1999 Ford Explorer Xlt on 2040-cars

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Ford hires France's former first lady

Celebrity endorsements are nothing new in the auto industry, but Ford is hoping that putting one of France's best-known faces into an odd new ad might get buyers there to consider a Blue Oval rather than a Peugeot or Renault. The company has hired France's former First Lady, singer, and model Carla Bruni to take on the role of an aggressive soccer coach in the new ad. The idea behind the campaign is to get buyers to think about a big switch too. According to Automotive News, Ford holds just a 4.3 percent market share in France. Meanwhile, PSA Peugeot-Citroen has 26 percent, and Renault holds 30 percent. With such a huge discrepancy, even a few tenths in Ford's favor would likely be considered a victory. Ford's actual commercial is an odd piece of auto advertising, though. Not a single vehicle appears in the whole thing, and there isn't a bit of Blue Oval branding on it, either. Although, a link at the end does go to a page for the automaker. You can still watch the video, even if you don't speak French; just be sure to turn on the closed captions.

Ford C-Max sales hold steady despite fuel economy fracas

Despite the ballyhoo that accompanied Ford's lowering of the C-Max fuel economy figures, the Blue Oval is still seeing strong demand for the five-seat MPV, as Automotive News reports. Speaking to marketing boss Jim Farley, AN says that the controversy surrounding the C-Max's fuel economy figures won't force Ford to change its marketing strategy.
Ford lowered the fuel economy rating of the C-Max after public outcry and legal action by customers that were unable to reach the 47 miles per gallon promised by the window sticker. The new ratings were dropped about a month ago to 45 mpg on the freeway and 40 mpg in the city. Ford offered rebates for current C-Max owners, with $550 going to those that bought their car and $325 to lessees. The issue, says Ford, stemmed from testing standards that allowed the automaker to base the C-Max's fuel economy on the Fusion Hybrid, because they use identical powertrains. The C-Max's less aerodynamic shape wasn't taken into account, though.
Whether Ford's PR team handled the crises perfectly or people just aren't that bothered by a four-mpg drop in combined ratings, demand remains strong for the C-Max among consumers. Ford moved 3,000 units in August, which was a 12-percent jump over July sales. Meanwhile, consumer demand through third-party shopping websites remains strong as well, according to Autometrics, a data analysis company that spoke with Automotive News. While the long-term effects of the adjustments remain unknown, the C-Max appears to have fared well in the near term.

Watch Vaughn Gittin Jr. hit the ice in his 2015 Mustang RTR

There's more than one way to get a car to drift. You can set up a purpose-built drift car. Or you can put a car on a slick surface. But in this case, Vaughn Gittin Jr. has done both. In this latest video, the driftmeister extraordinaire reveals the new livery for his 2015 Ford Mustang RTR, and put it on a frozen track, flanked by snow banks. It's the perfect place to drift any car, and this custom pony car could very well be the perfect drifter. Call it a match made in heaven. A cold, frozen-over slice of heaven where rear-drive muscle cars put on one heck of a show. Gittin, for those unfamiliar, is one of the drifting scene's foremost showmen, and like Ken Block or Tanner Foust, he competes primarily in Blue Oval machinery. Vaughn will be challenging the Formula Drift series once again in the Mustang RTR, but whether the sideways-driving championship is coming to a circuit near you or not, you can scope out a piece of the action right here.