Crown Automotive 6035968aa Valve Cover Mounting Stud on 2040-parts.com

Game Changer? Ford has high hopes for its redesigned 2011 Explorer

Ford wants you to forget everything you know, or think you know, about its Explorer. The company has high hopes for its all-new SUV, and rightfully so. It's one of the most recognizable nameplates in the auto industry with, according to Ford, a 95 percent name-recognition rate.

November a strong month for car sales

U.S. auto sales--led by BMW, American Honda and Volkswagen Group--rose 15 percent to 1.14 million in November, exceeding analysts' forecasts and setting the stage for the industry to finish 2012 on a high note heading into the new year. The annualized industry sales rate, adjusted for seasonal trends, accelerated to 15.56 million--the highest rate since 15.59 million in January 2008.

Redesigned Ford Focus expected to get 40 mpg on the highway

The redesigned 2012 Ford Focus will get an estimated 40 mpg in highway driving with an all-aluminum 2.0-liter engine mated to a six-speed, dual-dry-clutch automatic transmission. The normally aspirated engine combines variable camshaft timing and high-pressure direct fuel injection to crank out 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. That compares with 140 hp and 136 lb-ft from the aluminum 2.0-liter engine used in the current-generation Focus.