2013 Ford Escape Built with Recyclables

The 2013 Ford Escape contains a number of high-quality materials to ensure safety, comfort, and aesthetics. Several of these materials are living a second life.

Ford is one of several automakers using recycled materials in cars. Plastic bottles are the most popular recyclable for vehicle manufacturing, and have been used by carmakers in upholstery, carpet, and body panels. Ford’s latest sustainability efforts are readily apparent in its 2013 Ford Escape crossover SUV.

The carpets of each 2013 Escape will contain about 25 20-ounce plastic bottles. Ford says this recycling effort will keep about 4 million bottles out of landfills every year. All of the material in the carpeting is derived from either post-consumer recycled content or post-industrial content (materials recycled from manufacturing waste).

Seat fabric in the new Escape also contains post-industrial recycled plastics. Sound-absorbing dash insulation on every Escape will contain over ten pounds of recycled cotton, from scrapped clothing. The climate control gasket is made from recycled tires, and the power undershields beneath the engine and transmission are made of 100% recycled material.

In addition to the use of recyclables, the Escape utilizes renewable materials, including soy foam in the seat cushions and headrests and plant fiber used in the door inserts.

The Escape itself is even largely recyclable. It meets the USCAR Vehicle Recycling Partnership goal by containing 85 percent recyclable materials. Ford says its recycling efforts will join its gas mileage improvement technologies to reduce Ford's carbon footprint.

Mazda CX-5 to Feature SkyActiv Technology, TomTom Navigation

Mazda announced its all-new CX-5 over the summer and recently revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Now, the manufacturer is calling the CX-5 the most significant vehicle it has launched since the Mazda 3. This compact SUV is bound to live up to its manufacturer’s expectations, from breakthrough engine design to new partnerships to better features inside the cabin.

Mazda’s new SkyActiv-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine, the engine slated for use in the 2012 Mazda3, will power CX-5. A series of similar innovations in transmission, body, and chassis design will make the CX-5 it the first model to sport the full suite of SkyActiv technologies. Via these new technologies, Mazda takes a full-body approach to building a light vehicle and optimizing internal combustion. The result provides excellent gas mileage and 155-horsepower.

Mazda engineers have designed both the interior and exterior of the vehicle to ensure a quiet, comfortable ride. Exterior design features ensure low wind buffering, and suspension tuning offers smooth travel on bumpy roads. The placement of the driver’s seat and side mirrors provide good visibility, and the cabin offers spacious seating and storage options.

The North American edition of the CX-5 will offer a TomTom navigation system, marking the extension of the current European partnership between TomTom and Mazda. It will be the first in-dash navigation system offered by the famous GPS manufacturer in the United States.

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is slated for release in March, likely replacing the CX-7 by next year.

The Amazing Race Features the 2012 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang one of America’s most beloved and famous cars made a celebrity appearance on The Amazing Race one of America’s most watched reality T.V. shows. The Mustang made an appearance as a roadblock challenge in the 10^th leg of the race that required contestants to do three specific maneuvers with the car at the Ford Proving Grounds in the town of Lommel, Belgium.

The fist maneuver contestants had to perform showcased the power of the 2012 Ford Mustang. Contestants had to get the car to 100 mph on a short runway and then hit the brakes while skidding to a directional stop.

The second test showed the maneuverability of the Mustang. Contestants had to navigate a slalom course and come to a complete stop in a specified position all in under 16 seconds. This challenge caused a little trouble for some of the contestants, but eventually all contestants passed the stage.

The final challenge with the Ford Mustang was a celebratory one. Contestants were required to do two victory donuts in their Mustangs. This challenge let the powerful V8 engines of the Ford Mustang roar as contestants revved their engines in victory formation.

The 2012 Mustang was also used as a reward for the team that won the 10^th leg of the race. Andy and Tommy finished the 10^th leg first and were each awarded a fully customizable 2012 Mustang for their efforts. As a challenge and a reward the 2012 Mustang made a memorable appearance on one of America’s favorite reality T.V. shows.

New Chrysler Ad Based on “Imported from Detroit” Campaign

Chrysler is launching a new ad campaign based on the success of its “Imported from Detroit” message and last year’s now-famous Super Bowl spot. The new variation on Chrysler’s hometown theme features music by Muddy Waters instead of Eminem, and a “See it Through” theme inspired by an Edgar A. Guest poem of the same name.

The 60-second spot will be televised for the first time during the Thanksgiving Day Detroit Lions – Green Bay Packers game, and features the Chrysler 300, the automaker’s full-size, upscale sedan.

The commercial is narrated by the poem Guest, a Detroit immigrant-turned-Michigan poet laureate, wrote about enduring the hardships of World War I. Waters’ “Mannish Boy” provides a backdrop to images of diverse citizens of Detroit and its suburbs, including one shot of Lions defensive back Ndamukong Suh standing in front of his Chrysler 300. The new spot carries on the now yearlong set of ads celebrating the comeback of Detroit and the American auto industry.

Chrysler has reason to celebrate the good outcomes of hard work and hometown pride: Chrysler brand sales went up 28 percent last month, and new Jeep and Dodge models have sold impressively. Sales in Chrysler 200s and 300s have more than doubled over the past year.

Ford Unveils 200-mph 2013 Shelby

Ford unveiled today its 2013 Shelby GT500 Mustang at the L.A. Auto Show. Ford calls the Shelby’s V8 engine the most powerful production V8 in the world – and says that it will grant the car the ability to top 200 miles per hour.

The 5.8-liter engine provides an outlandish 650-horsepower to the new pony car. Ford engineers say the car will be street legal, and able to handle daily traffic as well as high speeds. The 2013 model will remove the electronic 155 mph limit currently installed on the Shelby GT500. Although fuel economy has not yet been determined, Ford has said that the new Shelby will have high enough efficiency avoid a “gas guzzler tax.”

The Shelby’s speed comes not only from the new engine, but also from aerodynamic styling updates made to all 2013 Mustang models. All 2013 Mustang models share a redesigned grille, new high-intensity discharge headlights, and loads of new optional features and multiple add-on packages. The rocker panels along the sides are now body-color, replacing the old blacked-out sides. In addition, all the 2013 Mustang line’s automatic transmission includes a true manual control, allowing the driver to switch to a manual transmission with the push of a button.

The new Shelby will arrive in showrooms next summer, slightly after the release of other 2013 Mustangs.

Nissan and SunPower Join Forces to Promote Solar Energy

The Nissan Leaf, Nissan’s all-electric hatchback, is all about energy: it provides drivers an economically and ecologically sound alternative to gas. The car’s manufacturer believes that those customers may be interested in taking that green attitude beyond eschewing the gas station.

Nissan North America announced today that it will be partnering with SunPower, a designer and manufacturer of solar panel systems, to educate customers on home solar power options. The two companies are offering online content and videos on how solar power systems convert sunlight into a clean, renewable energy for home use – and for charging electric vehicles.

The Nissan Leaf has received numerous accolades for its motor design, from organizations ranging from Popular Mechanics Magazine to Kelley to the EPA, since its launch in 2011. The Leaf runs entirely on an 80 kilowatt AC synchronous motor, and has a range of about 100 miles. It has been ranked the most efficient vehicle ever certified by the EPA.

Nissan notes that SunPower is the leading manufacturer of residential solar power systems in the U.S. The company estimated that a rooftop energy system may offset the electric power required to drive a Leaf up to 10,000 miles per year. The results of the Nissan/SunPower collaboration includes new content on www.nissanusa.com and www.sunpowercorp.com, where visitors can request a free home solar assessment from a local SunPower dealer.

It’s the End of the Road for 14 Vehicles

With the end of 2011 fast approaching, automakers have released the names of 14 cars and trucks that will not be returning next year.

The end of another year brings the sad end to quite a few cars and trucks. Automakers have announced the demise of 14 different models. With over 300 different vehicles to choose from, American car buyers have many options and not all have performed well enough to return in 2012.

Please say goodbye to the following:

1. Buick Lucerne
2. Ford Crown Victoria
3. Cadillac DTS
4. Cadillac STS
5. Chevrolet HHR
6. Dodge Dakota
7. Ford Ranger
8. Honda Element
9. Lotus Elise
10. Mazda RX-8
11. Mitsubishi Eclipse
12. Mitsubishi Endeavour
13. Volvo S40
14. Volvo V50

While some never stood a chance, many of these 14 vehicles were very popular during their peak or even foundations of the American auto industry. Unfortunately changing consumer demand, and in some cases apathy on the automakers part, have led to the vehicles’ downfalls.

If you can’t live without owning one of these cars or trucks, you might want to check out your local dealer’s inventory before they are gone for good.

Rest in Peace to those vehicles that have hit the end of the road.