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New Expedition Gains EL Edition

2007 Ford Expedition
All 2007 Expeditions sport an updated powertrain, revised interior seating options, and tough new styling that telegraphs the SUV's relationship to the new Ford F-Series trucks. The engine is Ford's 5.4-liter V-8, pushing its 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque out through a six-speed automatic transmission. Tow capacity is 9100 lb, and a newly developed independent rear suspension is matched in front with an updated front suspension.
Inside the new Expeditions have split second-row seating that uses one lever to flip and fold the outboard seats for access to the available third-row split bench, which Ford says is comfortable for adults taller than six feet. It also folds flat into the load floor, optionally with electric assistance. Wider-opening rear doors on the EL model grant easier access to the back, Ford promises, while a Centerslide section to the second-row bench moves forward up to eleven inches for easy access to a child seat.
Cabin comforts include an available 340-watt AM/FM audio system with MP3 capability and an in-dash six-CD changer with six premium speakers, plus a subwoofer and an input jack for MP3 players. Sirius and a DVD entertainment system are options. A power liftgate is optional, while stability and roll control are standard on both the Expedition and EL models. Dual front airbags are standard, while a three-row curtain airbag is optional.
Bush Nixes Aid for GM, Ford
President George W. Bush has finally said out loud what most believed he had been thinking - that the current administration isn't interested in trying to bail out the domestic automobile industry.
"I think it's very important for the market to function," he said in an interview in Thursday editions of The Wall Street Journal.
He added
companies need to manufacture "a product that's relevant" and that his
administration has discussed new fuel technologies with the nation's top two
automakers.
"As these automobile manufacturers compete for market share
and use technology to try to get consumers to buy their product, they also will
be helping
Asked whether he had talked with the chairmen of Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp., the president said, "Not about their balance sheets. And I haven't been asked by any automobile manufacturer about a bailout," the President added.
"I have been very reluctant," Bush said, cutting off his sentence. "I'm mindful of the past where at one point in time, a predecessor of mine was faced with that same dilemma. I would hope I wouldn't be asked to make that decision."
Bush Nixes Aid for GM, Ford
(1/30/2006)
Automakers respond: we didn't ask.
TCC Drives: 2007

2000 Ford Artic Explorer Sport Trac Concept
With each new Camry much improved, and an even better value it seems, expectations for the new '07 model are high.
There's also the issue that the Camry is just so darned good and efficient at being a comfortable, economical, trouble-free sedan that it has come to be viewed as an appliance, and has gathered descriptions, according to Toyota execs, like "bread-and-butter," and "dad's car." And driving a Camry sort of lends itself to an "I don't care about cars" anonymity. Is the Camry boring, or is it just too darned good?
That was the challenge: how to bring more style - and a little more driving enjoyment - to the Camry without alienating any of Camry's very loyal customer base.
2007 Toyota Camry
(1/30/2006)
Ready to spoil a new round of frugal family
buyers - and keep its best-selling title.
TCC Drives: 2006 Volvo C70

2000 Ferrari 550 Marenello
Volvo's C70 answers these questions neatly. You don't have to choose, because the C70 is a four-passenger convertible with a retractable hard top. Think of it as two cars in one, they ask politely, since the new C70 fills the space of former Coupe, which left the U.S. in 2002, and the Convertible, which went off into the Swedish sunset in 2004.
Though folding hardtops are
nothing new, they're in new vogue since the Mercedes SLK was born. Not only will
the Volvo join the crowd, but so will BMW and Chrysler with coming versions of
the 3-Series and Sebring.
2006 Volvo C70 (1/30/2006)
Two in one for four. Don't worry - there's no math quiz
afterward.
GM Asks UAW for More
General Motors is looking for help from the United Auto Workers and is hoping the union can deliver it soon, given the company's deepening financial crisis.
The auto giant already has received
critical concessions from UAW on healthcare. Now it is looking for more
assistance in encouraging more GM and
Richard Wagoner, GM's chief executive officer, said last week during a conference call following the release of the automaker's 2005 financial report that the company is talking with the union about ways to speed up the company's restructuring.
The discussions revolve around putting in place an accelerated attrition program that would encourage workers to quit or retire sooner rather than later, he suggested. "We think it makes sense" for the company and the union to reach an agreement sooner rather than later, Wagoner added.
GM Asks UAW for More
(1/30/2006)
Company needs more concessions to fix
finances.
Study Boosts Ethanol As Fuel
Carmakers interest in building vehicles that run on alcohol got an important boost last week when a new study published in the magazine Science indicated that making motor fuel from corn actually can save energy.
For years, supporters of the ethanol-based fuel have been ensnared in a running debate over whether turning corn into alcohol really saves fuel. The essential argument against the wider use of ethanol as a motor fuel was that the process of corn into alcohol ultimately consumed more energy than it saved.
Academics, farmers, the farm lobby, energy companies, environmentalists, and carmakers were all ultimately dragged into the debate, which has grown in consequence as the price of oil has jumped to recent highs.
The findings of Alexander Farrell of the University of California-Berkeley basically dismantles the arguments of ethanol critics, who had claimed that making ethanol was "negative" net energy - producing it took more energy than it created.
Study Boosts Ethanol As Fuel
(1/30/2006)
Emissions study finds it's not "negative" on
energy.

POLL RESULTS
Bill Ford 2006
12.7% Yes, it's truth in advertising - they know what they're doing.
30.4% No, It's just a new bandage on an old wound.
41% Maybe - let's give them a year to see.
15.9% I'm sorry, you said a left at the Chevron station?

FROM THE SOURCE headlines from the latest press releases
Just a reminder that the deadline is rapidly approaching for the Detroit Press Club Foundation's prestigious 2006 International Wheel Awards. Entries must be postmarked or sent through parcel service by Tuesday, January 31st. Rules and entry details for these prestigious awards, honoring excellence in automotive journalism, are available at http://sedoparking.com/search/registrar.php?registrar=DRSI&domain=icnpr.net, at http://www.wheelawards.com, by calling project cochairman, Steve Purdy at 517-655-3591 or through any ICN member.


Name | Symbol | Last | Change |
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Autobytel, Inc. | ABTL | 4.86 | |
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Autoliv Inc. | ALV | 48.51 | |
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AutoNation Inc. | AN | 22.39 | |
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ArvinMeritor Inc. | ARM | 15.98 | |
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American Axle & Mfr. Holdings Inc. | AXL | 18.67 | |
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Ballard Power Systems Inc. | BLDP | 5.06 | |
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BorgWarner Inc. | BWA | 55.04 | |
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Cummins Inc. | CMI | 99.91 | |
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Dana Corporation | DCN | 4.39 | |
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DaimlerChrysler AG (ADR) | DCX | 56.85 | |
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Dura Automotive Systems | DRRA | 2.22 | |
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Eaton Corporation | ETN | 66.85 | |
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Ford Motor Company | F | 8.65 | |
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General Motors Corporation | GM | 23.80 | |
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Gentex Corporation | GNTX | 16.98 | |
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Goodyear Tire & Rubber | GT | 18.87 | |
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Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (ADR) | HMC | 28.18 | |
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Johnson Controls Inc. | JCI | 69.99 | |
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Lear Corporation | LEA | 25.30 | |
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Magna International Inc. | MGA | 73.34 | |
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Motorola Inc. | MOT | 22.50 | |
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Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (ADR) | NSANY | 22.47 | |
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Sonic Automotive Inc. | SAH | 23.56 | |
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Siemens AG | SI | 92.27 | |
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Sirius Satellite Radio | SIRI | 5.87 | |
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Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) | TM | 102.44 | |
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TRW Automotive Holdings | TRW | 25.50 | |
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Tower Automotive Inc. | TWRAQ.PK | 0.067 | |
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United Auto Group Inc. | UAG | 38.09 | |
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Visteon Corporation | VC | 5.13 | |
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XM Satellite Radio Hold. | XMSR | 27.47 |
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