Ford will be introducing the new Taurus for 2013 with a number of changes which do not include the interior, which many say needs improving. Updates include engine improvements, electric steering, smart battery management and aggressive deceleration shutoff. In addition, torque vectoring control and curve control have been added.
While nowhere near the huge $17.6 billion profit reported for first quarter 1998, its first quarter 2011 net income of an anticipated $2.1 billion will be the largest quarterly profit in 13 years. Sales of more fuel-efficient models such as the Fiesta subcompact and Explorer sport-utility vehicle have surged along with gasoline prices.
Forbes used a number of Consumer Reports lists to pick the worst vehicles on the road. If a vehicle was among lowest rated on two or more lists, it moved to the next round of consideration. Nine of the twelve vehicles on the list were American brands.
Federal officials are working to balance regulations regarding safety and fuel economy. NHTSA doesn't want to reverse declining highway deaths, which many partially attribute to the popularity of heavy SUVs. But weight also hampers gas mileage, and EPA wants to boost average fuel economy standards.