LAS VEGAS--Ford CEO Alan Mulally says tech geeks will feel right at home in Ford cars.
Mulally delivered the Thursday morning keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show, where he said "smart technology" such as access to smartphones and fuel efficiency are core to Ford's strategy.
"Green technology and smart innovation are helping us serve our customers and differentiate Ford," Mulally said.
Ford CEO Alan Mulally giving a keynote address Thursday morning at CES in Las Vegas.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET)He started his talk noting the surge in usage of online applications like Twitter and Facebook in the past year. Ford's Sync software allows drivers to access these applications through smartphones using Sync's voice activation features.
"Fortunately, the connectivity that Ford chose has proven to be right because it has the ability to accommodate change...and connectivity through a mobile phone," he said.
Mulally said Ford plans to extend its pilot program, in which Best Buy will help Ford drivers become familiar
... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
High-performance cars will get a nod at the North American International Auto Show next week, but electrics and hybrids will get the buzz.
Volkswagen and Toyota will show hybrid concepts; Audi, BMW, and Fiat will unveil electric concepts. Honda will show the production version of the CR-Z hybrid hatchback.
The Detroit auto show will put together many electric cars and technology in one area called Electric Avenue.
Meanwhile, the high-performance crowd will get their due with the CTS-V coupe from Cadillac and a performance sedan concept from Buick.
Mercedes-Benz will take the wraps off of the fourth variant of its new E class--a production convertible that replaces the CLK.
... Read MoreThe combined Land Rover/Jaguar company, now owned by Indian automaker Tata, had a little fun for the holidays, coming up with concept images for Santa's sleigh, one designed by Jaguar, and the other by Land Rover.
(Credit:
Jaguar)
(Credit:
Land Rover)
Land Rover went futuristic with its land-based speeder design. Being a Land Rover, we assume it handles rough terrain well. It also looks like the cockpit is designed for a reindeer driver, which must require some very special controls.
A video signal is delivered from the camera mounted in the head of the truck to the back door panels through a projector.
(Credit: Art Lebedev)Russian design studio Art Lebedev calls this simple invention--a camera that takes images from the front of a truck to show it on screens in the back--Transparentius. I call it geeneeuzz.
I don't know why the drawing below shows a tank at the front of the truck, but I guess that in Russia people drive T-90s like people drive Fords in the U.S. I wish the technology was so cheap that this could be implemented for real, because I'm sure being able to see what's in the blind zone before switching lanes would save a lot of lives on the road.
(Credit:
Art Lebedev)
This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.
Here's a look at the BMW Concept ActiveE. The all-electric car is based on the 1-series coupe. Unlike the demonstration in this promo video, the batteries don't pop in like a toy, but they will be located where the gas tank would normally go. Look for the ActiveE next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Mini's new concept is based on its upcoming crossover model.
(Credit: Mini)Before its upcoming crossover enters production in 2010, Mini is already using this new platform for a concept.
Mini removed doors and roof to get passengers in touch with nature.
(Credit: Mini)For the Beachcomber, Mini stripped off the doors and roof, opening up the cabin like a dune buggy or jeep. Lest occupants suffer sunburn or freezing rain, Mini includes what it calls "lightweight door and roof elements" that can be "installed within a few minutes."
For its sand-crawling duties, the Beachcomber uses a new all-wheel-drive that Mini calls ALL4, which will be a feature of the upcoming crossover. The suspension is raised, as well, with large wheels providing extra ground clearance.
Mini has used concepts in the past to herald its upcoming new models, such as the Mini Clubman. But, at least as far as North America is concerned, the Beachcomber heralds nothing. When the Mini crossover enters production next year, it won't be sold in North America.
The Mini Beachcomber will debut at the 2010 Detroit auto show.
Well, we know three things: it's a Toyota; it's a hybrid; and it's green.
(Credit: Toyota)The 2010 car show season is set to kick off in January at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, affectionately and more commonly known as the Detroit auto show. Toyota is going to be there and, being Toyota, you can bet its booth will be stuffed to the gill with hybrids. We've just received a pair of teaser images for an unnamed Toyota hybrid concept.
The ultra-swept headlamps and rounded nose point toward a concept that's like no current Toyota offering.
(Credit: Toyota)The concept should be a new model and not simply a hybrid version of a currently selling vehicle. There's not much that we can tell from the pictures beside that it's a green Toyota hybrid. I'm guessing based on the steep angle of the A-pillar that this is going to be a tiny car. Perhaps a new subcompact hybrid that slots in below the Prius.
We'll keep our eyes peeled for more information as it comes available. In the meantime, give us your best guess as to what Toyota's got up its sleeve in the comments.
LOS ANGELES--Lexus' LF-Ch hybrid concept should be turned into a production vehicle and sold in the United States, said division General Manager Mark Templin.
The compact five-door hatchback debuted at the Frankfurt auto show in September and was shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week. If approved for production, the LF-Ch would compete with such models as the BMW 1 series and Audi A3. Lexus said the concept is a response to the growing demand, especially from young urbanites, for smaller and more fuel-efficient cars.
"We're showing it in North America to see if it can compete," Templin said. "We'll survey people to see how they feel about it. I would love to see this car in the U.S." Templin did not say when a decision would be made.
(Source: Automotive News)
(Credit:
Ford)
Remember when the bottom dropped out of the economy and everyone was screaming for small, inexpensive, and fuel efficient cars? Well, they're here; and they're in Los Angeles.
Small cars ruled the roost at the 2009 LA Auto Show, with marquees such as the Ford Fiesta, the Mazda Mazda2, and the VW Up Lite attracting a lot of attention and stealing the spotlight from bigger more powerful cars.
Check out our gallery of small cars at the 2009 LA Auto Show for a closer look.
The Honda P-NUT was the strangest thing on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
In a time when most automakers limit their new production, Honda showed the most creative flair at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show with its Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) concept. The P-NUT explores new ideas for small city cars, using a 1+2 layout, with rear seats that can fold up, turning the car into a delivery cart. Honda has some interesting ideas for how the driver would interact with the car, and specifies a head-up display for the broad windshield.
Don't expect the P-NUT to ever hit production; it is pure concept. Honda merely suggests some ideas that would work for its powerplant, from a traditional internal combustion engine to an electric drive unit.
