Automobile News

The Ford Motor Company and DeWalt have developed a new and unique RFID device called Tool Link, in association with ThingMagic’s Advanced Development Group that offers tool tracking services. This innovative tool has got very useful options and is basically targeted towards those consumers who need to carry loads of tools and equipment to their workplace daily.

The Tool Link is the ultimate item-level tagging and tracking device. It’s a great saviour when you are dealing with different types of tools and equipments. Based on the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, the Tool Link is extremely necessary to keep track of all the tools loaded into the truck. It offers an efficient way to organise and manage the whole inventory. This is especially helpful for vital and expensive power tools, such as the Makita BHP452RFE cordless screwdriver, where you really can’t afford to either lose or misplace them. All you have to do is attach the supplied RFID tags to the any tools or equipments and the Tool Link is ready to keep an eye on them. You can put the tagged tools into any vehicle and then use the Tool Link to scan each and every item. First time the system will scan and identify the attached tag. You can enter a name for each item and after you finish doing that the Tool Link creates an inventory and registers every equipment so that in each subsequent scans you can be warned of any missing tool. You can also update the existing inventory whenever you want.

The UI of Tool Link is intuitive and features touch screen display. It cross-checks each item and makes sure that you never forget and loose anything. It can be used on the job as well as off the job while camping, outing or tracking any other equipment you use.

Tags for this article: car, ford

Ford is all set to make its first-ever European production car, the new Focus RS, public in the month of May next year, according to company sources. The car will be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre, five-cylinder petrol engine which will generate up to 305bhp of power.

One particular quality of the car that should attract a lot of eye balls is the ability of the car to accelerate from rest to 60mph in 6 seconds flat, and in addition has a top speed of over 160mph. these two features alone are sufficient to make hard core car enthusiasts go weak on their knees.

The best part of the Ford car is not dependent on just these two features alone, as there are a host of other car enhancement features as well that should impress even a commoner like you. The manufacturers have taken a lot of pains to ensue that you find it easier to handle the car, and hence incorporated it with a wider track, enhanced drive-shafts and rear anti-roll bar, revised springs and dampers and retuned steering. The icing on the cap happens to be the inclusion of the company’s indigenously and specially developed electronic stability technology replete with traction assist.

Design wise, the model has a distinctive bonnet, front bumper and side skirts, 19-inch alloy wheels and made to perform on 235/35 tyres, like the Kumho KU 19 235/35 R19 91Y XL, for example. Then, there is a rear twin-bladed spoiler and power/heated door mirrors that boasts of a high-gloss finish.

Tags for this article: car, five cylinder, focus, ford, petrol

The overwhelming menace of a dreaded global recession has taken many a public and private organisation completely by surprise. Its impact may vary from organisation to organisation, but one thing is sure, it has made companies reassess their policies and marketing agencies. The automobile industry is also hit hard, with drastic decline in the UK standing testimony to it.

The most recent company to feel the heat is Ford, one of the foremost car manufacturers in the world. The latest news emanating from the US is that the company is on the verge of collapse, unless of course it is bailed out by the government as part of a $25 billion bail out package. There might not be any sequels to Ford Racing 3 if the collapse were to happen, but far worse, hundreds of thousands of jobs would be lost and tremors sent through the world economy. Alan Mulally, the Chief Executive of the company, however, sounded optimistic amidst the surrounding gloom and offered to work for an annual salary of just one dollar in case the company manages to gets the government grant. It is not a small statement considering that Mr. Mulley is on a hefty pay roll of 2 million dollars a year.

Mr. Mullaly has also decided to sell Ford’s fleet of corporate jets, cancel next year’s bonuses for global management and US employees as well as closing more plants, et al so as to fuel congressional support. According to reliable sources the company is keeping its fingers crossed and expecting a bridging finance of around $9 billion. The company in the meantime has also claimed that if the government gave its approval it wouldn’t have to withdraw the money.

Mr. Mullaly explained that government loans would serve as a critical backstop or safeguard against worsening conditions for the company, as it (company) strives for transformational change within the company.

Ford is all set to expand its popular Kuga crossover breed with its recent policy of adding three new models to the existing series. The Kuga range is immensely popular both among the users and critics for its lower CO2 emission, automatic transmission, and greater power and torque. The new models set for launch will retain many of the impressive traits of the existing Kuga, especially 2.0-litre TDCi, but with a far more effective role as a CO2 banisher. The new models CO2 output has been measured at just 159g/km.

Business users are actually in for a treat as the new front-wheel-drive version effectively enhances fuel economy and comes with many a cost benefits. Business customers in particular can now look forward to a change in legislation, set to take place in April next year, as it will clear the way for them to reap the benefits offered by Kuga 2WD. The benefit is that they can now lay their claim for a 20 per cent annual write down allowance against Corporation Tax for a car with less than 160g/km CO2. That is not all as customers stand to gain more for its improved fuel efficiency as it falls into the new sub-160g/km banding for Vehicle Excise Duty. With these savings one could easily outfit the car with a high valued entertainment system like the Kenwood KVT-729. Moreover, Ford has added new performance flagships to the Kuga range, intelligently coupling the intuitive AWD with the acclaimed 2.5-litre Duratec engine found in the Focus ST, Mondeo and S-MAX.

That is not all, as the models, each outfitted with 200PS and linear torque of 320Nm, the five-cylinder petrol-engined giant powers from standstill to 62mph in 8.2sec flat.

Tags for this article: ford

A supermini-MPV with impressive cabin flexibility, the Ford B-MAX is a Fiesta-based car that will surely replace the much-criticised Fusion.

Inviting Ford to join the rapidly growing supermini-MPV class, the B-Max is an efficient newcomer. Expected to be produced at the Ford’s new factory in 2010 in Romania, the B-MAX includes vast, bold headlights and orderly tail-lamps. Visually appealing and performance efficient, the model will feature a turbo petrol engine, with a capacity of 1.0-litre units. While we can expect an output of somewhere between 89bhp to 108bhp, there is also a scope for a 1.6-litre petrol engine. Then the oil burner is also included, mainly to form a basis for the green Econetic version. Doing so saves far more energy than energy saving tyres do, as well as other small eco friendly measures. So that’s great news for the eco-friendly motorists, who hate to disturb the environment with pollution-generating vehicles.

If the B-MAX turns out to be as good as it sounds, it will give a tough competition to the rivals like Renault Modus and Vauxhall Meriva. All this should not be taken as less than an achievement for the brand as its previous model Fusion was not competent enough to take that challenge.

As per the information from Ford, they are planning to construct 100,000 models in the initial year and the numbers might even increase in case of more demand.

The theme of this year’s British Motor Show, taking place now, appears to be frugality and energy conservation. Other than driving less, one the best ways to save fuel is naturally to purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle, and thankfully the industry has started to offer some truly thrifty models. The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic currently being introduced at the Motor Show exemplifies this new demand for petrol saving cars, and impresses with an astounding fuel mileage of 76.3 mpg.

The Fiesta ECOnetic’s economical features don’t end there either. Other than officially being the most petrol efficient car in the UK, the Fiesta ECOnetic is not called ECO for nothing. It manages to also be one of the most environmentally friendly cars on the road as well, with carbon dioxide emissions of only 98g/km. A structural change in design, as well as a lowered suspension and better tyres, have helped contributed to this low CO2 output. Clearly, the Fiesta ECOnetic speaks directly to the needs of everyday people today, with its high emphasis on fuel conservation and the environment. The Focus ECOnetic sold particularly well in the UK and this long anticipated model can definitely expect similar success.

The 221 kW/ 300 HP high performance Ford Focus compact car is coming to the UK in the beginning of 2009. The front wheel drive vehicle is celebrating its premiere at the Motor Show in London, taking place from July 23rd to August 3rd. The three door car is recognisable on the outside through the ventilation slots right behind the front wheel house, the two ventilation slots on the engine hood, a two part rear spoiler, and deep indents below the side doors. A diffuser at the rear, which is flanked by a chrome exhaust pipe, provides for extra propulsion.

The engine comes from an improved version of the 2.5 litre turbo spark-ignited engine, which is recognisable from the Focus ST. The five cylinder engine possesses a maximum torque of 410 Nm and should make it possible to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds.

In order to bring the immense power onto the street, the front axel has had to be redeveloped. It possesses a limited slip differential, and a special suspension. The rear axel has also received a strengthened stabiliser. The brakes are also on board with increased power.

Ford is again starting up the “RS” brand with the new super Focus. The letters were first used to describe particularly powerful models back in the late 60’s. One of the most well known RS models is the Escort RS1600 introduced in 1970. The prices for the new edition remain undecided.