(Ford)
Drivers want sun, but not convertibles
Auto buyers are trading the open air for high-tech glass. Ford says sales of vehicles with "vista" or "panoramic" roofs are soaring. The options -- a long, sweeping sunroof or two skylight-like panels -- can cost as much as $1,600. Meanwhile, sales of convertible cars are lagging, auto information firm R.L. Polk & Co. reports. Convertibles have typically accounted for 1.8 percent to 2 percent of auto sales. But now they are running at 1.2 percent to 1.4 percent, Polk says. The Chevrolet Camaro has been the top-selling convertible through May, with 7,530 sold. Sales of the 2011 Ford Explorers equipped with the vista roof (shown) reached almost 25,000 during the same time period.
--Los Angeles Times
(The Associated Press)
Portland rocks down to 'Electric Avenue'
Seven electric charging stations from six different manufacturers have been installed at Portland State University as part of a two-year study that will examine which chargers get the most use, who's plugging in, and what they do while their car drinks up a charge. The block-long stretch in downtown Portland has been dubbed "Electric Avenue." Drivers can charge up for free, as long as they pay standard street parking rates at the meter. Electric Avenue has one quick-charge station that can juice-up an electric vehicle in about 30 minutes. The other six stations are called level two chargers and can fill up most batteries in four to six hours.
--The Associated Press
(Ford)
Traveling interactive test track promotes Ford Focus
Ford wants 100,000 consumers to test drive the new 2012 Ford Focus by the end of the year and has created a special test track -- with elements of laser tag and the "Guitar Hero" video game -- to entice them. Under the "Start More Than a Car. Get More Than a Test Drive" program, consumers can drive a Focus on a makeshift test course, where they're rewarded with points for their driving skills and accuracy. Those skills are measured by lasers interacting between the car and ground targets. The driver gets instant feedback: the sound of a guitar chord or crowd cheering when points are scored. The track will travel to 23 cities by Dec. 17. Ford will advertise each program a week or two in advance; a Seattle date has not yet been announced. Those who register will be given a time slot so they don't face long lines. Test areas will be set up on corporate and college campuses as well as malls and big-box outlets.
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