Best Cars With Manual Transmission

We know there are a ton of drivers out there who still love manual transmission.  Manual drivers say they love how engaged it keeps them in the process.  

More importantly, manual drivers say its just way more fun.  

=With that in mind, we've put together a list of some new West Herr cars that you can still get with a manual transmission. Thanks to our friends at Popular Mechanics for the assist on this one. 

2013 Subaru BRZ 

Oddly enough, this car will be a joint venture between Subaru and Scion.  This care will be in a similar vain the Mazda Miada, and the now defunct Saturn Sky and Pontiac solstice.  Early reviews say this car drives like a dream.  Popular Mechanics praised it for making the driving experience feel "rewarding and organic." Manual fans ought to be excited for this one. 

2013 Mustang Shelby GT500

In 2007, the Ford brought back the Shelby GT500 and since then it has ONLY been available with manual transmission.  So the manual purists will love this one.  The 2013 GT500 will feature 650 hp to make 200 mph.  Now THAT is some power. Plus the 2013 will also feature a little white ball on top of the shifter, an homage to the muscle cars of the 60s.  Nice.  Keep an eye out for it later this year.  

2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

It's a 4x4 that can handle some heavy terrain. Combine that with manual transmission and you've got yourself a fun ride.  Popular Mechancis said "The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is one of the most capable 4WD vehicles ever produced, and one of only a handful of 4x4s today to offer a manual.  It does operate smoothly, and brings out the personality of the Wrangler's new 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6."

The Quietest Ride Of All

Ford Engineers Creating A Nearly Noise-Free Cabin 

We all have different values in a car:  some of us want speed, room, or safety.  Some people value a nice quiet ride.  In certain situations, don't we all value that a little?  

If you're looking for a quiet cabin, then the new Ford Escape could be for you.  Multiple outlets have described it as "exceptionally quiet."  

How are they doing it?  Through a new mirror tool they use in testing..  The elliptical shaped mirror looks like a satellite dish with a microphone, used to improve acoustics and decrease wind noise.  High tech stuff.  

"The mirror identifies 'hot spots' where noise penetrates the interior of the vehicle, allowing drivers to listen to music or conversation inside the car instead of external noises," the company said in a press release.

With the use of this technology, the Escape now sports a new shape designed to be optimally quite. The tuning work on the A-pillar, for example, helps ensure better noise performance in crosswind situations.

See?  As per usual, Ford thought of everything.  If you'd like to check out the Ford Escape, visit West Herr Ford in Hamburg or Amherst!  

Voice Controlled News

Ford Adding NPR App To Sync

It's a news driven world, and Ford knows how to keep up.  We've covered the Ford Sync on here before, but the recent addition of NPR is definitely a gamechanger for news junkies.  

The NPR app will be voiced controlled and even allow you to cycle through different topics of your choosing. So just by saying "sports" or "politics" you can control how you hear your news.  Very cool and also a very necessary step given the news cycle we're in today.

Here's a video demo:  

The app even comes with audio tips on using the app voiced by Carl Kasell, former NPR newscaster.  

"NPR is now taking advantage of the advanced smartphone control interface that we've built into SYNC AppLink to enable a wider range of information and entertainment options for our customers," said Doug VanDagens, global director of Connected Services, Ford Motor Company.

Very exciting stuff.  If you want a demo of Ford Sync, visit West Herr Ford in Amherst or Hamburg!

Ford: That Smell

Carmaker Looking Into A New Type of Branding

People love new car smell, but what if there was a smell that was tied to specific cars?  Much like a design or handling feature, Ford is looking at ways to make their vehicles distinct.  Instead of the standard ways, they're looking to appealing to drivers' olfactory senses. 

Ford is on a mission to identify that certain scent that will become part of Ford's brand around the world. The company wants every car it makes to look, feel and even smell like a Ford.

"Our ultimate goal is to find a scent that produces a sense of well-being inside a Ford," Derrick Kuzak, Ford's VP for global product development, recently told Forbes.com.   While Kuzak acknowledged that some might say this is extreme, he believes that attention to detail is key to customer satisfaction. 

Ford has appointed a "smell panel" of five engineers to sift through odors and determine the "Ford scent."  The engineers assess odors emitted by anything found in a car; floor mats, seats fabrics, air bag covers and much more.  How's that for a job?The "smell jury"

Ford is also considering the regional and multi cultural implications of smell branding.  They've even assigned Linda Scmalz from their body interior materials engineering to look into odor differences across regions.

"What smells bad to us does not always smell bad to people in other parts of the world," Schmalz says.

With automakers constantly offering customizable options, imagine the implications of this smell branding.  Customer may, at some point, be able to choose a smell for their own car.  But lets not get ahead of ourselves.

Before Ford figures out their smell of choice, come by West Herr Ford of Hamburg or Amherst for the latest and best Ford products. 

Safe AND Tech Savvy- That's What Ford Does

Ford's Inflatable Seatbelt Named "Best New Technology"

It's been well documented that Ford "gets" new media, marketing and technology.  They also make quality cars AND are innovative safety technology.  Thats why their inflatable rear seatbelt was named the "Best New Technology" by AJAC this week.  

Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt functions like a standard seat belt in normal everyday use. The vehicle’s crash sensing system determines when the inflatable belt should deploy.  

The unique inflatable rear belts spread impact forces across more than five times the area than conventional seat belts, reducing pressure on the chest while helping to control head and neck motion.

"Safety is a key priority at Ford and we are honoured to win this year's 'Best New Technology' award for our industry-first rear inflatable seat belts," said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. "Available initially on our all-new 2011 Ford Explorer, the rear inflatable seat belts work by spreading impact forces over five times more area than conventional seat belts."

What will Ford think of next?  Time will tell.  Until then, swing by a West Herr Ford location and check out the inflatable seatbelt, Ford SYNC, and other great products.  

The Low Maintenance Vehicle

Ford Focus Electric Will Save Drivers Time and Money 

If you're not big on car maintenance, then the Ford Focus Electric is being designed specifically for you.  Ford promises it will be one of the easiest cars to maintain in history.    

“All the driver will have to do is charge up the battery pack and go.” – Sherif Marakby, Ford’s director of electrification programs and engineering.  Not bad huh?  

Over the life of the car, Focus Electric drivers won’t need to spend time and money to:

• Buy 15 oil changes, a savings of at least $450

• Replace five air filters at a cost of $24.95 each

• Have two cooling system flushes 

at a cost of $109 each

• Get one transmission service, $179

• Replace one drive belt, $130

• Buy and install one new set of spark plugs for $69.95

Ford says that the Focus Electric will have fewer moving mechanical parts and that will help cut down on scheduled maintenance.  

“When you have moving parts, such as the gears in a transmission or the pistons in an engine, you have maintenance,” Marakby said. “With an electric drive, there are very few moving parts. And in the Focus Electric, the only moving parts are the motor and the wheels.

So it's true, having less does indeed save you more.  

The Focus Electric is still a little bit away, so stop by West Herr Ford in Hamburg or Amherst anytime and get more information.   

Control Your Chevy Volt Over The Internet

Electric Car To Feature Online Updates, Charging Reminders and Much More

GM and Onstar's partnership is bringing automobile interaction to a new level.  Chevy Volt drivers will be able to control all types of functions with the new MyVolt.com, which also has a social media tie in and will be available as a mobile app. 

One of the website’s key features is the ability to schedule the times at which the Volt will charge from grid power.  Volts can also be instructed to charge only during off-peak hours (when electricity is cheaper), or to ensure charging is complete by a predetermined departure time. 

Volt owner’s can also published to Twitter or Facebook feed with myvolt.com. The updates detail the distance driven, fuel economy, amount of electricity used, and other statistics.  Plus users can join the "Voltage Community" and interact with other Volt drivers. 

MyVolt.com also allows owners to view their Volt’s battery charge level, charging status, fuel economy, odometer reading, electric-only range, and more. Owners can lock or unlock the car, activate the lights or horn, and remotely start the climate-control system so the cabin is cooled (or heated) before a journey.

HORNS & LIGHTS

Forgot where you parked and need to locate your Chevrolet Volt? Click here to send a Remote Horn & Lights command to flash your Volt's lights and honk the horn.

 

HORNS & LIGHTS

Forgot where you parked and need to locate your Chevrolet Volt? Click here to send a Remote Horn & Lights command to flash your Volt's lights and honk the horn.

Buffalo Ford Dealers Donate To Good Causes

Boys and Girls Club and Homespace Inc. Get Keys To New Vans

Ford dealers in Buffalo and Northern Pennsylvania teamed up to continue a 15 year tradition.  As part of the Ford's Friendship Express program, the Boys and Girls Club and Homespace Inc. each received a 2010 Econoline Van Thursday at Delaware Park. 

This is the 15th anniversary of the program.  Since 1996, the Friendship Express program has donated over 60 vehicles each year to different charities.  

West Herr President Scott Bieler was on hand along with other Ford representatives.

"We try to pick organizations with a positive impact on the community and that affect a lot of people," Bieler told the Buffalo News.   

The vans will be used to help charity participants learn about the Buffalo area and meet their basic needs, according to charity representatives.

The Boys & Girls Club of America is a national organization serving underprivileged children between the ages of 6-18. Homespace Inc. is a local charity aimed at assisting pregnant teens and teenage mothers.

This is just one of the many charity ventures West Herr is involved with.  Recently multiple West Herr Employees set up a rest stop with food and beverages at the Ride For Roswell. Pictures are available here.

New Ford Explorer To Launch On Facebook

Automaker Bypassing Auto Shows In Favor of Social Media

To some, the idea of Ford skipping auto shows to launch a new vehicle is shocking.  However, this is the new Ford Motor Company.  The 2011 Ford Explorer will launch on Facebook, with teasers appearing as early as next week. 

"We live in a 140-character society," Scott Monty, Ford's head of social media, told USA today, referring to the Twitter character limit. "When we have people's attention, we want to make sure it sticks."

Ford has kept the official campaign launch date under wraps, saying only it would be "soon."  They did indicate the date should be sometime in July.  Ford says they want to update their cars and make their brand seem more current.  Given that Facebook is now the most used website (even above Google), social media is clearly going to be part of Ford's plan. 

To get access to the launch photos, users can visit the Explorer page on Facebook here.  Once users click "like" they will be able to see the full campaign when it launches. 

Ford also went the social media route with the 2011 Fiesta.  They created a Facebook campaign and even used fan created videos.  See one here:

In addition to changing its marketing campaign, Ford also remodeled the popular SUV. The original was a body-on-frame truck, but the new Explorer is a car-based crossover. By allowing the driver to select suspension and drivetrain settings, it can accommodate specific road conditions.

The new design will enable the car to get 25% better fuel economy

When the new Explorer hits Western New York, your Buffalo Ford Dealer will be there.  We at West Herr cant wait to see the new Explorers.  Stop in to our Hamburg or Amherst location or visit us online for more information today. 

Going Places With The Ford Fiesta

Fresh Ad Campaign and Appearances See Ford Marketing to New Audiences

The Ford Fiesta is just everywhere these days. Aside from becoming a YouTube sensation with their creative new "Fiesta Movement" ad campaign, the car will also have a presence at multiple music festivals this summer.  Ford says the car will be more than just eye candy; it will be an integral part of the experience.

“The whole experience is designed to give people an opportunity to enjoy the concerts and have fun with us,” said Jeff Eggen, Ford’s Car Experiential Marketing Manager. “At the same time, they can learn about Fiesta and the innovative things that Ford is doing.” 

Eggen also noted that Ford is marketing the Fiesta specifically toward music fans and hopes to connect with them using similar engagement methods utilized with the Fiesta Movement project.  Ford used social media and consumer submissions to help spread word about their new car.  See the above video  for an example. 

To learn more about the Fiesta Movement, visit their website here.

The Fiesta just made a hometown appearance at the 10th annual Detroit Electronic Music Festival this past weekend.  Three local Detroit artists were on-site creating Fiesta-inspired artand even painted onto Fiestas during the course of the three-day festival. The artists included a graffiti artist, a textile artist and a tattoo artist. 

In the true grass roots spirit of music, Ford will also host the "Fiesta Garage" at Bonaroo, one of the largest annual music festivals in America.  The Fiesta garage promised to be a a comfortable gathering place decorated in late-’70s chic style.  Ford wants to provie a place for concertgoers to enjoy live musical performances, hear from Bonnaroo artists on how to write music, watch entertaining Fiesta videos and design custom T-shirts.

“The Fiesta Garage experience is a perfect fit for Bonnaroo because a garage is not only a place where a car lives, it’s a place where young band members and their friends practice and hang out,” said Eggen.

The Bonaroo Music and Arts Festival takes place in Manchester, TN from June 10-13. 

For a look at new Ford Vehicles in Buffalo, visit West Herr online or come by a dealership today.  With Ford locations in Hamburg and Amherst, we're proud to be your Western New York Ford dealer.