ice-capades

The 2009 Mercury Milan Order Guide should have been released at the same time as the 2009 Fusion Order Guide. We'll need someone with Lincoln-Mercury access to provide the 2009 Milan Order Guide.

Before anyone asks... The 2009 Escape Order Bank is open. Scheduling starts on 05/15/2008 with the 2009 MY Job #1 date 06/23/2008.

I uploaded a copy of the 2009 Fusion Order Guide to the Fusion Message Forum yesterday.

2009 Fusion Order Guide... Now Available! 2009_Fusion_Order_Guide.pdf

2009 Escape Order Guide... Now Available! 2009_Escape_Order_Guide.pdf

I placed an order for a 2009 Mustang Bullitt earlier today and was surprised to see 2009 Pre-Introduction prices loaded into the CONCEPS Order System. At least for now, it looks like 2009 Mustang GT Coupe prices are going up about $1,000 MSRP on the base vehicle. I'll post additional pricing information in the next few days for those that are interested. FYI... The 2008 Mustang Model Year has already "balanced out" meaning that no additional 2008 Mustang orders will be scheduled.

2009 Mustang Warriors in Pink Edition *Ford unveils new ‘Warriors in Pink’ edition Mustang at the New York International Auto Show to raise money for breast cancer education and research. *The company is doubling its contribution to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – to $500 for each Warriors in Pink Mustang sold. *Ford and its dealers together have dedicated more than $95 million in cash and in-kind contributions for breast cancer education and research. NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 – Ford Motor Company, which has dedicated more than $95 million in cash and in-kind contributions for breast cancer education and research for 14 years, announces today that it is doubling its contribution to Susan G. Komen for the Cure each time it sells a ’Warriors in Pink’ package for the 2009 Ford Mustang. “Thanks to the tremendous response from our dealers and customers to the 2008 ‘Warriors in Pink’ Mustang, we knew we needed to continue offering the package, and we’re happy to be able to increase our support for the Cure at the same time,” said Connie Fontaine, Ford Experiential Marketing manager. Produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, the Mustang with Warriors in Pink package was designed exclusively in support of Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. New upgrades for the 2009 package are featured on the Ford display at the New York International Auto Show. Available on the Mustang V-6 Premium Coupe and Convertible models, the Warriors in Pink package includes a unique grille and will add a pink ribbon and pony fender badge, pink Mustang rocker tape striping, charcoal leather seats with pink stitching, aluminum-spoke steering wheel with pink stitching and charcoal floormats with pink ribbon and contrast stitching. Coupes also can be ordered with the all-new glass roof option. Three body colors will be available: Black, Brilliant Silver and Performance White. Ford Warriors in Pink Launched in 2006, the Ford Warriors in Pink campaign recognizes the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer. Ford’s goal in 2008 is to donate more than $1 million for the Cure through these sales of the special Mustangs, Warriors in Pink apparel and other fundraising efforts. The Warriors in Pink apparel collection for men and women feature important symbols signifying the message of hope, strength and unity in the commitment to the fight against breast cancer. All apparel is available on www.fordcares.com, and 100 percent of net proceeds are donated to Komen for the Cure. The limited-edition 2009 Mustang with Warriors in Pink will be available through Ford dealers this summer. Mustang is one of the greatest automotive sales success stories of all time. Nearly one out of every two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang, and the Mustang is also America’s best-selling convertible. About Susan G. Komen for the Cure Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which helped launch the global breast cancer awareness and education movement. Today, Race for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Race for the Cure, the foundation has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill that promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800 I’M AWARE.

The 2008 Mustang Catalog mentions only that the "Warriors in Pink" option helps raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure but does not provide more specific information. The 2009 Mustang Order Guide only provides information on the "Warriors in Pink" option/package content. Attached is a photo just received from the Ford BDC for the 2008 "Warriors in Pink" Mustang that specifies that a $250 contribution is made for each vehicle.

Rob... Your order will be fine!

The 2008 Mustang vehicle line has balanced out. No additional orders will be scheduled for the 2008 Model Year. This information is provided as of the weekly commodity report dated April 7, 2008.

Having a few minutes this morning I ran a vehicle locate with your specifications using the Ford Vehicle Locator that dealers use to search inventory nationwide. Being the individual responsible for ordering all the stock inventory for my dealership in CT, let me share some observations about your specifications based on what we stock and sell in CT. We sell very few if any 2WD Explorer's and do not stock 2WD models at all. If a customer wants a 2WD we either locate it elsewhere and swap it in from another Dealer or order it from the factory with the customer's specifications. In addition, the XLT 4WD's are almost always equipped with the 4.0L V-6 as those wanting a V-8 with Trailer Tow usually are going to buy a Eddie Bauer with Leather Trim and other options. Black is always a color that sells but the new Stone Green is the least popular color at least in the Northeast. Anyway, running a Vehicle Locate with your specifications results in NO matching vehicles anywhere in the United States. FYI... the Vehicle Locator is set to search all dealers inventory based on distance from my Dealership in increments of 300 Dealers closest to us. I can then increase the distance in additional increments of the next 300 Dealers, etc. The only vehicle I could find is the one listed below: VIN #1FMEU63848UB00679 2008 Explorer XLT 2WD MSRP = $30,000 Vapor Silver Clearcoat w/Black Cloth Sport Buckets Order Code #125A 4.6L V-8 Job #3 Order 53G - Trailer Tow Package 60S - Sirius & Sun Group 872 - 50/50 Fold Flat 3rd Seat 96A - Convenience Group SOLD TO: Lexington Park Ford Lincoln Mercury, 21575 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653 Vehicle Invoice Date: 03/11/2008 Original Dealer Order #M028 If I can be of any further assistance please let me know. My advice would be to place a factory order with your specifications. The rebates are usually the strongest at the end of the model year as Ford wants to make sure that there are as few leftover's in inventory as possible when the new Model Year starts.

Attached is the actual page from Friday's Dealer News Bulletin listing the scheduled plant "Down" time for all Ford & Lincoln-Mercury models. Ford_Assembly_Plant_Down_Weeks_03_28_2008.pdf

I haven't heard anything specific about 2009 MY Escape Hybrid production yet but will post a note here if I do. Scheduling for the Hybrids has been nothing short of a disaster for many Dealerships with the average time for retail orders is approximately 16 weeks. We have to call our Ford reps on a regular basis asking to get sold Hybrids scheduled for customers.

04/17/2008 2009 MY Escape Unscheduled Order Bank Opens 05/15/2008 2009 MY Scheduling Begins 06/23/2008 2009 MY Job #1 - Production Starts

Yes... The Flat Rock plant is down for the week of March 31st. I expect that the reason is reduced demand for the Mustang this year.

I really don't consider the "Warriors in Pink" option as a special model in the same sense as the Bullitt or Shelby GT500. Nor do I thik that Ford building the Bullitt Mustang for the 2009 MY has anything to do with production or demand for the 2008 MY. Mustang sales are down overall for this year which is to be expected for the 4th year of the current generation. For the 2009 MY, the Bullitt Mustang becomes the only specialty model, other than the GT500, until we get the all-new Mustang for the 2010 MY.

This is only my opinion and speculation but I don't think that the Bullitt being offered for the 2009 Model Year has anything to do with production volume or demand for the 2008 Model Year. Considering that the 2009 Model Year Mustang is basically carryover until we get the next generation Mustang for the 2010 MY, offering the Bullitt Mustang for the 2009 MY makes it the only special edition Mustang other than the 2009 Shelby GT500 until we get the next generation Mustang.

Pricing for the new Model Year is usually announced at about the time production starts (Job #1).

FYI... Ford WILL produce the Shelby GT500 for the 2009 Model Year. The order guide was uploaded last week on the Mustang Message Forum.

Personally... I'm not a fan of all these redundant controls (Audio, Heat & A/C) placed on the steering wheels in other cars. I think that the additional steering wheel controls actually make it more dangerous becuase you have to spend more time finding the control you actually want to adjust. For the Mustang in particular, the interior is not so large, so even in the existing Mustang all the audio and temperature controls are easily within reach. So for me, I'm hoping that steering wheel based audio controls are not going to be added to the all-new 2010 Mustang.

Attached is a copy of the 2009 Shelby GT500 Order Guide that was released this morning. 2009_Shelby_Cobra_GT500_Order_Guide.pdf

Attached is a copy of the 2009 Mustang Order Guide that was released this morning. Note: SYNC not available for 2009 MY. 2009_Mustang_Order_Guide.pdf

Below is a copy of this week's commodity letter to dealers regarding the early balance out of certain paint colors for the 2008 F-Series Super Duty. The following paints will or have balanced-out: Dark Toreador Red (JM) Dark Shadow Grey Monotone (CX) and Tutone (accent code CX) Last day to submit spec changes/cancellations Friday, February 15 Final Orders Due Friday, February 22 Final Production Monday, March 17 Vintage Copper Tutone (accent code HR) Silver Metallic Monotone (Z3) and Tutone (accent code Z3) Last day to submit spec changes/cancellations Friday, April 18 Final Orders Due Friday, April 25 Final Production Thursday, May 15 The purpose of the early balance-out dates is to facilitate the introduction of the following new colors for the 2009 model year: Sterling Grey, Vista Blue (Harley accent color), Brilliant Silver and Royal Red. Ford, like all vehicle manufacturers, routinely changes paint colors which is based on extensive market research that forecasts changing consumer color preferences for a wide range of products.

2008 F-150 production is not affected by the paint colors being balanced out on the Super Duty F-Series.

Here's the official notice from Friday's Dealer News Bulletin: 2008 MY SUPER DUTY - EARLY BALANCE OUT ***U.S./CDN*** OF EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS Due to the exterior paint changes for the 2009 model year, we have discontinued two of the 2008 exterior paint colors. As of this week, Dark Shadow Grey (CX) monotone, Dark Toreador Red (JM) monotone, and all FX4 Two-Tone with the Dark Shadow Grey lower accent color are no longer available for order. The last day of production for these exterior paint colors will be Monday, March 17th.