The Hottest Trucks at SEMA Are Ford F-Series Pickups

• Ford F-Series pickups have been officially recognized as the “Hottest Truck” at the 2011 SEMA show aftermarket trade conference in Las Vegas, for the second year in a row
• The SEMA Award honors vehicles that specialty equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorizing and that showcase this year’s coolest products, according to SEMA

Las Vegas, Nov. 2, 2011 – Once again, Ford F-Series pickups are officially the “Hottest Truck” at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas. The SEMA Award recognizes the most popular vehicles the organization’s members feature in their displays during the weeklong trade show.

 

Before this year’s show opened, SEMA officials walked the floor of the giant aftermarket expo and counted the number of trucks exhibited in booths. More Ford F-Series pickups are on display than any other truck – testament to the popularity and appeal of Ford F-Series trucks with the aftermarket.

 

“We’re honored that more SEMA members use F-Series pickups than any other trucks as their featured platform to showcase their latest ideas and products at this important show,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.

 

Aftermarket exhibitors aren’t the only ones featuring Ford trucks in their booth. Ford is also featuring four F-Series trucks, showing off the extreme versatility of F-150 and Super Duty pickups.

 

2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Superlift Suspensions

2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Superlift Suspensions
Matchbox^® has teamed up with Superlift Suspensions to transform a Super Duty into the Matchbox Superlift Brush Truck. Superlift stays true to its off-road roots by using a 10-inch lift system on 41-inch Interco IROK tires. Shown in a PPG Vibrance “Oh, So Orange” basecoat with a contrasting satin black powder-coated accent, the two-tone paint job is sure to grab attention. It proves it’s up to the job of fighting fires with code-three emergency lights and sirens, along with a firefighting utility bed and equipment. SEMA visitors can receive a miniature die-cast version of the truck by visiting the Ford show stand.

 

2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost by Skyjacker Suspensions
The “Project No Compromise” is geared toward drivers who want to go green without sacrificing performance. A Skyjacker Suspensions four-inch lift and monotube shocks help boost chassis performance, while a MagnaFlow cat-back dual exhaust system upgrades the powertrain. A Steelcraft stainless steel grille guard, Rigid Industries e-series 30-inch LED light bar and Bushwacker two-inch pocket-style fender flares distinguish this truck.

 

2011 Ford F-150 by CGS Performance Products
This “Tarmac” F-150 offers unique and sleek styling with a custom aluminum hood, DuPont Jet Black paint and Boyd Red finish by Andy Meeh, Paramount Restyling grille and Colorado Custom billet wheels. The interior offers red leather from Pecca Leather, VizuaLogic headrest monitors and Seat Belt Planet red seat belts. Powertrain and chassis also get a boost from a CGS Performance cat-back exhaust and cold-air intake, Whipple twin-screw supercharger, Bell Tech front coilover suspension and six-piston Baer brakes with 15-inch rotors.

 

2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Hulst Customs

2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Hulst Customs
The “Black Mamba” Super Duty shows off the ultimate in luxury and style with Hulst Customs-designed hood and grille with stainless steel mesh insert, Hulst Customs side rockers and lower front fascia with LED lighting by Radiantz. It also features suicide rear doors with Scissor Doors billet hinge kit. Planet Color custom black paint along with 3M Di-Noc^™ stainless graphics differentiates the exterior. The interior features Katzkin leather and Hulst Customs aluminum trim accents.

 

Ford F-Series popularity continues with sales and automotive journalists
Ford F-Series trucks aren’t popular with just the aftermarket. Strong consumer demand for new F-Series trucks continues to drive sales of the best-selling vehicle in the country.

 

Ford F-Series sales totaled 52,511 vehicles, up 7 percent, in October. It is the second month in a row F-Series has topped 50,000 sales. Year-to-date sales of 468,899 have F-Series on pace to be not only the best-selling truck in America for the 35th consecutive year, but the best-selling vehicle – car, truck or SUV in America for the 30th consecutive year.

 

In October, the Texas Auto Writers Association also voted Ford F-150 “Truck of Texas” and Ford won “Truck Line of Texas” for the 12th straight year.

Ford Motor Company’s October Sales up 6 Percent; Ford Brand Utilities and Trucks Drive Gains

• Ford Motor Company’s October U.S. sales increased 6 percent versus last year; year-to-date sales up 11 percent
• Ford brand sales driven by gains in utilities (up 38 percent) and trucks (up 8 percent); Explorer sales up 225 percent; F-Series sales top 50,000 for second straight month
• Fiesta, Focus and Fusion all post higher retail sales

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 1, 2011 – Continued strong demand for Ford’s fuel-efficient utility vehicles and trucks lifted the company to a 6 percent increase in total sales in October. 

With total sales of 167,803 vehicles, gains came largely from Ford brand utilities, up 38 percent, and strong truck sales, up 8 percent versus last year.

“More and more consumers are being attracted to Ford’s lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles – from cars and utility vehicles to our full-size pickups with EcoBoost engines,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “The Ford brand continues growing its market share, showing we have the vehicles and technologies people truly want and value.”   

Year-to-date, Ford is the best-selling brand of vehicles in America with sales totaling 1,700,618, up 17 percent. With this performance, the Ford brand is now on track to increase its market share this year by about 1 percentage point – which would mark market share gains for three consecutive years.

Ford Brand Utilities: Up 38 Percent 
Ford is the country’s best-selling utility vehicle brand. Utility vehicles sales totaled 45,877 in October, up 38 percent. Year-to-date, Ford utility vehicles total 471,787, up 31 percent.

Explorer is leading the way, with sales up 225 percent versus a year ago and 11,987 vehicles sold. Year-to-date Explorer sales are up 134 percent, with 108,994 vehicles sold. Explorer retail sales have tripled in every market area of the U.S.

Escape sales in October totaled 19,046 vehicles, a 31 percent increase. Year-to-date Escape sales are up 31 percent at 206,896 vehicles – setting a record. This year marks the first time Escape has broke through the 200,000 sales milestone in its 11-year history.  

Edge sales totaled 9,161 vehicles in October, down 10 percent. Year-to-date, Edge sales increased 3 percent with 99,940 vehicles sold.

Ford Brand Cars: On the rise through October 
Ford brand car sales totaled 576,994 through October – up 18 percent versus the same period a year ago – more than doubling the industry-wide passenger car sales increase.

In October, Fiesta, Focus and Fusion all posted higher retail sales than a year ago, offset by lower fleet deliveries.

In October, Fiesta sales were up 7 percent, with 4,124 vehicles sold. Focus total sales were equal to a year ago, with retail sales particularly strong on the U.S. coasts – almost double year ago levels in California and up almost 50 percent in New York.

Fusion sales were up 4 percent, totaling 18,094 vehicles, another monthly record for Ford’s midsize sedan. Fusion has now set monthly records in 12 of the last 13 months. Year-to-date Fusion sales have increased 15 percent, breaking through the 200,000 vehicle mark for the year and on pace for a record sales year.

Ford Brand Trucks: Up 8 Percent
Ford truck sales totaled 69,068 in October, an 8 percent increase versus year-ago levels. Year-to-date truck sales total 651,837, up 9 percent.

Ford’s F-Series sales totaled 52,511 vehicles, up 7 percent, in October. It is the second month in a row F-Series has topped 50,000 sales. Year-to-date F-Series sales total 468,899 pickups, an 8 percent increase.

“October was important for Ford trucks,” Czubay said. “In addition to helping grow sales 8 percent, the F-150 won the ‘Truck of Texas’ award and Ford won ‘Truck Line of Texas’ for the 12th straight year. We are honored for the Texas Auto Writers Association to validate what our customers have been saying about our fuel-efficient and highly capable trucks.”    

Among retail customers, more than 40 percent of F-150 buyers opted for Ford’s highly fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines in October. Coupled with EcoBoost sales on Explorer and Edge and Ford cars, total EcoBoost engine sales topped 15,000 in October.

Ford Fiesta Hot Wheels Edition Heading to SEMA 2011

Coming to the SEMA 2011 show is the SEMA Ford Fiesta Hot Wheels Edition! From its custom exterior graphics to the uniquely designed headliner that spans above the driver, this is an incredible mashup of two iconic brands coming together! The Ford Fiesta Hot Wheels Edition will additionally be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

Hands-Free and Easy: Power Liftgate on All-New Ford Escape Opens and Closes with a Gentle Kick

The new Escape, which makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 
Nov. 16, will be the first SUV to use gesture-based technology – similar to that found in video games – to open the rear liftgate. A gentle kicking motion under the center of the rear bumper activates the system and raises the liftgate. The same kicking motion closes the liftgate as well.

• All-new Ford Escape debuting this month at Los Angeles Auto Show

• Segment-first hands-free liftgate offered for first time; gentle kicking motion opens and closes liftgate without the need to fumble for a key

• Motion-sensing technology is gesture-based and similar to technology used in interactive video games

VIDEO: All-New Escape SUV Features Hands-Free Liftgate

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 1, 2011 – Ford this month is introducing its all-new Escape SUV featuring a segment-first hands-free power liftgate that opens with a simple kicking gesture under the rear bumper and without the need to fumble for a key.

The new Escape, which makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16, will be the first SUV to use gesture-based technology – similar to that found in video games – to open the rear liftgate. A gentle kicking motion under the center of the rear bumper activates the system and raises the liftgate. The same kicking motion closes the liftgate as well.

“The hands-free power liftgate is yet another innovative Ford technology that makes customers’ lives easier,” said Jason Sprawka, Escape brand manager. “New Escape owners will be able to load their vehicle without ever having to set packages or gear down.”

The hands-free liftgate builds on Ford’s Intelligent Access push-button start. It allows customers to unlock and start their vehicles without having to take the key out of their pocket or purse.

The hands-free liftgate uses two sensors in the rear bumper to detect a person’s shin and kicking motion. The system safeguards against accidental opening by being programmed to open with leg motions – not when an animal runs under the car or when the vehicle hits a bump on the road.

The liftgate height can be programmed or adjusted manually to meet specific customer needs.

About the Escape
The all-new Escape goes on sale next spring, building on the success of Ford’s highly popular small SUV. First introduced in 2000, nearly 2 million Escapes have been sold.

The new Escape is another of Ford’s global vehicles, based on the company’s C-sized platform, which is being used as the basis for more than 2 million Ford vehicles around the world.

In addition to being a technological leader, the new Escape will be a fuel economy leader, too. The vehicle will be offered with three fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, including 1.6- and 2.0-liter versions of Ford’s popular EcoBoost® engines.

The new 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is expected to deliver better fuel economy than competitors’ larger four-cylinder engines. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost is expected to offer better fuel economy than competitors’ V6 engines, while delivering unsurpassed performance compared to those larger six-cylinder powertrains.

The Escape will be built at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, where the company has invested $600 million to retool the facility and is in the process of adding 3,100 jobs to launch two new shifts of Escape production by the end of next year. 

To see how the hands-free liftgate works, click here.

New Website Allows Ford Fans to Show the World Just How Much They Love the Blue Oval

The homepage of www.fansaddit.com/ford features a virtual garage fully decked out in Ford branded items that can be bought through the site. In this example, the Mustang Boss 302 is the featured theme.

• New website, www.fansaddit.com, officially launches today in conjunction with SEMA 2011
• Hundreds of products adorned with Ford logo, and Ford products featured and for sale – perfect for a man cave or just about any other space
• Items range from small magnets, wall clocks and bar stools to lockers, toolboxes and professional-grade workbenches

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1, 2011 – Ford fans and enthusiasts can really show just how passionate they are for the Blue Oval thanks to a new website that takes personalization of man caves – or just about any other space – to a whole new level.

 

At www.fansaddit.com, site visitors can view and buy hundreds of items that bear the Ford logo along with Ford products. Items range from small magnets, wall clocks and bar stools to lockers, toolboxes and professional-grade workbenches. Images available to decorate items span the more than 100-year history of Ford Motor Company.

 

“Whether it’s a game room, basement or garage, thematic areas that demonstrate passion for a particular music band, sports team or, in this case, brand, have become very popular,” said Regina Watson, Product Licensing manager, Ford. “The Ford brand has been featured on many products and in many ways for a long time, but this new site takes it up a notch.” 

 

The site officially launches today in conjunction with the opening of SEMA 2011 in Las Vegas and Ford Racing’s continued celebration of 110 years in existence.

 

How it works

Fansaddit.com is owned and managed by Iconic Brand Collection L.L.C., an official Ford licensee that sells products made by other companies. Cornerstone Case Goods manufactures and sells the cabinetry-related furniture on the site, for example.

 

At fansaddit.com/ford, users first will see a virtual garage featuring one of several available themes, including Ford Racing, vintage Mustang, Mustang Boss 302 or F-150 SVT Raptor. 

 

The virtual garage is loaded with products that reflect the theme, from Ford-branded garage floor tiles and wall clocks to full-size storage cabinets, workstations, lockers, tool chests, waste containers and other unique items like a gas pump cooler.

 

When users hover over an item with their computer arrow, a box pops up that shows how much the item costs and also gives the user the option to add the item to their shopping cart or view their shopping cart. Users also can see a virtual version – a 3D image viewable from all sides, in different colors and, in some instances, different settings.

 

“This is much different than the old way of doing things, where a company has a website and basically says, ‘Here is a picture of what we have for sale, take it or leave it,’” said Derek Carlock, manager, Iconic Brand Collection.

 

New level of customization

Fansaddit.com provides customers the ability to realize their space in several ways. One part of the website, for example, provides users with the ability to choose a themed space showcasing available products as they would be seen in their environment of intended use. As part of the unique shopping experience provided by the website, customers can interact with each of these products.

 

“Based on user interest, the site displays a customized rendering of items that allows users to showcase their enthusiasm and love for their passion while filling their pragmatic needs,” said Carlock. “We fill the room with your passion.”

 

Site visitors can customize the visual aspect of their items two ways:

 

The first is by purchasing items already developed for certain brands and vehicles, such as the workstation and full-size locker featuring the 2012 Mustang Boss 302.

 

The other way is by using visuals from FordImages.com, which offers for sale more than 8,000 images including commemorative and limited-edition prints, vintage signs and advertisements.

 

Carlock adds that if the love or passion of a customer’s life should change – say from a ’65 Mustang to a 2012 Boss 302 – fansaddit.com has it covered.

 

“At any time, a customer can go back to the site, order new graphics and simply snap on the new sides, front and back without needing to disassemble the structure,” said Carlock. “They say love is a fickle thing, so we made sure our website could accommodate that notion.”