Ford's last ever Australian-built car rolls off the line

Like many teenage boys, I had a brief love affair with cars.

However the Australian-made Ford Falcon — a spacious four-door sedan seen all over suburban streets around the country — was never a vehicle you'd admit to fantasising about. 

Despite being such a common car, it managed to attract the curiosities of those abroad. I vividly remember reading an article in Wheels magazine about an electric blue Ford Falcon XR6 — the car's sports variant — cruising the streets of the motor city, Detroit, to stunned onlookers.

There it was, a wholly Australian car designed and manufactured in the city of Geelong, eliciting curiosity from Americans who'd never seen a Ford like that before.

Even employees of the Ford Motor Company, who are headquartered in nearby Dearborn, went up to the car's window to ask what it was. The Falcon was a car Australia could really be proud of.

It's the same model, albeit a more recent generation, that is the last Ford car to be built in Australia. For good. 

The final Ford Falcon XR6 rolled off the line Friday at around lunchtime, an end of an era for the country's automotive industry.

Back in 2013, Ford Australia announced it would cease local manufacturing after 56 years of operation in October 2016. It followed years of successive losses for the company and a high Australian dollar slowly dwindling the once-lucrative export market, which included a rejected plan for U.S. police to import Australian made Ford cars.

600 manufacturing jobs will go as a result of the closure, and Ford is not alone in its departure. General Motors owned Holden is set to end local manufacturing at the end of 2017, as will Toyotaat the same time. 

Come 2018, there will be no more Australian-made cars.

Car manufacturing has long been the backbone of industrial cities like Geelong in Victoria, where Ford's Australian operations are based, or Elizabeth in South Australia where Holden's manufacturing plant is located. 

It's a sad demise. Not many Australians could remember a time when the country didn't make cars.

At Ford, many of these manufacturing jobs have been transitioned into other roles. According toABC News, around half of those in manufacturing jobs have left the company, or have moved in product development and customer service departments. 120 jobs will stay temporarily for the plant's decommissioning. 

But it's likely that many who have spent most of their lives in the automotive industry will struggle to find work, as the rapid closure of such a large industry forces many, once with valuable skills and years of experience in car manufacturing, to adapt to life outside of it quickly.

The final saleable versions of Ford's Australian made cars will go to auction, with the proceeds going to student robotics programs and local charity the Give Where You Live Foundation. 

As for the fate of the absolute final Ford Falcon XR6, it'll be kept by the company for display at museums and events, and so will the very last Falcon Ute and the Territory four-wheel-drive.

Resigned to history, just like that.

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Mercedes goes green with an all-new electric SUV prototype

Tesla has the lock on the all-electric SUV market with its Model X. But it won't for long. That'sbecause Mercedes is gunning for the upstart electric-car-maker with its very own luxury EV crossover, dubbed the EQ, that it debuted in Paris Thursday morning.

Historically, the Paris show has been the place that the world's carmakers debut some of their higher-end vehicles. This year, however, the show has been highlighted by eco-friendly family haulers like the EQ and the all-electric Volkswagen I.D.

Clearly, the Germans love to give their EV concepts two-letter acronyms.

SEE ALSO: Sorry, Tesla: Chevy Bolt officially goes 238 miles on a single charge

Also like the VW I.D., the EQ rides on a new vehicle platform designed by Mercedes specifically for battery-electric vehicles. Like most new chassis designed today, this one is scalable. That means, with it, Mercedes can make all kinds of electric cars — not just a compact crossover.

On the inside, it's as techie as you'd expect from an all-electric Mercedes. A 24-inch TFT hi-def widescreen display sits atop the dashboard, playing the role of the instrument cluster and infotainment display.

Taking a page from the Apple playbook, the center console is bordered with rose gold. What's more, it appears to float in the center of the vehicle. All controls are operated with touch-sensitive elements, instead of physical buttons.

As for range, Mercedes says the EQ can do 310 miles (500 km) on a single charge. It is also said to do 0 to 62 mph in under 5.0 seconds. Of course, it can say whatever it wants without impunity since the car is a prototype and won't actually be put on sale.

That said, the EQ likely previews features and specs of future all-electric Mercedes models. Just don't expect a Mercedes electric SUV to arrive in showrooms sans door handles, though.

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Tesla's software update might save the lives of pets left in the car

A few weeks after Elon Musk revealed the updates coming to the brand's Autopilot semi-autonomous driving feature, Tesla officially detailed the software 8.0 update Thursday morning.

Along with Autopilot changes, Tesla has reworked the media player, voice commands, and maps and navigation. It also added a trip planner as well as a 'cabin overheat protection' feature.

In total, the software 8.0 update represents "the biggest UI revamp since the launch of Model S," according to Tesla.

SEE ALSO: Chinese hackers take over moving Tesla from 12 miles away

The latter is perhaps the most intriguing. Here's how Tesla describes its function: "[cabin overheat protection] keeps the car at a safe temperature for hours, even when the car is off."

The upstart electric vehicle maker points out that the system is an 'industry first' and designed for the safety of both children and pets (presumably, those accidentally left in a Tesla).

The company press release didn't specify how the system keeps the cabin cool. It simply stipulated it's only possible due to Tesla's "uniquely large battery packs." It likely keeps energy flowing to the climate control system even after the car is off.

Certainly, this will drain the battery. However, a dead EV battery is better than a dead child or pet.

The other updates simply enhance the user interface. Voice commands, for example, are initiated with a single tap. And a transcript of the driver's voice commands is displayed on the instrument panel to ensure command accuracy.

As for maps and navigation, destination search and initiating navigating to the driver's home are now activated with a single touch.

Over all, simply based on reading the press release, 8.0 seems to be a robust update. However, I will save final judgement until I am able to get my hands on it.

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Chevy's new Equinox crossover is tech- and budget-savvy

Just in time for the autumnal equinox, Chevrolet unveiled its Equinox on Thursday night. It's the all-new 2018 Equinox, to be exact. And, no, it wasn't a coincidence.

Although this new compact crossover carries over the same nameplate, it shares little with its predecessor. In fact, this one boasts — along with some evolutionary but handsomely styled body lines — a slew of techie connectivity features.

SEE ALSO: Sorry, Tesla: Chevy Bolt officially goes 238 miles on a single charge

Just like its compact stablemate, the Chevy Cruze, the 2018 Equinox comes with a 7- or 8-inch-diagonal MyLink infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. And all of that is packaged in a seriously chic and airy interior, if I do say so myself.

The high-tech features don't end there.  Equinox also offers a virtual laundry list of safety tech, too, including but not limited to features called "Surround Vision," "Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking," and "Rear Cross Traffic Alert."

In addition to two turbocharged 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine options, Chevy also offers a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engine as well. 

Notably, the Equinox is the first in the Chevy lineup to offer an all-turbocharged engine line. So, feel free to bust out your "turbo" branded sunglasses from the junk drawer. What's more, the efficiency of a turbo engine is further enhanced by the Equinox's switchable all-wheel drive system. That means the rear wheels are only engaged to drive when they need to be, which saves fuel.

Folks interested in checking out the new Equinox won't have to wait long. The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox goes on sale in North America during the first quarter of 2017. It will roll out to global markets later in the year.

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McLaren says it's not in talks with Apple about a possible acquisition

Looking for a luxury car with "billionaire doors"? Apple may be your new dealer. 

The tech giant has been in talks with McLaren Technology Group, the British manufacturer of Formula 1 race cars and luxury sports cars, for a potential acquisition or strategic investment, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, citing three anonymous sources familiar with the matter. 

Those talks began several months ago, according to the FT. McLaren is denying current discussion, however, at least when it comes to an investment.

"We can confirm McLaren is not in discussion with Apple in respect of any potential investment," a McLaren spokesperson wrote in an email to Mashable. 

Apple declined to comment to Mashable. 

The FT's report comes just two weeks after news that Apple had been backing away from plans to make its own self-driving cars. Apple had laid off dozens of employees involved and ended parts of the project, according to The New York Times. Proceeding reports speculated that Apple was focusing on building software and efficient batteries instead. 

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk says he expects more direct car competition from Apple than Google

If a full takeover of McLaren is imminent, Apple would once again be back in the manufacturing business while also acquiring more expertise in automotive engineering and a patent portfolio. 

McLaren is known for producing one of the most expensive cars in the world. The luxury sports cars cost at least six-figures and can go for more than $1 million per vehicle. One of its most obvious and admired features are the automated butterfly doors, seen below. 

via GIPHY

The orange McLaren 650S, which costs $265,000, gained mainstream attention when it was featured in season 2 of HBO's Silicon Valley.

McLaren Automotive produced 1,654 vehicles last year, generating $584 million in revenue. 

Outside of its road cars division, McLaren has its greatest investment in its Formula One racing team. The company also offers consulting services to other carmakers and racers. 

A deal between Apple and McLaren wouldn't be cheap. The automotive group was valued between $1.3 billion and $1.96 billion, according to people knowledgeable of the deal speaking to the FT. Apple's largest investment was Beats Electronics, a luxury headphone maker, for $3 billion in 2014. 

via GIPHY

The speculated price tag for McLaren is not too intimidating for a company with a $610 billion market capitalization and billions in cash on hand. 

Apple does not publicly discuss its automative projects, unlike competitors Google and Uber. Apple shareholders previously have suggested for the company to buy Tesla. In 2015, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke more to a future partnership with Apple's car technology. 

"We don't really have a relationship with them," Cook told investors last May. "I'd love Tesla to pick up CarPlay. We now have every major auto brand committing to use CarPlay, and maybe Tesla would want to do that."

Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk spent his morning tweeting about his company's own software, particularly the improvements from v7.0 to 8.0 and 8.1. 

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These tips will help you take your family road trip travel time to the next level

Whether it’s a long one to visit family or a beach for the week, or a shorter one to check out a local attraction like the zoo or a museum, road trips are a staple for many families, and a great way to bond.   

But the toughest part, especially when you have little ones, can be the time spent in the car going from Point A to Point B and back.    

However, a lengthy amount of time spent in the car doesn’t have to be a hassle. In fact, it can be a lot of fun.   

Here are a few tips to help you and your family (and your car) make the most out of any road trip, as well as some car features you might want to consider if you’re on the market for a road trip-ready ride.   

Planning your trip   

Don’t bite off more than you can chew, distance-wise. Excessively long legs of travel on a road trip could not only wear out the driver, but the passengers as well. No matter how many ways you have to entertain them, your little ones will eventually grow tired of sitting still in the back of the car.   

You also don’t want to try and hold yourself to a strict timetable for travel and arrival; there’s always the chance you’ll encounter some obstacles along the way, like traffic or inclement weather. It’s also more relaxing without a set timetable, that way you and your family can stop along the way to check out some local cuisine, establishments or attractions. A cool part of road tripping is that you have the opportunity to skip chain restaurants and stores and experience different, more localized and unique spots.   

What you should bring   

Many kids these days are able to pass the time on long rides by playing or reading on game consoles, tablets and all kinds of other devices. But if you want some more traditional entertainment that can include the entire family at once, you can bring a map of the route and have your kids call out landmarks along the way. Books on tape are another great diversion, and it lets everyone get into the story, which can sometimes be more fun than reading alone. (And some kids get nauseous if they try and read in the car, so a book on tape is a nice way to get around that potential obstacle.)   

You’ll also want to bring along some food to either eat while en route or, if you don’t want anyone eating in your new car, your kids can have their favorite snacks during rest stops. You can findeven more packing tips like these on KBB.com, too.    

How to prepare your vehicle   

Before you hit the road, make sure your car is in tip-top shape to go the distance without any issues. Have the oil changed, fluids checked, wipers inspected and changed out if needed. Check the tire pressures on all four wheels (along with the spare), and check to make sure all the lights are in working order.    

You should also make sure you bring along a roadside emergency kit that contains jumper cables, gloves, flares, flashlights, a first aid kit, extra water and a blanket, along with anything else your family might need in an emergency situation.

Cleaning out the car’s interior will help as well, so you can take out all the extra stuff you won’t need on the trip, so that you’ll have plenty of room for what you do need.   

Vehicle features that are perfect for road trips    

If long trips are something you have in mind when searching for your next family friendly vehicle, here are a few features you might find beneficial:   

1. Navigation. Most smartphones have good map and navigations systems, but a trustworthy integrated car navigation system is nice to have, and it won’t sap your other devices’ batteries. 
2. Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities. You know how sometimes you’ll get on the internet to check out some cute animal videos and then an hour magically passes by? Having internet access for tablets and other devices will help pass the in-car time in an entertaining way. 
3. Rear seat entertainment systems. Watching some in-ride movies or TV shows is a super classy way to road-trip. Make sure the screens are high enough, though, as a low-mounted screen can contribute to motion sickness. 
4. Cruise control. This feature makes the driving part of a road trip easier, more comfortable and less stressful. Many newer model vehicles now come with adaptive cruise control systems that slow the car to match the pace of traffic. 
5. Heated/cooled seats. When you’re sitting for a long time, comfort is paramount, so you’ll want comfortable seats that can keep you warm or cool. You may also want to look for seats with a massaging function. 
6. Driver-assisting features. Things like head-up displays, lane keeping technology, blind spot warnings and back-up cameras help make driving a car both easier and safer.   

For all the information you need to find the perfect vehicle for the road trips of your dreams, visit KBB.com.

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