Ford Cuts Trucks

The unthinkable has happened—and probably not a moment too soon. Ford Motor is cutting its production of its one-time cash cows, pickups and SUVs, to instead increase production of smaller and more fuel-efficient cars. In doing so, the automaker is forced to abandon its goal of turning a profit next year after several years of annual losses, but it might be able to better position itself long-term for a world of high oil and commodity prices.

The announcement sent Ford’s share price down 57¢ to 7.23, or 7.3%, in midday trading May 22.

“What we are seeing [consumers leaving trucks and SUVs] is a structural change in the marketplace, not a cyclical one,” said Ford Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally in a morning conference call. “Unless there is a fairly rapid turnaround in U.S. business conditions, which we are not anticipating, it now looks like it will take longer than expected to achieve our North American automotive profitability goal,” said Mulally, who predicted Ford would report a full-year loss this year and do no better than break even in 2009.

Ford is re-evaluating some aspects of the restructuring plan Mulally has been leading since he took over the struggling automaker in September, 2006. Specifically, Mulally told Wall Street analysts and media May 22 that the company is in the midst of negotiating commodity contracts for materials such as steel. In July, said the CEO, he will announce whether Ford will forecast full-year profitability by 2010, or delay guidance. “We will know much more by July,” he said.

Standard & Poor’s on Thursday changed its outlook on Ford to negative, from stable, citing heightened concerns over the North American auto industry, while Moody’s Investors Service affirmed its rating on the automaker.

Limiting the Damage

To cope with falling consumer sales, Ford is increasing production of its passenger cars to meet demand, targeting specific assembly plants (especially those making SUVs, for employee buyouts to further cut payroll) and reducing its white-collar workforce for cuts through buyout and attrition. Mulally said the company may announce additional plant closures in July.

Ford is also burning more cash than it expected. It expects cash burn between 2007 and 2009 to cope with losses and the costs of buying out employees to run from $12 million to $14 million. Ford recently sold its Jaguar and Land Rover brands to Indian carmaker Tata Motors to rid loss-making businesses and raise cash to see it through the crisis. Ford has $29 billion in cash on hand and $41 billion in total liquidity including credit lines.

“If lower-than-expected U.S. light-vehicle sales persist through 2009 or higher fuel prices cause an even more dramatic shift away from light trucks, Ford’s liquidity could reach undesirable levels by late 2009,” S&P said, in lowering the automaker’s outlook. This could occur even if Ford continues to make progress on its turnaround program in North America, S&P added.

Ford Motor Credit, said Ford’s Leclair, is seeing higher loan defaults, but will earn a profit in 2008. One of the issues creating losses for Ford is the number of trucks and big SUVs coming off lease back to Ford. The value of such vehicles at auction has been falling, forcing Ford to absorb the difference between what it projected resale value to be when it wrote the lease and what the market is actually delivering.

Ford has a few bright spots. Sales of the Edge crossover are up 38% as former Explorer and Expedition owners gravitate toward the less thirsty utility vehicle. Also, the redesigned Ford Focus is a surprise hit. The new design was derided by car reviewers before it went on sale last year. But with fuel economy above 30 mpg, sales were up 29% through April, compared with the same four-month period last year. Ford has a smaller, even more fuel-efficient vehicle, the Fiesta, arriving in the U.S. by 2010. Mulally said the company can’t get it to dealerships any faster. But the company is looking at other designs to build off the same vehicle engineering platform. It is also developing a smaller, lighter, more fuel-efficient version of the F-Series pickup that could go on sale by 2011.

Ford to Slow Production of SUVs, Pickups

Ford Motor Co. will halt more pickup-truck and sport-utility vehicle production over the next two months, a sign that falling U.S. consumer demand for the vehicles still hasn’t bottomed out.

The auto maker’s Wayne, Mich., truck-assembly plant, home to the Expedition and Navigator SUVs, will be shut from June 23 through July 28, a Ford spokeswoman said. The Louisville, Ky., truck plant, where Super Duty pickup trucks are assembled, will be cut to one shift during the first four weeks of June.

Slackening consumer demand for these big vehicles has been hitting auto makers this year as gasoline prices push sharply higher. General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC also are idling plants as all three auto makers try to keep unwanted products off dealer lots.

Ford decided to idle the Michigan truck plant for three weeks in addition to the two-week summer shutdown that had already been scheduled. About 1,200 hourly employees will be affected.

Production had been curtailed this month already at the Louisville plant. Ford moved its body and paint shops to two shifts from three and had switched the entire plant to four-day weeks with 10-hour work days, the company spokeswoman said. The body and paint shops also are rotating one-week layoffs. The plant employs 3,700 hourly workers.

Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally said during the company’s annual meeting on May 8 that Ford would continue taking cost-reduction actions in North America.

Chrome Truck Accessories Accent

Truck owners usually have two reasons for adding certain accessories to their pick-ups. In some cases, truck accessories are installed because they provide some form or level of protection for the truck. In these cases, truck owners may add accessories like grille guards, floor liners, and mud flaps. In other cases, truck owners add and install accessories to their vehicle because they can add a certain accent and value to their truck.

Most of the time, truck owners who want to add aesthetic value to their trucks do so in the form of chrome accessories. Chrome accessories for a truck or suv can be added to just about any area or section of a truck, from bumper to bumper and everywhere else in between. Although today’s pickup trucks usually come with standard chrome accessories like rims and bumpers, there is still a variety of chrome accessories that truck owners can add to their pickup trucks to give them that unique accent and customized look.

Of the many chrome accessories that can be installed on a truck, the most common accessories include truck chrome door and tailgate handles, chrome fuel doors, chrome mirror covers, chrome tail light covers, and chrome fender trim. There are many ways to add value and style to a pickup truck, or suv, but few accessories offer consumers the freedom and affordability that exist with chrome truck accessories.

• Chrome door handles – Chrome door handles represent a small but important and potentially inexpensive accessory. They can be made to the exact specifications of any truck, and add an instant touch of style and personalization to any pickup truck or suv.  Although door handles are available in a variety of finishes, nothing makes a statement like chrome does.
• Chrome tailgate handles – Made to look especially good on dark colored trucks, chrome tailgate handles also add a touch of personalization to any truck. Besides the front of a truck, the other area most commonly seen on a truck is the back. A nice subtle detail like a chrome tailgate handle can really tie the entire truck together.
• Chrome fuel doors – A look that has become popular in recent years, chrome fuel doors are stylish and functional. Some chrome fuel doors are available in a pop-on version, while others are available as complete replacements. With the added touch of colored rivets, this is one look that every truck owner must have.
• Chrome mirror covers – Easy to install, chrome mirror covers are an inexpensive way to turn some heads. Most are designed to fit right over a truck’s mirrors for quick and easy installation.
• Chrome tail light covers – One of the best-looking accessories that a truck owner can add to his “ride”, chrome tail light covers can make even the most rugged truck look classy. Most tail light covers are easy to install and represent an affordable and easy way to customize a truck.

Looking for a Used Pickup Truck ?

A Pickup truck is a light but powerful truck that was originally built to haul heavy construction material. People also use it to move luggage, especially when they are moving between homes. A pickup truck is a sturdy vehicle with bed-space to carry goods, and walls of strong metal sheets on its two sides. The rear side is fitted with a gate for ease of loading and unloading.

Pickup trucks come in different types and sizes, and run on gasoline. The bigger, or full-sized, pickups are used to carry larger and heavier cargos. They can also haul trailers and are fitted with double tires at the rear wheels.

There are many automotive companies that manufacture pickup trucks. Some of the popular companies are Volvo, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, CF, Nissan, and Iveco, to name a few. Used pickup trucks are also freely available. Some Japanese companies sell used pickup trucks online. This is because the cost of maintenance and repair of the old vehicles is uneconomical in Japan. They accept payment in Japanese Yen only.

Though the primary function of a pickup truck is to haul cargo, the manufacturing companies have introduced innovative features in their models to get a competitive edge over each other. If you are out to buy a pickup truck, there is a big market that offers a wide spectrum and variety of choices. You can choose from a basic utility truck to a multifeatured vehicle fitted with luxury options that can compete even with the best luxury cars. They can be fitted with accessories to make the drive comfortable. Compared to cars, they also have the luxury of extra space. This makes a long journey extremely comfortable.

1UsedTrucks.com provides detailed information on Pickup Trucks, Pickup Truck Accessories, Used Pickup Trucks, Pickup Truck Rentals and more.

Peterbilt showcases Hydraulic Hybrid

Peterbilt Motors Co. displayed its Model 320 Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA), designed for stop-and-go refuse applications, at the 2008 Waste Expo this week in Chicago. The vehicle improves fuel economy, reduces emissions and minimizes maintenance service, the company said.“Municipalities were looking at this as a real practical application to step into the green world and reduce fuel, as well as wear and tear,” Jim Zito, national sales manager for Peterbilt, told FleetOwner.

The Hybrid Model 320 on display, which uses HLA technology developed by Eaton Corp., captures the trucks kinetic energy while braking to help launch and accelerate the vehicle, improving fuel economy and reducing annual brake re-alignment services, the company said.

According to Zito, final testing is currently being done and the Model 320 should be available later this year. At this time, the company doesn’t have immediate plans to expand the HLA beyond refuse, he added, although Eaton is looking at it for non-truck applications.

Pickup Truck Accessories

With the right Truck Accessories, you can turn your Pickup Truck into a Swiss army knife on wheels that will work harder and last longer. Even a few low-cost add-ons can increase a truck’s value and expand the horizons of what you can get done.

To use your pickup for specialized work, you’ll need accessories to match the job. Take, for example, the 350-gallon plastic tank we bought to haul water to cattle in a remote pasture. The tank’s expense was small compared to what it would cost to run plumbing out that far. Thanks to our trusty little gasoline-engine-powered transfer pump, filling the mobile reservoir with creek water took less than five minutes.

Tow hooks and water tanks, though, are just the tip of the accessory iceberg. No matter what you need to pull, push, haul, build or fix, there’s an add-on that will make the job easier. Here are some of the best to consider for your pickup.

TIE-DOWNS

All manner of attachment points for load-securing straps or lines. Easy DIY install.

Most pickups come equipped with a few good tie-downs in the bed floor, but for many loads, their locations are ineffective. A few additional permanent tie-downs can be useful to secure special equipment such as water or fuel tanks. For additional flexibility, keep several stake-pocket mounted versions in the toolbox or behind the seat.

TOW HOOKS

Steel hooks bolted to the truck frame. Easy DIY install.

Tow hooks offer safe purchase for chains and straps whenever you need to pull things for short distances, such as round hay bales, feed bunks or even the chicken house.

Rectangular pieces of rubber or other composite material that extend beneath the truck’s wheel wells. Easy DIY install.

Front mudflaps will protect the truck’s body from nicks caused by thrown gravel and road salt. The rear pair will do the same for the truck, and protect a trailer in tow or the car behind you. Choose an anti-sail and anti-spray design at least as wide as the truck’s tires.

TOOLBOX

Lockable steel, aluminum or plastic container designed to fit in a pickup’s bed. Easy DIY install.

A toolbox is essential to secure and organize your tools and gadgets. There are several different styles, including those that install across the bed at the front, along the sides or as part of a rollout system. If you also need to supply fuel to remote equipment, choose one with an integrated tank and transfer pump. Aluminum and powder-coated steel will offer the best security and longevity.

BED LINER

Polymeric protection for the pickup’s bed. Easy DIY or professional install.

The spray-in type results in a perfectly fitted liner that adheres permanently to the bed. The formed liner is molded to fit the bed and is removable. Either liner style will keep your truck’s bed from getting scratched, and may prevent rust. Depending on the texture, liners also can help keep your loads from sliding around. For best results, choose high-quality versions of either style.

GRILL GUARD

Steel or aluminum front bumper or frame attachment designed to protect the truck’s front end. Easy DIY install.

A grill guard protects your pickup’s front end (the grill, radiator, headlights, etc.) from close encounters with brush or livestock, and provides attachment points for additional lighting. Choose an aluminum model if front-end weight capacity is a concern. If steel is the material of choice, be sure that it’s powder-coated for the best rust resistance.

Aluminum or steel attachment that mounts to the pickup’s bed, just behind the cab. Easy DIY install.

A headache rack keeps loose cargo in the bed from flying forward, through the rear window and into your head. This accessory is a must if you intend to heap-load your truck with firewood or stack hay bales above the bedsides. Choose high-quality aluminum or powder-coated steel models to resist corrosion.

HITCH AND MOUNT

Combination of two attachments that facilitate trailer towing. Easy DIY install.

The pickup’s rear bumper, or square-tube receiver “which is bolted to the frame beneath it” are the most common mounts for ball-type hitches designed for tagalong trailers. If you’ll regularly pull loads of 10,000 pounds or more, choose a gooseneck (ball-type) or fifth-wheel (kingpin-type) hitch that mounts to the truck’s frame ahead of the rear axle” these require making holes in the truck bed’s floor. Recommended for pickups equipped with the manufacturer’s tow-ready package.

CABLE WINCH

Electric or PTO-powered rotating spools wound with steel cable. Experienced DIY or professional install.

Winches are most often used to pull disabled machines or stretch long runs of fence wire before fastening it to posts. However, with care and sufficient rigging, a winch can be used to drag logs from the woods, direct the fall of a soon-to-be felled tree, right an overturned tractor, slide a large haystack, and much more. For the best value, choose a heavy-duty electric model with at least enough capacity to pull your pickup’s weight. If you also need an air compressor, consider an integrated winch-compressor attachment.

BED HOIST OR BED INSERT

Converts a Pickup into a Dump truck. Experienced DIY or professional install.

With a hydraulic bed hoist, dumping bulk materials, such as mulch or firewood, can be as easy as flipping a switch. Choose a package with a self-contained, electrically powered and controlled hydraulic (electric over hydraulic) system if your truck isn’t already equipped with a PTO pump.

If you don’t want to modify your pickup, consider a dump bed insert. Easy to install, it fits into the bed and raises via an electric winch. When it’s not needed, the entire unit can be removed in minutes.

UNDER-HOOD WELDER

Portable 12-volt direct current arc welding system powered by the vehicle’s engine. Experienced DIY install.

This handy welder doesn’t take up any bed space and allows you to repair fence gates, tractors, implements and virtually anything else made of steel without having to drag them back to the shop. You also can fabricate brand-new components at any off-grid location using your truck’s engine for power. Some models also can supply electricity for power tools and charge 12-volt batteries.

AIR COMPRESSOR

12-volt direct current compressed air supply. Experienced DIY install.

Operate small pneumatic tools or fill tires far from the shop with a compressed air system tucked under the hood or between the frame rails. For easiest installation, choose a package complete with compressor, air tank, plumbing and wiring.

Top 10 Uses of Utility Trailers

There are many reasons why it is a good idea to invest in a well constructed utility trailer. While you may think that you will only use a utility trailer a handful of times, the truth is that once you have a trailer, you will find more uses for it than you can imagine.

Simply put, a utility trailer is any type of non motorized trailer that attaches to your vehicle so that you can haul whatever you need to. Utility trailers can be either enclosed or open; they can be large or small; and they can be simple or elaborately styled to match your towing vehicle.

Utility Trailer Uses

There are several uses for a utility trailer. Here is a glimpse at just the top ten uses of utility trailers:

1. Automobiles: From time to time it becomes necessary to haul an inoperable car or truck. Tow trucks are expensive, especially if the distance is great. A utility trailer is a great way to haul vehicles and a good investment if you need to do so regularly.

2. Boats: If you have a boat, you will need a utility trailer to get it to and from the water.

3. Lawn Care Equipment: If you live in a rural area, you may find that you need to haul your mowing equipment from one piece of your property to another. Packing equipment and loading it into a pickup truck bed can get old very quickly. A utility trailer will allow you to drive your equipment right up onto the trailer without the aid of ramps or two strong men.

4. Furniture: Moving furniture is a breeze with a utility trailer. Furniture dollies roll right up onto the trailer and you can haul more than you can with a pickup.

5. Building Supplies: Do you have projects that need to be done around the house? Pick up your own building supplies and save on delivery fees.

6. Bikes, Motorcycles, and ATVs: Recreational vehicles are best hauled on a utility trailer.

7. Livestock: An enclosed utility trailer is most often used to haul livestock.

8. Auction and Flea Markets: If you frequent auctions and flea markets, you will need the hauling capability to bring home your inexpensive and rare finds.

9. Appliances: Utility trailers are ideal for hauling appliances.

10. Debris and Trash: Loading trash in and out of your pickup bed can be cumbersome and clean up can be messy, but it would be worse to have to haul trash in your SUV. Clean up after a big job is a lot easier with a utility trailer.

As you can see, there are many reasons why an investment in a Utility Trailer is a smart move. I’m sure that with a little time, and its easy availability, you will come up with even more ways to use a trailer.

Nissan to Enter Commercial Truck Market

Nissan Motor Co. will build three light commercial trucks in the U.S., following through on a two-year-old plan to expand sales by entering the North American work-vehicle market, Bloomberg News reported.

The automaker, Japan’s third largest, will build the vehicles in Canton, MS, and begin sales in 2010. The program includes partnerships with Cummins, Inc. for the engines and ZF Friedrichshafen AG for transmissions.

Joe Castelli, a former Ford Motor Co. executive, will run Nissan’s new Light Commercial Vehicle division. The Tokyo-based company said it’s investing an additional $118 million in the Canton plant to accommodate production of the three unnamed vehicles.

In January 2006, Nissan said it planned to form a unit to sell light commercial vehicles in the U.S. The five-year-old Canton plant has yet to use all of its capacity to make 400,000 vehicles a year. Nissan said production of two of the five models now built there, the Quest minivan and Infiniti QX56 luxury sport-utility vehicle, will end, Bloomberg said.

Dodge Pickup Truck Accessories

There are various Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota pickup accessories that can help to make your truck more enjoyable.  There are accessories that can help with storing cargo and can help with towing cargo, and there are also ones that can help to protect your truck.  You can even find Dodge pickup accessories that can help to increase your level of safety.

A headache rack is one Dodge pickup accessory that can make your Dodge Ram or Dakota truck safer.  The back window will not be damaged by items in the truck bed that are especially large because the headache rack protects the rear window.  The window will not be damaged or broken into by any items in the truck bed with a headache rack installed.

Fog lights are one of the most important accessories that you can use for your truck.  A fog light is generally one that is halogen based.  Fog lights will be especially powerful in that they will help you to see through foggy conditions and other areas where it can be difficult to see.  The addition of fog lights will greatly increase your vision during bad weather.

A ladder rack is another of the pickup accessories that can help you with carrying additional materials.  A ladder rack will be useful in that you can store a ladder, work materials like lumber and other smaller items to another place without risking any damages, especially in the case of more fragile items.  A truck bed extender can help you to carry items that are larger in size.  The bed door can be taken outwards and the bed extender will be attached to the inside parts of the bed.  This is especially useful for items that are larger in size and will require more space to store, including items that are longer than the pickup bed.  The truck bed extender is a valuable accessory for the short bed Dakota pickup.

These are just some of the best Dodge pickup accessories that you can use to make your Pickup truck better.  There are many online dealers of the most popular accessories.

Factors to be considered while investing in used trucks

Internet is a vast resource where there are a plenty of websites to find information, to shop, to register and lots of numerous things. We are one such resource where you would find used trucks for sale by getting the best deals in the market. Now no need for lounging around places and finding the resource to get or buy that perfect truck for your business. You have stopped at the right place! Given below are few points to consider before investing in used trucks:

Used trucks for sale-

• Finances – Arranging finance for buying an altogether a new truck can seriously take up lots of your savings, but if you buying a used truck for business you can economize and increase your profits. Paying monthly payments can get really tough at times especially when you have started your business new and want to get early returns for your investments. Investing in a new truck is a strict NO if you are not very sure of your venture.
• Guarantee – If you are buying a truck or a semi truck with long term warranty, it can really be advantageous to the truck drivers. It has been seen, such warranties offered with semi trucks provides good deal to the users because repairing the trucks can prove to be very costly it can eat up more money then you actually pay your installments. With warranties, the drivers can be tension free and drive the vehicle with full confidence. Used trucks for sale on Internet can be rewarding because they are cost effective.
• Exteriors and accessories – if you are a type of person who goes for good looks rather than buying a new semi truck could be a good option as you would be spending most of your time in truck with added accessories making you comfortable and at ease. If you are looking for stylish looks and appearance then buying a new truck is better than buying used truck for sale as only new trucks would come with latest features and gadgets.

Buying a new semi truck or used truck for sale over Internet is a matter of personal choice, but it is necessary to be very cautious when making a choice for buying a new truck or used truck for sale on Internet. Buying used trucks would save lots of your money which you would have otherwise spent on new truck, for the first time drivers, and risky business it is advisable to go for used trucks for sale over Internet or any other available resource.

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