Automotive specialists and a panel of editors from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named the 2009 Ford Flex one of its “Top Ten Best New Road Trip Vehicles.”

“The functionality, cargo capacity and interior space of the Ford Flex coupled with its high feature set make it a pretty ideal cross-country commuting vehicle. It’s the kind of vehicle that you could put lots and lots of miles on in a day and then not feel fatigued in at the end,” says Micah Muzio, road test editor, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.

According to Muzio, the kbb.com editors assessed all substantial and insubstantial characteristics that would improve any long drive experience such as driving satisfaction, passenger convenience, and cargo room and fuel economy. These were the grounds in selecting this year’s group of “Best New Road Trip Vehicles.”

Whether it’s a group of people or a person traveling alone, Flex Marketing Manager Catherine Pearce says Ford’s newest crossover will provide an enjoyable trip.

“Flex offers unparalleled space, an expansive view and amenities not available anywhere else, and we’re delighted that the editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com chose to recognize Flex in their exclusive list,” she said.

The all-new 2009 Flex is set to hit Ford dealerships this summer, has already earned a bunch of awareness for its distinctive box-like design with signature side grooves, all-black greenhouse and distinctive multi-panel Vista Roof™. Flex offers astonishing cargo space and comfort for up to seven passengers inside. It also provides wide, capacious seats and high-quality head room and leg room in all three rows. According to Flex Chief Designer Richard Gresens, the Flex generates an environment on parity with the best modes of transportation.

“Everything about the new Ford Flex renews my faith in transportation,” he said. “Flex reclaims our right as passengers to move in style and comfort.” “The sunroof makes the vehicle seem even roomier,” he said. “Also, each of the roof panels as its own sun visor, so that if a person on the right side wants sun and a person on the left side doesn’t, that’s something that the passengers can control themselves.”

At the Chicago Auto Show, the Dearborn-based automaker launched its very first factory-customized model – the Edge Sport.

The turbocharged Sport trim features 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, the first size on a crossover, or 20-inch premium painted wheels with Sport-branded black center hubs. To complete the rugged and aggressive appearance of the vehicle, engineers at Ford give it low-profile tires.

What’s more, the vehicle’s design and features like VistaRoof™ and SYNC helped make Ford Edge the best-selling crossover in the nation.

According to the automaker, the eight-piece Edge Sport body kit includes a unique front air dam, side skirts, lower door caps and a rear skirt, all finished in body color, instead of the dark lower on other Edge models. Additionally, the front air dam features and integrated fog lamps.

The Dearborn automaker also offered perky details such as the custom Sport badging, "foundry gray", smoked headlamp and tail lamp lenses, and polished dual exhaust tips emerging from openings in the rear skirt.

Edge Sport will be available in Sport Blue, Brilliant Silver, Ebony and Redfire. Inside, dark gray leather seats feature unique suede-feel patterned inserts in a combination of light and dark gray, with contrasting stitching for premium appeal. The vehicle is scheduled to roll out into dealerships this fall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently named the thirty-four 2008 model year vehicles which were given their highest safety rating. Called the Top Safety Pick award, the system is developed to name the best vehicles in the market in terms of protecting its occupants in the unfortunate event of a crash. The IIHS tests vehicles for their adequacy in protecting motorists during, frontal, side, and rear crashes. Vehicles should be rated highly at the said tests before they could be given the Top Safety Pick award.

"For 2008, consumers have the widest selection of vehicles they've ever had that afford the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes," said Adrian Lund, the president of the IIHS. Since safety is one of the major concerns of auto buyers, the Top Safety Pick rating will help them in their decision of which new vehicle to buy.

Lund pointed out that an ESC can be of great help to keep motorists away from accidents. "Vehicles should be designed to provide good occupant protection when crashes occur, but now with ESC we have the possibility of preventing many crashes altogether," he said. "If all vehicles were equipped with ESC, as many as 10,000 fatal crashes could be avoided each year."

ESC comes in various names as automakers have different names for this system. Chevrolet vehicles with StabiliTrak are actually equipped with ESC. StabiliTrak is Chevrolet’s name for the ESC. For Nissan, it goes by the name of Vehicle Dynamic Control. Ford calls it the Advance Trac with Roll Stability Control or RSC.

Some of the vehicles included in the list are the Honda Accord, Audi A3, Subaru Impreza, BMW X5, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Tundra, Ford Taurus, and the Volvo XC90.

After the successful launch of the new XF in Frankfurt, Jaguar Cars will be introducing the car at the 9th Middle East International Motor Show. The motor show will be held from the 14th to the 18th of November at the World Trade Centre in Dubai.

The Jaguar XF marks a new milestone for the luxury arm of the Ford Motor Co. The car flaunts the fusion of style, safety, ergonomics, sophistication and performance of a sports car.

“At the last Middle East International Motor Show, we showcased the new XK and XKR - the vehicle demonstrated that Jaguar knows how to design and build contemporary, modern sports cars. And now, with the all-new XF we are showing that Jaguar also knows how to design and build Beautiful Fast sporting saloons,” said Andy Gawthorpe, the Managing Director of Jaguar Middle East.

“The Middle East International Motor Show is the perfect platform for Jaguar to showcase the new XF to an audience that appreciates vehicles that offer luxury, beauty, style and exhilarating performance,” added Gawthorpe.

The new XF will arrive in the Middle East in April 2008. The car is equipped with different engine variants: 4.2 V8 and 3.0 liter V6 and (natural or supercharged variants), all featuring Jaguar's six-speed automatic transmission and steering wheel-mounted 'paddles' for manual gear selection (Jaguar Sequential Shift). This is the first time Jaguar is using the class-leading sequential shift system - used for the first time in a saloon.

The most exciting feature of the Swedish automaker’s new pride is the transmission control dubbed the JaguarDrive SelectorTM - an industry-first rotary shift interface that combines accurate, intuitive control with space-saving packaging. This is done to maximize the interior storage options.

“We are confident that the Jaguar XF will appeal immensely to the discerning Middle East customer,” Gawthorpe concluded. And experts in the industry said that confidence is well anchored.

NADAguides.com recently offered a helping hand to consumers looking for a new car to buy ahead of the winter season. The company provides auto information on the Web and recently named new vehicles which are suited for the coming season.

Check them out.

2008 Audi A4 sedan - The said sedan is offered with an optional cold weather package. This adds heated rear and front seats, removable ski sack, retractable headlight washers, and the patented Quattro all-wheel drive system. The A4 sedan has good traction on a variety of road conditions.



2008 Cadillac STS - The said luxury vehicle is offered with an optional all-wheel drive system. The said system gives the STS good traction on any road condition. With the power transmitted to all four wheels of the vehicle, it can tackle slippery roads. The STS also comes with an all-speed traction control and a stability control system. Other features that will come in handy during the winter season are its window defroster, heated exterior rearview mirror, and a remote starter system.

2008 Chevy Tahoe - Heated exterior mirrors, halogen fog lamps and a remote starting system make it a shoo-in for the list provided by NADAguides. The powerful engine of the Tahoe is complemented by the SUV's AutoTrac system. The AutoTrac allows the vehicle to adapt to changing road conditions by maintaining traction on all wheels.


2008 Ford F-150 - It is offered with an optional snow plow prep package. Other features include rear window defroster, heated exterior mirrors, fog lamps, and a rack-and-pinion steering. As usual, towing is no problem with the F-150. Its powerful V8 engine with a four-wheel drive configuration can tow up to 11,000 pounds.



2008 Hummer H2 - This vehicle has been under fire from environmentalists for its gas-guzzling attribute. But when it comes to traversing treacherous roads, the H2 is a friend to any car owner. Its V8 engine provides 325 horsepower. With a four-wheel drive configuration, traction is not a problem. Aside from that powerful engine, the H2 is also equipped with other features making it suitable for cold weather driving. Traction control, dual-zone heating, triple sealed doors, heated exterior mirrors and all terrain wheels are features that comes in handy when winter comes.

2008 Jeep Wrangler - is also recommended with its remote staring system, stability control, and an all-speed traction control. Other vehicles equipped with cold weather driving-friendly features are the 2008 Land Rover LR3, Subaru Outback, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and the 2008 Volvo XC90.

"One of the most important things people can do to prepare for bad weather is to equip their vehicle with proper tires. In fact, if you own a rear wheel drive vehicle, a good set of snow tires may be all you need for improved performance. However, if your vehicle comes equipped with every safety feature on the planet, there's no substitute for safe driving. When it gets right down to it, careful driving is the most important safety feature of all", Don Christy, the president and CEO of NADAguides.

That milestone measures Ford’s progress in the Philippines.

Ford Motor Co. Philippines (FMCP) expect to ship out in October its 50,000th unit manufactured in its Sta. Rosa facility as the company exports an average of 10,000 units of completely built up vehicles a year, said Inquirer.net.

The automaker, which also owns the Mazda brand, assembles the Ford Escape, Ford Focus, Ford Laser, Mazda 3 and Mazda Tribute in its facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Additionally, FMCP exports CKD kits as of October 2004.

Production began in September 1999 with the Ford Lynx, and the company began building the Mazda-based local Ford Ranger in March, 2000.

FPMC is the only participant in the government's automotive export program that is actually exporting.