Safety ratings are an important piece of data for many in the car buying
public. People want to know that the machine shuttling their loved ones
around is up to task should anything unfortunate take place. Automakers
like Volvo and Subaru have built their entire identities around this
concept, with that reputation for safety helping to drive sales. Thanks
to some new information from the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety,
we now know that two of Ford's newest vehicles are deserving of similar
praise. Both the Ford Bronco Sport and the Mustang Mach-E have secured a
Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.
DEARBORN, Mich., April 23, 2021 -Mustang Mach-E First
Edition customers in the U.S. are getting a little extra surprise from
their ponies, thanks to the team at the Ford Advanced Manufacturing
Center.
Each Mustang Mach-E First Edition customer will receive a special
collectible wireframe pony sculpture in the color corresponding to their
vehicle's paint job, created with the help of 3D printing.
The sculpture is based on the large-scale wireframe model of the pony
featured at the global reveal of Mustang Mach-E in November 2019.
The wireframe pony sculptures are 3D-printed in white plastic
in-house at the Ford Advanced Manufacturing Center in Redford. They are
then sent to a dye facility where they are dyed one of three colors -
Rapid Red Metallic, Grabber Blue Metallic or Carbonized Gray - to
correspond with available color choices for First Edition. Included is a
baseplate with the vehicle's VIN.
The collectible wireframe pony marks the first time Ford has issued a
3D-printed component as part of a gift directly to the customer - and
it's allowing additive manufacturing to establish a new-use case within
the enterprise.
"This isn't the first time we've 3D-printed a vehicle part, but this
one is different," said Harold Sears, technical leader for additive
manufacturing. "It highlights a special connection with the customer and
is really exciting because it showcases the potential to personalize.
When you think additive manufacturing, you think of making parts,
assembly fixtures or jigs to help build a vehicle, but this is another
place where additive manufacturing can shine."
Ford Performance Parts today revealed four new aftermarket carbon fiber components for the exterior of the Mustang Shelby® GT500®.
Showcased at a GT500 track tour event at Texas Motor Speedway outside
Dallas, the parts are the first aftermarket carbon fiber accessories
offered by Ford Performance for the pinnacle pony car since the
latest-generation GT500 debuted last year. All four components go on
sale today at performanceparts.ford.com.
The new easy-to-install carbon fiber Ford Performance Parts, parts numbers and MSRPs are:
Hood vent and rain tray kit, M-16612-C20, $1,185
Front splitter with belly pan for placement at car's lower, forward-leading edge and under section, M-16601-MCF, $1,820
Front bumper insert that fits between car's upper and lower grille intakes, M-17750-MCF, $1,150
Rear decklid trim panel, M-16600-MCF, $575
"Authenticity and personalization are what our Mustang Shelby GT500
customers want, and our new carbon fiber performance accessories provide
an elevated track-proven look from every angle," said Mark Wilson, Ford
North America vehicle personalization, planning and operations manager.
"Beyond leveraging this high-performance material to reduce weight, we
track-tested and validated its durability at Ford Performance Racing
School in North Carolina."
Each carbon fiber component delivers high strength and rigidity with
low-specific weight and is crafted to withstand the high-energy forces
generated by competition at the track or drag strip.
The weight of the carbon fiber hood vent and rain tray kit is trimmed
to four pounds - half the weight of the corresponding stock part. The
front splitter with belly pan drops from seven pounds to four, the front
bumper insert weighs just one pound, and the decklid trim panel weighs
two pounds. Combined, the pieces weigh nine pounds less than the stock
components.
The new parts provide additional authentic carbon fiber options for
Shelby GT500 buyers. They are separate from components offered as part
of the Shelby GT500 Carbon Fiber Track Package, which includes 20-inch
carbon fiber wheels, exposed carbon fiber instrument panel and GT4 track
wing, splitter wickers and more.
Ford and Mappo Enrich the Traditional Road Trip Through History, Books, Movies and Music
Ford becomes the first automaker to offer Mappo - a new in-car app
that provides culture-oriented travel recommendations based on books,
movies, music and more
Available to owners of Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC® 3
and SYNC 4 technology , Mappo helps travelers seamlessly explore
cities based on their interests using advanced voice controls
Mappo users will be able to upload points of interest in their own
cities to enrich travel across North America, Europe, Asia and more
The collaboration with Mappo, a startup technology company in Tel
Aviv, is another success for the Ford Research Center in Israel that
opened in 2019
12,000-Pound Ford Performance Parts Winch by Warn Now Available for Super Duty Pickups Beyond the Tremor
DEARBORN, Mich., March 31, 2021 - Building on the success of
the Ford Performance Parts Winch by Warn offered on the Ford Super Duty
Tremor,12,000 pounds of winching power will soon be available for any
properly equipped 2020 or newer Super Duty pickup.
"We have Super Duty customers who saw the Tremor winch calling to say
they want that same choice," said Ron Meredith, Ford truck vehicle
personalization planning manager. "So we've expanded its availability to
every new Super Duty pickup and made sure it meets the needs of all of
our hardworking Super Duty customers."
Available as a factory-orderable option or dealer-installed
accessory, the winch can be added to optional 7.3-liter gas V8 or
6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 diesel-powered 2020 or newer
4x4-equipped F-250 and F-350* Super Duty pickups with available dual
batteries and dual 397-amp alternators.
Developed with crash safety and capability top of mind, the fully
integrated winch is mounted behind the steel bumper and features
optimized airflow and clearance regardless of engine choice. The winch
features high-tensile strength, abrasion-resistant synthetic cable is
ideal for helping stranded motorists or as an indispensable tool on the
job site. The winch includes the only wireless remote control in its
class**, along with a wired remote control.
The Ford Performance Parts winch by Warn will be available to order
beginning April 8 as a $3,000 factory option, or it can be added after
purchase at a local Ford dealership for $3,000 MSRP plus labor.
*Not available with F-350 DRW equipped with 4.10 rear gearing
**Class is full-size pickups over 8,500 pounds GVWR
Bronco Brand Teams Up with Respected 4x4 Companies to Expand Aftermarket Parts and Accessories
Bronco®, the all-new outdoor brand of all-4x4 Built Wild™ vehicles
from Ford, is collaborating with three of the leading off-road
aftermarket companies to expand the growth of parts and accessories for
customers to personalize their Bronco and Bronco Sport rugged SUVs.
RTR Vehicles, a longtime Ford custom vehicle collaborator founded by
Vaughn Gittin Jr., ARB 4x4 Accessories, Australia's largest manufacturer
and distributor of 4x4 parts and accessories since 1975, and 4 Wheel
Parts, a leading off-road parts retailer with a strong online presence
and 95 locations across the U.S. are developing parts for the summer
launch of Bronco two- and four-door SUVs.
Ford and the off-road aftermarket companies are collaborating on a
range of performance parts beyond the current catalog of Ford-approved
accessories for Bronco and Bronco Sport. Additional offerings include
suspension and lift kits, custom wheels and body components, performance
driveline parts, plus an extensive list of camping and off-road
accessories such as tents, racks, storage solutions and lighting.
"Off-road enthusiasts crave accessories to create their ultimate
off-road machines, so we're accelerating the development of
Bronco-specific offerings by working directly with three of the leading
suppliers in the 4x4 arena to further build out our list of off-road
parts and accessories available this summer," said Jeff Seaman, Ford
icons regional product line manager.
SUVs as individual as you are
Bronco Sport launched last fall with more than 100 items owners could
add to their SUVs. With the upcoming arrival of Bronco two- and
four-door models, more than 200 Ford-approved items will be available
for customers to choose from.
As more aftermarket companies come online, that number will grow,
especially with many builders leveraging the modular design (learn more
about modular design at the Ford Media Center)
of Bronco two- and four-door SUVs - where doors, roofs, fenders,
grilles and more can be easily replaced in pursuit of ultimate
personalization.
"We've brought more companies into the personalization process a lot
earlier than in the past to take advantage of the unique design aspects
of Bronco and Bronco Sport, all aimed at making customization more
accessible to a wider range of off-road enthusiasts - from hobbyists to
professional off-roaders," said Seaman. "In the end, no two Bronco SUVs
should ever need to be the same. They can be as diverse as our customers
are."
Custom builds showcase a world of possibilities
At the Easter Safari event in Moab, Utah, off-road enthusiasts can
drive various trails and see the all-new 2021 Bronco and Bronco Sport
rugged SUVs in person, along with the unveiling of several new custom
builds by Ford and aftermarket suppliers.
The custom Bronco four-door Outer Banks™ series with Sasquatch™
Package on display mixes high-tech luxury features with rugged off-road
Ford-licensed accessories, including JAC Products rock rails, fender
flares by Air Design and Trail Armor rocker panel covers by Lund, with a
40-inch curved LED lightbar by Rigid on top and a retractable full-roof
soft-top by Bestop. A matte black hood wrap and Covercraft windshield
sunscreen are added to reduce glare.
Inside, rugged off-road accessories that optimize space and make for
secure stowage include a DC Safety rear cargo organizer plus roadside
assistance and first-aid kit, a Tufty MOLLE straps and security drawer
below, along with a Console Vault center console.
Custom Bronco four-door SUV by RTR Vehicles
This multipurpose heavy-duty Bronco four-door Badlands SUV by RTR
Vehicles sports custom RTR rock sliders and rear bumper, RTR 3D-printed
grille with simulated accent lights, plus 35-inch Nitto Ridge Grappler
tires mounted to RTR Tech-6 wheels. A roof-mounted Project X lightbar,
custom RTR graphics and 12-volt Type S Blizzard Box refrigerator/freezer
in back complete the package.
"Ford absolutely knocked it out of the park with its all-new Bronco
SUVs, so we're pouring our passion into blending our unique experience
with Ford Performance and King of the Hammers racing to create our best
possible turnkey vehicle packages and performance off-road parts," said
Gittin Jr., RTR president. "RTR products are designed to turn heads and
engineered to take off-road enthusiasts to their favorite destinations
and beyond."
No more speculative renderings
and no more spy shots as the wraps have come off Ford's smallest truck,
weeks (if not months) before the Maverick's official debut. A TFLtruck
reader took several images of a camo-free pickup on the streets of San
Diego where the Blue Oval was shooting an ad for its hotly anticipated
unibody truck.
Ford's worst kept secret appears to be a high-end version (First Edition?)
as denoted by the body-colored wheel arches. That would make sense
considering automakers shoot videos of a range-topping trim level since
that one looks the best in press images and videos. The sub-Ranger truck
looks to be ready to take on the Hyundai Santa Cruz and logic tells us it will be mechanically related to the newly released Bronco Sport. Read More
Ford Introduces All-New 2021 F-150 Police Responder with Improved Top Speed, Added Capability
All-new 2021 F-150 Police Responder, America's only purpose-built,
pursuit-rated pickup truck, debuts today, with Ford opening government
order bank tomorrow - ahead of spring state and local government bid
cycles
All-new F-150 Police Responder now offers enhanced top speed of 120
mph and available Police Engine Idle, which lets an officer remove the
key and securely exit the running truck without losing power to lights
and sirens
New automatic four-wheel-drive mode and torque-on-demand transfer
case constantly adjusts torque to front and rear wheels as needed to
improve performance and handling on dry pavement, while increasing
traction on wet, slick and less stable surfaces for a more seamless
transition between on- and off-road driving
Tech upgrades include standard SYNC® 4 with wireless software updates, plus available Ford Telematics™
- smart solutions designed to help reduce vehicle downtime and
unscheduled maintenance so law enforcement fleets can stay on patrol
Ford is ready to unleash one of the Mustang Mach-E's most important features.
It's no secret the all-electric Mustang Mach-E is a big step towards
the future of mobility for Ford and soon select owners will start
testing our Ford's new over-the-air software update process. Now, you
can have the latest software available for your Ford without the need to
purchase a new vehicle.
The Mustang Mach-E has quickly proven that Ford is capable of
producing a very capable and appealing electric vehicle. During our
testing we found the Mach-E to be a compelling rival to Tesla while
offering customers a well-established brand like Ford with dealerships
in every town across America.
When Ford built the Mach-E one of the most exciting features wasn't
its impressive acceleration times or range but rather the ability to
receive over-the-air software updates. Tesla pioneered this concept and
has used it to keep its vehicles up to date with its latest software.
Now legacy automakers like Ford include this feature on their EV's and
we're about to get our first taste of its implementation.
Of our nominees, the 2021 Ford F-150 half-ton pickup truck
is the most easily overlooked. The other two are flashy and
purpose-built to blast through sand dunes and have all kinds of fun. One
of them can be heard a block away, and both clearly look different;
conversely, the 2021 F-150 barely looks different from the 2020 despite
the redesign. But to dismiss it would be an error for an award with
criteria including power, capability and value - especially for this
particular truck.
The F-150 being the bestselling model
of any type in the U.S. for decades is no accident, and the strength of
the 2021 model comes from Ford compulsively keeping what works,
improving on what doesn't and adding innovation after innovation.
Naturally, the best remain: pioneering fuel-saving turbocharged engines,
an optional integrated tailgate step, Pro Trailer Backup Assist and
more.
This year, the most impactful
exclusive is the optional PowerBoost hybrid powertrain, which provides
430 horsepower and 570 pounds-feet of torque, giving it the highest
output as well as the highest gas mileage of any F-150 powertrain: an
estimated 25 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 24 mpg combined for
the 4×4. The beauty of this system is that it keeps on delivering -
capability, efficiency and one of the biggest pluses, an optional
integrated generator, Pro Power Onboard,
which provides up to 7.2 kilowatts right in the bed without the hassle
of transporting a portable generator and everything that entails (wasted
bed space, gas, never-ending theft risk). The PowerBoost hybrid isn't a
trim level, it's a powertrain option on every
trim level that's less expensive than the Power Stroke diesel. While
the automotive industry hyperventilates (again) about electric cars -
and now pickup trucks - that have struggled to maintain 2% of the U.S.
market and for which consumer demand remains questionable, we wonder if a
5-mpg combined improvement over every 5.0-liter V-8 in the kind of
sales volume the F-150 could provide doesn't deserve a little more
attention.
The innovations continue. Knowing a
lowered tailgate doubles as a workbench, Ford integrated a ruler,
gutters to hold pencils and cutouts to allow clamping without damaging
the gate's painted surface. Cabin options include a table surface up
front, recline-flat front seats for napping and a well-integrated
12-inch touchscreen. We could go on. The other candidates are no doubt
good at their narrower objectives, but the well-rounded '21 F-150 fairly
redefines power, capability and value. That's why it's the Cars.com
Best Pickup Truck of 2021.
We're getting our best look yet at the new Ford Maverick thanks to a photo of a still-camouflaged prototype that appears to be sitting alone on an assembly line. While it's still wearing some of its disguise and quite a few bits are missing, this is the first time we've seen such little covering on the baby pickup's nose.
Things have been quiet on the Maverick front for the past couple months, but today's leaked image (coming to us in a tip from mavericktruckclub.com) shows us a handful of things we haven't seen before. The prototypes spied on public roads thus far have worn camouflage over what appeared to be a Bronco Sport front end. We can see from this that the Maverick will get a visually distinct nose, despite likely riding on the same fundamental platform.
If there was any lingering question as to whether this would be part of the baby Bronco family, this pic offers convincing evidence that it won't. Instead, the look seems to split the difference between the Bronco Sport and the midsize, rear-wheel-drive Ranger. Ford has kept relatively mum about the Maverick project, but there are a few things we do know. For starters, it's going to ride on a unibody, front-wheel-drive platform. As you can see in the spy photo below of the Maverick's rear suspension, at least one variant is riding on a twist-beam style setup with no rear differential in sight.
It's difficult to say for certain from the angle of this photo, but it's possible that Ford will offer the Maverick with two different rear suspensions: one for base-model, front-wheel-drive variants and another designed to accommodate power going to the rear. The smart money would be on an all-wheel-drive system similar to what Ford offers in the Escape and Bronco Sport, likely without the latter's fancy (and optional) off-road setup, though we certainly have no reason to completely rule out the possibility of Ford offering a beefier version for those who need the extra capability.
We're calling the Maverick a 2022 model here, but that's far from a given. As is the case with the details of the trucklet itself, Ford has kept tight-lipped about the Maverick's production timeline. We expect the company is hoping to clear the hurdle of getting the Bronco Sport and larger Bronco into the hands of customers before pivoting to production logistics for its new baby pickup.
Ford Begins Deliveries Of Mustang Mach-E With Competitive Price, 300-Mile Range
Chris Katje,
One of the most anticipated electric vehicles has hit the market before the end of 2020 and could be a positive catalyst for a legacy automotive manufacturer heading into the new year.
What Happened: The first 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E delivery occurred in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, according to InsideEVs.
Deliveries in other states should start soon, with InsideEVs reporting that Mach-E buyers have received emails about their vehicles shipping.
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is an exciting proposition, but it's easy to
misjudge. Unlike its bigger Bronco 2-door and 4-door siblings, Bronco
Sport sits on a modified platform shared with the Escape crossover. But
where the Escape
is tailor-made for urban cruising, the new Bronco Sport is skewed
towards outdoorsy owners who enjoy an active - dare I say
wilderness-embracing - lifestyle.
In fact, it only shares 70 to 80-percent of the Escape's underpinnings.
The Bronco Sport trims the wheelbase by 1.8-inches, compared to the
Escape, while measuring 173-inches long. That's almost the same length
as a Jeep Compass, making it a suitably small SUV despite how it looks
in photos.
It even shares the same engine choices with the Ford Escape. The Bronco
Sport Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks series have a 1.5-liter
turbocharged three-cylinder engine EcoBoost engine, with 181 horsepower
and 190 lb.-ft of torque. This small engine packs quite a punch while
still getting 25 mpg city, 28 highway, and a combined average of 26. I
suspect this engine will be the lion's share of sales for most buyers.
It took spending half of my drive time pushing the 1.5-liter on a paved
road and then off-road, to instill an unexpected sense of confidence
that the Bronco Sport is, despite my fears otherwise, no Escape. Even
more surprising, I'm left with the suspicion that most of the time it'll
prove just as capable as the 2.0-liter engine.
That 2.0-liter turbo-4 is exclusively found in the Bronco Sport Badlands
and First Edition, where it offers 245 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft of
torque. Expect 21 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway highway, and 23
combined. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission;
unlike the manual option in the bigger Bronco, this is the Bronco
Sport's only gearbox.
Also exclusive to the Badlands and First Edition models are the
steering-mounted paddle shifters. The two upper trims get additional
coolers, too, for their transmission and the rear drivetrain. That, Ford
says, should ensure better performance during more intense off-road
sessions. Read More
Ford's 'super-secret' Megazilla V8 will be a monster motor
In the spirit of monster movies, Ford is working on a sequel to its "Godzilla" engine.
The appropriately nicknamed 7.3-liter V8 debuted on the 2020 F-Series Super Duty pickup but is also available for purchase as an a la carte crate engine for racing and custom car applications priced at $8,150.
In stock form, the iron-block, pushrod motor is rated at 430 hp and
475 lb-ft of torque, but tuners have already cranked it up to over 700
hp without even having to use a supercharger.
Ford is clearly
aware of the powerplant's potential - and the potential profits it can
make by selling an even more potent version of it.
Ford Performance Product Manager Mike Goodwin recently told the
Performance Racing Industry news outlet that his division is working on a
"super-secret project" it calls the "Megazilla" that will be more
powerful than the current mill.
He didn't provide any details about how Ford plans to achieve that,
but Fiat Chrysler's Mopar division has set a high bar for
large-displacement crate engines with its 1,000 hp supercharged 7.0-liter "Hellephant" HEMI V8.
In
the meantime, Goodwin said that Ford Performance will soon offer its
own control pack for the Godzilla V8 that will make it easy to get
running in virtually any vehicle it fits in, including a Bronco or a
shopping cart. Read More
Ford Names Its Clever Electrical Vehicle Architecture
The new Mustang Mach-E crossover will be one of the first recipients of the technology.
Vehicle control interfaces have changed dramatically over
the last couple of years, with giant touchscreens taking the place of
physical controls. Behind those screens, there is more computing power
than most of us are aware of, and the next major evolution is the
'connected' vehicle. Like your computer or smartphone, your car can now
be upgraded wirelessly. Ford has employed a new electric vehicle
architecture on upcoming models like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 pickup to make this possible but up until now, we didn't know what the system was called.
Ali
Jamoul, North America Engineering Director at Ford, shared at a media
event that Ford has dubbed it the Fully Networked Vehicle, otherwise
known as FNV.
Different versions of FNV will be utilized depending on the vehicle, but
the new Mustang Mach-E and F-150 will be the first products to use it.
The "fully networked" part of the name makes sense since over-the-air
(OTA) updates will be possible with FNV. Months ago, Ford confirmed that
the Mach-E's OTA updates
will ensure that the crossover can be continually improved during its
lifetime, with many of these upgrades - be it infotainment or
performance-related - taking place while the vehicle is safely parked at
home. When a new update becomes available, owners will be notified via
their smartphones. Read more
Revealed! Ford Nails Mustang Mach-E EPA Rating
Jay Traugott | Nov. 22, 2020, CarBuzz
The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E has been in the news a lot lately
and this isn't going to change for the foreseeable future. This
all-electric, performance-focused SUV is a big deal for the Blue Oval as
it's about to embark on a major EV product surge, such as the
battery-powered F-150 due in 2022. But one of the big questions we've
still have regarding the Mach-E is its EPA rated driving range. The
official report is expected at any time.
But today, a member of
the Mach-E Forum has posted an image of their soon to arrive EV's window
sticker that reveals the government agency's official rating of the
all-wheel-drive extended range Premium trim.
As you can see, it's officially rated at 270 miles, the
exact figure Ford says it targeted all along. This is also good news for
other targets across the Mach-E lineup. Those trims include the base
Select, followed by the Premium, California Route 1, First Edition, and
GT. To compare, the Tesla Model Y AWD Long Range is rated at 326 miles on a single charge, and 303 miles for the Performance version.
The
Mach-E will launch with two battery pack sizes, 68 kWh and 88 kWh for
Extended Range versions. Those looking to hopefully achieve the maximum
range possible should probably opt for the Premium RWD which Ford
believes will hit 300 miles. Read More
It looks like the 2021 Ford F-150
PowerBoost hybrid may be pulling double duty as both the most powerful
and most fuel-efficient model in the lineup when it hits showrooms this
year. Read More
The Ford F-150 is due to add an electric powertrain to
its options sheet for the 2022 model year. Ford execs this week said the
electric F-150 will have more torque and horsepower of any F-150 in
company history, and the fastest 0-60 time, meaning 5 seconds or less to
60 mph. Learn More
Ford Mustang Mach-E Electric Car Sees First Firm Dates: Tesla Model Y Rival Revs Up Production
In an email, a Ford spokesperson told me that "production date emails" went out on Thursday.
The Mustang Mach-E is one of the most anticipated new electric cars
and has one of the best chances of stealing some thunder from Tesla's
popular Model Y. Both cars are classified as crossover SUVs, aka, a
compact SUV.
Ford has previously stated that the 2021 Mustang Mach-E is slated to be available by late this year though volume availability isn't expected until 2021.
While we were awaiting the reveal of the all-new 2021 Ford Bronco, many rumors swirled regarding what, exactly, we could expect. One such rumor was that the new Ford Bronco would feature a foldable windshield, just like its established rival, the Jeep Wrangler. But when the Bronco was revealed, we quickly realized that the foldable windshield did not make it to production. And now, we know why.
"We looked at that. In the original vehicle, you could do that," Paul Wraith, Bronco chief designer, told Ford Authority
executive editor, Alex Luft, in a recent interview. "But it brings with
it some problems. It does provide the user with a fairly rare event,
since you start getting into things like flat windshields, which is a
compromised construction around pillars."
"So what we actually really wanted to do is to provide a very open-air
feel, thin out the pillars as much as we could, which is why we have the
airbags in the sport tubes," Wraith explained. "That provided people a
very safe envelope for people to sit within. So when you look at
tradeoffs, we think we made the right one - but it's very safe, very
open, and a good experience - and I think we made the right tradeoff."
The sport tubes Wraith is referring to is what Ford calls the roof
construction that runs from the windshield to the trunk. It's clear that
safety was at the forefront of the Bronco's design, particularly in the
event of a rollover accident, which is more common with high-riding,
shorter-wheelbase vehicles.
Those that seek an open-air experience will still be able to remove the
roof and doors rather easily. In the four-door 2021 Ford Bronco, those
doors can also be stored in the rear cargo area, which is something the
Jeep Wrangler does not accommodate. And its top can also be removed in
sections by one person, while the Wrangler requires a bit of heavy
lifting and preferably a partner.
Our Self-Driving Business in Austin, One Year Later
By Kathleen Baireuther, Austin Market Manager, Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC
We stood in Austin one year ago
with optimism for the journey ahead - launching a self-driving service
that can be a part of the city's mobility ecosystem. Since then, we have
been tackling the complex challenge of building a self-driving service,
bringing together all of the intricate pieces to make it a reality.
Although 2020 has been a challenging year, we've continued to build our
business locally and we look forward to advancing our mission in the
year to come.
One year of building our business in Austin: In the first year since our launch announcement in Austin, we have made significant strides, including:
· Opened an autonomous vehicle terminal.
Located near downtown in East Austin, we opened a terminal that serves
as the base for our self-driving vehicle test fleet. This was an
important step forward as it allows us to manage our vehicle fleet.
· Invested in a command center.Ford
made a real estate investment in a site near Austin-Bergstrom Airport
that will eventually be home to a command center - the epicenter of
Ford's local self-driving business and daily operations. It will house
local customer relations, business development, research, safety
evaluations and testing operations.
· Built our fleet operations expertise.Fleet
operations that help ensure our vehicles are utilized, deep cleaned and
maintained are a key part of creating a commercial service that people
value - and that's profitable. We recently completed the first phase of a
fleet operations pilot in Austin that will be utilized for our business
in Austin and Ford's broader strategy.
· Continued focus on safety.We
have engaged in an ongoing dialogue about our operations with first
responders in the city to ensure we are creating a safe environment.
2020 Ford Explorer Earns Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+, the Institute's Highest Honor
9/21/2020 | Ford Media Center
The 2020 Ford Explorer has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety's Top Safety Pick+ for vehicles built after May 2020. Top
Safety Pick+ is the Institute's highest safety award.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+ award
criteria includes six crashworthiness tests as well as ensuring minimum
"acceptable or good" headlight ratings on vehicles that must come
equipped with advanced driver-assist technologies that can help avoid or
reduce a collision.
"Explorer is America's all-time best-selling SUV and with that, our
customers expect it to take their family on adventures everywhere - from
school to our national parks," said Lee Newcombe, Explorer marketing
manager, Ford Motor Company. "This honor from the Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety reaffirms the obsession of our entire team who work
tirelessly toward the goal of helping our customers arrive at these
places and everywhere else in between."
As part of Ford's commitment to advanced technologies, Explorer features the Ford Co-Pilot360™
suite of driver-assist features as standard equipment. The Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety recognized Explorer in both
vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. Explorer aced
all six areas of the Institute's crashworthiness testing and is
recognized for the lighting capabilities of its headlamps across all
series levels.
The full suite of Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist features on the 2020 Ford Explorer include:
Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking including:
Ford Promises Its Electric Truck Will Crush Your Current F-150
Alex Lauer, 9/18/2, insidehook.com
Buying an electric vehicle in the U.S. up till now has been about
compromise. They usually cost more than their gas counterparts, but
they're more environmentally friendly. They have instant torque, but
towing depletes the battery quickly. All this is fine for car owners,
but for trucks, especially for people who actually use their pickups for
work? The compromises are out of the question.
Not only does
Ford not want to compromise on its upcoming all-electric F-150 pickup,
but in new announcements this week, the Blue Oval promised that the EV
truck will absolutely crush older models in terms of performance,
operational cost and even cargo.
"The electric F-150, which is
undergoing tens of thousands of hours of torture testing and targeting
millions of simulated, laboratory and real world test miles, will be
more powerful than any F-150 available today," the automaker said in a
press release.
Specifically, Ford says it will offer "more
horsepower and torque," "the fastest acceleration" and, most importantly
for EV skeptics concerned about hauling, "the ability to tow heavy
trailers." But power isn't the only incentive the company is using to
entice potential converts; the electric F-150 will also feature a "giant
front trunk" (colloquially known as a "frunk") thanks to the
reconfigured powertrain in EVs, and it will reportedly cost 40% less
than traditional F-150s in terms of the "lifetime total cost of
operation," which includes things like fuel, oil and maintenance.
The
pledge came alongside a few large-scale manufacturing announcements.
First, Ford patted itself on the back for starting production on the latest F-150,
but more importantly it broke ground on the Rouge Electric Vehicle
Center, a new factory in the company's Dearborn, Michigan industrial
park where the electric F-150 will begin production supposedly by
mid-2022 for a 2023 model.
All of this, it should be said, isn't
particularly surprising. Of course Ford needs to offer something
undeniable to get Americans who have driven traditional F-150s their
entire lives, and families who have driven them across generations, to
consider going electric. One thing we didn't expect this early is to get
a preview of what the design will look like.
The preview image
of the front-end [pictured above], which appears to feature a huge LED
bar running along the top of the grille and around the headlights, shows
up for just a split second in the middle of the half-hour Rouge Center presentation, which isn't particularly exciting for people outside the industry.
If
Ford has piqued your interest, you'd be better off watching this video
of the prototype testing, which still has the old-school look, but some
newfound power:
Ford Ranger Tremor hopes to dominate midsize truck market
Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 9/14/2020
America will see an all-new 2021 Ranger Tremor
off-road package that enhances the look and feel of the midsize
pickup as Ford steps up its fight against the Toyota Tacoma. This is the
latest effort to win over drivers who enjoy using their truck both
off-roading and commuting to work.
"Our target
customer wants to have adventures, be free and get away from the daily
grind but also needs to carry gear, supplies and passengers," said Chad
Callander, marketing manager for the past five years for Ford Ranger.
Sales tend to be higher on the coasts, in larger
metropolitan areas, with 15%-20% in California. Los Angeles is a huge
market. But Seattle, San Diego, Dallas, Houston, Boston and New York
also are hot spots for sales of the truck, which is smaller than the
best-selling F-150.
"Anywhere it's easier to maneuver the vehicle into a parking space," Callander said.
In the second three months of 2019, buyers purchased:
68,683 Toyota Tacomas
31,669 Chevy Colorados
20,880 Ford Rangers
In the second three months of this year, consumers bought:
51,063 Toyota Tacomas
25,008 Ford Rangers
19,843 Chevy Colorados
Ranger rose from 10.2% of its market segment during the first six months of 2019 to 17% of the market a year later.
2021 Ford Bronco: Why It Has Independent Front Suspension
Angel Sergeev, 8/25/2020, motor1.com
Because no death wobble.
The solid front axle is one of the most important selling points of the Jeep Wrangler
and it was even highlighted for the automaker's salespeople in a
document that recently leaked to the web. There's no denying that this
suspension is good for off-road use but Ford's engineers decided against
it and went with an independent front axle for the new Bronco instead. Here's why.
In a recent interview with MuscleCarsAndTrucks,
engineers from the Bronco R&D team gave more details about the
independent front suspension of the revived Bronco. If we have to
summarize their words, the decision for an IFS layout is mainly linked
with the vehicle's behavior on paved roads. But we'll let them explain
it in their own words.
"For IFS we make [the Bronco's] manners much better on-road," Bronco
Chief Engineer Eric Loeffler told the online publication. "Therefore we
get the best of both worlds… in Bronco we've been able to balance the
performance, especially at higher speeds where our competitors don't.
And yet on-road the vehicle is just so much more enjoyable to drive."
Off-road fans out there are probably going to disagree - isn't the new
Bronco designed to go in the mud most of the time, after all? The solid
axle versus independent suspension debate won't settle down anytime soon
but Ford might have an answer to its critics for choosing an IFS setup
for the Bronco.
"If you want to be a high-speed off-road desert runner, you
definitely want an IFS… there is an element to the suspension technology
that we selected is the right one for what we're targeting," Ford's
Global Program Manager Jeff Seaman added.
What's "a high-speed off-road desert runner" you might ask? Well, we
don't know exactly but it sounds like the engineers wanted to make sure
the new Bronco is immuned to the so-called death wobble phenomenon which
causes the steering wheel to violently shake after hitting a road bump
at higher speeds.
April 7, 2021 | 
Adrian Padeanu | 3/22/21 | 
Jay Traugott | Nov. 22, 2020, CarBuzz
It looks like the 
9/21/2020 | Ford Media Center 
Alex Lauer, 9/18/2, insidehook.com
