The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and rooster tails go together like bacon and everything. Since its introduction, we've kicked up dirt, mud and rocks with both the original 5.4-liter and new 6.2-liter V-8 versions but we've never carved a Raptor through snow and ice, until now.Several weeks ago, we headed to Detroit for the 2011 North American International Auto Show. With temperatures hovering in the teens and twenties and sporadic snow showers, the climate could hardly have been more different from our backyard stomping grounds in Southern California's Mojave Desert.After spending two days hunting relentlessly for truck news inside Detroit's Cobo Hall Convention Center from before sunrise until after sunset, we needed a break.Weather that looked cold and bleak outside while eating shrimp with supermodels – really, cold soggy sandwiches and stale brownies in the company of grumpy, over-caffeinated journalists – turned into a playground for us and our friends from Jalopnik to take a Raptor for a spin (actually, dozens) in the snow.On our last day in Michigan, we exited downtown Detroit and piloted a 2011 Raptor SuperCab 6.2 to a lonely parking lot near a Ford plant on the outskirts of Detroit, where several inches of snow had fallen the night before. Only we couldn't tell it was a parking lot as we stared out from the cockpit of our Tuxedo Black Raptor at acres of virgin white powder that covered the icy pavement beneath.In past off-road excursions, we naturally shifted the Raptor into four-wheel drive for maximum traction and activated its unique "off-road mode."Off-road mode changes the truck's power delivery and shift points so it performs like a desert racer. Gears are held longer and throttle response is linear throughout the power band instead of weighted towards the low-end during normal driving.This time, we deliberately ignored four-wheel drive. Instead, we took advantage of the parking lot's wide-open space, emptiness and icy conditions and left the truck in two-wheel drive, so all 411 ponies from its 6.2-liter V-8 were sent to the rear wheels.We didn't stop with two-wheel drive. We also disengaged the Raptor's stability, traction and rollover controls and changed the antilock brake calibrations to their mildest settings by pushing and holding the AdvanceTrac (sliding car) button on the dash for five seconds.With the electronic nannies off, it was playtime. The 6.2 quickly revved high into the RPM range as the Raptor's meaty LT315/70R17 BFGoodrich A/Ts tires sought out the least bit of friction to get the truck moving. Several times, the truck cut throttle at redline like it was on a dyno because its traction control system was sleeping and the ABS system was comfortably numb.We chucked and skidded the Raptor from one end of the lot to the other as we explored the Raptor's winter boundaries. We made ice glazed donuts so perfect that Krispy Kreme's chefs would have had coronaries for their recipe and we conjured up icy rooster tails that floated around the truck as we drifted on the pavement's slick black ice like a crazed Zamboni machine re-imagined by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. By the end of it, we were laughing and smiling as much as school kids sledding on a snow day.Soon enough, though, we had to call it a day and head to the airport.As much as we enjoyed playing with the Raptor in the snow and ice, we didn't come close to exploring how it performs in true off-road conditions in low temperatures. We're very curious to see how its Fox Racing long-travel suspension – the heart of the Raptor -- performs as the thermometer drops. We expect that testing will come later this winter.For now, we accomplished our mission to create icy rooster tails. And we found out the Raptor also sizzles like bacon, even in the snow.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Quick Drive: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCab 6.2-liter V-8
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Spied! Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Testing Daytime LED Running Lights
Thank you,
Thomas Ieracitano
Thomas Ieracitano
229.251.2462
Can't Make it Here, We'll Take it There!
want a website or an email like this ? go to http://123BrandMe.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Fw: Spied! Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Testing Daytime LED Running
Lights
From: "Thomas Ieracitano" <Thomas@RobertHutson.com>
Date: Tue, January 25, 2011 11:30 am
To: <Thomas@Ieracitano.com>
From: Mike LevineSent: Monday, January 24, 2011 1:17 AMSubject: Spied! Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Testing Daytime LED Running Lights
Photos by Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & CompanyIt looks like Ford is contemplating adding LED daytime running lights to the F-150 SVT Raptor, as seen in our latest spy photos.The Raptor is Ford's only half-ton pickup that uses exterior LED lighting because its extra track width (for off-road stability) has to adhere to federal regulations mandating illuminated marker lamps at night. There are three bright-orange LEDs mounted in the Raptor's grille, three in the center high-mounted stoplight and two each at the corners of the front and rear bumpers.The white lights on this manufacturer-plated test truck supplement the existing LEDs, with unique placement between the front bumper and fenders.The move to front LED daytime running lamps mirrors the design cues of Ford's latest cars. The Taurus sedan and Fiesta compact both feature the durable, bright lights that consume up to 70 percent less power than conventional incandescent bulbs.It's possible the new LEDs could appear on 2011.5 "Job 2" Raptors but they are most likely slated for the 2012 model year.Other future improvements rumored for Raptor may include an electronic locking front differential for increased capability in low-speed off-road maneuvers. A front e-locker is available for the limited edition Ford Racing Raptor XT pre-runner. There's also chatter that the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty's heated and cooled seats will find their way inside the Raptor's cabin too. The 411 horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 is expected to remain the sole engine choice.But what is certain is that exterior LED lights in pickup trucks are about to have their day. The GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD Concept featured edge-lit LED lighting in its cargo box that we expect to be offered in next-generation Ford and GM pickups. The Raptor happens to be first out the door.
Report: Parts Shortage Forces Production Pause at Ford F-150 Plant
From: Mike LevineSent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 10:53 AMSubject: Report: Parts Shortage Forces Production Pause at Ford F-150 Plant
Ford is halting production of the F-150 light-duty pickup for a week due to a shortage of parts for its new 3.7-liter and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engines, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press."Suppliers took a lot of capacity out to get through the downturn," said Ford spokesman Todd Nissen. "As volumes have increased for our new, high-volume products, suppliers have had some issues keeping up."Nissen did not identify the suppliers or parts that caused the shortage.3,000 workers at the plant will also go on hiatus for seven days.F-Series pickup sales grew 27.7 percent in 2010 over 2009, as the U.S. economy continued to slowly recover from its slump and businesses and core truck buyers replaced their aging pickups with new trucks. Ford has also been successful gaining market share at the expense of its competitors in the last year with a steady cadence of product improvements.[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Friday, January 14, 2011
RE: Discussion_Reply_To_Help_with_Lead_Source_Mix
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Discussion_Reply_To_Help_with_Lead_Source_Mix
From: "DrivingSales" <no-reply@drivingsales.com>
Date: Fri, January 14, 2011 10:25 am
To: Thomas@Ieracitano.com
Hello,
A reply to a topic you're participating in has been posted by Thomas Ieracitano:
Stephen, welcome to the car business!! And welcome to Driving Sales.
Looks like you are off to a great start. Like the rest of us in the biz sounds like you got thrown in and you are trying to figure things out as you go and doing a great job of it. As in building any department a good solid foundation and creating a funnel with the anticipated result at the end.
I agree with Bill in using a CRM or at least an ILM to create a database of leads where as you say track your progress. You will also be able to build a follow up process over time. Long Term Follow is important because some New Vehicle buyers will convert to Used Buyers and reverse.
Content is key not only on your website, but in your email follow-up.
When I started in the biz we would say follow them til the buy or die. I believe the say is true today, only the delivery methods have changed.
Be persistent, but professional !
Ask your OEM reps for help and feel free to download any of my material at http://digitalcarguy.com/Free_Files.html
Good Luck and Good Selling!
Thomas
View Topic on DrivingSales
Thomas Ieracitanowant a website or an email like this ? go to http://123BrandMe.com
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Dealers Need to Get Back to Basics
Dealers Need to Get Back to Basics
Written by Ted Craig
Thursday, 13 January 2011 02:57 PM
Rod Heasley still has the dealership training manual from when he started in the business in the 1970s.
The advice it offers remain as relevant today as it did then.
Heasley, the national sales director for AutoSave, recently presented a Back to Basics seminar for members of the Michigan Independent Automobile Dealers Association s metro chapter.
The key message was dealers need to stop thinking like people who sell cars and start thinking like people who buy cars.
That requires looking at every aspect of a business, including how the business looks.
dealers to walk across the street and study their stores appearance. He said they need to make sure the cars are all lined up, that the window stickers are all in the same place, that old advertising banners don t clutter the lot.
Heasley said he's visited dealerships before where cars on the frontline had flat tires.
The most basic details matter, such as providing clearly marked customer parking.
Dealers need to write ad copy in a way any consumer can understand. Heasley said to avoid the alphabet soup of most cars ads and spell out features such as air conditioning and power windows.
Having salespeople who can bond with shoppers remains crucial.
Heasley said how much a customer likes a salesperson drives a majority of auto sales.
Heasley said how much a customer likes a salesperson drives a majority of auto sales.
All salespeople should always have a consumer take a vehicle for a test drive.
When they do that the salesperson should move into the backseat and stop talking about halfway through.
This allows the customer to take mental ownership of the vehicle, Heasley said.
Most dealers know the basic steps to success, but they forget them in the daily rush of work and fall into ruts.
Heasley suggests taking simple steps to get out of ruts, such as taking a different way to work.
He said dealers need to remember why they work - to provide for their families.
A good home life is essential for a good work life.
If you don t have that support, it s not as easy job, Heasley said.
Thank you,
Thomas Ieracitano
Thomas Ieracitano
Facebook
Twitterwant a website or an email like this ? go to http://123BrandMe.com
Thursday, January 6, 2011
5 Tips To Get You The Best Buy On Your Next Used Car
5 Tips To Get You The Best Buy On Your Next Used Car
These days cars a lasting much longer than they used to do with so many people cutting back on finances many families are considering buying a used car.
Smart consumers know that buying a used car can be a much better deal than buying a new one if you know what you are doing.
Here are some tips that you can use to make sure you get the most out of your used car purchase.
1. Due Diligence
When you make any major purchase, it's Important for you to do some research and purchasing a used car is no different. If you do the right research you'll know the perfect make and model that suits your needs. You'll also be able to determine the fair market value of this type of car and therefore, you'll know when you're getting a good deal at the used car lot.
In addition you'll be able to research Important details about the car,
like recalls her things to look for and used models that may help when evaluating used cars and
negotiating deals.
2. Check Out The Car
When you find a car that you like, it is wise to check the car's history.
This will give you Information regarding the repairs as well as any problems with the car.
You can do this for a small fee online and it can save you from buying a car that's been in a flood or other major disaster. You won't want to buy a car that's been a major accident that could have damaged or bent the frame and it may be impossible to tell by just looking at the car so checking on the history is vital. You can find out the history of any car by going to Carfax.com.
3. Think Safety
In order to keep your family safe in the car, you want to consider the safety features of any used car you going to buy. Obviously, the newer model cars will have more safety features.
According to reports, 80% of traffic accidents are made worse because the cars lacked safety features.
4. Check the Documentation
You should check out the documents included with the used car cheerfully. Make sure that the cars are not stolen or that there were no liens on the vehicle and also be sure to check that the signature on the bill of sale is the actual possessor of the car.
5. Car Inspection
Before you make any deals on the used car, you must inspect the entire car.
Look for rust especially around the wheel wells in the frame and carefully scrutinize it for any damage.
Don't forget to check the tires, and the interior as well.
If you don't know much about cars, you can always asked to take it to your mechanic for inspection. Anybody on the up and up selling a car should not object to this.
If any flaws are found, and then you can use this as negotiating leverage and
lost the flaws are so major that you no longer want the car.
Buying a used car can take a bit more work than buying a new one as there are many things to check out. However, doing your due diligence will make sure that you get a great used-car at a fraction of the cost you could buy new one for and that will last for years to come.
Thank you, and let us know how to better serve you!
These days cars a lasting much longer than they used to do with so many people cutting back on finances many families are considering buying a used car.
Smart consumers know that buying a used car can be a much better deal than buying a new one if you know what you are doing.
Here are some tips that you can use to make sure you get the most out of your used car purchase.
1. Due Diligence
When you make any major purchase, it's Important for you to do some research and purchasing a used car is no different. If you do the right research you'll know the perfect make and model that suits your needs. You'll also be able to determine the fair market value of this type of car and therefore, you'll know when you're getting a good deal at the used car lot.
In addition you'll be able to research Important details about the car,
like recalls her things to look for and used models that may help when evaluating used cars and
negotiating deals.
2. Check Out The Car
When you find a car that you like, it is wise to check the car's history.
This will give you Information regarding the repairs as well as any problems with the car.
You can do this for a small fee online and it can save you from buying a car that's been in a flood or other major disaster. You won't want to buy a car that's been a major accident that could have damaged or bent the frame and it may be impossible to tell by just looking at the car so checking on the history is vital. You can find out the history of any car by going to Carfax.com.
3. Think Safety
In order to keep your family safe in the car, you want to consider the safety features of any used car you going to buy. Obviously, the newer model cars will have more safety features.
According to reports, 80% of traffic accidents are made worse because the cars lacked safety features.
4. Check the Documentation
You should check out the documents included with the used car cheerfully. Make sure that the cars are not stolen or that there were no liens on the vehicle and also be sure to check that the signature on the bill of sale is the actual possessor of the car.
5. Car Inspection
Before you make any deals on the used car, you must inspect the entire car.
Look for rust especially around the wheel wells in the frame and carefully scrutinize it for any damage.
Don't forget to check the tires, and the interior as well.
If you don't know much about cars, you can always asked to take it to your mechanic for inspection. Anybody on the up and up selling a car should not object to this.
If any flaws are found, and then you can use this as negotiating leverage and
lost the flaws are so major that you no longer want the car.
Buying a used car can take a bit more work than buying a new one as there are many things to check out. However, doing your due diligence will make sure that you get a great used-car at a fraction of the cost you could buy new one for and that will last for years to come.
Thank you, and let us know how to better serve you!
Thank you,
Thomas Ieracitano
Thomas Ieracitano
Can't Make it Here, We'll Take it There!
Facebook
Twitterwant a website or an email like this ? go to http://123BrandMe.com
SUV Prices May Drop Due to Gas Prices
SUV Prices May Drop Due to Gas Prices
Gas prices rose to around $3 per gallon over the recent Christmas holiday.
Overall, gas prices have almost doubled in the last 2 years, and the predictions for future prices don't look pretty.
So what does all this mean for car buyers?
It's likely there will be some huge price drops on SUVs and pickup trucks, while smaller cars will see price increases if gas continues to rise this year.
Back in 2008 when gas prices hit record highs, consumers turned away from larger vehicles and embraced more fuel-efficient and looked at smaller cars.
Some dealers, in desperation, were offering unbelievable discounts on large SUVs and pickup trucks.
The reverse is also true - small and fuel-efficient cars, due to higher demand, will start seeing price increases, just as they did back in 2008.
If you're thinking of buying a large SUV or pickup truck,do it now. If you're thinking of buying a compact, fuel-efficient car, you may want to wait to buy one.
Gas prices rose to around $3 per gallon over the recent Christmas holiday.
Overall, gas prices have almost doubled in the last 2 years, and the predictions for future prices don't look pretty.
So what does all this mean for car buyers?
It's likely there will be some huge price drops on SUVs and pickup trucks, while smaller cars will see price increases if gas continues to rise this year.
Back in 2008 when gas prices hit record highs, consumers turned away from larger vehicles and embraced more fuel-efficient and looked at smaller cars.
Some dealers, in desperation, were offering unbelievable discounts on large SUVs and pickup trucks.
The reverse is also true - small and fuel-efficient cars, due to higher demand, will start seeing price increases, just as they did back in 2008.
If you're thinking of buying a large SUV or pickup truck,do it now. If you're thinking of buying a compact, fuel-efficient car, you may want to wait to buy one.
Thank you,
Thomas Ieracitano
Thomas Ieracitano
Facebook
Twitterwant a website or an email like this ? go to http://123BrandMe.com
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