John Force Pomona Qualifying Recap

New Ford Focus - Introduction Video

Watch a video on the Totally New Ford Focus by Mark Fields. The new Focus is a world platform car from Ford and will be offered with a gas engine, a turbocharged EcoBoost, a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a full EV battery electric system.

Ford SVT Raptor - Off Road @ Drive Introduction Video

An introductory video introducing the Ford SVT Raptor. The Raptor is a beefed up F150. It has a Baja inspired suspension with Fox suspension parts, very long travel and the truck has been widened by over 7 inches. The Raptor is exemplary off road and is a fine on road truck also. It is now offered in a full crew-cab body.

Ford Fiesta Becomes Segment's First To Earn Top Safety Ratings In World's Largest Auto Markets

The Ford Fiesta’s is now the first car in its segment to earn top crash test ratings in each of the world’s largest auto markets that perform safety testing,
the U.S., China, and Europe.

• Ford Fiesta adds five-star safety rating in China to similar top ratings in Europe and Australia/New Zealand
• Fiesta reaches 1 million sales in Europe, total global sales are 1,140,000
• In North America, the 2011 Ford Fiesta earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – the first car in its segment to do so under new test standards
• More than 55 percent of Fiesta body structure is made from ultra-high-strength steel

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 21, 2011 – The Ford Fiesta is now the first car in its segment to earn top crash test ratings in each of the world’s largest auto markets that perform safety testing, the U.S., China and Europe.

“Ford is committed to safety, including our efforts to deliver top crash test ratings that customers look to when choosing new vehicles,” said Sue Cischke, group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety. “Fiesta is the latest example of that safety commitment, and shows that a small, fuel-efficient car can deliver top safety.”

Testing agencies in the U.S., China, Europe and Australia/New Zealand rate the Ford Fiesta at the top of the list for crash ratings. Fiesta’s latest maximum five-star safety rating was awarded by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center under the China New Car Assessment Program, or C-NCAP. This follows maximum five-star ratings in Europe and Australia/New Zealand.

The 2011 Ford Fiesta, the only car in its segment to earn a Top Safety Pick from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety under its new test standards, continues to earn recognition in major global markets for its safety performance and rating in independent third-party testing.

Global popularity
The impressive ratings add to Fiesta’s global sales momentum. European sales of the latest-generation Ford Fiesta reached 1 million last month. The landmark was achieved just 28 months after the popular small car went on sale in Ford dealerships across Europe. The Fiesta has been the best-selling small car in Europe for the past two years.

In the U.S., Fiesta is attracting new customers, including those in the trend-setting California market. In 2010, Fiesta played a key role in helping Ford to achieve its highest retail share in California since 2006. Los Angeles continues to be the top-selling region for Ford’s smallest car.

Advanced safetyBeneath Fiesta’s stylish exterior is a structure crafted from high-strength steels engineered to preserve quality and enhance driver and passenger safety. More than 55 percent of Fiesta’s body structure is made from ultra-high-strength steel, and the extensive use of high-strength, lightweight boron steel helps protect critical occupant safety zones.

Fiesta offers a segment-exclusive available driver’s knee airbag, developed to help reduce lower-leg injuries in the event of a frontal collision and to work together with other safety features. The knee airbag joins a suite of Fiesta safety features that include dual-stage, first-row airbags, side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags.

“Smart” Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) sensors determine occupant weight and seat belt status to optimize deployment force. The Fiesta also features class-exclusive smart sensors that use pressure pulses from a side impact to deploy up to 30 percent faster than traditional airbags with acceleration-based sensors.

A global effort
Ford’s global safety engineers worked together to prepare the Fiesta to be able to meet stringent crash protection requirements in any region of the world by leveraging Ford of Europe’s small car expertise and an array of virtual, actual and hydraulic sled-simulated crash tests.

“The global safety ratings provide another proof point that the all-new Fiesta is redefining what a small car can be,” said Matt Niesluchowski, safety, NVH and durability manager. “The new Fiesta brings outstanding driving dynamics and fuel economy, unparalleled connectivity and safety leadership on a worldwide scale.”

CompareFord Labs - Episode 1 - 2011 Ford Fiesta MPG and Features Test

Otto, Miles, and Miss Lane put the 2011 Ford Fiesta to the test in Episode 1!

This video is courtesy of our Ford friends in the Pacific Northwest. Good fun.

Road Trip

Commercial for the new 2011 F-150 announcing it's available new EcoBoost engine.

Just A Little Change Can Make A Big Difference.

Here's a couple shots from our lot so we can show off the difference between the tapered-leg rack and the straight-leg rack. In this case, these are forklift loadable racks mounted on single rear wheel 9' Harbor Service Bodies with standard Stainless Steel Open Top Lids.

Some people need the widest space possible to carry more material, or larger items and for them, the straight-leg rack is the way to go. The only issue is you need to pay attention getting in and out of the cab for tall people. This rack makes an excellent use of the width of the body to give maximum size capacity.

The tapered-leg rack is mounted in the same place on the body, but tapers in to give it a sleeker appearance and the rack section does not hang over the door on the cab, so it may be easier to get in and out. Many also think it looks cleaner and flows more with the lines of the truck.

The good news is everyone has a choice. There is no difference is cost, just design. Give Paul Brown a call at 530-682-7693 and let him help you get the right rack and the right truck at the right price.

Ford Model T - 100 Years Later

A great little history lesson with video from the early 1900's. Well done.

Enjoy the trip.

Carry 9,000 Lbs. In This Ford F-550 With 12' Van Body And Tommy Aluminum Railgate

Need a truck that hauls heavy cargo up to 9,000 lbs? Here is a bargain that does just that!

Give Paul Brown a call at 530-682-7693 to get more info on this great truck bargain!

Words Of Wisdom By Henry Ford

"The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination

to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how

little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed."

-- Henry Ford

Robert Hight 2011 Funny Car preview

Robert Hight, the 2009 NHRA Funny Car champion talks about the changes at John Force Racing and his outlook for the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car season.

Ford's Rear Inflatable Seat Belt Wins '2011 Best New Technology' Award

• Ford's rear inflatable seat belt is named 'Best New Technology' by AJAC
• Ford’s unique inflatable rear belts spread impact forces across more than five times the area than conventional seat belts, reducing pressure on the chest while helping to control head and neck motion
• Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt functions like a standard seat belt in normal everyday use. The vehicle’s crash sensing system determines when the inflatable belt should deploy

TORONTO, Ontario, February 17, 2011 – Ford's rear inflatable seat belt is named the '2011 Best New Technology' by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) at the Canadian International Auto Show.

"Safety is a key priority at Ford and we are honoured to win this year's 'Best New Technology' award for our industry-first rear inflatable seat belts," said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada.

"Available initially on our all-new 2011 Ford Explorer, the rear inflatable seat belts work by spreading impact forces over five times more area than conventional seat belts."

Ford's unique inflatable rear belts reducing pressure on the chest while helping to control head and neck motion.

Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt functions like a standard seat belt in normal everyday use. The vehicle’s crash sensing system determines when the inflatable belt should deploy.

Ford Racing Boss 302 TracKey Development

There may be snow on the ground here in Michigan but the Ford Racing engineers are full speed ahead on the 2012 Boss 302 TracKey development program. Ford Racing put togather a quick video to show how the Trackey mode sounds at idle compared to the regular Boss 302 key mode. The "lumpy" Trackey idle is a real head turner and the calibration alters more than 600 engine management parameters, increasing engine performance and turning the already potent stock Boss 302 engine into a competition-ready track car.

► FORD Explorer in NBA All-Star with 'Crazy Kevin' TV Commercial

The reinvented 2011 Ford Explorer has gone "crazy" -- well, maybe not literally, but it is the star of a hilarious new urban advertising campaign featuring comedian and actor Kevin Hart. The campaign, called "Crazy Kevin," debuts today during The Game which airs on BET; the 60-second television commercial will air during the 2011 NBA All-Star Game this Sunday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. EST on TNT

Henry Ford's Mirror of America - Clip 6: Life After WW I

A segment from the film that documents American life before and after World War One. Posted by David Burns for the Fasttrack American History Project.

Teachers: For full screen use, choose the "watch in high quality" option or download the free MPEG2 file for this video from the online Prelinger Archive.

Henry Ford's Mirror of America - Clip 5: The Model T

Big fun!

A segment from the film that documents American life before and after World War One. Posted by David Burns for the Fasttrack American History Project.

Teachers: For full screen use, choose the "watch in high quality" option or download the free MPEG2 file for this video from the online Prelinger Archive.

Anticipation Builds as 100 Ford Focus Global Test Drive Participants Head for Spain, Benefiting Charities

•  The
  

  Focus Global Test Drive

  event will take place near Madrid, Spain, Feb. 18-20, at a private proving ground facility
• 100 participants will share the experience of a lifetime as they put the all-new Ford Focus through its paces, in support of their charities of choice
• Test drivers – among the first to experience the all-new global Ford Focus – will be hosted and coached by racing drivers Justin Bell and Tanner Foust

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 14, 2011 – Anticipation is building among

These cause-minded consumers – many of whom will receive $10,000 (U.S.) to be donated to their favorite charity – will be the first members of the public to test drive the new Ford Focus, in exercises and dynamic driving challenges that highlight features and attributes of the newest car from Ford, which will eventually be sold in 122 counties.

Participants will gather at the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) on the outskirts of Madrid, which offers multiple road surfaces and challenges for putting the all-new Focus through its paces. A world-class testing facility originally founded in 1942, INTA features high-speed tracks, road courses and proving ground roads replicating every conceivable obstacle a driver might face, anywhere in the world.

Test driver briefings and dynamic driving exercises will be co-hosted by veteran race driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Justin Bell, teaming up with Tanner Foust, U.S. Top Gear HISTORY television personality, stunt driver, rally competitor and Formula D drift champion.

Everyone wins
The lucky test drivers will be among the first outside of Ford to experience the all-new Focus on a closed-track environment. Companions will get to accompany them for the ride of a lifetime, Ford engineers will get rapid unfiltered feedback from a diverse, global cross-section of prospective customers, while individual charities designated by each driver will benefit significantly.

To apply for participation in

Focus

Drivers are thrilled
Award-winning filmmaker Jason Pollock will be one of the influencers behind the wheel in Madrid. Pollock, whose film The Youngest Candidate was co-produced by David Letterman and Lawrence Bender, has served as an advisor for many high-profile clients and individuals including Michael Moore and Ashton Kutcher. With more than 83,000 followers, Pollock is one of the 140 most influential people on Twitter, according to a report in The New York Times.

“Social media is a powerful tool when used for philanthropy and to highlight innovative products like the new Ford Focus,” Pollock said. “I’m thrilled to be participating in this historic social media event and to be raising money for my father’s FREE Partnerships.” FREE Partnerships is a nonprofit in Rochester, N.Y. that works to support community organizations that are partnering with schools.

Event participants hail from 13 different countries around the world, yet share a common goal of raising funds for their preferred charity.

“As both a representative from Community Coalition and as an automotive enthusiast, I’m ecstatic about this opportunity,” said Joshua Busch, a

Katie Meyler, of Bernardsville, N.J., represents More Than Me, a charity that brings diverse groups together to provide financial help for girls from Liberia to attend school. Focus

“Although I come from a Ford family, I’m a city dweller who rides a bicycle named Violet, so the car-on-track experience will be a real stretch for me,” Meyler said. “More importantly, $10,000 will send lots of Liberian girls to school, as opposed to life on the street.”

For a full list of

All-new Ford Focus
The all-new Ford Focus is the result of a global product development program bringing together Ford engineers and technologies from around the world. Focus will be manufactured in Ford plants around the world, from Asia to Europe and North America. Consumer availability begins early this year. For more information on Focus, go to http://www.newfordfocus.com/.

Focus Global Test Drive

participants and the charities they support, visit the “

Global Drive

” tab on the Ford Focus Facebook page (www.facebook.com/fordfocus).

Global Test Drive

offered Meyler the chance to meet and network with exciting people doing great things to make the world a better place.

Focus Global Test Drive

participant from Los Angeles. “Our objective is to help kids with limited support prepare for college, so we’re thrilled that Ford cares about our passion enough to see that deserving students have access to resources that will help ensure academic success.”

Global Test Drive

allows participants to “start more than a car” by raising funds for their preferred charities. In addition to the initial $10,000 (U.S.), participants will have the chance to raise even more money for their charities by participating in post-event activities in their own hometowns.

Focus Global Test Drive

, friends and fans from around the world were invited to submit a video application – via the Ford Focus Facebook page – explaining why they should be among the first to experience the all-new Focus and why their charity of choice is a worthy cause.

Focus Global Test Drive

participants – bloggers and consumers, hailing from 13 countries where the all-new Ford Focus will soon be available – as they prepare to convene in Madrid later this week.

Happy Valentine's Day

"Love means the body, the soul, the life, the entire being.

We feel love as we feel the warmth of our blood,

we breathe love as we breathe the air, we hold it in

ourselves as we hold our thoughts. Nothing more exists for us."

-- Guy De Maupassant

Ford Ironman Training Team

NEW 2011 FORD EDGE IS OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF 2010 U.S. IRONMAN EVENT SERIES

• The new 2011 Ford Edge is the official vehicle of 2010 U.S. Ironman
• As the official vehicle of the series, the new Ford Edge will be featured in advertising, online Webisodes, on-site displays, demonstrations and race integrations
• Ford is expanding its role with Ironman through www.fordtrainingteam.com, a new online community for athletes
• Ford is entering its sixth year as title sponsor of Ironman

DEARBORN, Mich., July 2, 2010 – Much like a determined triathlete, the Ford Edge started out strong and is getting even better. Since its launch in late 2006, more than 380,000 crossovers  have been sold.
So it’s fitting that the all-new 2011 Ford Edge is the official vehicle of the 2010 U.S. Ironman event series, a competition that symbolizes strength, leadership and endurance. 

Ford Motor Company has been the title sponsor of U.S. Ironman races – including the Ford Ironman World Championship – since 2005. As the official vehicle, the new Ford Edge will be featured in advertising, online Webisodes, on-site displays, demonstrations and race integrations.

“This audience represents a huge opportunity for us in the crossover segment,” said Jim Peters, manager, Ford Brand Content and Alliances. “They will help us spread the word about our revolutionary MyFord Touch driver connect technology and the styling and features that define the new Ford Edge and all the new vehicles in the Ford lineup.”

Research shows that Ford’s involvement with Ironman is influencing consumer opinion about Ford in a positive way. From 2006 to 2008, favorable opinion about the Ford brand grew from 58 percent to 66 percent among members of the Ironman community. Studies also show that people on-site at Ironman events are 38 percent more likely to seek information on a Ford vehicle versus a competing brand.

Ford reaches out to Ironman community online
Ford recently expanded its role with Ironman through the creation of the Ford Training Team, a new online community for athletes at www.fordtrainingteam.com. It’s a place where people training for Ironman or any type of endurance sport can share stories, photos and videos. Ford also plans to use the Website as a way to introduce the endurance community to new Ford products, like the Ford Edge.

“Many endurance athletes like to join clubs where they can compare notes and compete with other athletes,” said Peters. “This Web site provides a forum for them to do just that. It also offers tips on conditioning, nutrition and videos from the pros, like Ironman athlete Chris Lieto.” 

Ford is teaming up with other Ironman supporters – including Timex, K-Swiss and Aqua Sphere – to offer rewards to participating athletes, such as heart rate monitors and wet suits.

Ford enters sixth year as title sponsor of Ironman
Ford is in its sixth year as title sponsor of Ironman events, a series of seven Ironman qualifying events in the U.S., and the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The series also consists of five additional Ironman 70.3 races (formerly known as the Half-Ironman) in the U.S. and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Fla., of which Ford is the presenting sponsor. Each full-distance Ironman race consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run competition.

2011 Ford Edge:  An all-new blend of style and technology
Style and technology have been hallmarks of the Ford Edge since the vehicle entered the marketplace and the 2011 model delivers not only style and technology, but a wide-ranging scope of improvements.

“We have taken every element of the Edge and made it even better, including new advanced powertrains, a bold new exterior design and a completely new interior ,” explains Elaine Bannon, chief engineer. “If you add in our industry exclusive MyFord Touch, combined with new SYNC functionality, it dramatically changes the interior experience”

MyFord Touch redesigns the in-car interface, mirroring how consumers interact with most devices in their lives using touch-sensitive buttons, touch screens, thumb-wheel controls and voice recognition. # # #

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://www.ford.com/.

About Ironman
The Ironman Triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run completed in succession within a 17-hour allotted timeframe. In 2006, World Triathlon Corporation, owners of the brands, launched the Ironman 70.3 Series which consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run in addition to a world championship event which is held each November.  Each year, more than 120,000 athletes compete for slots in either the Ford Ironman World Championship, held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 held in Clearwater, Fla. Throughout Ironman’s nearly 32-year history, Ironman has transformed from an event into a lifestyle and sports brand that includes licensed products and television production. Ironman has global reach with more than 66 events worldwide and continues to inspire millions each year to establish goals and take on new personal challenges, demonstrating the Ironman mantra, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLEÔ”. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss’ crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. The brands have been featured in a range of media outlets to include CNN Headline News, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, The TODAY Show, Entertainment Tonight and USA Today. For more information on Ironman or 70.3, visit http://www.ironman.com/

Ford Electric Final

Ford Electrified Vehicles Are Coming On Strong!

MWRT 2011: Ken Block's First Test Of The New WRC Ford Fiesta For Rally Sweden

Ken Block tests for the 2011 Rally of Sweden at the Förarutveckling driving school in Anttila, logging his very first kilometers in the brand new Monster Energy Ford Fiesta RS WRC - as well as doing some of his first driving on studded snow tires.

Ford Explorer Go. Do. Adventure!

Ford is amplifying the conversation about the new Ford Explorer by kicking off "Go. Do. Adventures," a program that asks consumers to suggest how they would use an Explorer to create their own unique adventure. Consumers can submit their ideas in the form of essays, photos and videos through several websites, such as www.ford.com/explorer and Facebook. Ford will select the most unique responses to be brought to life with the all-new Explorer.

Ford's Driving Skills For Life

See more about this great program at http://www.drivingskillsforlife.com/.

Ford Invests Additional $1 Million To Save Teen Lives, Launches National High School Safe Driving Tour

• In a major expansion of the Ford Driving Skills for Life program, teens in high schools spanning 15 states will learn proper driving skills through hands-on driving clinics with professional drivers at their own high school parking lots
• The program – an award-winning, free driver’s education program – offers hands-on driving clinics, web training, contests and other interactive tools to teach new drivers safe driving skills

CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2011 – The Ford Motor Company Fund is investing another $1 million to fight the No. 1-killer of American teens, working with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to expand Ford’s free driving skills program to high schools in 15 states.

Starting this month, the Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) National Tour takes free driving exercises, web-based training and materials on driving safety to 30 high schools nationwide to augment its community driving clinics and web-based training.

“Inexperience is the leading cause of crashes in young drivers, and this program delivers the key skill sets that will increase their knowledge, confidence and, ultimately, their safety,” said Sue Cischke, group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “Ford is passionate about helping young drivers learn the rules of the road, better manage distractions behind the wheel and help make America’s roads safer for all of us.”

More than 3,000 teens, ages 15-19, are killed on American roads each year, according to government statistics.

Ford developed Driving Skills for Life in 2003 in partnership with GHSA, delivering one of the nation’s most comprehensive teen driver safety programs.

This year, the expanded Ford program will reach high schools in these market areas: Birmingham, Ala.; Little Rock, Ark.; Hartford, Conn.; Orlando and Tallahassee, Fla.; Atlanta; Shreveport, La.; Portland, Maine; Boston; Jackson, Miss.; Manchester, N.H.; Albany, N.Y.; Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; Providence, R.I.; Charleston, S.C.; and Burlington, Vt.

Ford DSFL builds young drivers’ skills in four key areas: driver distraction, speed space management and vehicle handling and hazard recognition. These four areas are contributors to more than 60 percent of teen crashes.

In addition to hands-on events, the program offers learning tools such as an interactive website (www.drivingskillsforlife.com) with learning modules, quizzes, car care and driving tip videos and games. Free educator packets are available for students, parents, educators and community organizations.
“This new commitment will bring Ford DSFL into many more communities. State highway safety offices will be able to use this program to complement ongoing laws and programs,” said GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey Jr. “While teen driving safety is a key priority, too often our communities lack the resources to conduct these types of hands-on, high-tech trainings. We are grateful to Ford for helping fill these critical gaps.”

###

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 20,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in dozens of countries. For more information, visit http://www.community.ford.com/.

About the Governors Highway Safety Association
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit http://www.ghsa.org/.

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty Regains Towing Leadership With Production Upgrades; Leads In Customer Satisfaction

• Super Duty regains conventional towing leadership
• Customer satisfaction of 83 percent tops all competitors
• Half of heavy duty truck segment goes to Super Duty

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 7, 2011 – Production begins this week on Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks with upgraded towing capacity. The beefed-up frame and hitch return the industry's best-selling heavy-duty truck to the head of the pack in conventional trailer towing.

Ford F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 diesel engine and dual rear wheels now can tow an industry-best 17,500 pounds. That’s 1,000 pounds more than the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 4x2 and 500 pounds more than the Silverado and Sierra 4x4.

Furthermore, Super Duty's latest improvements arrive at a time when its customer satisfaction score – 83 percent – is the best in the industry for heavy-duty trucks; and when Super Duty’s market share is the highest in a decade.

“Super Duty stays on top because of our ongoing engineering work and analysis of extensive field data,” said Rob Stevens, chief engineer of the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty. “We keep pushing to deliver the best-in-class attributes our customers demand.”

A look at the revised maximum conventional trailer tow ratings for the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty:

Ford Super Duty model	Drive	Maximum conventional trailer towing (pounds)	Advantage over nearest competitor (pounds)
F-250 / F-350 SRW	4x2/4x4	14,000/14,000	1,000/1,000
F-350 DRW	4x2/4x4	17,500/17,500	1,000/500
F-450 DRW	4x4	17,500	No competitor

The additional 1,500 pounds represent an increase of more than 9 percent compared with the Super Duty at launch in April, 2010.

Higher-strength steel in a frame crossmember and an upgraded trailer hitch give the truck the additional towing capacity.  Additionally, these actions boosted the F-350 DRW 4x2 pickup maximum payload to 7,070 pounds and maximum fifth-wheel towing to 22,600 pounds, each best-in-class ratings by 435 pounds and 900 pounds, respectively.

The hardware upgrades to the Super Duty complement software upgrades to the powertrain control system of the new Ford-engineered 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel to make towing even easier.

The Power Stroke delivers best-in-class 800 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 horsepower. In an industry-first customer loyalty program, Ford provided the power upgrades free of charge to all “first-in” buyers of the 2011 Super Duty diesel pickup.

Customer satisfaction grows, leadership continues

Super Duty’s customer satisfaction with the overall quality tops all competitors with a rating of 83 percent. That compares with 77 percent for the comparable Ram and 73 percent for the comparable Chevrolet trucks. The quality ratings are according to the 2010 Global Quality Research Survey conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills., Mich., and commissioned by Ford.

The new Super Duty dominates the heavy-duty pickup segment with nearly 50 percent of total heavy-duty sales, an increase in market share of 4 percentage points over the same period last year and its highest share since 2001. This is according to a Ford analysis of registration data by R.L. Polk.

Furthermore, Super Duty accounted for 80 percent of the heavy duty’s segment growth last year. In 2010 the segment was up 17 percent over 2009.

Ford F-Series is the best-selling and most-awarded pickup truck (for 34 years straight) and best-selling vehicle (for 29 years straight) in America. Here are some of the recent awards for Ford F-Series trucks:
2011 Ford F-Series Awards

• PickupTrucks.com and USA Today: 2010 V-6 Shootout: Best Overall V-6 Work Truck (2011 F-150)
• Consumer Digest Best Buy (2011 F-150 and 2011 Super Duty)
• The SEMA Award™ for Hottest Truck (2011 F-150)
• R.L. Polk Pickup Truck Loyalty (2011 F-150)
• Cars.com Work Truck of the Year (2011 F-150)
• Farmer Industry News Best Pickup (2011 Super Duty)
• Farmer Industry News Most Innovative Agricultural Product (2011 Super Duty)
• Popular Mechanics Auto Excellence Award: Best Workhorse (2011 Super Duty)
• Ward’s Best Engine: 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel (2011 Super Duty)
• PickupTrucks.com Best Engine: 6.2-liter gas (2011 Super Duty)
• ALG Residual Value (2011 Super Duty)
• Kelley Blue Book Residual Value (2011 Super Duty)
• Truck Line of Texas (2011 Super Duty)
• Strategic Vision Total Value Index™ leader (F-150 and Super Duty)

Focus Rally America

The Focus Rally will take the center stage during the "Focus Rally: America Pre-Game Kick" before the Super Bowl Sunday on FOX at 6 pm EST; two spots featuring the rally will invite viewers to participate in Ford's social media campaign at www.focusrally.com

Fiesta Rally Car Walkaround

After winning the 2WD class at the 2011 Sno* Drift Rally, the Dillon Van Way / 600 team stopped by the Ford Racing garage in Dearborn, Michigan for a technical walkaround of the Ford Fiesta. In this video, team manager Graham Evans goes over some of the factory and aftermarket parts used to build the Rally-America 2WD class Fiesta.

Bob Tasca Preseason Video

Motorcraft / Quick Lane Shelby Mustang driver Bob Tasca ended the 2010 season on a high note defeating points leader Matt Hagen and opening the door for John Force to win his 15th championship. It was the 'One Ford' approach in action as Tasca's Mustang paved the way for Force's Mustang to win the title. Ford Racing TV caught up with Tasca to get his thought on the eve of the 2011 season.

First Test: 2011 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

We take the drop-top 2011 Mustang GT to the test track to see what it can do.

Great News: Ford Reports 2010 Full Year Net Income Results

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 28, 2011 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] today reported 2010 full year net income of $6.6 billion, or $1.66 per share, an increase of $3.8 billion, or 80 cents per share, from 2009. This was Ford’s highest net income in more than 10 years, as strong products and new investments fueled improvements in all of the company’s business operations around the world.

“Our 2010 results exceeded our expectations, accelerating our transition from fixing the business fundamentals to delivering profitable growth for all,” said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. “We are investing in an unprecedented amount of products, technology and growth in all regions of the world.”

Full year 2010 pre-tax operating profit was $8.3 billion, or $1.91 per share, an increase of $8.3 billion, or $1.90 per share, from a year ago. This increase reflects a profit in each Automotive segment led by strong performance in North America, reflecting primarily favorable volume and mix as well as favorable net pricing. Ford Credit’s strong profit also contributed significantly to Ford’s full year performance.

Ford made significant progress in strengthening its balance sheet, reducing Automotive debt by $14.5 billion in 2010, a 43 percent reduction. These actions will lower annualized interest expense by more than $1 billion. Ford finished the year with Automotive gross cash exceeding debt by $1.4 billion. Fourth quarter actions reduced Automotive debt by $7.3 billion, including $2.5 billion of newly announced debt reductions to pay down Ford’s revolving credit facility and term loans.

Ford reported fourth quarter net income of $190 million, or 5 cents per share, a decrease of $696 million, or 20 cents per share, from the fourth quarter of 2009. This includes the negative impact of special items of $1 billion, primarily associated with a previously disclosed $960 million charge related to the completion of debt conversion offers that reduced outstanding Automotive debt by over $1.9 billion.

Ford earned a pre-tax operating profit of $1.3 billion, or 30 cents per share, in the fourth quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of pre-tax operating profit. This is a decrease of $322 million, or 13 cents per share, from the fourth quarter of 2009.

Fourth quarter Automotive pre-tax operating profit was $741 million, a decrease of $173 million from a year ago. Fourth quarter Financial Services pre-tax operating profit was $552 million, a decrease of $149 million from a year ago, which includes a pre-tax operating profit of $572 million for Ford Credit.

North America posted a fourth quarter pre-tax operating profit of $670 million, a $59 million increase compared with 2009. Full year North America pre-tax operating profit was $5.4 billion, an improvement of more than $6 billion from a year ago. South America, Europe and Asia Pacific Africa also reported full year pre-tax operating profits for 2010.

As a result of Ford’s 2010 financial performance, the company will pay profit sharing to approximately 40,600 eligible U.S. hourly employees. The average amount is expected to be approximately $5,000 per eligible full-time employee.

Ford’s fourth quarter worldwide revenue was $32.5 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion compared with the same period a year ago, excluding Volvo from 2009. Ford reported full year revenue of $120.9 billion, an increase of $17 billion from a year ago, excluding Volvo from 2009.

Ford generated positive Automotive operating-related cash flow of $1 billion in the fourth quarter and $4.4 billion in the full year, an improvement of $5.2 billion from full year 2009.

Ford finished the year with Automotive gross cash of $20.5 billion and total Automotive debt of $19.1 billion. Automotive gross cash was down $3.3 billion from the end of the third quarter as a result of significant debt reduction actions. As of Dec. 31, 2010, total Automotive liquidity was $27.9 billion, including available credit lines.

“The progress that we made improving our core Automotive business has allowed us to strengthen significantly the balance sheet in 2010, and this will remain a key area of focus for us in 2011,” said Lewis Booth, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer. “We continue to manage the business for long term profitable growth.”

Words Of Wisdom By Henry Ford

"It has been my observation that most people

get ahead during the time that others waste."

-- Henry Ford