Ford Motor Co. may save as much as $300 million on warranty costs next year because of improved design standards and manufacturing technology, the company’s top quality executive said Friday.

That will be in addition to $900 million in expenses Ford trimmed this year because of fewer dealer repairs after cars and trucks leave the factory, Vice President Bennie Fowler said in an interview.

“The numbers that we’re targeting, probably another $200 to $300 million, would be in line, certainly in line with the substantial improvement we made this year,” Fowler said of prospects for savings next year.

Ford is trying to win back buyers and end 11 consecutive years of U.S. market share declines. A survey commissioned by the Dearborn-based company found that its five-year effort to improve quality was cutting problems to near the level of Toyota Motor Corp., the industry’s perceived leader.

The survey of 60,611 new Ford car or truck owners from September 2006 through February 2007 found 1,427 reports of “things gone wrong” per 1,000 vehicles, 159 fewer than last year, Ford said in June.

The survey, by RDA Group in Bloomfield Hills, found Toyota owners reported 1,362 problems per 1,000 vehicles.

In June, Ford had four of the top 10 brands in the annual initial-quality survey by J.D. Power & Associates. Ford’s Lincoln brand ranked third, with Jaguar sixth, Mercury eighth and the namesake Ford brand 10th.

The warranty savings, now being used to offset losses after a record $12.6 billion shortfall last year, will eventually allow increased spending on future new models, Fowler said.

When it comes to the best of the best in the truck class, there is no better option than the Ford F-150. For over ten years, the Ford F-150 has been at the top of this class. Not only is this truck popular among ordinary people, but construction workers love the power and toughness that it has to offer.From the outside, the Ford F-150 has a great look. In the front it has the same look as the Explorer, which does it justice. And of course when you get around to the back you will notice a large bed that can help you haul a number of different items. Also, don’t overlook having your Ford F-150 equipped with the tow package. This will give you the ability to haul a trailer, boat, or u-haul with ease.

When it comes to the interior of the Ford F-150, you will not be disappointed. The front seat is quite comfortable, and the layout is easy to live with. If you opt for the full cab, your back seat riders will be able to travel in comfort.

On the road the Ford F-150 has no problem keeping up. And if you opt for four wheel drive you will be able to take your truck into almost any situation imaginable.

The Ford F-150 has always been a very popular truck. And as long as Ford continues to do what they are doing with the F-150, this will always be popular among truck buyers all over the country.

The 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 – the most powerful factory F-Series truck ever – races onto streets this fall to help the famed motorcycle maker and automaker kick off their 105 th anniversary celebrations. The new, limited-edition truck is the third supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150, following the best-selling 2002 and 2003 models that were part of more than 60,000 of the specialty trucks sold since 1999.

“Ford Harley-Davidson™ trucks have turned a shared passion for open roads into one of the most successful alliances in the industry,” says Todd Eckert, Ford Truck and SUV communications manager. “The new 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson ™ F-150 perfectly blends the flexibility and capability of F-Series trucks with the free spirit and raw power of Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles – the principles that continue to drive both companies after 105 years.”

This anniversary edition F-150 honors the humble beginnings of two American icons in 1903. The truck is available as SuperCrew 4×2 or all-wheel-drive models and features a choice of Black monochromatic exterior with custom stripe running along the beltline or an available Black and Vintage Copper two-tone exterior paint.

The purposeful exteriors are complemented by other features that signal the truck’s connection to Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles. They include:

-Unique chrome billet grille and lower front valance.
-Body color bumper, mirror caps, ground effects, door and tailgate handles.
-Blacked-out headlamps with black bulb shield and dark tinted, smoked-out taillamps.
-Windshield with Bar & Shield logo dot pattern and Alliance logo.
-New 22-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels with the Bar & Shield logo on center caps.
-Forged aluminum “105 th Anniversary Harley-Davidson F-150” Medallions on the fenders and tailgate.
-Chrome dual exhaust tips and tie-down hooks.
-Rubber bed mat with HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar & Shield logo.

The Vintage Copper and Black color scheme is carried onto the interior that features Black/Dusted Copper leather-trimmed front captain’s chairs and rear bench seat with die-cast Bar & Shield logos embedded in the leather.

Other interior features are: Two-tone leather shifter, console lid and steering wheel. High-gloss piano black floor console and center stack with the Bar & Shield logos, as well as chrome vent rings and unique instrument cluster. Serialized nickel plate displaying the production VIN and number. Brushed stainless steel pedals. The center stack, matching door-trim panels and lower part of the windshield feature numerous miniature Bar & Shield logos. In fact, the center stack panel was inspired by similar panels found on certain Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles.

Powertrain options include a standard 300 horsepower 5.4-liter Triton ™ V-8 or an available SALEEN intercooled, supercharged, V-8 that pumps out an impressive 450 horsepower and 500 lbs.-ft. of torque. Along with the engine upgrades, the SALEEN performance package, available on the 4×2 only, includes an available gauge pod with boost and air-charge temperature gauges.

The 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson â„¢ F-150 truck is the tenth model to emerge from a Ford Harley-Davidson Alliance that began in 1999. The co-branding of the two storied companies has proven to be a successful formula with sales of Ford Harley-Davidson â„¢ F-Series trucks totaling more than 60,000 units.

Source : Automotive Blog Updates