Reality, documentary and branded entertainment television leaders BCII premiered their new feature documentary film Raptor – Born in Baja on Tuesday, June 23 at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, California to 500+ automotive and off-road motorsports executives, entertainment industry heavyweights, celebrity guests and press. Raptor – Born in Baja follows the story of a group of Ford Motor Company designers, engineers and race program directors, along with a number of aftermarket support teams, as they construct, test and unveil their new F-150 Raptor SVT truck to the automotive world by entering it in the toughest point-to-point off-road race anywhere...the infamous Baja 1000. Planned, shot and produced over 16 months, the film's story plays dramatically like the early Apollo space missions, while at the same time making a powerful brand statement for Ford.
"The Onion" has created a spoof of a new "break out" reality show called "Auto Warriors" where two Ford manufacturing plants go against each other to see which one can build the 1,000 Ford Focus vehicles in 24 hours--without electricity. The losing plant gets shut down in "high stakes fun".
Our friend Mike Levine of Pickuptrucks had the opportunity to interview Ford diesel engineers and ask them questions about Ford's "bobcat" dual fuel engine which blends gasoline and ethanol into each cylinder, delivering power equivalent to a diesel powered engine. The technology is actually really interesting as is worth the read.
Ford Motor Company will be the featured automaker of the 2009 SEMA Show taking place Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. “Ford has always been a strong supporter of SEMA and our industry," said Christopher J. Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA. “We are pleased to announce their participation as Vehicle Manufacturer of the Show and to be collaborating with them on several branding and technology programs.”
For the past year the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service, a division of the fire department, has used a fleet of 2009 Ford Escape Hybrids to help save lives while reducing fuel consumption and protecting the environment. During the first 11 months of service, Escape Hybrids have played a crucial part in thousands of rescues and more than a million rescue preventions at L.A. County beaches.
It's an everyday maneuver that can add stress and elevate blood pressure in novice and veteran drivers alike. It's parallel parking. Active Park Assist, an all-new driver aide technology available in the distinctive new 2010 Lincoln MKT three-row luxury crossover vehicle, will address the "top 10" anxieties in the parallel parking process.
Ford's all-new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will be making its Hollywood debut on June 23 when a new feature film about the ultimate production off-road performance truck hits the silver screen. "Raptor – Born in Baja" – produced by Brentwood Communications (BCII) in conjunction with Ford Motor Company – will premiere at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, Calif., before an audience of more than 500 automotive and off-road motorsports executives, entertainment industry heavyweights, celebrity guests and members of the press.
ROUSH Performance has announced a line of ROUSH propane-powered pickups and vans will soon be available for Canadian fleet customers. The announcement was made in conjunction with the 42nd Annual Conference of the Propane Gas Association of Canada (PGAC) being held at the Westin Ottawa Hotel June 4 and 5. The first ROUSH propane-powered vehicles that will be available in Canada are based on the Ford F-250 and F-350 pickups, with both offering reduced operating costs and lower greenhouse emissions than their gasoline-powered counterparts. ROUSH also announced that they would be converting E-Series vans to run on liquid propane and these would also be available for Canadian customers later this year. It is anticipated that each model will have the necessary Transport Canada and other required certifications.
Leading truck cap and tonneau cover manufacturer A.R.E. offers its Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU) to outfit a wide selection of 2009 truck models, including the Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Ram, Ford F150 and F250, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Isuzu, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra and more. The Deluxe Commercial Unit is an ideal solution for the construction, pest control and landscaping industries. A.R.E.'s DCU is made of fully welded aluminum frame construction and has more than 100 options to give professionals the power to create a customizable solution for their work trucks.
Cars.com posted a list of the top selling cars for the month of May and surprisingly enough, the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado came out on top with 33,381 and 31,463 units sold. The two trucks beat the Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and more. The Ford Escape SUV also made the 10th spot on the list, with 16,391 units sold. Impressive! Dodge however did not make the list with their new Ram.
As the busy summer driving and family vacation season gets underway, Ford continues its commitment to delivering high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles for consumers to maximize their fun, relaxation and convenience during this welcomed time of year. To take it a step further, through the end of June, the "Drive the Ford Difference" event provides added peace of mind, with Ford covering up to three months worth of payments on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle, as well as 0 percent financing.
IHS Global Insight are forecasting Ford Motor Company to surpass General Motors in production for 2009 with 1.9 million units to be produced in North America. The IHS ranks Honda in third with 1.1 million units, Toyota in fourth with 904,000 units, and Chrysler taking up the rear with 903,000 units (don't know how that is possible when they're not really selling any vehicles?).
The IHS also predicts North American sale to fall around 8.4 million units, down 156,000 from last month. North American sales are still down 37.8 percent compared to a year before.
Consumer Reports put together a top 40 "best deals on domestic new cars" which include discounts up to 25 percent below MSRP with the 2009 Nissan Titan SE 4X4 Crew Cab SWB coming out on top with a 25 percent discount. Other vehicles include the 2009 Nissan Armada LE 4X4 at 20 percent, 2009 Ford Mustang GT Premium Coupe at 20 percent, 2009 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew 157-in at 20 percent, 2009 Ford Escape XLT 2.5L 4WD at 15 percent, 2009 Honda Ridgeline 3.5 Auto RTS at 15 percent, 2009 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Auto 4WD SR5 Crew Max at 15 percent, 2009 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 EL at 15 percent, 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT 4X4 Crew Cab at 15 percent and many more.
Head on over to the Consumer Reports article to see the rest of the list.
Kelly Blue Book have rated the top 10 road trip vehicles with the 2009 Ford F-150 SuperCrew pickup truck ranking in as the best "towing trip" vehicle for 09. "When hitting the open road includes bringing something along that requires a hitch, look to the Ford F-150 to deliver. With a max tow rating exceeding 11,000 pounds and an integrated tow system, this truck meets the needs of even the most hard-core towing fanatics. Couple its rugged capabilities with a handsome exterior, refined interior and an available SuperCrew Cab offering limo-like legroom, and you're ready for the long haul.". To check out the other 9 vehicles including the Lexus LX 570 SUV, head on over to the KBB top 10 page.
Since we all know that print is dead, Motor Trend have posted their comparison online of the 2009 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Lariat versus the 2009 Toyota Tundra SuperCrew Limited. The bottom line of their review placed the Ford F-150 in first place stating "There's simply more design maturity here" and the Toyota Tundra in second. The reason why? "Faster and more fun to drive, but the new world order of trucks is likely to emphasize practical details over driving grins".
Spy photographers for Pickuptrucks.com caught new pictures of the Ford's next generation global Ford Ranger pickup truck. The photos showcase a single and double cab version of the truck and a large re-design of the exterior styling. A source close to the project said it "will likely be powered by a new 1.6 liter, four cylinder direct injection turbocharged EcoBoost engine" with figures around "175 horsepower and 180 ft lbs".
Ford and ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” are looking for the ultimate community hero. The deadline is May 31. Under the “Heroes F-150 Campaign,” Ford will award a 2009 Ford F-150 and $250,000 to “makeover” a portion of his or her community. The makeover project will be announced in late summer. Students, parents, community members, school staff, military staff, police staff and firefighting staff are asked to nominate their community hero for the Heroes F-150 contest at www.TheHeroesF150.comnow through May 31.
Ford Motor Company have issued a recall of nearly 9,000 2009 F-150 pickup trucks for "failing to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108", meaning the brake stop lamp switch may be illuminate with a delay or in some cases not at all. Owners are encouraged to contact the Ford Motor Company Company Consumer Relationship Department at 1-866-436-7332 or online at www.ownerconnection.com
According to Autoweek, Ford is delaying the F-150's diesel engine from it's current expected release date in 2010. Ford's President of the Americas Mark Fields said "No new date has been scheduled" and "We've put it on the back burner for right now". An insider with one Ford plant said "the diesel F-150 has officially been delayed until 2013" but "it will likely be canceled outright".
Ford Motor Company are looking better and better these days thanks to the bailout crisis of Chrysler and the confused state of General Motors. The only automaker from Detroit to decline federal aid of loans, Ford Motor Company are creating a positive image of the company and separating from the rest of the pack. 63 percent of respondents look at Ford in a "positive light" now, compared to the 41 percent just a year ago. Ford took a huge risk when declining the government aid but now it seems their PR efforts are paying off.
Beyond 0 percent financing on select models and payment protection for a full year, Ford Motor Company is expanding its Ford Advantage Plan to ensure critical breast cancer services aren’t compromised while charities work to weather the challenging economy. Today, Ford is announcing it will donate $20 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in the name of each prospective customer that test drives a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle through June 1, 2009, up to $1 million. Dealers also may match Ford’s individual $20 contributions in the name of each customer, up to $1,000 per dealership.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning for owners of 2002 to 2005 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUV's due to 200 complaints where the vehicles were said to have gone out of park and into reverse on its own. During those model years, nearly 1.5 million SUV's were produced which could possibly result in a massive recall for Ford. No issue has been recalled yet but the NHTSA are taking a "preliminary evaluation... to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences of the alleged defect and any relationship of the alleged gearshift lever mechanism failures to the alleged vehicle rollaway incidents". A Ford spokes person also commented, "We do not see a safety risk and we will be fully cooperating with the government with the investigation".
Ford is working on a documentary film about their 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor production pickup truck build as well as their Raptor R race truck which was featured in the Baja 1,000 last year. The film is expected to be released this summer but for now here's a trailer.
Automobile Magazine caught new pictures of the next generation 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup truck on the road outside Ford's facilities in Dearborn, Michigan. The front end and bed sides have been camouflaged completely and the exposed cab does show a re-designed exterior, specifically the area around the rear window. The front end seems to show off a very large grille similar to the Super Chief concept but the rest of the design remains the same as Ford's 2008 update. Super Duty fans looking for a 2011 refresh won't see a whole lot, judging by these photos.
For years, truck capability has been measured in maximum towing and payload ratings. Ford Work Solutions adds another dimension of capability for commercial truck owners by delivering fully integrated mobile office functionality on the job site – an industry first. Ford Work Solutions features were developed through hands-on research with contractors and skilled tradespeople in multiple markets around the country. The features and their functionality were also created under the auto industry's voluntary guidelines to limit driver distraction.
Ford Racing are allowing fans to chat LIVE on their Twitter account today at 5:15 Eastern Standard Time. The Live chat will happen with Greg Biffle of Ford Racing for 15 minutes. Click here to check out Ford Racing's Twitter account.
Ford Motor Company has completed a $200 million investment in the retooling of its Kentucky Truck Plant for production of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. The retooling includes the installation of a flexible body shop that will allow the plant to produce more fuel efficient 2009 model Expedition and Navigator SUVs alongside popular Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups. The Kentucky Truck Plant makeover is part of a move by Ford toward leaner and more flexible manufacturing across its North American plant lineup.
The "Terrible's 250" race saw the running of the F-150 SVT Raptor R for the second time this season in the Best In The Desert race series. The F-150 SVT Raptor R completed the approximately 220-mile loop race in the Nevada desert in 6:08:30.000, finishing 2nd in Class 8000. The F-150 SVT Raptor R is currently in 2nd place in Class 8000 after two races in the 2009 season. As a way of thanking the off-road community for their support of Raptor since its debut, participants and enthusiast spectators were given pricing details of the highly-anticipated 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor during the pre-race driver's meeting on Friday, April 17. The 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor with a 320-horsepower 5.4-liter V-8 engine will have a MSRP of $38,995 (destination & delivery included) when it arrives in dealer showrooms in summer 2009.
By 2013, 90 percent of Ford’s North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost engine technology, which is one of Ford’s key initiatives to deliver significant advancements in fuel economy without sacrificing the performance customers want. Ford engineers used virtual tools and know-how to perfect the combustion system of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine in order to handle a wider range of operating conditions and pressures, and still deliver V-8 power coupled with V-6 fuel economy.
Good ole' Exxon Mobil earned the first place spot on the Fortune 500 for 2008, achieving $443 billion in sales and $45 billion in revenue, passing Wal-Mart and dropping the giant to second place with only $406 billion for 2008. Not far behind were Chevron and ConocoPhillips in 3rd and 4th place, where ConocoPhillips actually lost $17 billion in 2008 due to money losing oil refineries. Amazingly, Ford Motor Company and General Motors rounded off the 6th and 7th place victories as top companies.
Ford Motor Company, continuing its rapid quality improvement, surpassed Honda in initial vehicle quality for the first time and reached new levels of customer satisfaction with vehicle quality, a new survey shows. Ford is also statistically tied with Toyota at the top of the industry when it comes to initial vehicle quality, according to the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) survey conducted quarterly for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Mike Levine of Pickuptrucks revealed information regarding the pricing of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor pickup truck. Starting at $38,995, the new SVT Raptor is approximately $3,000 more than an F-150 FX4 pickup but can do a whole lot more. Just wait till Ford drops their new 6.2 liter BOSS motor inside, woohoo!
Ford Motor Company and partner ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is searching for community Heroes looking to make a difference The Heroes F-150 campaign is awarding an all new 2009 Ford F-150 and $250,000 to help build or rebuild a portion of his or her community. The nomination period is open now at www.TheHeroesF150.com and participants will have a chance to nominate their Hero until May 31, 2009.
As the market for Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUVs) continues to grow, Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC is meeting customer demand with its Coil-Rite air helper springs kits for CUVs, including the new 2009 Ford Flex, 2007-2009 Ford Edge, 2007-2009 Lincoln MKX and 2002-2007 Saturn Vue. "Many drivers are turning to smaller crossover vehicles that are more fuel efficient than trucks and SUVs," said Todd Green, regional sales manager, Firestone Industrial Products, Ride-Rite division. "By adding an air helper springs kit, drivers can maximize the functionality and the safe load carrying capacity of their CUV when towing gear for weekend camping trips or family vacations."
Ford Motor Company was the top online automotive advertiser in January 2009, delivering nearly half a billion display advertisement impressions across the intarweb. Close in second was Toyota with nearly 400 million impressions and General Motors tagging along in third place with 316 million impressions. The three companies accounted for nearly 26 percent of all online advertisements for January and teamed with seven other automotive manufacturers, accounted for 58 percent of all online advertisements. Ad impressions totaled nearly 2 billion during the month of January.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has granted approval to the ROUSH® propane-powered F-150 pickup which means that it meets the strict emission standards of the state. This is the first propane-powered vehicle to receive On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD II) CARB-approval since the board enacted substantially stricter guidelines on light-duty vehicles for this alternative fuel in 2004.
Ford are making sure their new 6.7 liter "Scorpion" diesel V8 motor, slated for the next generation Super Duty, doesn't reach the hands of its competitors by filing patents for the new engine. The patent describes a pushrod, 4 valve per cylinder set up that utilizes an inboard exhaust along with a turbo charger. Details filed with the patent also state the engine could be used in both the gasoline and diesel configuration. There's even some speculation that the motor could show up in the 2010 Mustang but that has not been confirmed by the automaker.
Last week Ford's DigiKnows brought you their 5th live episode discussing the background of technology behind Ford's Work Solutions. This week host Michael Collins will be interviewing Kim Cape and Andrew Ashman, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Marketing Managers, to discuss Ford’s commitment to offering peace of mind to Americans who are considering the purchase of a new vehicle. Michael and his guests will outline the features of the new Ford Advantage Plan and how it compares to others offered. The webcast will also include a step-by-step look at how to get the most residual value in the next vehicle you buy.
Tune in tomorrow here at Truckblog at Noon eastern time to watch the live show.
Reports across the intarweb are stating the new 2011 Ford Explorer will be built off the current Taurus X platform (a uni-body crossover). According to union officials, the next generation Explorer will also be built at Ford's Chicago plant beginning in 2011. Ford is also expected to equip the CUV with their new Ecoboost turbo charged V6 engine with direct injection which offers a 30 percent fuel efficiency increase.
Ford Motor Company is introducing the most comprehensive program available to boost consumers’ buying confidence and begin rebuilding the American economy with the new Ford Advantage Plan. The plan gives customers another reason to “Drive One” with payment protection of up to 12 months on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle, 0 percent financing on select vehicles and added local charity support. “Consumers remain anxious about the economy and their own outlook for the future. We at Ford want to do our part to rebuild faith in the marketplace by offering payment protection on every new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle for up to a year if our customers lose their jobs,” said Ken Czubay, vice president of Sales and Marketing.
Ford CEO Alan Mulally will take another pay cut this year, an additional 37 percent. In 2007 the CEO made $21.67 million, followed by a pay cut in 2008 dropping his pay check to $13.57 million. The 2009 cut comes as the company continues to re-construct their companies financial situation. A worldwide incentive compensation program was also axed, as well as compensation packages for board members for 2009.
Automotive rendering specialist, Mark Stehrenberger, posted his version of the next generation 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty on Pickuptrucks.com. The 2011 platform is expecting a complete refresh from it's current 10 year old body styling, adding more truck and more "tonka" like features grabbed from Ford's F-350 Tonka concept back in 2002.
If the speculation behind this rendering is true, we can expect Super Duty owners to be slightly disappointed due to the consistent styling from the F-150 and the lack of a "Super" heavier duty truck. Exterior styling aside, the re-designed truck is expected to receive Ford's now 6.7 liter "Scorpion" V8 diesel motor which will replace the current 6.2 liter.
Ford Motor Company is taking full advantage of the fuel economy, performance and reliability benefits associated with Electric Power Steering (EPS) on a variety of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products, but the company isn’t stopping there. Customers already behind the wheel of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, one of Ford’s first products to sport EPS, also are enjoying other clever – yet subtle – steering characteristics that enhance drive quality. One such EPS-enabled feature, pull-drift compensation, is a software-based technology that helps drivers offset vehicle pulling or drifting that can occur in steady crosswinds or on uneven roads.
New television ads began airing this week around the country touting the unparalleled safety features that make the 2009 Ford F-150 America’s Safest Truck. The new safety ads continue the straightforward, no-nonsense campaign launched last fall. In rapid-fire fashion, the narrator tells viewers: “All right, so you’re driving down the freeway doing about 60 when you notice the guy next to you is steering with his knees, eating a cheeseburger and talking on the phone. And that is exactly why the Ford F-150 is the safest truck in America. It's got a high-strength steel safety cage, side-impact air bags, safety canopy, five-star crash rating, and roll stability control. Because it’s not just crazy out there, it’s certifiably insane. It’s not just a pickup truck. It’s the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year.”
Our friends from Ford's DigiKnows are airing their 5th live episode at 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time today that is called "Episode #5— Stay Connected and Productive with Ford Work Solutions™ Technology". Host Michael Collins will take people behind the scenes for the inside scoop on all things Ford and how the company is redefining the way truck owners do business.
You can join in and ask questions to experts across the internet in a live interactive streaming video event. To participate or view the event, head on over to Ford's Digital Snippets website and remember the event starts at 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time.
A.R.E. offers its popular line of truck caps and tonneau covers for the 2009 Ford F-150 pickup, all cab and box configurations. Designed according to the F-150 truck bed's exact size and shape, A.R.E.'s fiberglass truck cap and tonneau covers are painted to match using the OEM paint code for a high-quality appearance. The toppers and their painted finishes are backed by a limited lifetime warranty from A.R.E. for the life of the pickup truck they are originally installed on.
MSN Autos have placed the 2009 Dodge Ram vs. 2009 Ford F-150 and 2009 Chevy Silverado head to head in four separate tests which include a head to head battle, 20 plus miles per gallon test, top sellers comparison, and a towing challenge. The review drives through the truck-pocalypse and answers the big question: who's got the toughest truck?
Pickuptrucks have caught a new image of Ford's "Scorpion" 6.7 liter diesel V8 engine slated for production this fall to replace the current 6.4 liter diesel. Known for it's clean diesel technology, the 6.7 liter's power targets are more than 390 horsepower and 720 foot pounds of torque, up from a previous 350 and 650 specification. Fuel efficiency is also expected to increase nearly 3 miles per gallon in conjunction with Ford's new six speed automatic transmission.
The Ford F-Series Super Duty once again took Work Truck of the Year honors at the National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show, March 4. Ford also earned the 2008 Work Truck of the Year honor, the first year of the award program, sponsored by Work Truck magazine. The fleet industry professionals among Work Truck readers determined the winner though online ballot.
Kelley Blue Book announced that Ford Motor Company is the winner of the 2009 Brand Image Award for the “Most Rugged Truck Brand,” the Ford F-150. The 2009 Brand Image Awards are based on consumer data collected from more than 12,000 shoppers on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. These customers are in the market for a new vehicle. “The winners of this year’s Brand Image Awards exemplify automotive brands that are on the right track, making a great impression with consumers not just on a specific model level, but across the entire brand lineup,” said Jack P. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.
According to an article on The Detroit Free Press, AT&T announced they will spend $565 million dollars on 15,000 Ford Motor Company hybrid and natural gas powered vehicles over the next ten years. AT&T will spend $350 million on nearly 8,000 natural gas trucks like the propane powered trucks from Roush.
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson commented on the decision "While there are no easy solutions to the challenges facing our nation, this investment is a first step on our part to help boost other industries while at the same time encouraging wider use and production of efficient vehicles and domestic fuel alternatives".
Ford Motor Company have come to an agreement with the United Auto Workers over employee benefits and compensation at $55 dollars per hour, down from a previous $70 per hour two years ago. However, the new figure won't officially adjust until 2011. The agreement brings wages closer to those of foreign automakers Toyota and Honda, who only pay their employees $50 per hour. The cutback will save Ford up to $500 million per year.
Ford Motor Company today celebrated the production of its 100,000th hybrid SUV and reinforced its commitment to ramping up production of hybrid vehicles this year. Ford launched the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids five years ago and the vehicles remain the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market. At the same time as workers at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant celebrated the hybrid milestone, Ford dealers are preparing to begin selling the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, which will be America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedans.
According to sources across the intarweb, police officers in Massachusetts are pulling over motorists in unmarked Ford F-150 pickup trucks. A uniformed officer was spotted ticketing a motorist from his F-150 without any police markings except for the blue and red lights mounted on the interior dash. Very sly!
Earlier this morning we announced Ford's new mini site for the F-150 SVT Raptor. On that mini site, Ford states the new "Boss" 6.2 liter SOHC V8 engine which pumps out 400 horsepower and 400 foot pounds of torque, will be available as an option in the winter of 2010. Until then, the Raptor will come standard with Ford's 5.4 liter SOHC V8 engine that produces 320 horsepower and 390 foot pounds of torque. Will it be worth the wait? We hope so.
Ford’s 2010 Escape, the small SUV with the best crash test ratings of any vehicle in its class, is increasing its technology leadership with the addition of five new features that improve safety, reduce driver distractions and aid drivers by automatically parallel parking their vehicle. The new Escape, in showrooms this summer, will add MyKey™ teen-safety technology, Integrated Spotter Mirrors – both offered standard (MyKey on XLT and above models) – optional Rear View Camera System and SYNC with real-time Traffic, Directions and Information. The new model also will be the North America’s first SUV to offer Active Park Assist, which uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for parallel parking, calculate the optimal steering angle and quickly steer the vehicle into a parking spot.
With a look born in the desert, the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Web page is a place enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the experience of driving a truck built to excel in the most extreme conditions. Launching today, the new Web page – www.fordvehicles.com/f150raptor – highlights the expansive features of Ford’s new high-performance off-road truck. “We wanted to ensure the site is true to what Raptor is, emphasizing it as different and unique,” said Eric Peterson, Ford's Truck and SUV communications manager. “Delivering Raptor’s unique durability and performance is something only Ford can do, staying true to both our tough truck and racing heritage. We wanted to make that clear through the site.”
Ford Motor Company are on the edge when it comes to paying off their debts. The company is looking at paying off their long term $10.4 billion debt by paying an $80 dollar premium per $1,000 of debt to holders who are willing to invest in common stock from senior convertible notes. If the company is able to achieve this target, they will reduce their total debt from $25.8 billion to $15.4 billion and pay less interest in the process. Earlier this week Ford was able to reach an agreement with the United Auto Workers to cover half of $13 billion in health insurance.
Ford further expands its ‘smart’ features for truck customers with a collection of industry-exclusive technologies for F-Series trucks and commercial E-Series vans that will help make business owners more productive and successful. “Our truck customers are smart and they work hard,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Ford Work Solutions provides truck customers new technologies and tools to help them work even smarter and further boost their productivity.” F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 32 years. Two out of every five commercial trucks sold in the U.S. wear a Ford oval.
Ford expands its commercial stripped chassis offerings with the new F-59 Super Duty® delivering an impressive combination of generous payload capacity, low step-in and loading heights, and proven reliability and durability. The new chassis is being unveiled today at the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) trade show. “The F-59 Super Duty chassis brings significant Ford commercial vehicle expertise to a unique commercial segment,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “These three new offerings expand our stripped chassis portfolio, helping more customers address their task-specific applications.”
Ford Motor Company has an expanded presence at the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) show to showcase three new commercial vehicle offerings, further bolstering its market-leading product portfolio. “These new commercial vehicles demonstrate our ‘One Ford’ strategy by harnessing the best of our global products, adapting our existing resources to new market opportunities and combining innovative technologies to better deliver on the needs of our customers and end-users,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas.
As part of a memo sent out Friday, Ford Motor Company chairman William Ford Junior and Ford CEO Alan Mulally both announced they will be taking a 30 percent cut in their salaries over the next two years. Ford's own board of directors will also receive pay cuts for two years. Performance bonuses for senior executives and salaried workers have also been cut. The company issued a statement regarding the recent reductions, "We know these are challenging times and we all are affected by the tough actions we are taking... However, these are necessary actions to help us emerge as an even stronger, profitably growing Ford Motor Company for the benefit of us all". I am personally surprised these actions didn't occur sooner, at least 6 months ago, due to our obvious failing market condition over the past year.
Ford Motor Company is resuming production at its storied Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1, which becomes the first manufacturing site to build Ford’s new fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines. The plant, idled since 2007, is ramping up pre-production of 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engines that will be optional on the 2010 Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and come standard on the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. EcoBoost engines, which combine direct injection technology and turbo-charging are a key part of Ford’s overall strategy to improve fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions across its lineup. The engines can achieve up 20 percent better fuel and 15 percent lower CO2 emissions compared with larger displacement engines without sacrificing power.
Ford soon will make once-in-a-lifetime dreams come true for Monster Jam® fans, as the deadline draws near for the Built Ford Tough Monsters on Mainstreet Sweepstakes. The winner of the sweepstakes will enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access at an upcoming Monster Jam event, including an opportunity to interact with the drivers and ride the vehicles. It is an experience that only Ford can offer due to its long-standing relationship with Monster Jam, said Kevin Schebil, manager, Ford Truck Communications.
ROUSH Performance, with support from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), today introduced two new alternative fuel vehicles available through Ford dealers in the United States and Canada. The 2010 ROUSH propane-powered Ford F-250 and 2010 ROUSH propane-powered Ford E-250 both achieve lower carbon and greenhouse gas emissions due to the use of propane as an engine fuel. On average, propane fleet vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18 percent; create 20 percent less nitrous oxide; produce up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide; and fewer particulate emissions, compared to conventional gasoline. These vehicles follow the introduction of the ROUSH propane Ford F-150 in 2007.
After years of delivering power to two of Ford Motor Company’s iconic products, the Ford F-150 and Mustang, Romeo Engine Plant has reached a historic milestone – the production of its 10 millionth engine. The 10 millionth engine, a 4.6 liter 3-valve V-8, will be shipped to AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Mich., to be installed in a new 2010 Mustang GT. The V-8 engines manufactured at the plant build on two of Ford’s strengths – capability for the Ford F-150, the best-selling truck in America, and performance for Mustang, America’s favorite muscle car. In 2008 alone, the engines produced at the plant generated a combined 90 million horsepower, about 2,750 times the combined horsepower of this year’s starting field for the Daytona 500.
The next generation 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty was spotted last week driving around Dearborn, Michigan dressed in camouflage. Inspirations from the 2006 Ford SuperChief concept can be seen under the new camo, specifically its beefy chrome grille. The new Super Duty is also expected to be released with Ford's new "Scorpion" diesel V8 and the 6.2 liter "Boss" V8 we found in a Harley Davidson F-150 last week.
Editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com today named the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid one of its “2009 Best New Family Vehicles.” “After undergoing a major overhaul for the 2008 model year, the Ford Escape Hybrid is improved again for 2009 with a more powerful and more efficient gas-electric powertrain,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “Its fuel economy rating of 34 miles per gallon in the city is even better than that of the Toyota Camry Hybrid.”
At the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, you can find the brand new 2010 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson pickup truck we brought you last week sitting on the showroom floor. Underneath this custom F-150 though is Ford's highly anticipated 6.2 liter V8 motor nicknamed "Boss", which is slated for the F-150 SVT Raptor pickup truck sometime next year. The new motor produces 400 horsepower and 400 foot pounds of torque, much higher than Ford's conventional 5.4 V8 found underneath many F-150's today. A Ford spokesman commented on the status of the new motor and said "The only engine confirmed for the Harley-Davidson F-150 is the 5.4L V8 it will launch with". I suspect it will hit Harley trucks by the end of the year or sometime next spring.
When they say “Built Ford Tough” about the all-new 2009 F-150 they aren’t just talking about brawny stuff like high strength steel. They’re also talking about cushiony features such as air bags – the kind of air bags other trucks wish they had, namely a “K-Bag”.
The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which features exclusive “K-bag” side air bag technology – provides better side-impact crash safety ratings than the Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram, according to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Ford has issued a recall of over 11,000 2009 Ranger 4x2 pickup trucks due to an improperly manufactured front wheel spindle that can possibly fracture while driving increasing the risk of a crash or even death. Owners of the brand new pickups are urged to contact their local dealer as soon as possible, where dealers will replace the part free of charge. Owners can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or by visiting www.safecar.gov
The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 delivers a new standard of “custom cool,” combining the smooth handling and legendary durability of America’s best-selling truck with the authentic styling of Harley-Davidson, the industry leader in motorcycles. This marks the 14th Harley-Davidson edition of an F-Series truck and latest in a line of Ford Harley-Davidson F-Series models dating back to 2000, which aim to appeal to customers who appreciate quality and unique details only this kind of collaboration can bring.
About 800 new workers at Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Truck Plant are undergoing intensive quality training as they prepare to build Ford’s new F-150, the 2009 North American Truck of the Year. The crew of about 800 employees is slated to begin its full production shift on Feb. 16. “Our unrelenting commitment to quality drives everything Ford does in the manufacturing world and beyond,” said Joe Hinrichs, group vice president, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs. “While instability in the external market has had an impact on our manufacturing operations, we are proud of the fact that our quality continues to improve despite changes to production and operating patterns. As we expand our work force at Dearborn Truck, we are ensuring we don’t miss a beat when it comes to quality.”
The 2010 Ford Ranger, America's most fuel-efficient pickup, comes to market this summer by adding unique standard safety technologies, including Ford's AdvanceTrac® with RSC® – the world's most sophisticated electronic stability control system that helps prevent skidding and rollovers – and combination side air bags.
Ford Racing and Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) announced today that the F-150 SVT Raptor R, the same truck that finished third in class at the 41st SCORE Tecate Baja 1000, will run in the 2009 "Best In The Desert" race series. The truck will be driven by veteran Ford truck racers and former "Rough Riders" Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges. The privately funded team will run all five points races for 2009 in the Raptor R to continue testing the durability of the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor and its production components.
Ford’s F-Series truck and Fusion mid-size sedan paced Ford to a fourth consecutive month of retail market share increases. Ford estimates its share of the January retail market was 12.7 percent, up 0.3 point versus a year ago. This marks the first time since 1995 Ford has achieved a retail market share increase four months in a row. In January, Ford’s all-new F-150 truck picked up more accolades and market share. In January, the F-150 was named North American Truck of the Year and earned a quadruple 5-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Best-in-class capability and safety ratings and unsurpassed fuel economy appear to be driving F-Series appeal among buyers.
The fourth quarter of 2008 was a depressing one for Ford Motor Company, posting a $5.9 billion dollar loss in cash. The new losses come as a blow to the company, who only lost $2.8 billion during the 4th quarter of 2007 a year earlier. The company have managed to pull together $23.5 billion in liquidity as a reserve, but that cash on hand is going fast. Let's all hope they can sell some more trucks this year.
In the following video on YouTube, television personality (and a personal favorite) Mike Rowe places the 2009 Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram pickup trucks head to head at Ford Motor Company's Detroit Proving Grounds in Michigan. The test shows the handling and performance of each truck on the river bed course side by side in real time. I've had the opportunity myself to test both a 2009 Ford F-250 Super Duty and 2008 Dodge 2500 HD pickup truck on the same course and I will say that all of these trucks do take a beating on the river bed and each truck test proves itself. Check out the video below.
One of our own crew members, DrSpeed, was able to get a three page spread of his 2002 Ford F-250 in the April 2009 issue of Diesel World Magazine. Equipped with a Cummins 5.9 liter ISBe Turbo Diesel engine, DrSpeed's daily driver puts out 550 horsepower and 1,100 ft-lbs of torque! Much time and effort has gone into this pickup truck and it looks like it has finally pulled off. Congrats dude!
Look for the April 2009 issue of Diesel World at your local store and check it out.
Hammering home their success in offering a propane-powered truck, ROUSH Performance unveiled yesterday at the 2009 International Builders' Show the next product in the lineup - the 2010 ROUSH Liquid Propane Injected F-250. The ROUSH propane-powered F-250 immediately received considerable interest among the attendees who had been looking for a medium-duty truck that could offer both lower operating costs and greenhouse emissions. According to research provided by the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), propane is the most widely-used alternative fuel today, with more than 10 million vehicles around the world using it as a fuel.
Sales figures from 2008 have come in and hybrid sport utility vehicle purchases have already begun to slow, dropping nearly 10 percent for the year. Toyota ranked number one in hybrid sales for 2008 with 241,000 vehicles sold, Honda as number two with 31,000 vehicles, and Ford in third with 20,000 vehicles sold. Although sales are down, General Motors witnessed a 179 percent growth of their Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid SUVs, however no figures were noted by GM.
This week MOTORZ shows you how to upgrade the stock speakers on a budget, in a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup truck. The video is available on the MOTORZ website, Apple iTunes, and TiVo!
We originally brought you the story last week and now other sources are saying that the 2011 Ford F-150 pickup truck will offer Ford's 3.5 liter twin turbo charged EcoBoost V6 engine. An additional 5.0 liter motor named "Coyote" will be added as well that features four valves and pulls 400 horse power and 400 foot pounds of torque. Sources are also saying the new 5.0 liter V8 will be found in the new 2010 Mustang as well.
Hagerty Insurance Agency had the opportunity to ride in Ford's new F-150 SVT Raptor pickup truck this past weekend at the Barrett Jackson auction. The YouTube video below demonstrates how the truck handles and performs while going around an enclosed course, as well as handling a jump at 50 miles per hour. There is an annoying sensor alarm that goes off toward the end of the video while they are still driving, I hope that's not a bad thing. Check it out.
Ford's first production F-150 SVT Raptor was sold for over $143,000 dollars this past weekend at the Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. All proceeds above the vehicle's retail price are being donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Equipped with Ford's 5.4 liter V8 engine, the new SVT Raptor is expected to hit dealer lots sometime this summer.
The sales of three special, high-performance Ford vehicles will benefit one key charity at the always-anticipated Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ford is offering the purchase rights to the first retail version of the 540-horsepower 2010 Ford Shelby GT500, the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor offered to the public as well as the first Ford Racing Mustang Cobra Jet with the hood signed by several Ford drag racing legends, including John Force and Bob Glidden. Proceeds from the 38th annual auction, which will televised live at approximately 10 p.m. EST on Saturday on SPEED, will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Force Dynamics of Trumansburg, New York obtained the task of creating a racing simulator for Ford Motor Company of the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor off-road truck. Set on a 3D-Axis, Force Dynamics developed the simulator to take care of "parasitic forces" which actually deal with drag on your body between your head and chest/back. Force Dynamics President, David Wiernicki, explains this process in the video below. Check it out.
Also, the F-150 SVT Raptor simulator can be found at the major automotive shows including those in Houston, St. Louis, Dallas, Cleveland, Kansas City, Atlanta, Columbus, and Austin from now until April.
An automotive enthusiast from Montreal, Quebec took his old 1987 Ford F-150 4x4 and 1991 E250 van, and converted it into the "H150", a hybrid F-150 Hummer H1 off-roading machine. Using only common tools which include a 110 volt Lincoln Welder, two 4.5 inch grinders, home made bender, and air tools, the owner has roughly $15,000 cash into the project. That is minuscule in comparison to the $100,000 dollar plus price tag for a "new" Hummer H1. All the metal work was also done by himself. A project like this is a little too large for the MOTORZ garage but definitely proves itself to be one cool build up. Check out the buildup inside.
The first in a wave of new Ford EcoBoost engines makes its debut in the Lincoln MKS, MKT and Ford Flex later this year as part of Ford Motor Company’s global initiative to provide powertrains that deliver the fuel efficiency and power customers demand. The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine delivers the performance found in a normally aspirated V-8 while maintaining the fuel economy found in a normally aspirated V-6 engine. A look at the highlights of the EcoBoost story: Power and fuel economy: The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 EcoBoost engine produces 355 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 350 ft.-lb. of torque at 3,500 rpm. A 10-15 percent fuel-economy benefit is expected versus normally aspirated 4.6-liter V-8 engines in the same competitive class.
The all-new 2009 Ford F-150, America’s best-selling vehicle, was named North American Truck of the Year today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The prestigious award comes hot on the heels of the 2009 F-150 being named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™ and the “Truck of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers Association in addition to a number of other awards and accolades.
The latest episode of MOTORZ TV has landed. This time Chris shows you how to change the rear differential gear oil and cover on a 2000 Ford F-350 pickup truck. The video is available on the MOTORZ website, Apple iTunes, and TiVo!
Ford is expanding its connectivity leadership by introducing exclusive new SYNC real-time information features that deliver personalized news updates to drivers' mobile phones while helping them navigate around trouble spots, saving time and fuel. "Our vision with SYNC is to be a leader in connectivity, making it affordable for millions – just as Ford has done with safety and fuel-saving technologies," said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. "In less than 18 months since we launched SYNC, Ford has delivered two more major new features, and we have more in store.
Leading truck cap and tonneau cover manufacturer A.R.E. offers the ActionKover, a new fiberglass tonneau cover available for most current short bed and extra short bed trucks, including the Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram. The ActionKover is a competitively priced tonneau cover featuring an aluminum base rail system, heavy-duty front hinges, an Eberhard palm handle that houses the keylock - offering protection from scratches and chips - and A.R.E.'s popular Lift Assist gas strut system that makes the lid easy to open and close.
The beat goes on. For the 32nd year in a row, Ford’s award-winning F-Series is America’s best-selling truck with 2008 sales of 515,513. F-series outsold its nearest truck rival by more than 50,000 units. In addition, for the 27th year in a row, F-Series is once again America’s best-selling vehicle of any type – car, crossover, SUV, truck or van.
On January 11, Ford will be auctioning the very first production 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor pickup truck at the 2009 Barrett Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lot number 1347, all proceeds for the truck will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The F-150 being auctioned will feature Ford's 5.4 liter V8 model, not the highly anticipated 6.2 liter V8, which pumps out over 400 horse power and 400 foot pounds of torque. The auction description reads "The DNA of a Baja Prerunner. Built Ford Tough. The Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) takes performance supremacy off-road with the new F-150 SVT Raptor". For more information visit the Barrett Jackson website.
I just found this awesome priced auction on eBay from automotive aftermarket parts retailer, Stillen. They are selling their 2004 Ford F-150 SEMA truck that was also featured on the cover of Truckin' Magazine. The truck is currently going for $12,100 and has quite a bit of modifications done to it including 22 inch wheels, Air Ride suspension, full audio and video system, and Stillen/Street Scene Equipment exterior upgrades. Sounds like a killer deal if you ask me. The auction ends Tuesday.
A man in Barrow, Alaska was out surveying a site for work where he was encountered by a large polar bear who wanted to eat him for dinner. In these amazing photos, the man is chased around his Ford Bronco and Chevrolet Silverado by the bear and managed to get away safely. Check them out inside.
The Consumer Electronics Show begins next week on January 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally will give a keynote address about the company and automotive industry, as well as provide information about their newly updated Microsoft Sync system. Automotive mobile electronics company, Alpine Electronics is expected to release their new IVA-W203/P1 audio, video and navigation system, a first all-in-one head unit to hit the market for a light price tag of $1,200. Other exhibitors include a Goodyear-branded navigation unit, miRoamer's internet radio content delivered directly to your vehicle, new HD Radio products, and more. Make sure you check back in the next few weeks for future product announcements. Reported by Autoweek
Already selling 85 percent of their commercial spots for the 2009 Super Bowl XLIII, NBC Universal are selling 30 second advertising spots this year for a cool 3 million dollars each, up slightly from $2.7 million each in 2008. Of the commercials that are already locked in, very few are automotive related and none are coming from General Motors, Chrysler LLC or Ford Motor Company this year. Luxury automaker, Audi, have purchased one 60 second spot during the first quarter but have not disclosed yet what the content will be. Bridgestone purchased two 30 second spots this year and we at Truckblog are hoping they are not as bad as last years commercials with Richard Simmons. Cars.com have purchased one 60 second spot during the second quarter this year and "are expected to be humorous" (very informative) according to an person familiar with their commercials this year.
The new 2009 Ford F-150, which already delivers unmatched capability and unsurpassed fuel economy, is now quickly piling up awards and honors from many of the auto industry’s top organizations and publications – including the Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year. F-Series also is on track in 2008 to extend its streak of truck leadership to 32 straight years as well as being America’s best-selling vehicle – car, crossover; SUV, truck, or van – for the past 27 years.
