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Bill Ford op-ed argues we can't just build and sell more of the same cars

It's hardly a secret that the auto industry is undergoing an enormous, tectonic shift in the way it thinks, builds cars and does business. Between alternative forms of energy, a renewed focus on low curb weights and aerodynamic bodies, the advent of driverless and autonomous cars and the need to reduce the our impact on the environment, it's very likely that the car that's built 10 years down the line will be scarcely recognizable when parked next to the car from 10 years ago.
Few people are as able to explain the industry's many upcoming changes and challenges as clearly as William Clay Ford, Jr., better known as Bill Ford. The 57-year-old currently sits as the executive chairman of the company his great-grandfather, Henry Ford, founded over 110 years ago.
In an op-ed piece in The Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Ford explains that the role of automakers is, necessarily, going to change to suit the needs of the future world. That means changing the view of not just the automobile, but the automaker. As Ford explains it, automakers will "move from being just car and truck manufacturers to become personal-mobility companies."

Need a last minute gift? Win Mom her dream car this Mother's Day

Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. No donation or payment necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. See official rules on Omaze.  The feeling of getting a new car is wonderful. Seeing your mom get that new car, or even better, her dream car, feels even better, or so we would imagine. And Omaze is here with a chance to experience that feeling. Plus, if you enter any giveaway through May 8 and use code DEARMOM100 you’ll get 100 bonus entries.  YouÂ’re probably asking yourself, what does it take to win? First of all, according to Omaze, "no donation or payment is necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes." $10 will get you 100 entries in this sweepstakes, while $50 will get you 1,000 entries and $100 will get you 2,000 entries. The best part? Each paid entry raises money for a worthy cause. See more about these causes at Omaze. Here are our favorite vehicle giveaways weÂ’ve found online this week. Unless youÂ’re an only child, thereÂ’s no doubt youÂ’ve experienced the competitiveness that MotherÂ’s Day brings. This year you can take it up a notch beating out the bath bombs and brunch that your siblings are bringing to the table with something no one has any chance of topping: the keys to a 2022 McLaren GT. Win a 2022 McLaren GT - Enter at Omaze Here are the specs for the McLaren GT, according to Omaze: Max Seating: 2 Powertrain: Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive Exterior Color: Ember Orange Interior Color: Black Horsepower: 612 hp Torque: 465 lb-ft Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds Top Speed: 203 mph Fuel Consumption: 15/21/17 mpg city/highway/combined Fuel Capacity: 19 gallons Approximate Retail Value: $243,875.00 Cash-Alt: $182,906.25 Special features: Dihedral "butterfly" doors; 20" and 21" MSO wheels; 12.3" instrument screen; 7" portrait infotainment screen; 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system There are few cars that are more iconic than a Shelby Cobra. ThereÂ’s something about them that captures your attention when you see them out on the road. However, few of the cars you see out on the road are actual Shelbys: theyÂ’re replicas, similar to this Superformance MKIII-R. But not all replicas are created equal. This one is powered by a 7.3-liter Ford Godzilla V8 engine that makes 600 horsepower, more than the original car.

US Ford Focus RS to be imported from Europe

Rumors about the forthcoming Ford Focus RS are flourishing into what sounds like a very impressive new hot hatch. The latest scuttlebutt gives the first indication about when we might see a few of these fast Focuses on roads here in the US.
Unnamed insiders reportedly confirmed to The Truth About Cars that Ford plans to launch the Focus RS in the US in 2016. However, getting one might not be so easy - the boosted powertrain means the car would likely need to be imported from Europe. That's likely going to keep the total number available in the US rather low. The sources estimate a price tag that's a bit more expensive than the top Focus ST3, which starts around $28,500, plus $825 destination.
It seems that a pretty potent package comes for all of that cash, though. The Focus RS reportedly uses a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making between 325 and 350 horsepower, with a torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system to get that muscle to the road. The test mules also wear more aggressive front and rear fascias, dual exhaust tips, larger brakes and sticky tires. It sounds like a great formula on top of the already enjoyable Focus ST.