Ford looks to digital future

Ford CEO Alan Mulally recently took to the stage at the AllThingsDigital conference in Southern California to explain Ford’s upcoming high-tech packages that the automaker plans to roll out on a number of models.

The company has already introduced Sync as an optional feature on many of its models. The digital entertainment console allows users to integrate their phone or other USB-device, like an iPod, and control the devices with voice-recognition software. Mulally believes that integrating technology is the future of the auto industry, according to CNET.

Mulally also spoke about bringing third-party-developed applications to Ford’s in-car console, much like a smartphone. For example, rather than listen to the radio, users could launch their own custom Pandora station right from the car.

The CEO cautioned that the company didn’t want drivers to become distracted on the road, which is why Ford is making sure the applications can be voice-controlled and don’t require constant attention.

Drivers who want to try Sync without paying the dealer-inflated prices would do well to look at recent late-model Ford vehicles on the used car market.

Accord may overtake Camry as America’s favorite car

The title for best-selling car in the country is hotly contested in the auto industry, but the last few years have been dominated by the Toyota Camry.

However, according to recent May sales figures, Toyota’s fellow Japanese auto giant Honda is gaining ground in the rivalry. Honda sold 124,967 Accords in May, falling just shy of Camry’s 125,804, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Toyota has faced criticism amid a wave of recalls because of unintended acceleration, and recent Toyota Camrys were included in the recall. This damage to the company’s safety-first reputation may be leading some to choose Honda, although Toyota is offering better financing packages in an attempt to woo customers back.

Despite the rivalry, some say that the two Japanese companies respect each other greatly and adhere to an honor code, according to the news source. Honda could introduce special offers on Accord to surpass Camry, but it would be seen as unfairly attacking the competition in a time of trouble.

The last time Accord won the battle was in 2001, when it sold 414,000 cars. With the influx of brands and models, its unlikely a car will ever post sales figures like that again. Many of these cars are still on the road, and savvy consumers can get deals by buying a used Honda.

Mercedes-Benz CEO bets on Germany in World Cup

Dieter Zetsche, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler AG, is offering Benz buyers in Germany some of the best deals in years in connection with the World Cup.

Zetsche is slashing prices on German Mercedes, such as $2,493 off the sleek SLK Roadster, according to BusinessWeek. In addition, those who lease get a special bonus if Germany takes home the cup – a near $400 rebate. Germany’s current odds are 14-1.

The World Cup tie-in sales are part of Zetsche’s initiative to revitalize the brand. In Germany, Mercedes are perceived as a car for older consumers. Zetsche’s strategy involves associating the brand with soccer and F1 stars, both huge spectator sports in Europe, to give it a more youthful image.

Those looking for a Mercedes-Benz in America might be disappointed to learn that the savings won’t be passed on to American consumers. Mercedes can be especially pricy cars if bought new.

However, that doesn’t mean potential car buyers can’t be driving off the lot in Mercedes without breaking the bank. If they shop for used Mercedes rather than new, drivers can get a great car at an affordable rate.

Consumers can find deals as brands end

The economic downturn has meant that some automakers are ending brands with a long history. Pontiac and Saturn bit the dust last year, the last Hummer rolled off the line a few weeks ago, and Ford recently announced the demise of Mercury.

Consumers who are fans of these models can turn to the used car market in order to find deals on these cars. As new car dealers were forced to liquidate their stock, some have sold cars to used auto dealers at a reduced rate. Those dealers can then pass savings on to the consumer.

For brands like Hummer, the used car market will be the only place to find the discontinued models. Soon, that will be the same case for Mercury.

Mercury, owned by Ford, was the victim of a crowded market. Sandwiched uncomfortably between Ford’s luxury Lincoln brand and regular Ford brand, it never quite found an identity and commanded less than 1 percent of the market share.

Ford has promised to roll out additions to the Lincoln brand to replace the loss of Mercury. In the meantime, consumers may want to shop for deals on the used market for these once-storied brands.

New York electric drivers get charger relief

Those in the New York area who want to adopt one of the upcoming electric vehicle models but are worried about the cost just got some good news.

Through a government federal grant program, home chargers – which can run upwards of $2,000 – will be given away for free to select early adopters of electric vehicles, according to the New York Times. It’s part of the government’s initiative to increase America’s fuel economy and get electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road.

Coulumb, a California-based company, manufactures the chargers for electric vehicles that will be distributed through the program to nine regions across the country, including New York.

"We’re excited about being in New York, because aside from the Mini E program and the Tesla Roadster, it hasn’t seen much E.V. action," CEO Richard Lowenthal told the news source. "We expect to have a great reception there.”

Consumers who want to be more fuel-efficient now can save money by purchasing hybrid cars from a used car dealership. In addition, New York used car dealers should have electric models in stock shortly after their release later this year.

Simple car upkeep tip: Maintain optimal tire pressure

In order for car owners to get the most out of their vehicle, it may be best to practice preventative care, as opposed to reacting to problems when they occur.

This includes getting a tuneup when a car reaches certain mileage milestones such as 50,000 or 100,000 and ensuring that the oil is changed every three months or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first).

However, one of the easiest, and most inexpensive, ways to provide optimal car care is to regularly check the air pressure in the tires. The best part? This can be done with a simple air pressure gauge and most of these devices sell for about $10. Find the right store and it could be cheaper.

Razvan Bosomoiu, Goodyear brand manager, explains that car owners who don’t properly inflate their tires can cause their car to “increase vehicle fuel consumption, meaning that motorists may get less miles per gallon than with properly inflated tires.”

But why is something like air pressure so important? One simple reason is that by ensuring tires are correctly inflated can save owners money in the longrun.

Your car will get better gas mileage

With all the talk of hybrid and electric cars coming to the market, along with rising gas prices, more consumers are concerned with gas mileage and how they can maximize it. A car with a high gas mileage means it can go further on one tank of gas when compared to other vehicles with low gas mileage.

Consumers who have yet to look into new or used hybrids can increase their gas mileage through the air pressure in their tires.

Tires with low air pressure can cause a car to drag, which means it will need to use up more gasoline to run properly. Maintain the right PSI in tires will avoid this problem and can increase a vehicle’s gas mileage, which in turn may save money on gas.

Tires last longer

While replacing a tire for a car is inevitable, car owners can put off the process longer if the air pressure is checked on a regular basis. Aside from causing a car to drag, a low PSI can cause increased wear and tear on a tire. So owners who fail to check the air pressure may fall victim to tires with a short life.

This also includes over-inflation of tires, which is a bad idea. The thinking that more air is a good thing is wrong, since over-inflating a tire past its recommended PSI may cause blowouts or bulges in the tire.

Always forget to check? Do it at the gas station

It” true that sometimes the simplest tasks are the easiest to forget. One idea is to get into a regular schedule with checking a car’s tire pressure. Always doing it when filling up the gas tank or on a Sunday evening may help remind owners. Or consider saving the receipt from the last time you had to buy new tires as a reminder to maintain proper air pressure in your tires.

BMW 320d reported goes over 1,000 miles on one tank

Apparently BMW is making a big play in the race for the car with the highest gas mileage on the market.

The 2010 BMW 320d EfficientDynamics reportedly went more than 1,000 miles on one tank of gas during a recent trip from the UK to Munich. The vehicle’s 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo diesel engine averaged 57 mpg during the entire 1,013 mile journey.

Tom Ford, who is a frequent presenter on the UK’s television program Fifth Gear, drove the car and told various press outlets that the car’s performance surprised him.

“I was prepared for this car to fail in the real world, I was wrong,” Ford said. “Although I did try and be careful and drive in a feather-footed manner, I did cruise at a reasonable 65ish mph on the autoroutes and autobahns, so faster than the usual economy run pace.”

While the distance achieved by the car’s one tank of gas may be impressive to some, it’s not the only option for consumers interested in fuel-efficient automobiles.

Hybrid cars have been in the market for close to 10 years, which means a fair amount of them can now be purchased as used vehicles.