The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and rooster tails go together like bacon and everything. Since its introduction, we've kicked up dirt, mud and rocks with both the original 5.4-liter and new 6.2-liter V-8 versions but we've never carved a Raptor through snow and ice, until now.Several weeks ago, we headed to Detroit for the 2011 North American International Auto Show. With temperatures hovering in the teens and twenties and sporadic snow showers, the climate could hardly have been more different from our backyard stomping grounds in Southern California's Mojave Desert.After spending two days hunting relentlessly for truck news inside Detroit's Cobo Hall Convention Center from before sunrise until after sunset, we needed a break.Weather that looked cold and bleak outside while eating shrimp with supermodels – really, cold soggy sandwiches and stale brownies in the company of grumpy, over-caffeinated journalists – turned into a playground for us and our friends from Jalopnik to take a Raptor for a spin (actually, dozens) in the snow.On our last day in Michigan, we exited downtown Detroit and piloted a 2011 Raptor SuperCab 6.2 to a lonely parking lot near a Ford plant on the outskirts of Detroit, where several inches of snow had fallen the night before. Only we couldn't tell it was a parking lot as we stared out from the cockpit of our Tuxedo Black Raptor at acres of virgin white powder that covered the icy pavement beneath.In past off-road excursions, we naturally shifted the Raptor into four-wheel drive for maximum traction and activated its unique "off-road mode."Off-road mode changes the truck's power delivery and shift points so it performs like a desert racer. Gears are held longer and throttle response is linear throughout the power band instead of weighted towards the low-end during normal driving.This time, we deliberately ignored four-wheel drive. Instead, we took advantage of the parking lot's wide-open space, emptiness and icy conditions and left the truck in two-wheel drive, so all 411 ponies from its 6.2-liter V-8 were sent to the rear wheels.We didn't stop with two-wheel drive. We also disengaged the Raptor's stability, traction and rollover controls and changed the antilock brake calibrations to their mildest settings by pushing and holding the AdvanceTrac (sliding car) button on the dash for five seconds.With the electronic nannies off, it was playtime. The 6.2 quickly revved high into the RPM range as the Raptor's meaty LT315/70R17 BFGoodrich A/Ts tires sought out the least bit of friction to get the truck moving. Several times, the truck cut throttle at redline like it was on a dyno because its traction control system was sleeping and the ABS system was comfortably numb.We chucked and skidded the Raptor from one end of the lot to the other as we explored the Raptor's winter boundaries. We made ice glazed donuts so perfect that Krispy Kreme's chefs would have had coronaries for their recipe and we conjured up icy rooster tails that floated around the truck as we drifted on the pavement's slick black ice like a crazed Zamboni machine re-imagined by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. By the end of it, we were laughing and smiling as much as school kids sledding on a snow day.Soon enough, though, we had to call it a day and head to the airport.As much as we enjoyed playing with the Raptor in the snow and ice, we didn't come close to exploring how it performs in true off-road conditions in low temperatures. We're very curious to see how its Fox Racing long-travel suspension – the heart of the Raptor -- performs as the thermometer drops. We expect that testing will come later this winter.For now, we accomplished our mission to create icy rooster tails. And we found out the Raptor also sizzles like bacon, even in the snow.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Quick Drive: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCab 6.2-liter V-8
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Spied! Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Testing Daytime LED Running Lights
Thank you,
Thomas Ieracitano
Thomas Ieracitano
229.251.2462
Can't Make it Here, We'll Take it There!
want a website or an email like this ? go to http://123BrandMe.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Fw: Spied! Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Testing Daytime LED Running
Lights
From: "Thomas Ieracitano" <Thomas@RobertHutson.com>
Date: Tue, January 25, 2011 11:30 am
To: <Thomas@Ieracitano.com>
From: Mike LevineSent: Monday, January 24, 2011 1:17 AMSubject: Spied! Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Testing Daytime LED Running Lights
Photos by Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & CompanyIt looks like Ford is contemplating adding LED daytime running lights to the F-150 SVT Raptor, as seen in our latest spy photos.The Raptor is Ford's only half-ton pickup that uses exterior LED lighting because its extra track width (for off-road stability) has to adhere to federal regulations mandating illuminated marker lamps at night. There are three bright-orange LEDs mounted in the Raptor's grille, three in the center high-mounted stoplight and two each at the corners of the front and rear bumpers.The white lights on this manufacturer-plated test truck supplement the existing LEDs, with unique placement between the front bumper and fenders.The move to front LED daytime running lamps mirrors the design cues of Ford's latest cars. The Taurus sedan and Fiesta compact both feature the durable, bright lights that consume up to 70 percent less power than conventional incandescent bulbs.It's possible the new LEDs could appear on 2011.5 "Job 2" Raptors but they are most likely slated for the 2012 model year.Other future improvements rumored for Raptor may include an electronic locking front differential for increased capability in low-speed off-road maneuvers. A front e-locker is available for the limited edition Ford Racing Raptor XT pre-runner. There's also chatter that the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty's heated and cooled seats will find their way inside the Raptor's cabin too. The 411 horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 is expected to remain the sole engine choice.But what is certain is that exterior LED lights in pickup trucks are about to have their day. The GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD Concept featured edge-lit LED lighting in its cargo box that we expect to be offered in next-generation Ford and GM pickups. The Raptor happens to be first out the door.
Report: Parts Shortage Forces Production Pause at Ford F-150 Plant
From: Mike LevineSent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 10:53 AMSubject: Report: Parts Shortage Forces Production Pause at Ford F-150 Plant
Ford is halting production of the F-150 light-duty pickup for a week due to a shortage of parts for its new 3.7-liter and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engines, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press."Suppliers took a lot of capacity out to get through the downturn," said Ford spokesman Todd Nissen. "As volumes have increased for our new, high-volume products, suppliers have had some issues keeping up."Nissen did not identify the suppliers or parts that caused the shortage.3,000 workers at the plant will also go on hiatus for seven days.F-Series pickup sales grew 27.7 percent in 2010 over 2009, as the U.S. economy continued to slowly recover from its slump and businesses and core truck buyers replaced their aging pickups with new trucks. Ford has also been successful gaining market share at the expense of its competitors in the last year with a steady cadence of product improvements.[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Fw: Spied! Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Testing Daytime LED Running Lights
From: Mike Levine
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 1:17 AM
Subject: Spied! Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Testing Daytime LED Running Lights
Photos by Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Company
It looks like Ford is contemplating adding LED daytime running lights to the F-150 SVT Raptor, as seen in our latest spy photos.
The Raptor is Ford's only half-ton pickup that uses exterior LED lighting because its extra track width (for off-road stability) has to adhere to federal regulations mandating illuminated marker lamps at night. There are three bright-orange LEDs mounted in the Raptor's grille, three in the center high-mounted stoplight and two each at the corners of the front and rear bumpers.
The white lights on this manufacturer-plated test truck supplement the existing LEDs, with unique placement between the front bumper and fenders.
The move to front LED daytime running lamps mirrors the design cues of Ford's latest cars. The Taurus sedan and Fiesta compact both feature the durable, bright lights that consume up to 70 percent less power than conventional incandescent bulbs.
It's possible the new LEDs could appear on 2011.5 "Job 2" Raptors but they are most likely slated for the 2012 model year.
Other future improvements rumored for Raptor may include an electronic locking front differential for increased capability in low-speed off-road maneuvers. A front e-locker is available for the limited edition Ford Racing Raptor XT pre-runner. There's also chatter that the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty's heated and cooled seats will find their way inside the Raptor's cabin too. The 411 horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 is expected to remain the sole engine choice.
But what is certain is that exterior LED lights in pickup trucks are about to have their day. The GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD Concept featured edge-lit LED lighting in its cargo box that we expect to be offered in next-generation Ford and GM pickups. The Raptor happens to be first out the door.
Fw: GM Increasing Jobs, Production to Meet Demand for Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks
From: Mike Levine
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 10:47 AM
Subject: GM Increasing Jobs, Production to Meet Demand for Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks
General Motors plans to add a third shift at its heavy-duty truck plant in Flint, Mich., to meet increased demand for Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 HD pickups, according to an announcement by the company this morning.
The additional shift is expected to create 750 jobs. Flint Assembly currently employs nearly 2,100 workers operating two production shifts.
In 2010, the plant produced 115,000 trucks, most of them regular and crew-cab versions of the heavy-duty Silverado and Sierra. Last year, the plant added production of regular and crew-cab versions of the light-duty Silverado.
"Adding a third shift is a response to customer demand for heavy-duty pickups, which most people use to tow, haul and plow," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. "Equally important, it brings jobs and a needed economic boost to the Flint area."
The first wave of employees is expected to arrive at Flint Assembly in the second quarter with more waves arriving until the plant starts the third shift in the third quarter. Initial openings will be filled by recalled laid-off Flint Assembly employees currently working at other facilities, primarily in Lansing. Remaining openings will be filled by laid-off employees in the area, including those from Orion, Willow Run and Warren in accordance with the UAW GM National Agreement. No new employees are expected to be hired.
[Source: General Motors]
Friday, January 14, 2011
RE: Discussion_Reply_To_Help_with_Lead_Source_Mix
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Discussion_Reply_To_Help_with_Lead_Source_Mix
From: "DrivingSales" <no-reply@drivingsales.com>
Date: Fri, January 14, 2011 10:25 am
To: Thomas@Ieracitano.com
Hello,
A reply to a topic you're participating in has been posted by Thomas Ieracitano:
Stephen, welcome to the car business!! And welcome to Driving Sales.
Looks like you are off to a great start. Like the rest of us in the biz sounds like you got thrown in and you are trying to figure things out as you go and doing a great job of it. As in building any department a good solid foundation and creating a funnel with the anticipated result at the end.
I agree with Bill in using a CRM or at least an ILM to create a database of leads where as you say track your progress. You will also be able to build a follow up process over time. Long Term Follow is important because some New Vehicle buyers will convert to Used Buyers and reverse.
Content is key not only on your website, but in your email follow-up.
When I started in the biz we would say follow them til the buy or die. I believe the say is true today, only the delivery methods have changed.
Be persistent, but professional !
Ask your OEM reps for help and feel free to download any of my material at http://digitalcarguy.com/Free_Files.html
Good Luck and Good Selling!
Thomas
View Topic on DrivingSales
Thomas Ieracitanowant a website or an email like this ? go to http://123BrandMe.com
Now What AutoTrader?
Now What AutoTrader?
December 7, 2010 by John Druien
So what do you think is next on the plate for AutoTrader.com? Take over small countries in the Caribbean? Buy Dealer groups? Nothing really seems impossible for the company that has been in acquisition mode snapping up vAuto, Kelly Blue Book and HomeNet over the last 3 months. The company is truly taking over the automotive online marketing world and is far surpassing the visibility of other players that had previously worked up to 'neck and neck.'
The next step for AutoTrader appears to be getting in the middle of the finance business. They claim that these acquisitions are based entirely on their goal of "listening to dealers." Anyone who is in the business, and that actually listens to dealers, will tell you that staying the heck OUT of the finance side of the business is really what dealers prefer. The F&I office is one of the last bastians of profit that online companies have stayed out of, and dealers are ok with that. On the other hand, AutoTrader understands that's where a lot of money changes hands, and that's money that AutoTrader would like a piece of. We will wait to see what they come up in that area...or who they will buy. Maybe a bank.
What AutoTrader still cannot do, nor can most typical automotive destination sites, is determine the bottom of the sales funnel leads. At some point "quantity of leads" is going to stop being a selling point in favor of quality of leads. Dealers are not strong at keeping up with customers that contact the store and don't let on where they are in the 6-month purchase funnel process.
Chip Perry and AutoTrader...we await your next move.
Thank you,
Thomas Ieracitano
Thomas Ieracitano
Facebook
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