Interesting automotive news from Ford and Toyota

Jstas

First off, Toyota, lets get the negative stuff out of the way:

From Autoblog:

Report: Toyota may replace rusty frames on 2000-2003 Tundra pickups for free

Can you push a marble through a rusted-out hole in the frame of your 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra? If so, you may be eligible for a brand new frame courtesy of Toyota Motor Company. Toyota truck fanboy site Tundra Headquarters reports that the automaker is going a step beyond its original recall, which covered rusting rear-cross members. That recall was originally intended for the 20 cold weather states, though Toyota later expanded the safety action nationwide.

Toyota will reportedly cover the cost to replace the frame of any affected Tundra, provided that the rusted holes are at least 10 millimeters in diameter and the powertrain is in working order. The rust-induced holes also have to be in certain strategic areas to be eligible, and the Japanese automaker will provide a loaner vehicle while your truck is in the shop. This frame replacement procedure reportedly costs up to $10,000. Toyota is offering to replace frames of the 2000-2003 Tundras until April of 2012.

Original story: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/05/20002003-tundra-owners-could-be-eligible-for-frame-replacement.html

Now, the positive news from Ford:

From Autoblog:

Ford confirms hybrid and PHEV C-Max will be built in Spain



Ford has just provided more details about its first European market hybrid models. The company's plant in Valencia, Spain will be building both regular and plug-in hybrid versions of the new five-seat C-Max MPV starting in 2013. The plant will receive $36 million in upgrades to accommodate hybrid vehicle production of the C-Max, which will be exclusively for the European market.

The new C-Max is the first vehicle being launched this year off of Ford's new global compact car platform that will also spawn the new 2012 Focus. The C-Max is essentially a tall wagon version of the Focus. The hybrid version will use Ford's next-generation hybrid system that will launch in North America in 2012, though no other details about the powertrain are available at this time. The C-Max is also the first application of Ford's new 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which could be paired with the hybrid system.

The new C-Segment platform has been designed to support the installation of conventional, hybrid and full battery electric powertrains. A BEV version of the C-Max is also possible, though Ford has only confirmed plans for the Focus Electric at this time.

That's not all! The little darling is coming here in 7 passenger form!

From Autoblog:

Confirmed: Ford to build seven-seat C-Max in Spain for export to U.S.



When Ford announced its new seven-seat Grand C-Max last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it also revealed that the new model would be coming to North America for the first time. In conjunction with the announcement today that Ford's plant in Valencia, Spain would produce hybrid versions of the five-seat C-Max, Ford also announced that the same plant would be exporting the seven-seater to America late next year.

The larger C-Max is based off of Ford's new c-segment platform shared with the Focus and is similar in size to the Mazda5. This marks Ford's return to the sliding door van market that was abandoned when the Freestar was discontinued in 2006. Ford hasn't said what powerplant will go into the C-Max for export, but we would bet on the same 2.0-liter direct injected four that will power the new Focus with an optional 2.0-liter Ecoboost. Now that General Motors has decided not to sell the Chevrolet Orlando in the U.S., Ford and Mazda are currently the only entrants in this small minivan segment, with vehicles like the conventionally doored Kia Rondo lurking on the fridges.

OK, what's so positive and special about that? Well, for one thing, it's what they call in Europe a "People Mover". It's a tall wago or a small minivan and it moves a bunch of people frugally. What's more, the 5 seat passenger model that is going to be a hybrid? Yeah, see, the C-Max is based on the Focus. A hybrid C-Max means that a hybrid Focus is likely not far behind. Pretty spiffy as well as the fact that we'll likely see a 7 passenger hybrid in the very near future.

Yeah, I know, GM has the "hybrid" Tahoes but seriously, if you believe that is anything more than bells and whistles and a fluff piece then you're sadly mistaken. Anyway, I thought it was pretty spiffy.

mhardy6647

Dang, I like those new Fords.

My son-in-law has an early 1990s Tacoma pickup. Toyota very quietly recalled it and replaced the frame about a year ago; providing to him and my daughter a Toyota loaner gratis.

Jstas

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Dang, I like those new Fords.

My son-in-law has an early 1990s Tacoma pickup. Toyota very quietly recalled it and replaced the frame about a year ago; providing to him and my daughter a Toyota loaner gratis.

That's the way it should be handled.

Hawkeye

Wonder if Ford has considered building that car here. You know, put people to work to be able to afford a new car? Wasn't that Henry's idea in the beginning?

Gordon

Jstas

Focus and Fiesta are going to be built here for the North American market. Not enough production capacity in Europe to support the world market. The C-Max is a much lower volume vehicle overall so the Spanish plant can probably handle the expected production needs for Europe and North America. I'm sure if it proves more popular, Ford will bring production to a place with higher capacity to handle the demand.

Nice attempt a cheap jab though.

Hawkeye

Not a cheap jab at all. If I was to consider any of the "American made" cars, Ford would be at the top of my list, and that would be on principle only. Ford didn't take any bailout cash which I respect them for. But they are not adding jobs here either.

Gordon