Auto
*Ford will redesign the slow-selling Taurus sedan in 2009, Chief Executive Alan Mulally told Automotive News Congress last week in Detroit. Mulally wouldn’t elaborate, saying, “I probably said too much.” The current Taurus debuted in 2004 as the Five Hundred, which failed to meet sales expectations. Ford renamed it Taurus for 2008 and added a larger engine and fresh styling, but sales still lag at 33,000 through December.
*The redesigned 2009 Nissan Murano went on sale in mid-January with base prices of $26,330 for the S front-wheel-drive model and $27,930 for the S with all-wheel-drive. SL models are $27,880 with FWD and $29,480 for AWD. The 2009 models are $1,420 less than the 2007 versions; there was no 2008 Murano. A new LE model comes only with AWD and starts at $35,910. The prices do not include the $745 destination charge.
*The 2008 Lexus IS F, the first performance sedan from Toyota’s luxury division, has a $56,000 base price, not including the $765 destination charge. Based on the IS 250/350, the IS F comes with a 5-liter, 416-h.p. V-8, an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability and a 170-m.p.h. top speed, making it the fastest Lexus. Lexus positions the IS F to compete with the BMW M3, Cadillac CTS-V and Mercedes-Benz AMG models.
Rail
*Critics are skeptical of a plan supporters say would expand the South Shore commuter railroad to Lowell and Valparaiso in northwest Indiana without raising taxes. State Rep. Chet Dobis (D-Merrillville) has proposed paying for the extension in part by diverting about 12 percent of the sales tax money Lake and Porter Counties send the state. But Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper says the plan could lead to tax increases.
FYI
*Ford will give its Sync communications/entertainment system the ability to call 911 when an air bag deploys on 2009 models. The hands-free, automatic 911 Assist will require that a Bluetooth-enabled phone be connected to Sync and turned on. 911 Assist will appear first on 2009 Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex and F-150. Owners of current Sync systems will be able to receive for a free upgrade to 911 Assist at dealerships.
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Quick Trips are compiled from the notebook of Rick Popely and from Tribune news services.
