GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO FALL!

WOW! I can't believe it, but summer 2008 is almost over. YEAH! I personally hate summer...way, way too hot! So, now not only are our days getting shorter, the sun lower, and soon the leaves will be changing, but so is our inventory. Have you had a chance to check out the new 2009 Flex? When the first one arrived at our dealership back in late June, you could not believe the excitement of our sales team! We celebrated its arrival with a launch party in early July and the excitement has only continued. So much space inside, a refrigerated compartment, vista roofs, and really cool wheels! If you prefer more luxury, check out the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS. Boy, this car is NICE! It's funny as we get older, we begin to prefer comfort over style and flash...but this car has it ALL! This is definitely NOT your grandparent's Lincoln! When this beauty arrived, we had a unveiling of sorts here at the dealership. We combined the launch with a benefit for Breast Cancer and raised nearly $3,000! We are so grateful for the generosity of our valued friends!

There is more news on the horizon. More new inventory coming in daily. I've taken the summer off, and now I'm back and promise to deliver all the goings-on here at Big Valley Ford Lincoln Mercury!!

Green is the new Black

Ford designers love to find new, beautiful designs for our vehicle interiors. Recently, they've had the opportunity to make the whole design and aesthetics process take on greater meaning by incorporating more "green" fabrics and materials into the next generation of vehicle interiors.

Designing Sustainable Interiors

Our designers took their first step toward sustainable interior design when they delivered seat fabric made from 100 percent post-industrial materials for the 2008 Ford Escape, but that was just the beginning. We're currently looking to expand the use of sustainable seat fabric beyond the SUV to all types of vehicles. And we're working with our suppliers to improve the overall feel of the fabric. We want it to be softer and silkier to the touch.

Will Consumers Pay for Sustainable Materials?

Our suppliers have begun offering our designers a wider array of sustainable materials to choose from. However, cost is still a factor—the materials are harder to get, and it takes more time and resources to develop them.

Our designers must consider whether consumers are willing to pay a higher price for a greener vehicle. To address this issue, they've decided to combine sustainability with luxury or high-performance until suppliers find ways to lower the costs of sustainable materials.

Lincoln MKR Concept

The Lincoln MKR concept vehicle is our example of guilt-free luxury. It features several innovative interior solutions, beginning with the extensive use of wood on the instrument panel. This wood is a reengineered oak, which has been recycled and reassembled grain by grain, and stained black to give the wood a warm, rich appearance without using additional trees.

Leather is another key interior material that customers expect in luxury vehicles. We've found a way to deliver a more environmentally friendly leather called "chrome-free"' leather. When tanning the leather, the new process is chromium-free and minimally impacts the environment.

In addition to recycled wood and chrome-free leather, the Lincoln MKR concept includes renewable soy foam seat bases and mohair carpet. This unique combination of materials gives the Lincoln MKR concept a rich-looking interior while demonstrating the more environmentally friendly amenities luxury buyers are expecting in premium goods, including vehicles.

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

The 2008 Ford Escape uses seating surfaces made from 100 percent post-industrial materials, supplied by InterfaceFABRIC, Inc. InterfaceFABRIC estimates that Ford's use of post-industrial materials, rather than virgin fibers, could conserve an estimated 600,000 gallons of water, an estimated 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, and the equivalent of more than 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

Getting Greener

There are many applications that we're looking at to improve the greening of our vehicles, but not all of them are things that will be visible to consumers. For instance, we'll be launching the soy foam technology in the seat cushions and seat backs of the 2008 Mustang, and designers are currently examining ways to implement the recycled wood veneers and chrome-free leather seats featured in the MKR in future vehicles.

We're also developing a sustainable replacement for the fiberglass now used between the headliner of a vehicle and the roof sheet metal. The material we've developed as a replacement is bio-based, improves acoustics in the vehicles and neutralizes odors. In addition, it's lighter than fiberglass, which will help enhance fuel economy.

Ford Introduces Glass Roof Mustang

Next summer the Mustang will be celebrating the 45 years its been riding on the road and the success it has had. Of course this means that they will be creating a special Mustang for the occasion except this time they have decided to change it up a bit and do things a bit differently by adding on a new option when buying a Mustang. They will be able to choose between a coupe, convertible, and glass roof.

The 2009 Ford Glass Roof Mustang will come with an available factory-installed glass roof and will be assembled at the Automotive Alliance International plant in Flat Rock with the glass to be installed at Ford’s adjacent vehicle personalization facility.

2008 Focus Kicks *@%# !

Kelly Blue Book has named the redesigned 2008 Focus one of the "Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000" thanks to its styling, handling, safety features and innovative technologies such as SYNC. Nearly 40% of Focus units sold during the past five months included SYNC. KBB.com sites there were a combination of things that make the new Ford Focus cool, including styling, handling and the new SYNC technology.

At Big Valley Ford Lincoln Mercury we feature an excellent selection of these "cool" Focus'. Visit us online at bigvalleyonline.com to view our inventory.

Sync Your Ride!

I'm relatively sure that if you are among the millions of us who watch TV, listen to the radio, or read magazines, you've probably seen the new Ford commercials for SYNC. So, what is this new technology called SYNC? Well, I'm glad you asked.

SYNC, developed in a joint venture with Microsoft, and based on Microsoft's state-of-the-art Auto Software, is a voice-activated mobile phone and digital music system from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. SYNC enables drivers to use simple voice commands, hands-free, to operate most Bluetooth enabled phones and most popular MP3 players.

Since it public introduction, SYNC has met with rave reviews. The magazines are lauding it, customers are loving it and it's having a positive impact on the entire Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup.

The introduction of SYNC has given Ford the competitive edge over other manufacturers. Unlike General Motor's OnStar, SYNC requires NO monthly subscription fee (aside from the regular fees your already pay your wireless phone provider for your particular calling plan) and at only $395, is much less expensive. In addition, SYNC version 2, will automatically dial 911 when it senses an airbag deployment - unlike OnStar who's call center is notified of an accident and then summons 911.

Simply put, this product is AWESOME!

Ford announces NEW "Blind Spot Mirror"

I have to previse this story by saying that as a person who commutes, I LOVE THIS! Read on...

Ford introduces two new features coming in 2009 to aid drivers' visibility - Blind Spot Mirror and the Cross Traffic Alert with Blind-Spot Monitoring System, arriving in 2009.

Ford will be the FIRST to market with the Blind Spot Mirror, answering customer's demands for better visibility as they change lanes or parallel park. This affordable mirror technology will first launch early next year and find its way onto many future Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles as standard equipment replacing the traditional side view mirrors. These new mirrors feature an integrated convex spotter mirror aimed directly at the vehicle's blind spot. The Cross Traffic Alert with Blind-Spot Monitoring System utilizes radar to alert of cross-path traffic while in reverse and, in forward gears, warn when a vehicle enters the blind spot. Specifically, Cross Traffic Alert works by using the radar when in reverse to pick up moving objects within a 65-foot range from either the left or right side of the vehicle. The radar also works when backing out of angled parking spaces because its view is wider that just strictly sensing traffic coming at a 90-degree angle. Conventional systems have limited sideways effectiveness. When cross traffic is approaching, two warnings are given: an indicator lights up in the corresponding outside mirror and an audible alert is sounded.

Stockton Asparagus Festival! Join Us!!

San Joaquin Counties' most prestigious agricultural product, asparagus, inspired the creation of the Stockton Asparagus Festival 23 years ago. The Stockton Asparagus Festival to be held April 25th, 26th and 27th is a multi-event, food, and entertainment festival, which celebrates asparagus.

The festival features two performing stages, an Asparagus Alley with the BEST deep fried asparagus found anywhere, one of the finest celebrity chef cooking demonstration kitchens, a fabulous Spear-Its of the Valley wine and beer pavilion, a craft show, 600 booths, displays and exhibits in the show. The Stockton Asparagus Festival is honored to work with the City of Stockton to bring you this wonderful community event.

In honor of the celebration, Big Valley Ford Lincoln Mercury will be featuring a Used Car Sales Event. Receive financing as low as 2.9% APR up to 36 months (on approved credit) on select Ford Certified Vehicles. Choose from over 70 pre-owned vehicles. Come early for best selection!