2009 Ford Explorer Xlt Sport Utility 4-door 4.0l on 2040-cars

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Ford adding second supplier for F-150 frames

Metalsa, the company that builds steel frames for the aluminum-bodied Ford F-150, is still having trouble providing enough frames to supply the two factories that build the pickup. The snafu is preventing Ford from selling as many of the country's best-selling truck as it could, and eating into profits - even though the bottom line is still breaking company records. According to The Wall Street Journal, Ford has picked Michigan company Tower International as a second frame supplier and expects to have inventory up to a proper level at the beginning of Q4 of this year. Neither Ford nor Tower would confirm the development - Automotive News got comments from a source and pieced together bits of info from Tower's financial statements and local press reports. Tower currently builds body structures for several vehicles, including the F-series, and the Bellevue, Ohio factory that will build F-150 frames previously manufactured frames for the Ranger and Econoline. According to a story in the local Sandusky Register, Tower will add one production line at the end of next month to begin shipping frames in October, and another line in April 2016. Something like 138 full-time workers and 364 robots are expected to carry out the work. Tower's most recent financial statement said that capital investment will be necessary to get everything set up, but the contract will be worth $140 million in yearly revenue.

2017 Ford Fusion facelift comes into focus

The latest generation Ford Fusion has been one of the better-looking members of the mainstream midsize sedan ranks since its introduction for the 2013 model year. In the automotive world, though, even the most attractive designs don't stay fresh for long. These new spy shots shed some light on what to expect when the model is refreshed, possibly for 2017. With only a modicum of camouflage here, it's not exactly hard to see where the Fusion is getting design tweaks. Up front, the wide grille remains, but the lower air dam appears to have restyled recesses for the fog lights. Also, while it's difficult to get an exact look, the headlights seem a little rounder through the concealment. Moving to the rear, the lower bumper shows some tweaks, but those circular pipes are obviously just there for testing. With a light on, you can a good glimpse of the redesigned taillights too. Based on these photos, Ford's stylists know a good thing when they have it, and it doesn't look like the Fusion's general look will have any monumental changes. Still, it's worth a minute to click through the gallery for a preview of the refreshed design. Related Video:

Shelby to auction 2012 GT350 No. 1 in Vegas

With Shelby preparing to wind down production of its brutal GT350, a 624-horsepower Mustang that's meant to go up against the Roush Stage 3 in the world of tuned Ford ponycars, the Las Vegas-based tuner is looking to give back to one lucky customer. It'll auction off the very first GT350 ever produced, at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas, a three-day event that runs from September 26 through September 28.
The GT350 is a monster, with a 5.0-liter, supercharged V8 that's been tuned well past 600 horsepower in a time when Ford's own Shelby-branded GT500 barely reached 550 horsepower. The GT350 is much louder than Ford's effort, too, both visually and audibly. The wide body look isn't what we'd call conventional, but on a car that sounds and goes like this, something extreme is needed. According to Shelby American's vice president of production, Gary Davis, "Carroll was very excited about the new wide body option, so that was included on this car. It's the first 2012 GT350 serial number from our anniversary year. It is a very special car." Wilwood brakes, a massaged suspension, and some very fat, sticky tires add to the Shelby experience.
This particular GT350 will be lot number 750, and will cross the Barrett-Jackson stage on Sunday, September 28.