Ford To Bring V-6 Back To F-150

Ford will reintroduce V-6 engines to the F-150 pickup truck in 2011. The 3.7-liter normally aspirated V-6 and the 3.5-liter EcoBoost will both be available in addition to a 5.0-liter and a 6.2-liter V-8. Buyers of full sized pickups have overwhelmingly preferred V-8s but increased concern over fuel economy and more powerful V-6 engines may change their minds. The 3.7-liter is said to crank out 300 horsepower and return 20% better mileage. Ford hasn’t offered a V-6 in the F-150 since 2008. (Source: Automotive News)

Chevrolet Will Not Produce a Mid-engined Corvette

Apparently rumors have been circulating for a couple of years that the next generation Corvette would be mid-engined. GM is denying that any such plans are underway and also denies that it is considering putting a V-6 in their iconic sports car. A GM spokesman did, however, entertain the possibility of a hybrid power train for the Corvette, noting that automakers must continue to offer better performance and improved fuel economy. (Source: Automotive News)

Chrysler Keeps Ad, Erases Monkey

A recent ad touting Dodge’s Tent Event sale ended with a chimpanzee in a white costume setting off a mild confetti explosion. The animal rights group PETA didn’t care for it, complaining that chimps used in the entertainment industry are mistreated, and asked the automaker to pull the ad.

In a heart warming display of wit, Dodge did better than that: they kept the ad but erased the chimp so now, as the announcer notes, an invisible monkey sets off the explosion.

Gotta love it. (Source: Jalopnik.com)

--M.D.

This weekend Mecum auctions is holding its first “Gone Farmin’” vintage tractor auction in Walworth, WI. Some 200 tractors from various eras and manufacturers are going on the block. The oldest piece is a 1914 John Deere manure spreader.

This little red machine caught my eye. It’s a 1960 Porsche with a 2-cylinder, air-cooled diesel and 8-speed transmission with torque converter. Porsche built tractors from 1934 until 1963 and they are becoming increasingly popular among collectors.

Who knew?

--M.D.

July sales numbers are in and U.S. domestic manufacturers all showed gains, strong gains in the case of GM, while Toyota and Honda both lost ground.

Leading the charge among major car makers, GM’s current four core brands outsold last year’s pace by 6.4 per cent, when the company had eight brands in the mix. Chrysler scored a 4 per cent gain while Ford edged up 3 per cent. (Ford’s totals for July include Volvo. Comparing Ford’s core brands, excluding Volvo, would have shown an 8 per cent increase.)

The two biggest Japanese car makers saw sales declines with Toyota off by 3.2 per cent and Honda down 2 per cent. Smaller players did better with Mazda up 8.9 per cent, and Subaru up 9.8 per cent. Suzuki’s tiny share of the U.S. market continues to evaporate as sales fell 44 per cent in July. Korean manufacturers Kia and Hyundai report combined sales and showed a 19.5 per cent increase for the month.

Most European marque posted increases last month with VW up 17.4 per cent, BMW up 10 per cent and Mercedes up 5.5 per cent.

July 2010 sales could have been a blood bath because last year’s numbers were bolstered by the “Cash for Clunkers” program which caused a large boost in sales. Toyota and Honda did take a hit, especially among their small, more fuel efficient models, although their trucks showed new strength in July. The fact that U.S. car makers did well in the face of last year’s inflated figures looks like a good sign for the home team.

--M.D.

(source: Wards Automotive)