Automotive Blog

Pickup Truck

7:48 PM, 7/5/2008 .. Posted in Trucks .. 0 comments .. Link

Ford full-size F-150 and compact Ranger pickup trucks are both available in a wide range of models, from bare bones to loaded. You won't have as many choices with Explorer Sport Trac, but it's a niche truck -- similar in utility to an SUV, but with a truck bed. If you're a Ford truck fan, you should be able to find something you like.

2008 Ford F-Series Pickup Trucks

Ford trucks are all-time favorites, from the full-size F-150 to the even beefier Super Duty. Devise just about any truck configuration you can think of -- there's probably an F-Series truck to match it. You can order a fairly basic F-Series truck, or go with a more luxurious version, like the King Ranch. Harley-Davidson fans can celebrate Ford and Harley's 105th anniversaries with a brand new supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 truck.

Ford Ranger Pickup Trucks

The smaller Ford Ranger truck is ranked best in its class when it comes to fuel economy ratings. Like its larger F-150 brother, it comes in loads of configurations, including a very basic truck without many creature comforts if that's what you need. If you want something sportier, with plenty of features, take at look at the FX4 Rangers

2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Think of the Explorer Sport Trac as a cross between an F-150 truck and an Explorer SUV. You'll find several new features on the 2008 model, including Ford's Sync hands-free communications and entertainment system, and new safety features and options.

Skid Steers - Construction Equiment

6:59 PM, 7/5/2008 .. Posted in Construction Equipment .. 0 comments .. Link

A Staple on every jobsite, today’s skid steers range from compact powerhouses built to fit in the tightest spaces up to hefty workhorses able to keep pace with much larger pieces of equipment.

Whatever your needs are, you can find a skid steer model to fit the bill. Manufacturers today are offering more and more models and a greater range of features to help operators get the job done and assist you in serving those operators.

The following are the listing of what many leading manufacturers have to offer in the way of skid steers. For more information on any of these models, please visit Construction Equipment Bay.

BOBCAT
Bobcat skid steers provide enhanced visibility from a deluxe, enclosed cab with high-tech instrument panel. Two-speed travel provides speeds up to 7 mph in low or up to 12 mph in high range. An advanced control system provides a choice between hand or feet controls. You can also choose between ISO or H pattern joystick controls. Other features include ride control and the Power Bob-Tach mounting system that allows easy utilization of more than 60 job-matched attachments.

VOLVO
Volvo skid steers incorporate a one-piece mainframe and heavy-duty endless drive chains for added durability. They provide greater breakout force, standard auxiliary hydraulics and added visibility. Additional features include a wider cab with adjustable seat, long service intervals and easy access to service points.

THOMAS
Thomas Equipment manufactures a complete line of skid steers, as well as mini-skid and track loaders. The units incorporate heavy, rugged construction and are built to take the daily abuse of heavy-duty work cycles without complaint. All models feature Kubota diesel power, as well as high ground speeds and breakout forces.

Ford says U.S. sales fall 14 percent in March

11:07 PM, 2/4/2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Ford Motor Co said on Tuesday its U.S. sales fell 14 percent in March as weaker sales of trucks and sport-utility vehicles more than offset gains for its new vehicles, such as the Edge crossover.

Sales of light trucks were down 16.7 percent from a year earlier, while car sales were down 9.6 percent.

The automaker said its retail sales were down 17 percent, while sales to fleet customers, including car rental agencies, were down 13 percent.

Sales of Ford's market-leading F-Series pickup trucks were down almost 24 percent. Overall, Ford sold 227,143 vehicles compared with 264,975 a year earlier.

The results were broadly in line with the expectations of industry analysts, who had forecast weak sales results across the industry in March due to the ongoing housing slump, tighter credit and more cautious consumer sentiment.

Ford was the first of the six major automakers to report monthly sales results for the U.S. market, the world's largest.

Ford reports its sales figures without adjusting for the number of sales days in the month. Other major automakers, including Toyota Motor Co, report the adjusted figures more widely tracked by analysts and investors.

There were 26 selling days in March, two fewer than a year earlier, meaning that Ford's adjusted sales decline would have been 7.6 percent.

Analysts had forecast an adjusted sales decline of up to 10 percent for Ford, now the third-largest automaker in the U.S. market behind Toyota.

Despite the overall sales decline, Ford pointed to success with its new Focus sedan, where sales rose 24 percent from a year earlier. In a statement, the company also said its Edge crossover was selling more strongly outside its strongest market in the Great Lakes region.

Ford shares were up over 2 percent at $5.85 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Purchasing Used Construction Equipment Online - Advantages

8:42 PM, 28/3/2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Nowadays, manufacturers dealers and business owners that activate in the construction field have the possibility of choosing between new and used heavy construction equipment. Furthermore, they can take full advantage of the online market, online auctions and other such fast and easy ways of buying the needed heavy equipment. When talking about new versus used construction equipment, there are numerous debates and speculations regarding the benefits and disadvantages of choosing each of these two types of construction equipment.

The Relevant Financial Benefit

For sure, the main advantage that the used heavy equipment presents is the fact that it comes at a more reasonable price. The online market presents wide ranges of discounted construction equipment that might seem, financially speaking, incomparable with the prices for new equipment. Still, in some cases, this might not work as an advantage, since used machineries can imply extra repairing costs. But in order to make sure that the machine comes at a justified and advantageous price, the buyers need to be informed regarding the obsolesce and deterioration factors.

Performance and Functionality, just like New Heavy Equipment

Another advantage that needs to be taken into consideration when thinking about choosing between new and used construction equipment is the fact that the used machines might be as optimized and as good as the brand new ones. In many cases, the online auctions present machines that were never used or machines that were used for brief periods of time and function perfectly. Even though some buyers might be a little suspicious when dealing with the fact that used construction machinery might be as optimized and as functional as the new equipments, there are great selections of used trucks or used cranes that come with the same features and the same capabilities as the new ones, yet with a smaller price.

The Online Advantage

Since the used heavy equipment that are sold online are guaranteed by such reputable organizations, purchasing such heavy equipment using the specialized online market and auctions is considered, by many buyers, to be by far more advantageous then opting for the conventional types of purchases. First of all, all the information is provided by the sellers and it can be viewed with the help of some clicks, in a matter of seconds. Buyers can browse through thousands of used construction machines and then make their final decision, a fact which saves them time, efforts and other expenses.

Considering the facts above, there is no wonder that more and more buyers are interested in purchasing used construction machineries instead of new and more expensive ones. For now, t

Ford trucks get boost from Garmin

12:37 AM, 13/2/2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

New Ford trucks are being built for business, and two area companies have a role in it.

Garmin International and Sprint are supplying technology for Ford Work Solutions, an in-dash computer system that will connect mobile workers with their offices — and even keep track of their tools.

The system will be an option on Ford F-Series trucks and E-Series vans this fall. The Ford Claycomo plant builds the F-150.

The system will include an in-dash computer powered by Microsoft Auto that will use Sprint wireless to allow workers to connect to their home or office networks and to the Internet.

Garmin is supplying the navigation component, the company’s first deal with a vehicle manufacturer to build a customized in-dash navigation system.

The system will use Garmin’s trademark “where to” interface and include voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions and a large database of nearby businesses and attractions. It will receive traffic information, weather and gas prices by linking to Garmin Online.

While Garmin has supplied customized navigators for car and motorcycle manufacturers, the deal with Ford marks the first time Garmin navigation will be installed by a vehicle manufacturer at the factory.

Beyond that, Ford Work Solutions is all business.

The computer can be connected to a Bluetooth-enabled printer to print reports or invoices while still at the job site.

Ford’s Tool Link lets users mark their tools with RFID tags. When the tools are not returned to the pickup boxes in the rear of the truck, the computer flashes a warning on the in-dash computer screen.

“It helps contractors and tradespeople guarantee they show up at the job site with the right tools for each job — and that they don’t leave equipment behind,” said William Frykman, a Ford product development manager.

The computer also tells fleet managers exactly where the truck is, to dispatch on-the-road work crews more efficiently.

Some features are not quite as high-tech.

The system includes an 8-foot steel cable that can be connected to gear in the back of the truck to prevent theft.

Ford announced the in-dash com center Wednesday at the Chicago Auto Show.

“Our truck customers are smart — and they work hard,” Mark Fields, Ford’s president, said in a release. “Ford Work Solutions provides truck customers new technologies and tools to help them work even smarter and further boost their productivity.”

The system will be available this fall in 2009 Ford F-150 and F-Series Super Duty trucks and E-Series vans. The technology will be added to Transit Connect vans in mid-2009.

Buy Sale Used Semi Trucks For Sale

11:51 PM, 12/2/2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

New Ford trucks are being built for business, and two area companies have a role in it.

Garmin International and Sprint are supplying technology for Ford Work Solutions, an in-dash computer system that will connect mobile workers with their offices — and even keep track of their tools.