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Ford ditching Microsoft in favor of BlackBerry QNX for next-gen Sync?

Ask the average consumer - at least, those who follow the goings-on in the automotive industry - which carmaker they'd most closely associate Microsoft, and the answer you'd most likely get would be Ford. The Blue Oval automaker, after all, was at the forefront of bringing Microsoft technology into cars with its pioneering Sync system, and, though reality didn't turn out as such, Ford's CEO was recently touted as a potential future head of the Redmond-based software giant. But that relationship, according to the latest reports, could be coming to an end.
Alan Mullaly kiboshed the idea of leaving Dearborn for Redmond, but more importantly Ford is tipped to be ditching Microsoft in developing its next-generation Sync system. In its place, Ford is expected to partner with BlackBerry's QNX division.
Now, before you go balking "BlackBerry?! But they're finished!" consider that QNX is (or at least was) an independent entity that Research In Motion (as BlackBerry's Ontario-based parent company was then known) just happened to have bought back in 2010. QNX provides control systems to everything from nuclear power plants and UAVs to automakers like Audi, BMW and Porsche.

SEMA crowns Mustang, FR-S as this year's hottest cars in the building

After wrapping up the first day of the 2012 SEMA Show, organizers handed out awards for some of the trendiest vehicles on display. Since the whole point of SEMA is to show off new products available in the aftermarket world for use in cars, trucks and SUVs, each year, the show distinguishes the most popular vehicle in various segments. Not surprisingly, this year's Hottest Car and Hottest Sport Compact are the Ford Mustang and Scion FR-S, respectively, while the Ford F-Series brought home the Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler was named the Hottest 4x4-SUV.
More than 2,000 companies are at this year's show, and the display booths represents a "vote" for each car to determing the trendiest vehicles in each of the four categories. It isn't clear if these awards also take cars brought by OEMs into account, but the Mustang and FR-S were definitely well represented by both OEM and aftermarket show versions.
As usual, the OEMs showed up in force at the this year's SEMA Show exhibiting a variety of cars ranging from production-intent cars like the beastly Ford Mustang Cobra Jet to much flashier rides like Scion's Carbon Stealth FR-S.

Ford flips switch on GT350, GT350R configurators

Today is the day, folks. If you've been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to configure your ideal Shelby GT350 Mustang, you need to get over to the Ford consumer page and check out the new online builder tool. You can design your ideal GT350 or go hardcore and build an R model. It's all there, including exterior colors, stripe options, and the limited array of optional packages. Everything has prices, with the GT350's starting price coming in just a smidge above what we reported in late May. The base model kicks off at $48,695 while the R adds $13,500 to the total. That means both versions of the Shelby significantly undercut more mainstream and more hardcore competitors. For example, you can get into a GT350R for $62,195, or $3,000 less than a completely basic BMW M4 and $12,805 less than a Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. In fact, even a fully loaded GT350R, with stripes, a painted roof, and the $3,000 Electronics Package (Sync 3, dual-zone climate control, rear-view camera, a seven-speaker stereo, and SiriusXM satellite radio) and you'll still come in at over $8,600 less than the Z/28. As for the GT350, its $48,695 starting price should give pause to anyone thinking of purchasing a high-priced Germans while also stealing some Camaro 1LE customers. Head over to Ford's configurator and build up your ideal car. Finding the GT350 is a bit tough at first, so just be sure to scroll to the bottom of the body style menu on the left side of the page and select "Shelby Fastback," then have at it. Related Video: