Ford Increases Virtual Crash Computing Power, Helping to Ensure Customer Safety

• Ford is increasing its investment in computing power by 50 percent to maximize the number and speed of virtual vehicle crashes, allowing safety engineering and vehicle evaluation teams to get more data, more quickly
• More than 2 million crash test simulations processed in past 10 years
• Actual crash testing is also vital to ensuring the safety of Ford vehicles; Dearborn, Mich., facility has performed more than 20,000 crash tests since 1954, with more than 31,000 crash tests executed globally

To facilitate growing demands for virtual crash test data, Ford is increasing its investment in computing power an additional 50 percent this year.

The technology investment will allow Ford to more quickly conduct virtual crash tests – some of which can take up to a full day to run – while also collecting more data. More than 2 million crash test simulations have been run over the past 10 years. The use of advanced computer crash test models also allows Ford safety teams to more quickly evaluate and verify a variety of designs.

Ford recently performed its 20,000^th full-vehicle crash test at the Dearborn, Mich., development center. Physical crash tests, combined with virtual crash testing, allow Ford to gather more safety data faster than ever before. The work helps to ensure Ford vehicles meet or exceed industry safety standards in the global markets in which they are sold.

“Today’s vehicles come in a greater variety of body styles, and have more technology and driver-assist features – and many countries have unique regulations,” said Steve Kenner, global director, Ford automotive safety office. “We are able to manage this workload efficiently thanks to our significant investment in technology and the hard work of our teams.”

More than 500 engineers around the world are dedicated to safety at Ford. These teams run thousands of computer simulations before the physical tests are conducted, including frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof strength and safety systems checks.

“Ford is committed to designing vehicles that are safe for our customers,” said Nand Kochhar, Ford global safety chief engineer. “In the early stages of vehicle design, we use computer simulations; later we use crash test verification to ensure our vehicles perform as expected.”

The company’s investment in computing power has led to a tenfold increase in the number of virtual crash tests Ford can conduct during vehicle development. The level of detail on the models has increased as well. Safety teams can now run full-vehicle crash simulations with up to 2 million elements, up from half a million just five years ago.

Full-vehicle crash tests

Ford performed its first crash test in 1954. In the 60 years Ford has been conducting crash tests, technology has advanced to allow an increased number of vehicles to be tested. The company’s crash barrier facility can be adapted to perform a wide variety of vehicle crash tests, including frontal, side and rear impact tests where restraints and airbag systems are evaluated. Tests are performed at speeds ranging from less than 20 mph to more than 55 mph.

Vehicle preparation for these physical tests can take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on test complexity. Vehicles are fitted with special mounts, cameras and sensors. On-board systems capture up to 300 channels of information, including crash forces, displacement and pressure.

After the full-vehicle crash test, the team at the crash facility can provide safety engineers a wide range of crash data in under 30 minutes.

History of crash testing at Ford

Ford’s first crash test was performed in 1954. It took 40 years to do the first 10,000 full-body crash tests and only 20 years for the second 10,000 at the facility in Michigan. Globally, Ford has completed more than 31,000 physical crash tests at labs located in Dearborn, Mich., Merkenich, Germany; Geelong, Australia; and Tatui, Brazil.

Ford to Move Production of All-New 2016 F-650/F-750 Medium-Duty Trucks from Mexico to Ohio Assembly Plant in Early 2015

• Ford investing $168 million to shift production of all-new 2016 Ford F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks from Mexico to Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, near Cleveland

• F-650/F-750 trucks anchor Ford’s commercial truck range – America’s best-selling line of commercial trucks for 29 years. Every vehicle in Ford’s commercial truck lineup will be all-new or significantly refreshed in the next 18 months

• All-new 2016 Ford F-650/F-750 medium-duty trucks, available in spring 2015, will deliver impressive commercial-grade quality, capability and convenience with segment-exclusive Ford gasoline and diesel engines; outstanding performance at an affordable price; comfortable, modern interiors

Ford today announced production of its all-new 2016 F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks will shift from Mexico to Ohio Assembly Plant starting early next year, with the trucks on sale in spring 2015.

As part of the production shift, Ford is investing $168 million to retool the Cleveland-area plant for the new medium-duty trucks. Ohio Assembly Plant, which opened in 1974, currently produces the Ford E-Series lineup of vans and other commercial vehicles.

Ford E-Series cargo and passenger van production will end later this year, while E-Series cutaway vans and stripped chassis will continue to be built in Ohio through most of the decade. Replacing E-Series vans is the all-new 2015 Ford Transit that starts production this spring at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo.

“Shifting production of the 2016 Ford F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks to Ohio Assembly Plant helps secure a solid future for the dedicated workers at this facility,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. “Building these trucks in-house will utilize our expertise from our other tough truck and commercial vehicle lines to give our customers a better product at a competitive price.”

The production shift from Mexico is part of the collective bargaining agreement Ford and the United Auto Workers negotiated in 2011. Ford’s announcement today confirms the company is moving forward with the plan for Ohio Assembly Plant.

“We are extremely pleased that the dedicated, highly skilled and highly motivated UAW members of Ohio Assembly Plant have been selected to build the next-generation Ford F-650 and F-750,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president and director of the National Ford Department.

“We’re confident our outstanding work force will build these Ford medium-duty trucks to the highest levels of quality, reliability, dependability and craftsmanship – the factors that matter most to the demanding, hard-working owners of these vehicles.”

The 2016 Ford F-650 and F-750 will set a new standard for commercial work as the toughest, most work-ready, best value Ford medium-duty trucks ever.

Anchoring Ford’s commercial truck range – America’s best-selling, broadest lineup of commercial trucks for 29 years – the new F-650 and F-750 will deliver an impressive combination of commercial-grade quality, capability and convenience. This now includes segment-exclusive Ford gasoline and diesel engines, outstanding performance at an affordable price, and comfortable, modern interiors.

Several upgrades to the F-650 and F-750 were announced this week at the National Truck Equipment Association’s Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, including:

Upgraded, versatile engine choices

Newly available is the second-generation Ford-built and proven 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® V8 turbo diesel. The engine is paired with a commercial-grade six-speed 6R140 automatic transmission with available power takeoff provision to run accessories in the field, a dump body, crane and other vocational equipment.

Ford remains the only automaker to offer a gasoline engine for medium-duty trucks. The 6.8-liter V10 is available for both F-650 and F-750 models with the 6R140 six-speed automatic transmission. This engine can be factory-prepped for converting to compressed natural gas or liquid propane gas as cost-effective alternatives to unleaded gasoline.

Built Ford Tough testing to ensure durability

Grueling Built Ford Tough testing simulates the demands Ford customers will subject the truck to throughout its lifetime.

Testing for F-650 and F-750 includes the industry’s first robotic test driving program. The robotically driven trucks are expected to repeatedly perform tests on torturous surfaces that can compress 10 years of daily driving abuse into courses just a few hundred yards long. Surfaces include broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversized speed bumps.

Great value

By controlling every aspect of development in-house – from design to manufacturing to service – Ford can offer F-650 and F-750 customers exceptional value, convenience and cost of ownership.

To keep work trucks on the road and in the field longer, a network of more than 3,000 Ford commercial truck and retail service dealers is ready to tackle any service need with minimized travel time and extended service hours.

Work-ready

The 2016 F-650 and F-750 make prepping for medium-duty jobs easier than ever. Auxiliary components such as the diesel exhaust fluid tank and standard fuel tank are now located under the cab instead of behind it on the frame. This cleaner, cab-to-axle design satisfies more truck body applications, and makes customizing easier, which helps reduce the customer’s final costs and time to delivery.

Ford Celebrates International Women's Day, Women's History Month Spotlighting Women Behind All-New Mustang

• Ford celebrates International Women’s Day and National Women’s History Month by highlighting the accomplishments of some of the many women who have helped bring the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang to life

• For 50 years, women have been integral to the Ford Mustang story as engineers, designers, executives and influential customers

• Mustang is the soul of Ford Motor Company, inspiring passion among team members to create something special for the legions of fans of the iconic pony car

When people think Mustang, what often comes to mind are qualities like sportiness and “masculine cool,” right? So it may be a surprise to learn some key players in bringing Mustang to life over the past 50 years have been women.

Ford is marking International Women’s Day, March 8, 2014, and National Women’s History Month this March with a look at some of the women who have played an important role in creating the all-new Ford Mustang, as well as women who have influenced the pony car over the past 50 years.

Throughout the course of this American icon’s life, women have made contributions to the Mustang story in many ways; in fact, the first person to buy a Mustang was a woman. In 1964, a Chicago schoolteacher, Gail Brown, made history when she became the first Mustang owner in America. She still owns the car, and what makes her story all the more special is that Brown bought her Mustang on April 15 – two days before the car was set to go on sale.

Today, women hold key positions at Ford Motor Company in the development of the all-new Mustang, in roles ranging from engineering the customer drive experience, to picking the car’s colors and materials, to continuing the Mustang legacy of being a household name.

Marcy Fisher, vehicle line director

As vehicle line director for the program, Marcy Fisher oversees every detail of the all-new Ford Mustang as it comes together – from the planning process to when the car hits dealer showrooms.
Fisher is excited to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help develop and launch the all-new pony car in its 50th year.

In addition to her Mustang responsibilities, Fisher serves as vehicle line director for Ford Explorer, Taurus, Police Interceptor, Flex and Escape development.

She has 28 years’ engineering expertise in manufacturing and product development, having joined Ford in 1986 as an engineer. Since then, Fisher has held a number of positions with the company, including several engineering jobs at assembly plants where the vehicles come together on the line; she has also served as director of design engineering in product development.

Fisher has had a passion for people development throughout her career with Ford Motor Company. In addition to her core responsibilities, she serves as co-chair of the vehicle operations diversity council, as a board member for Ford Design Institute and as vehicle operations co-chair for the Ford College Graduate Program. Fisher has worked as a mentor in the manufacturing leadership program, and is a member of the personnel development committee.

She has twice been named to the 100 Leading Women in the Automotive Industry list by Automotive News.

Michele Lubin Henney, vehicle integration supervisor

When customers get behind the wheel of the all-new Mustang this fall, they will get a world-class driving experience thanks in part to the tireless efforts of vehicle integration supervisor Michele Lubin Henney. A lifelong motorsports enthusiast, Henney’s passion was sparked in her grandfather’s auto body shop, and during weekends spent at the track watching her father race motocross. Today, she has her own collection of motorcycles, and loves to hit the road with her husband.

While many engineers are responsible for specific systems and components of a car, Henney is responsible for the integration of vehicle attributes – how the car sounds, how it feels when it drives, fuel economy, and driver and passenger comfort, to name just a few. Her goal is to provide the best holistic experience for the customer.

“Mustang attracts a variety of customers, all of whom are looking for the ultimate Mustang driving experience,” says Henney. “As a female engineer on the program, I can offer a different perspective from the men on the team. I believe the end result is the most refined total driving experience we’ve ever offered our customers. I can’t wait to see their reactions when they drive the new Mustang for the first time.”

For Henney, the best part of the job is the time spent behind the wheel evaluating all aspects of the driving experience as she works to help create the ultimate vehicle to satisfy customers.

“Customer expectations for Mustang are different from other cars,” she explains. “People love their Mustangs. From our involvement with racing, owner groups and enthusiast events, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the Mustang customer at a level I have not experienced on other programs. Every engineer at Ford is passionate about the work they do, but the performance, style and sound of Mustang inspire a personal connection to the car that makes us want to take it to new levels.
“I’m so proud to be a part of this team,” she adds.

Susan Lampinen, chief color and materials designer

As a car that first prided itself as the car “designed to be designed by you,” Mustang has always offered customers an incredibly diverse array of colors, packages and special editions to make each vehicle a personal creation. For the past decade, Ford chief color and materials designer Susan Lampinen has guided the process of selecting those often iconic exterior paint colors, along with colors and materials for the Mustang cabin.

“Mustang paint colors need to denote performance, sportiness and power,” says Lampinen. “I’m looking at authentic, expressive materials that need to be more premium, with a relentless attention to detail. With Mustang, I’m not afraid to take a risk.”

Lampinen has many favorite Mustang colors from throughout the car’s history, but a current hue, Race Red, stands out among the rest. It is a color that captures the athleticism, power and passion of the pony car – and what Mustang doesn’t look good in bold, expressive red?

Melanie Banker, U.S. marketing manager

As Mustang marketing manager for the United States, Melanie Banker plays a critical role – first in bringing the car to customers in the marketplace, then in monitoring its performance.
A member of the Mustang team for several years, Banker works in both research and development of the new car, as well as in the consumer marketing process.

“Men and women use their cars and the features of their vehicles differently, so having both involved in research and development is extremely important,” Banker explains. “Everyone loves Mustang, so it is important for us to keep all customer groups in mind when making vehicle decisions.

“I hear from customers every day sharing the things they love about the car, and people send me pictures of themselves with their Mustangs,” says Banker. “I get requests from 7-year-olds asking me why we make certain vehicle decisions.”

A Missouri native, Banker has lived all over the country. She now resides in Michigan with her two dogs.

“The dedication of the team as a whole is amazing, because everyone here knows how much Mustang means to its fans and to Ford,” says Banker. “Working on the product side has given me a whole new appreciation for how a company works to put a vehicle together. This has been exceptionally rewarding, and I’m very excited for what’s to come.”

New 2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty Will Deliver Best-in-Class Horsepower, Torque and Towing Capacity

• Second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® V8 turbo diesel boosts horsepower to a class-leading 440 horsepower; torque to class-leading 860 lb.-ft. for all models

• F-450 chassis upgrades raise maximum gooseneck trailer towing capacity to class-leading 31,200 pounds, fifth wheel towing capacity to class-leading 26,500 pounds, and gross combined weight rating to a class-leading 40,000 pounds

• F-350 available with maximum towing package that increases fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer towing capacity to 26,500 pounds, and raises the gross combined weight rating to 35,000 pounds

Ford F-Series Super Duty reinforces its leadership in the heavy-duty pickup truck market with engine and chassis upgrades for 2015 that together deliver best-in-class horsepower, torque and towing capacity.

Ford’s second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® V8 turbo diesel now boasts 440 horsepower, up from 400 horsepower, and 860 lb.-ft. of torque, up from 800 lb.-ft, across all Super Duty models from F-250 to F-450.

The 2015 F-450 tops the F-Series Super Duty pickup truck lineup with maximum towing capacity increasing to a class-leading 31,200 pounds, a gain of 6,500 pounds. The truck’s gross combined weight rating increases to a class-leading 40,000 pounds, a gain of 7,000 pounds.
F-350 increases maximum towing capacity as well, to 26,500 pounds, from 23,200 pounds, and the gross combined weight rating goes up 4,500 pounds to 35,000 pounds.

The improved ratings are a result of designing and engineering the truck as an integrated system. The approach enabled Ford engineers to optimize performance across the full Super Duty lineup.

“Our chassis people work in unison with our powertrain people to develop more than a great truck, it’s a machine engineered for work,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager. “We’re the only manufacturer that develops and builds our own powertrains in this class and when you combine that with a chassis that’s purpose-built for best-in-class power and torque, you can feel the result in the way it drives, especially when towing big loads.”

“Our chassis people have worked in unison with our powertrain people to develop more than a great truck – it’s a machine engineered for work,” he adds.

Power Stroke Engine Improvements

The 2015 Super Duty achieves best-in-class towing performance with a second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine that was further developed to provide more power, torque and efficiency.

“The 6.7-liter Power Stroke was already a stout engine,” said Robert Fascetti, Ford vice president powertrain engineering. “The improvements we’ve made essentially give Super Duty customers an engine designed for our larger F-650 and F-750 trucks. They may not realize how tough this engine really is.”

Key innovations on the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel are its compacted graphite iron engine block and reverse-flow layout. This segment-exclusive design places the exhaust inside the engine’s V-shape, with while the air intake positioned on the outside resulting in a variety of advancements:

• Shorter airflow from the exhaust system to the new, larger turbocharger sitting between the engine’s cylinder banks improves turbo responsiveness – key to providing torque quickly to truck customers when they need it most
• Positioning the turbo inside the engine’s valley helps isolate the engine’s hottest temperatures, improving performance and efficiency, while also reducing noise, vibration and harshness to improve driver comfort

Enhancements include a larger turbocharger for faster air displacement resulting in more power. The engine block is made of compacted graphite iron, which is stronger yet lighter than cast iron, is more wear-resistant and has enhanced sealing properties.

“The designers of the original 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel predicted that it would eventually need to be upgraded for higher output,” said David Ives, Ford Power Stroke technical specialist. “They designed it in a way that made it easier to add a larger turbocharger, increasing airflow and creating more power for dramatically improved performance, yet we haven’t lost any efficiency.”

New injector tips spray a finer mist of fuel into the cylinders which provides a more complete burn and helps reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Other benefits include lower emissions and less fuel deposit buildup on the intake valves over time.

The engine enhancements give the Power Stroke engine a class-leading maximum output of 440 horsepower and 860 lb.-ft. of torque.

Chassis improvements

The F-350 is available with a high-capacity towing package that includes new front springs and a wide track axle, increasing the gross combined weight rating with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke engine from 31,900 pounds to 35,000 pounds.

Improvements to the F-450 that allow it to handle the increased tow rating include commercial- grade 19.5-inch wheels and tires; upgraded rear U-joints and suspension components, including new rear leaf springs; front and rear stabilizer bars; and shocks. The steering system has stronger gears and linkages and the fifth-wheel/gooseneck has an increased towing capacity. The brakes are larger and feature new antilock calibration for enhanced performance.

Introducing the 2015 Ford Super Duty

Every detail of the Super Duty was designed to help you get the job done. And because it's impossible to predict when your job will go from tough to toughest, we made major improvements to the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel that drives you through the work day. We gave it best-in-class power ratings and maximum towing capability. And with all this muscle to power your job, best-in-class fuel economy, too.*

*When properly equipped. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR.

Ford Mustang's 50th Anniversary Inspires Limited-Edition OPI Nail Lacquer Collection

OPI Products Inc., a subsidiary of COTY Inc., and Ford Motor Company today announced a unique collaboration featuring the iconic Ford Mustang. The popular pony car – celebrating its 50^th anniversary in April – will serve as the inspiration for a line of OPI limited-edition nail lacquers that will launch internationally in July.

“OPI is thrilled to partner with one of the world’s top automotive companies in celebrating 50 years of Ford Mustang,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI co-founder and executive vice president. “For women, cars and nail lacquer offer a way to express personality. This new collection will deliver elements of sophistication, luxury, power and style fitting for both OPI and Mustang consumers.”

The collection’s hero shade, Race Red, is a tribute to one of Mustang’s most iconic colors.

“Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car, and we are excited to be working with OPI on an exclusive collection that captures the spirit of our iconic car,” said Melanie Banker, Mustang marketing manager. “There is no better way to express Mustang’s bold personality and the excitement it creates than through color.”

Celebrating an Icon

The Ford Mustang is about to become the newest member of a very exclusive club - vehicles in continuous production for 50 years. Over the last five decades, Mustang has gained worldwide popularity and has become an enduring part of pop culture with more than 9.2 million Ford Mustangs sold and roughly 3,000 appearances on film and TV - including its upcoming big-screen appearance as the hero car in “Need for Speed.”

Mustang’s unique combination of style, performance and affordability established an entirely new class of sporty cars, and its next chapter unfolds with the all-new Ford Mustang. Its most advanced version yet, the 2015 Mustang features an all-new sophisticated design - clearly inspired by its 50-year heritage – and a host of new innovative technologies and connectivity systems.

All-New Ford F-650/F-750 Anchors America's Broadest, Best-Selling Lineup of Commercial Trucks

• Built Ford Tough: Fully designed and developed by Ford Truck engineers in Dearborn, robot-tested over taxing durability courses, 500,000+ miles of harsh dynamometer engine testing at extreme power levels and temperatures and built in the USA by Ford

• Great Value: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® V8 diesel engine and Ford TorqShift^® six-speed automatic transmission enhanced for medium-duty use with great power, performance and fuel economy, backed by unsurpassed warranty and national network of more than 3,000 Ford service centers

• Work-Ready: All-new, upfit friendly chassis developed in cooperation with leading industry body makers, clean chassis capable of accommodating vocational bodies with little to no modification, and all-new dedicated tractor model for heavy trailering

Ford, America’s truck leader, today sets a new standard in medium-duty commercial work trucks with the all-new Ford F-650/F-750 – the toughest, great value and work-ready Ford medium-duty trucks ever.

The new F-650/F-750 joins America’s broadest commercial vehicle lineup, delivering an impressive combination of commercial-grade quality, capability and convenience that now includes segment-exclusive Ford gasoline and diesel engines, outstanding performance at an affordable price, and comfortable and modern interiors.

“Every day, we’re thinking of new ways to better serve our hard-working customers,” said John Ruppert, general manager, Ford Commercial Vehicle Sales & Marketing. “The same Ford engineers who developed the best-selling F-Series have designed this all-new medium-duty lineup that can meet the demands of our toughest customers with trucks that are cost-effective, ready for work, and, most importantly, can help keep them going on the job.”

The Ford F-650/F-750 anchors Ford’s Commercial Truck lineup – America’s best-selling line of commercial trucks for 29 years – giving vocational customers an unmatched one-stop shop to meet their needs, from a Class 1 Ford Transit Connect cargo van to a Class 7 Ford F-750 tractor rig. Every truck and van in the Ford Commercial Truck lineup will be all-new or significantly refreshed in the next 18 months.

The Ford F-650/F-750, which will be 2016 model year trucks, will be available spring 2015.
Offered in three cab styles – Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab – and three models – straight frame, dock height and an all-new dedicated tractor model for heavy towing – the new F-650/F-750 features a bold look inside and out, a powerful and efficient second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® V8 diesel, medium-duty six-speed TorqShift^® automatic transmission and a host of unique features not found on any other medium-duty truck.

The 2016 F-650/F-750’s new exterior styling commands attention on the road with Built Ford Tough looks that also help deliver improved functionality. The all-new mesh grille framed by hallmark Ford nostrils helps improve airflow for optimal cooling performance. Also new are sharp fenders, aerodynamic headlamps and F-650/F-750 badges embossed in “Bold Leadership” font. Available PowerScope^® trailer tow mirrors feature large standard and spotter mirrors and segment-exclusive power telescoping and folding design.

The area behind the cab was redesigned to more easily accommodate custom work bodies, such as tow truck, dump truck and ambulance bodies.

Tough Testing

The 2016 Ford F-650/F-750 is Ford’s toughest medium-duty truck ever. Before it goes on sale, it will have been torture-tested by people and machines in labs, at Ford proving grounds and on America’s highways and city roads.

The grueling testing simulates the demands Ford’s customers will subject the truck to throughout its useful lifetime, from hauling heavy loads through the brutal summer heat of Death Valley to towing heavy trailers up steep grades – in temperatures from 40 degrees below zero to 120+ degrees Fahrenheit.

Part of the F-650/F-750 testing includes Ford’s robotic test driving program – now in use at the company’s Michigan Proving Grounds in Romeo, Mich. – to meet demands that Ford trucks undergo ever more strenuous Built Ford Tough testing.

“Some of the tests we do on our commercial trucks for North America are so strenuous that we limit the exposure time for human drivers,” said Dave Payne, manager, vehicle development operations.

The robotically driven vehicles are expected to repeatedly perform tests on torturous surfaces that can compress 10 years of daily driving abuse into courses just a few hundred yards long, with surfaces that include broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversized speed bumps.

Tough Powertrains

Newly available for F-650/F-750 is the Ford-built and proven 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 diesel paired with a commercial-grade six-speed 6R140 automatic transmission with available power takeoff provision to run accessories in the field, a dump body, crane or other vocational equipment.
Building upon the success of the Power Stroke in the F-Series Super Duty lineup, the F-650/F-750 6.7-liter Power Stroke and TorqShift have been developed and tested for medium-duty applications, with three horsepower and torque levels and a five-year/250,000 mile limited warranty.

Ford is the only medium-duty truck manufacturer that designs and builds its own diesel engine and transmission combination, ensuring the powertrain will work seamlessly with all chassis components and vehicle calibrations – from concept to execution. This approach also enables Ford engineers to optimize the vehicle’s performance across the entire lineup.

Key innovations on the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel are its compacted graphite iron engine block and reverse-flow layout. The advanced design places the exhaust inside the engine’s V-shape while the air intake is positioned on the outside of the V. This segment-exclusive design naturally improves a variety of attributes:

• Shorter airflow from the exhaust system to the turbocharger sitting between the engine’s cylinder banks improves turbo responsiveness – key to providing torque quickly to truck customers when they need it most
• Positioning the turbo inside the engine’s valley helps isolate the engine’s hottest temperatures, helping improve performance and efficiency, while also reducing noise, vibration and harshness to improve driver comfort

Power Stroke drivability is enhanced with tow/haul mode that includes a switchable integrated engine brake. The driver can regenerate the diesel particulate filter on-demand to clear out trapped soot from the exhaust system to help maximize performance. Intelligent Oil Change Monitoring is standard so oil changes are based on driving patterns and load demands instead of fixed distance intervals.

During testing, the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 endured the equivalent of 500,000+ miles on an engine dynamometer, replicating the duty cycle of the harshest-use customer.

The fuel-efficient transmission features a low first gear ratio for optimized takeoffs under load and optimized gear ratio span across all gears for optimized fuel economy. It’s also strengthened with new materials and extra pinion gears for medium-duty service.

Ford remains the segment-exclusive automaker to offer a gasoline-powered engine for a medium duty truck. The 6.8-liter V10 is now available for both F-650 and F-750 models with the 6R140 six-speed automatic transmission. The 6.8-liter V10 can be factory-prepped for converting to compressed natural gas or liquid propane gas as cost-effective alternatives to unleaded gasoline.

Great Value

By controlling every aspect of development in-house, from design to manufacturing to service, Ford will be able to offer F-650/F-750 customers exceptional value, convenience and cost of ownership.
For service needs, a network of more than 3,000 Ford Commercial Truck and retail service dealers are ready to tackle any service need with minimized travel time and extended service hours, to keep work trucks on the road and in the field longer.

Leveraging the best-selling F-Series Truck lineup, the F-650/F-750 interior is designed and engineered with a level of fit, finish and refinement that matches that of Ford F-Series Super Duty F-250 through F-550 trucks. New features include a 110-volt power outlet, available SYNC^® and Crew Chief^™ factory-installed fleet management telematics, and an available rapid-heat, supplemental cab heater that quickly warms the cab in cold climates. Remote start is also available. A new steering wheel has advanced controls to focus driver attention on the road, and a click of the turn lever features automatic five-blink turn signals. A choice of hydraulic or air brakes is available.

“We have a lot of design and feature comforts that you might otherwise find in more mainstream products,” said John Davis, Ford Commercial Truck chief nameplate engineer. “Comfort and convenience additions include our quiet diesel, hands-free mobile device connectivity and improvements to ride and steering.”

An all-new Ford engineered frame and suspension include a newly available anti-roll bar for enhanced roll control and longer leaf springs for an improved ride over the previous model.

Work Ready

The 2016 F-650/F-750 is easier than ever to prep for medium-duty jobs. Auxiliary components such as the diesel exhaust fluid tank and standard fuel tank are now located under the cab instead of behind it on the frame. This clean cab-to-axle design satisfies more truck body applications and makes customizing easier, which helps reduce the customer’s final costs and time to delivery.

Aluminum fuel tanks with the Power Stroke diesel are lighter to help efficiency. The electrical system is more robust than the outgoing model to handle larger component loads.

“We leveraged our strengths from being the leader in classes 1-5 to create a better F-650/F-750,” Davis said. “We brought the new medium-duty program in-house to utilize our expertise from our other tough truck and commercial vehicle lines which ultimately results in a better product at a competitive price that’s built in the USA.”

Demand for All-Wheel Drive Ford Vehicles Triples as the Technology Moves Beyond Big Trucks and SUVs

• U.S. retail registrations of Ford passenger cars and utilities equipped with all-wheel drive skyrocketed 189 percent between 2009 and 2013, outpacing the industry’s 79 percent increase for the same period
• Big gains in unexpected vehicle segments including small utilities and midsize sedans
• Ford growth coming from large and expanding all-wheel-drive retail market in Northeast and Pacific Northwest

Consumers have traditionally associated all-wheel drive with large SUVs and pickup trucks, but a new breed of more efficient and affordable all-wheel- drive systems is showing up in unexpected segments such as midsize sedans, helping fuel demand for vehicles equipped with the technology.

Ford is among the biggest beneficiaries of this trend. U.S. retail registrations of all-wheel-drive Ford passenger cars and utility vehicles tripled between 2009 and 2013, soaring 189 percent, with strong demand in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest.

For the same period, industry all-wheel-drive sales grew 79 percent, based on Ford’s analysis of new vehicle registration data from Polk (recently acquired by IHS.) Industry sales of all passenger cars and utilities increased 53 percent. In 2013, vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive accounted for 23 percent of the industry, a 4 percentage point increase from 19 percent in 2009.

“All-wheel-drive sales continue to outpace the industry overall,” said Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst. “But Ford all-wheel-drive sales are increasing faster than the industry in large part due to the success of our newer utilities and passenger cars that offer it.

“Escape and Explorer sold exceptionally well last year,” said Merkle. “That bumped our numbers. But if you look at Fusion, it’s the only midsize sedan among the top five best-selling that even offers all-wheel drive.”

AWD Driving Growth in Northeast and Pacific Northwest

The appeal of fuel efficient and affordable all-wheel-drive systems is helping Ford grow sales and gain share in regions such as the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, markets that have largely preferred import brands over the last few decades.

In the Northeast, Ford’s retail share of passenger car and utility registrations increased 2 percentage points, to 8 percent, between 2009 and 2013. All-wheel-drive passenger cars and utilities account for 30 percent of Ford’s overall growth in the region since 2009.

In the Pacific Northwest, Ford’s retail share of the passenger car and utility market grew to 9 percent last year, up 2 percentage points since 2009 and Ford’s highest retail share of the segment since 2004. All-wheel-drive vehicles represent 23 percent of Ford’s overall growth in the Pacific Northwest.
In the small utility segment, all-wheel drive is the No. 1 reason for purchase consideration in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

The Ford Escape small utility and Fusion midsize sedan achieved record retail market shares in the Northeast last year, fuelled by demand for all-wheel-drive models. Escape’s retail share of the small utility segment rose from 8 percent in 2009 to 10 percent in 2013. Fusion’s retail share of the midsize segment increased to just over 8 percent last year, up from just under 7 percent in 2009.
Ford’s intelligent all-wheel-drive technology—mostly invisible to the driver until sensors detect slippery conditions—monitors road surfaces 20 times faster than the blink of the human eye.

During normal driving, power is efficiently channelled to the front wheels. But when road conditions demand it, sensors and software combine to quickly distribute power between the front and rear wheels for better traction and control.

Cold Weather Testing the 2015 Ford F-150

Cold Weather Testing the 2015 Ford F-150

Ford's All-New 2015 Mustang Convertible

Designed from the wheels up to deliver maximum drop-top enjoyment, the all-new Ford Mustang convertible is a fantastic way to escape the daily grind of life and hit the open road. With its distinct style and a completely redesigned top system, drivers can enjoy the shining sun or sparkling stars quicker with all of the performance and character expected of Mustang.