Rusty Eck Ford Omaha

Would you ever believe that an SUV can get 120 miles per gallon? If not, keep reading because that’s exactly what the Ford Motor Company is working on.

The actual company manufacturing the new and more efficient hybrid batteries – Johnson Controls-Saft – is now sharing $30 million from the federal government to develop these products. Last week, the United States Department of Energy announced funding the project for $10 million each year for the next three years. This announcement came one day after the automaker announced it has a plug-in version of the Escape that gets 120 miles to the gallon. The manufacturer is working in conjunction with Ford to create batteries for Ford trucks and cars so this can be a reality instead of a futuristic theory.

The goal of the two companies is to make plug-in hybrids more affordable by 2014. With the competitiveness in the hybrid market, Ford plans to have less expensive plug-in hybrids on their lots not later than 2016.

As for the environment, Ford estimates that these newer vehicles would emit 60 percent less CO2 than gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size. But there are still a few obstacles in the way, including cost-effective batteries that are durable enough to withstand the cold winters in places like Michigan and the extreme heat of places like California and Arizona. With time and patience, though, I’m sure they’ll get it figured out before long.

A recent Op-Ed piece in The New York Times said that high gas prices are good for the nation. The writer – Thomas L. Friedman – basically said that Americans have been spoiled for too long and we should keep gas prices high. Apparently, we need to be taught a lesson if you ask Mr. Friedman. Here are a few other highlights from his piece:

• There is no short-term fix for the oil crisis.
Well, I’m sorry to say, but there are many fixes for the oil crisis. Sure, long-term solutions are still a few years away. But we’re letting China drill near our own shores. Why can’t we do offshore drilling?

• Auto dealers offering gas deals are the moral equivalent to tobacco companies marketing toward teenagers.
Huh? First of all, adults are buying the cars and they have every right to make the decision about what type of car they want to buy. If it has a gas deal with it, that’s just a bonus. Who is he to say we shouldn’t be able to buy the cars we want?

• There should be a “price floor” on gasoline to where it won’t drop below $4 a gallon.
Wow! So now this guy is telling us we should never go before $4 a gallon just to “punish” us for our irresponsible use? Who is this guy anyways? He also went on to say that if the price ever drops below that price, the federal government should create a tax that ensures it goes above $4 a gallon for good.

Well, I for one am not falling for it. I’ll drive my Ford trucks until the day I die. And “holier than thou” people like this only make me want to drive it more.

Do you love your Ford truck? If so, you’re in good company. Did you know there are clubs where you can gather with other Ford truck enthusiasts and spend time discussing your favorite truck stories?

One of the most popular Ford truck clubs in the Midwest is the Old Ford Truck Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. The club holds monthly meetings at which hundreds of Ford enthusiasts gather with Ford trucks ranging from the classics to the newest ones on the market. Members can exchange parts and tips about how to get the most enjoyment out of their trucks or simply walk around and admire the evolution of the product from 1948 to the present. The organization also publishes a monthly newsletter available to members. In addition to that, members attend the F-100 Nationals each spring in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Another Ford truck club – the Classic Ford Truck Club – is a more specialized organization for lovers of classic trucks. The members in this club are dedicated to preserving and restoring classic trucks, vans and Broncos. It’s been around since 1994 in Ontario, Canada and has more than 150 current members. There’s even an annual auto show where you can showcase the truck you’ve maintained and “souped up” over the years.

If these clubs sound interesting to you, check your local area for a Ford truck organization that you can join. They’re not only fun, they can be informative and exciting as well.

If you thought luxury was only for small cars and sedans, think again. The Ford Motor Company has a luxury pickup truck…and it’s pretty sweet.

The Lincoln Mark LT is a beautiful piece of machinery that I just discovered today. Judging from the front of this truck, you wouldn’t even know it’s a truck. With its chrome accents and unique grille, it looks more like an SUV than a pickup truck. This luxury vehicle also has an extended cab, but it’s not just any extended cab. There are four full-size doors so even you back passengers can climb in and out of the truck easily.

But the inside is really where it gets interesting.

Once you’re inside the Ford Mark LT, you’ll fall in love with the plush leather seats. The Audiophile Sound System is ideal for enjoying your ride. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store or a cross-country road trip, the system makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the event. In addition to that, you can also choose the SIRIUS Satellite Radio Package with 130 different channels. From comedy to news to rock and country with everything in between, you’ll have several favorite presets that you won’t be able to get enough of.

As one of the most luxurious Ford trucks on the market today, one blog post isn’t enough to do this truck justice. I’ll post more about this impressive vehicle later in the week. Come back and see what else you can get with this one-of-a-kind truck.

Several years ago, Ford did a promotion in which everyday consumers could take advantage of employee prices for trucks. This year, the automaker is bringing that promotion back.

The Ford Motor Company wants to entice more consumers to purchase its full-size SUVs and F-Series Ford trucks. Sales have dwindled because of gas prices lately, but huge discounts are a great way to bring renewed interest to these larger vehicles. And since many loyal truck buyers are waiting for the 2009 models to hit dealer lots, Ford needs a way to phase out the 2008 models.

If you want a great deal on a Ford truck, though, don’t waste any more time. The sale started last week and it won’t last forever! You can also combine other cash back incentives with the employee pricing promotion to get an even better deal.   If you want to purchase an F-150, you can get as much as $2,500 back depending on where you live.

Ford hasn’t released the prices for its employee pricing promotion yet. But if it’s anything like the promotion a few years ago, you can be assured that it’s going to be a great deal. Visit a Ford dealer today and see what they can do for you!

It’s tough times out there. Everybody is looking for ways to save money. Unfortunately, some of those people are accomplishing their goal dishonestly.

One of the new trends in the criminal community is to steal gas from cars and trucks. And the way they’re doing this is by crawling underneath the vehicle, drilling a hole in the gas tank and draining the fuel into a container.

Repair shops all over the country are reporting a sharp increase in fuel tank repairs and replacements as a result, too. Dale Fortin, the owner of an auto repair shop in Detroit, has been replacing a larger number of gas tanks in recent weeks. It’s almost becoming as common as driving off from the gas station without paying and siphoning gas out of gas tanks.

But this isn’t anything new. Mechanics and police officers who have been in the business for decades remember a similar fad that happened during the first oil crisis in the 1970s.

Unfortunately, Ford trucks and other large vehicles are the target of thieves. The main reason for this is because they sit higher off the ground. As a result, these derelicts of society can easily crawl underneath the vehicle and get what they want in a matter of seconds.

If you ask me, it really stinks that you can’t even have anything decent. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to lessen your risk of being a victim, including:

• Parking in a well-populated and lighted area.
• Parking in an attended garage or parking lot.
• Park in different places so thieves can’t “case your truck.”
• Check the fuel gauge when you return to your vehicle to make sure you still have all your fuel.