safety features. Indeed, many safety features like seat belts and head restraints that were initially introduced in high quality cars have found their way into moderately priced cars. The price of developing these innovations raises the price of luxury vehicles, but because of this, they usually enjoy higher safety ratings than into less expensive cars.

High end cars, Sports Utility Vehicles and Crossovers have extra and improved standard features. After all, consumers who pay for a luxury vehicle don’t want the stripped down model. Luxury car manufacturers also offer an increased variety of options. You can get heated leather seats, headrest mounted dvd players, in-dash cd players and surround sound Bose stereo systems that work with your iPod. You can get plush interiors including soft leather and real wood trim. Keyless entry and ignition, night vision displays and integrated child booster seats are some of the newer available options. Some models offer a memory driver’s seat. Side mirrors, seat belt anchors and seats are automatically set to the driver’s preference when they key fob is recognized.

Luxury car performance is almost always better than other cars. The manufacturers invest more in time and quality materials to make sure that their top of the line cars have outstanding handling and enhanced appearance. Features like adaptive suspension can sense road conditions and vary the firmness of struts or shock absorbers for a smoother ride. It’s these kinds of things that many drivers never even know about, that can make for a enhanced driving experience.

Luxury cars come with more comprehensive and longer lasting warranties. Paired with improved reliability, it could be said that the luxury car owner pays more upfront to save on repairs later. Service departments of luxury car dealerships provide a first rate experience too. Car owners are more likely to enjoy a free wi-fi connection and gourmet coffee while waiting for their cars to be serviced. If the car needs to stay in the shop for a while, owners are likely to get a comfortable loaner car.

Even in this this recession, quality and image are still valuable. Details like genuine wood, aluminum or carbon fiber trim make a difference. Customers who want their car to convey their status and illustrate their success will want to be seen in a luxury car. Those who just want to own the very best available, and can afford it, will always be drawn toward the luxury car market.

Like the rest of the automobile industry, luxury carmakers are seeing tough times and lower sales volume. In the long term, though, luxury cars will endure and thrive because they offer real value to the car buyer. Whether you’re looking for a high quality sports car with superior handling, a professional looking car with exceptional comfort and safety, or a combination of the two, you’ll always be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

Written by Carla Barnes: Used Infinti Dealer Cadillac Dealer,  Des Moines Buick

Of all exotic sports cars and luxury vehicles, the Aston Martin is perhaps the best example of how an automobile maker can combine style, performance and luxury into on car. Aston Martin has been able to do that successfully since it's inception back in 1913. Early on it was clear that Aston Martin wanted to build fast cars and they were heavily involved in the early days of automobile racing.

Business has been challenging for Aston Martin over the years as they have had to overcome many obstacles that stood in the way of their success. Early on in the life of the company it was WWI that posed the greatest problem for Aston Martin, but when that was past, it was back to business. After going bankrupt in 1924 the company was purchased and continued on for only one more year before going bankrupt yet a second time!

Those early years were difficult for Aston Martin, but things were about to change. In 1947 the corporation was bought by a fortunate businessman named David Brown. It was during this time that the popular “DB” naming system started, named after David Brown. The first car to be produced under his leadership was the DB1, which was built from 1948-1950. At least 15 of these limited cars were ever produced previous the conception was replaced by the DB2.

The DB2 entered the scene and added a larger engine and 411 or these beautiful cars were produced between 1950 and 1953. Although the company was relatively successful at this point, financial problems were never far behind. In the 1970's the company was sold again a couple more times.

During the biography, the Aston Martin brand was associated with the James Bond series of movies. In each film, Bond drove an Aston Martin, which helped with setting the automobile detached from other equivalent cars.

Fast forward in the mid 1990's and this is when Aston Martin really began to shine. After being purchased by Ford, their sales went through the roof. They went from producing only 700 cars per year to over 2000 in just 2 years of Ford ownership. The DB7 was the car that took Aston Martin from obscure to a real contender in the luxury performance car market. It wasn't long before different variations of the car were produced, like the V12 Vantage and the Vanquish.

These beautiful cars made other luxury and exotic car makers take note. Aston Martin cars brought luxury and performance together like few other cars did. In 2003 the DB9 was introduced, which replaced the DB7 and it was another hit. The DB9 model also was available in a convertible version, called the DB9 Volante.

In 2006 Ford sold their stake in Aston Martin, but this didn't break the progress that was produced and the V12, Aston Martin DBS was introduced to retire the Vanquish S. The car made it's debut in the Bond movies called “Casino Royale” and audiences loved the car.

Aston Martin is the marker of exceptional luxury sports cars and if you ever have the opportunity to own or drive one, take full advantage of it!