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The completely redesigned 2015 Ford F-150 has already made a huge splash in the automotive world, and also already seriously worrying the competition. As the Wall Street Journal reported, "General Motors Co. is accelerating efforts to field a largely aluminum-bodied pickup truck by late 2018, under pressure from federal fuel efficient standards and archrival Ford Motor Co..." As if having fully a 3-year headstart on GM isn't enough, Ford just unveiled its 2015 F-150 Raptor. The new Raptor will be 500 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, and will feature a 10-speed automatic transmission! We will be sure to share more information on the Raptor as it becomes available. In the meantime, check out this picture of the new model!

Irwin Ford invites you to make the switch this month and see why Ford has been such an enduring brand. Ford just launched the completely redesigned 2015 F-150 which is now 700 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, which has seriously worried the competition since this new model blows the doors off both the Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500. Plus, with Irwin Ford offering a $1,000 savings voucher, 0% APR for up to 72 months on many models, $0 down payment, and no payments until spring, there is no better time to make the switch to a Ford!

Ford's all new 2015 F-150 has made a big splash with its aluminum body panels which have reduced the weight by 700 pounds! The bold new redesign has drawn praise for its stylish grille and attractive body lines, but the true test of any truck is what it can actually do. With that in mind, let's compare the 2015 Ford F-150 to the 2015 Ram 1500, both equipped with V8 engines. The F-150's 5.0L V8 produces 387 lb.-ft. of torque compared to the Ram's 355 lb.-ft. So Ford has a clear advantage in the torque department. In terms of pure horsepower, the F-150 has a slight edge over the Ram, producing 385 horsepower compared to the Ram's 383 horsepower. The F-150 runs laps around the Ram when it comes to maximum payload: at a max payload of 3,300 pounds, the F-150 can handle nearly double the 1,800 pounds that the Ram can manage. How much does it cost to run the thing? 2015 The F-150 is rated at 22 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg combined whereas the Ram can only manage 19 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg combined. This means that the F-150 is 20% more efficient in terms of fuel consumption while delivering better torque, more payload, and more horsepower. What's the price difference, you ask? The F-150 has a starting MSRP of $25,420 compared to $25,410 for the Ram. So for $10, you get an extra 32 lb.-ft. of torque, 2 more horsepower, 20% better fuel economy, and an additional 1,500 pounds of payload capability. That is $10 well spent. If you want a truck that works like a truck, your choice is clear: get an F-150. There is a reason that the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling truck in America for 38 years and counting: it is the best truck on the market.

We are thrilled to announce that our very first 2015 Ford F-150 has arrived at our Laconia NH Ford showroom. This completely redesigned model is nearly 700 pounds lighter than the outgoing model thanks to Ford's bold decision to use high-strength aerospace aluminum in its body panels. This gorgeous new truck is the end result of Ford's decade-long, multi-billion dollar investment in making the F-150 lighter, tougher, and better on gas. This decision was not undertaken lightly. The F-150 has been the best-selling truck in America every year for the past 37 consecutive years, and is routinely the best-selling model in Ford's entire line-up. In fact, Ford's decision to make such a drastic change to its best-selling model caught the competition so off-guard, that, according to the Wall Street Journal,  GM had to scramble to work a deal with Alcoa to secure a supply of aluminum to try and make trucks that are similarly light. GM's lighter trucks will not be available on the market until 2018 at the earliest, giving Ford at least a three-year head start. So, when our very first 2015 F-150 arrived the other day, we were pretty excited. It is a Crew Cab 4x4 in the XLT trim level, powered by a 3.5L EcoBoost motor. The window sticker boasts an impressive 19 mpg combined, and 23 mpg on the highway. And with a 36-gallon fuel tank, you can do some serious traveling before you have to fill up again. For the sake of comparison, the outgoing 2014 model with the same motor is rated at 17 mpg combined and 21 mpg on the highway. This truck comes with chrome appearance package, chrome step bars, trailer tow package, and all the goodies you would expect in a high-end pickup. Inside the cab, you will find a wealth of amenities, like Sirius XM, Sync with MyFord Touch, Rear Camera, Remote Start, Reverse Sensing and more. We have this beautiful nicely polished and sitting in our showroom; stop in and take a look at it! And from now until December 23rd, we are teamed up with The Laconia Citizen for our Fill Up the Pick Up canned food drive. So when you come to check out our completely redesigned 2015 F-150, please consider bringing a donation of canned or non-perishable food items so we can help our community this winter.

On the evening of Tuesday, November 18 starting at 5 p.m. Irwin Ford Lincoln will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang. This will be a night filled with fun, food and prizes. The guest of honor will be long time Laconia resident Walter Ayer, Jr. with his original Mustang purchased for $3,322.35 at Irwin Ford back in 1964. Dave Clark, the sales manager at that time, will also be at this very special event. From the moment the Ford Mustang was introduced 50 years ago, it was destined to be the classic and much-loved American muscle car. Within a year of its introduction, nearly half a million Mustangs were driven off of Ford dealership lots Just like Walter Ayer, Jr. did 50 years ago at Irwin Ford Lincoln All are welcomed to join Irwin Ford Lincoln as they look back to over 50 years and celebrate the all-new 2015 Mustang modernized once again. Since its debut at auto shows around the world, excitement has been building for the all-new 2015 Mustang. The all-new sophisticated design clearly inspired by 50 years of Mustang heritage has evolved to attract a wider array of customers. Mustang is now available with three engines, offering a broader power of choice – a more powerful 5.0-liter V8, a 3.7-liter V6 and an all-new fuel-efficient 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. Mustang sets new performance and dynamics benchmarks for the brand with world-class handling, more precise steering control and enhanced ride comfort. All are welcome to this special event whether they previously purchased from Irwin or not. RSVP to betty.ballantyne@irwinzone.com or call 603-581-2968.

The completely re-designed 2015 Ford Mustang has landed at Irwin Ford! Hurry in today to see the new model for yourself! The 2015 re-design of the Ford Mustang marks an important milestone in Ford’s history; it is the 50th anniversary of this iconic muscle car. During the 50 years since the Mustang’s first launch, it has become not just a household name, but an American icon. The designers at Ford had a lot to live up to for the re-design, and they did a great job! The all-new 2015 Mustang has the same sleek, powerful looks that it is known for, along with the sporty performance you would expect from the Mustang nameplate. The 2015 Mustang will have three available engines: a 5.0L V8, a 3.7L V6, and an all-new 2.3L turbocharged EcoBoost engine. The V8 produce 420 horsepower, gives the throaty rumble that is just as much a part of the Mustang brand as the tri-bar tail lamps. The V6 has 300 horsepower, which delivers terrific get-up-and-go along with nimble handling and great fuel economy. And if you want the sheer good looks of the Mustang along with class-leading fuel efficiency, the 2.3L EcoBoost engine cranks out 305 horsepower and gets the best fuel economy of them all. In addition to great performance, the 2015 Mustang has the great technology that Ford is known for. Every Mustang built comes with SYNC and MyKey. Selectable drive modes mean you can get the most out of your driving experience by tuning the engine response, transmission, and stability control to be perfect for whatever type of road you are driving on. From hills, to twists and turns, to straightaways, there is a setting on your Mustang to deliver the optimal driving experience for the road you are on. And to celebrate the legacy of 50 years as an American icon, every 2015 Mustang will come with a badge that reads, “Mustang – Since 1964.” The Mustang was first released on April 17, 1964 as a 1965 model year car and was an immediate success. Ford’s original sales forecasts counted on selling 100,000 Mustangs in the first year, but the Mustang was so well received that 100,000 Mustangs were sold in the first three months! At the end of the first year, ford had sold 418,000 Mustangs, more than four times the 100,000 they initially hoped to sell during that same time. The Mustang was not just an overnight hit for Ford, it even inspired Ford’s competitors to launch a series of Mustang-inspired vehicles known as “pony cars.” Pony cars are compact, stylish cars with an emphasis on performance and an affordable price tag. Notable pony car competitors that were inspired by the Mustang include the Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro (both launched in 1967) and the pony car version of the Dodge Challenger (launched in 1970).

When it comes time to be a new car, most people look at the price in terms of how it fits their monthly budget. Monthly budgeting has been especially important since the financial turmoil stemming from the subprime mortgage meltdown. It is perhaps because of this focus on the monthly budget that the average length of a car loan has increased over the past decade; whereas it was once unusual for a car loan to be longer than 5 years, the average car loan is now 5.5 years, according to data from Edmunds. Moreover, this same data shows that 38% of auto loans in 2012 had a term of 5.5 – 6 years, and 12% of the loans had terms of 6 – 7 years. Longer loan terms allow the borrower to spread repayments over a longer period of time, which reduces the amount paid every month. However, by doing this, the borrowers ignore the cost of interest on the loan as well as the length of time it takes to pay off the loan. The fact is, the longer a loan is, the higher the interest rate. A quick search on bankrate.com shows that lenders are advertising a 60-month (5 year) loan for a new car at rates between 1.99% APR and 2.34% APR. The same site shows 72-month (6 year) loan for a new car advertised between 2.44% APR and 3.59% APR. This means that by taking a 72-month loan compared to a 60-month loan, a customer will pay a higher interest rate for a longer period, meaning that they pay more in interest charges over the life of the loan. For example, let’s take a 60-month new car loan of $25,000 at a rate of 2.25% APR. My trusty Excel spreadsheet tells me that this is a monthly payment of $440.93 per month for 60 months. This is a total of $26,456.02 paid over 60 months on a $25,000 loan, with $1,456.02 in interest payments. Let’s also look at a 72-month new car loan of $25,000 at a rate of 3.25% APR. By extending the term an additional year, the payments are now down to $382.64 per month for 72 months for “savings” of $58.29 per month. However, the 72 monthly payments of $382.64 come to a total of $27,550.40 paid on a $25,000 loan, for a total of $2,550.40 in interest payments; nearly twice the cost of the 60-month loan. Another factor to consider is the risk of becoming “underwater” in your loan. Shorter loan terms allow you to gain equity faster, and reduce the risk of you owing more than the car is worth, should you decide to trade it in. The moral of the story is that monthly budgets are important, but you need to look at the overall cost of a loan as well to make sure that is makes financial sense for you. On a related note, if you want a really low monthly payment without the risk of being caught underwater, you might want to consider leasing a vehicle. A lease allows you to borrow a vehicle for a period of time. Rather than paying to own the entire car, you merely pay for the time that you use the car. And when your lease is up, you have the option of either buying the car or just walking away. Leases generally have much lower monthly payments than even a long-term car loan, and carry none of the risk of being caught underwater.

The completely redesigned 2015 Ford Transit has landed at Irwin Ford! This versatile full-size van is designed with commercial applications in mind, and can be tailored to meet the needs of your business. The Transit does everything from hauling cargo to hauling people, and is available as either a cargo van (that comes with three different body lengths and three different roof heights) or a passenger van that can seat 8, 10, 12, or 15 passengers, depending on the model you choose. Because of the numerous configurations of the Transit, cargo volume can range from a minimum of 246.7 cubic feet to a maximum of 487.3 cubic feet. The 2015 Transit can handle payloads up to 4,650 pounds and up to 420 pounds of weight on the roof. There are also three different engines available in the new Transit: a 3.7L V6, a turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and a 3.2L I-5 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel. In terms of construction, the Transit is built using high-strength steel and boron steel to make a unibody construction that is lighter than body-on-frame, while still strong and durable. The Transit may be designed for work, but that does not mean that is just utilitarian. There are a variety of convenient technology features such as hands-free calling, Bluetooth connectivity, and a GPS-enabled “black box” called Crew Chief that allows you to track the location, speed, airbag status, and remaining oil life of your vehicle, all from the comfort of your own computer. To learn more about the right transportation solution for your business, please contact our fleet manager, Steve Pouliot, at 603-581-2945 or steve.pouliot@irwinzone.com.

The all-new Lincoln MKC will be arriving at Irwin Lincoln this month! The MKC is a compact SUV that offers the best of both worlds: the luxury of the Lincoln brand, and the fuel-economy of a smaller SUV.  Powered exclusively by EcoBoost engines, the MKC saves gas in both the FWD and AWD configurations. The FWD version is available with either an EcoBoost 2.0L I4 or an EcoBoost 2.3L I4. The FWD version is epxected the achieve 19 mpg on the highway! The AWD version of the MKC comes exclusively with the 2.3L EcoBoost which delivers 285 horsepower. Although small on the outside, the MKC promises to provide a spacious and airy interior with a passenger volume of 97.9 cubic feet. The class-exclusive hands-free liftgate is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, while technophiles will love the MyLincoln Mobile App with an embedded modem that allows you to stay connected. Need help parking in a tight spot? Active park assist makes parking a breeze! The Approach Detection with Welcome Mat feature senses your key from up to 8 feet away and illuminates both the driver and passenger entrance.

Routine maintenance is necessary to prolong the life of your car and to maximize your car's fuel economy, but did you know that some routine car maintenace may even have a positive effect on your health? According to a recent article released by the Car Care Council, your vehicle's air conditioning and ventilation system can become clogged with pollen, dust, and other pollutants. The cabin filters that clean the air coming into your car need to be changed regularly the prevent the build up of dust and pollen in your car's ventilation system. According to Rich White, excecutive director of the Car Care Council, "A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car than when walking down the street." Cabin air filters should be replaced regularly, according to the specificiations listed in your owner's manual. A good rule of thumb is that air filters should generally be replaced once a year or every 12,000 miles. Having air filters replaced is quick and affordable, and can done while you wait with no appointment necessary at our Laconia Quick Lane location. Be sure to include your car on your list of spring cleaning items, and have those air filters replaced. That way, your car will drive better and you will breathe easier during the apring allergy season.

The recent news that the 2015 Ford F-150 will shed 700 pounds by using high-strength aluminum has got a lot of people talking, and has seriously worried the competition. Following the news that the redesigned 2015 F-150 will be a game changer, an article in the Wall Street Journal announced that GM has partnered with Alcoa to provide aluminum for the GM pickup fleet. However, GM will not be able to bring their re-designed trucks to market until 2018, giving Ford a three year head start in the reduced-weight pickup market. Ford has researched the use of aluminum in body panels for years, a technology that Ford pioneered when it still owned the Jaguar brand. Additionally, Ford can draw on the experience of CEO Alan Mulally, who worked as an airplane engineer at Boeing. Aluminum is used extensively in aerospace design and manufacture, and as such, Mulally is very familiar with the properties and characteristics of the metal, and with the processes necessary to work with it. Even when GM does manage to bring its aluminum-based pickup to market in 2018, it will be three years behind Ford. Ford is doing something truly exceptional in the pickup world, and the competition is struggling to keep up.