No Mountains? No Problem. Ford's Virtual Mountain Towed Behind All-New Super Duty Simulates Steep Hills Anywhere

• Engineers use special dynamometer sleds towed behind Super Duty to simulate traveling up steep mountain grades when testing on flat roads of Ford’s Arizona Proving Grounds
• All-new F-Series Super Duty is so powerful that it calls for a new dynamometer sled to simulate steep grades
  
• Dynamometer sled simulates grueling mountain climbs, such as Davis Dam and Townes Pass, to test the improved capability of all-new Super Duty
  

DEARBORN, Mich., March 31, 2016 – When testing the toughest, smartest, most capable Ford F-Series Super Duty ever, engineers discovered the all-new truck is so powerful that it needed new equipment to simulate traveling up steep mountain grades to ensure it lives up to its Built Ford Tough reputation.

Traditionally, a dynamometer sled is attached to the vehicle hitch and pulled behind it. The old-style dynamometer did not challenge the power of the all-new Super Duty, so Ford set out to find a new, stronger dyno sled to test the vehicle’s mountain climbing capability limits.

The dyno simulates steep grades by providing pull against the vehicle, using a brake limiter – a series of electric coils wired together that are energized, acting like a large magnet. This drawbar pull against the truck mimics the effects of gravity while driving up an incline.

The new dyno is capable of a maximum drawbar pull of 5,620 pounds – a 181 percent increase compared with the 2,000 pounds from the previous dyno, allowing the new setup to simulate steeper hills.  A common simulated grade used for testing is approximately 7 percent, but the new towing dynamometer used at Ford’s Arizona Proving Grounds can simulate up to a 30 percent grade.

“The new Super Duty is really impressive,” said Jim Sumner, Ford product development engineer. “In more than 25 years of doing this work, we used the same dyno, which did the job, but the new truck is so powerful we needed new equipment to test out its capability. The fact that even under full load, Super Duty didn’t have any trouble at all is a testament to just how capable this new truck is.”

The equipment allowed Ford engineers to virtually test the all-new Super Duty on Davis Dam and Townes Pass – all without leaving the proving grounds. Testers upload the profile of the hills to the dyno and it adjusts to the correct grade, allowing for the truck to be tested in a variety of conditions to ensure performance regardless of environment.

“Any test engineer in North America knows about Davis Dam,” said Sumner. “It’s a demanding hill going from sea level to more than 3,000 feet in 11.2 miles, and is an ideal location to test towing capability. With this dyno, we can test the all-new Super Duty on that hill – but from right here on the level surface of our Arizona Proving Grounds.”

Townes Pass, the other hill engineers use for testing, is approximately 16 miles long, featuring an average grade of 5.1 percent and a maximum grade of 10.1 percent.

Davis Dam is so effective for testing vehicle capabilities that the Society of Automotive Engineers incorporated the grade of the hill into its test standards. Being able to test on this grade without having to make the trip to the real hill in Bullhead City, Arizona, expedites testing, and helps Ford engineers ensure that the all-new Super Duty will deliver the performance owners expect from their heavy-duty Built Ford Tough truck.

Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang Named Sports Car of the Year by Popular Mechanics

DEARBORN, Mich., March 23, 2016 – Ford Shelby^® GT350R Mustang, one of the most iconic performance nameplates of all time, has been named Popular Mechanics Sports Car of the Year. Popular Mechanics says Shelby GT350R was selected from among a host of contenders because it pushes the boundaries of what an American sports car can be. Shelby GT350R’s unique, high-revving flat-plane crankshaft 5.2-liter V8 produces 526 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque – the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever for the most track-capable, street-legal Mustang ever built.

Ford Introduces Kansas City-Built F-150 MVP Edition

• Limited run of 300 Ford F-150 MVP edition trucks built at Kansas City Assembly Plant
• Suggested by a Ford customer, 2016 Ford F-150 MVP edition follows the 1986 Ford Ranger MVP edition – first time Kansas City celebrated a professional baseball world championship
• Midwest Ford Dealers renewed its sponsorship for the 2016 season with Kansas City Royals

CLAYCOMO, Mo., March 29, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, salutes Kansas City’s world championship by announcing a limited run of 300 Ford F-150 MVP edition trucks built at Kansas City Assembly Plant.

Based on the F-150 XLT with chrome package and available in either Oxford White or Blue Flame, F-150 MVP edition includes special MVP badging, unique polished stainless rocker panels and a spray-in bedliner.  

The 2016 Ford F-150 MVP edition started as an idea from Marc Lassalle, a Kansas City Royals fan, to celebrate his team’s second world championship. It follows the 1986 Ford Ranger MVP edition, created and sold in 1985 to celebrate Kansas City’s first time as world champions.  

“Like our manufacturing team members at Kansas City Assembly Plant, the Kansas City Royals are a great example of what terrific teamwork can accomplish,” said Gary Johnson, Ford vice president for North America manufacturing.

F-150 MVP edition customizations are added at Kansas City’s unique SubTropolis underground business complex, where Ford applies custom accessories to its vehicles in the energy-efficient cave system.

Ford worked with former Kansas City Royals star Bret Saberhagen, from the 1985 team roster, and Salvador Pérez, from the 2015 Kansas City lineup, to promote the F-150 MVP edition.

Saberhagen will be on hand today to greet Kansas City Assembly Plant employees. Midwest Ford Dealers has also renewed its sponsorship agreement with the Kansas City Royals for 2016.
The F-150 MVP edition is on sale now at Kansas City area Ford dealers.

Cargo Bed Enclosure or Roll Top Is Perfect Addition To Service Body

Paul Brown with Geweke Ford in Yuba City CA shows off a Service Body on a Ford Super Duty Chassis by Harbor Truck Bodies. This units has a 3-piece Cargo Bed Enclosure and Power Locking System, along with a Forklift Loadable Rack and Class IV Receiver. This is a great way to keep cargo out of sight and out of the weather too.

See more at http://www.geweketrucks.com

Ford Named Best Overall Truck Brand for Third Consecutive Year by Kelley Blue Book

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, has been named Best Overall Truck Brand for the third year in a row by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.

Ford has earned the honor seven out of eight times Kelley Blue Book has presented the award. F-150 helped Ford win the award for 2016, as truck shoppers ranked Ford highest among all truck brands.

The 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – introduces segment-first Pro Trailer Backup Assist^™. The technology makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction – the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed.

Ford F-Series Super Duty, America’s best-selling heavy-duty pickup truck, continues its leadership with best-in-class 440 diesel horsepower and 860 lb.-ft. of torque.

Along with the Ford-designed, Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® V8 turbo diesel, Super Duty is available with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces best-in-class standard horsepower of 385 along with 405 lb.-ft. of torque.

The all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty – the toughest, smartest, most capable Super Duty ever – goes on sale this fall.

2016 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards are based on the Brand Watch^™ study from Kelley Blue Book Strategic Insights. For more information, visit www.kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.

Ford F-150, Edge, Transit Connect Honored with TrueCar Awards Recognizing Highest Retained Value

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2016 – The 2014 Ford F-150, Edge and Transit Connect will retain the highest percentage of their value as they enter the market for resale in 2016, according to TrueCar, which has recognized the three vehicles with its inaugural Pre-Owned Value Awards, making Ford the leader in truck segments.

The new awards, powered by ALG, TrueCar’s analytics division, evaluate pre-owned model-year 2014 vehicles available for resale in 2016 that are expected to retain the highest percentage of their value during the next three years.

The 2014 F-150 won the full-size pickup category in the 2016 Pre-Owned Value Awards. The 2016 F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – has helped make Ford F-Series the best-selling truck in America for 39 years running, and America’s top-selling vehicle for 34 consecutive years. Ford has the most F-Series trucks on the road with more than 250,000 miles compared with any other competitor.¹

The 2014 Edge won among midsize utility vehicles with second-row seating. With an available 2.7-liter EcoBoost^® V6 engine, available enhanced active park assist and an available front 180-degree camera, the 2016 Edge is a showcase of Ford innovation that helps drivers be unstoppable.

The 2014 Transit Connect won the midsize commercial vehicle category. Strong demand for the current Transit Connect – along with Transit and E-Series – made Ford the best-selling brand of commercial vans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in 2015, based on the company’s analysis of IHS Automotive total vehicle registration data and Ford custom segmentation for commercial vans.

TrueCar Pre-Owned Value Award winners are determined through careful analysis of used vehicle performance, brand outlook and product competitiveness. Eligibility for a brand award requires a manufacturer to have vehicle entries in at least four different segments. To account for differences across trim levels, model averages are weighted based on percentage share relative to the entire model line.

¹ Based on vehicle registration data and latest odometer readings available to Polk for 1992 and newer model year full-size pickups still on the road in the U.S. as of 4/1/15.

Ford, Spotify Team Up to Enhance Entertainment Experience for FordPass Members

• Spotify joins McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and BP as partners participating in the FordPass^® experience; new collaboration aims to create a great music experience for members
  
• FordPass membership available to Ford vehicle owners and non-owners alike
• FordPass, a new mobility experience platform, reimagines the relationship between automaker and consumer by offering benefits that include a marketplace of mobility services and rewards for membership

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2016 – With Americans spending more than 900 hours a year mobile – and 25 hours or more per week listening to music – Ford and music streaming leader Spotify are teaming up to create a new entertainment experience for FordPass members.

As part of its transformation into an auto and mobility company, Ford is introducing FordPass – a platform that reimagines the relationship between automaker and consumer.  The mobility experience platform aims to do for car owners what iTunes did for music fans.

“The FordPass platform is about understanding people’s needs and developing great experiences and ways to help them move better,” said Elena Ford, Ford vice president, global dealer and consumer experience. “The combination of FordPass and Spotify will create a great music experience both inside and outside of the vehicle.”

FordPass reimagines the relationship between automaker and consumer by offering benefits that will include a marketplace of mobility services and rewards for membership loyalty. Spotify is the newest FordPass Appreciation partner, joining McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and BP as retailers that will provide members with merchandise and unique experiences.

One focus of FordPass is to tap into the more than 900 hours annually that people spend on the move and provide for them the entertainment options they desire. In addition to music offerings from Spotify, FordPass also plans to partner with providers of news, sports, children’s programming, audiobooks and more.

“Our goal is to light up the FordPass experience with music,” said Jorge Espinel, Spotify vice president for business development. “We want to be everywhere fans listen to music, and this partnership deepens our relationship with Ford and FordPass members.”

The FordPass-Spotify partnership marks the latest link between the two companies. Spotify already is one of many apps that interacts with Ford SYNC^® AppLink^™. AppLink enables drivers to connect their vehicle and smartphone, and projects apps to the center console-mounted touch screen. Commands can be given via voice or touch.

FordPass is part of Ford Smart Mobility, the plan to take the company to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

A FordPass membership is complimentary for Ford vehicle owners and non-owners alike. The platform officially launches in April in the United States and Canada. Members of FordPass will benefit from four elements: Appreciation, which includes offerings from Spotify, as well as Marketplace, FordGuides and FordHubs.

Marketplace

All FordPass members will have access to the Marketplace of mobility services. Ford is working with ParkWhiz and Parkopedia to help people find and pay for parking more easily, and with FlightCar to help members borrow and share vehicles when they travel. In the future, services will include ride sharing and car sharing, multimodal transportation and more.

Members can pay for services through FordPay – a virtual wallet that is part of FordPass.

Ford owners can easily connect with their preferred dealer to schedule maintenance and service appointments or to review their Ford Credit vehicle finance account details. Members who own a Ford vehicle equipped with SYNC Connect, debuting on the 2017 Ford Escape this spring, can use FordPass to lock, unlock or locate their vehicle and schedule remote starts.

FordGuides

No one wants to be just a number. That’s why FordPass members can speak directly to trusted and knowledgeable FordGuides – all at the touch of a button.

For example, if a member decides he would like to book advanced parking for an upcoming show but is unsure how to reserve it, one push of a button on his smartphone lands him in a live chat with a FordGuide who will lead him through the options and help to reserve parking.

The guides will be available free of charge. Their only job is to guide, serve and help solve mobility challenges – not to sell.

Appreciation

FordPass Appreciation is about making mobility more rewarding – no matter the journey.

In the future, members will be rewarded for doing little things, such as simply registering to become a member, booking parking or interacting with FordGuides.

And by collaborating with affinity partners McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, BP, Spotify and others, FordPass can recognize members with access to merchandise and unique experiences.

FordHubs

FordPass also includes the opening of FordHubs, where consumers will be able to explore the company’s latest innovations, learn about its mobility services and experience exclusive events.

The first of these urban storefronts opens later this year at Westfield World Trade Center in New York. It will be joined by FordHubs in San Francisco, London and Shanghai.

On-site FordGuides will help guests understand mobility options available in their cities, explore solutions for their mobility needs, view a real-time mobility map of their city, and experience special events, including new vehicle reveals.

Ford Celebrates Women's Contributions to the Workforce with Special Honor Flight for Original Rosie the Riveters

• Ford is celebrating dozens of original Rosie the Riveters with a special Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial and luncheon on Capitol Hill
• Thousands of Rosies joined the workforce at Ford’s Willow Run Bomber Plant and elsewhere during World War II, helping open the door for women in the workforce
• Today’s Honor Flight is part of Ford’s continuing commitment to supporting opportunities for women and military veterans

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2016 – They were traditional American housewives, mothers and daughters in the 1940s, when suddenly everything changed. Millions of men left home to fight in World War II, and the country needed help to produce the machines of war. An army of women answered the call.

They became known as Rosie the Riveters, thanks to a popular film and promotional campaign. In addition to their work on assembly lines, they had a lasting impact on the country, changing perceptions and expanding opportunities for future women in the workforce.

Ford Motor Company Fund, Talons Out Honor Flight and Yankee Air Museum today flew 30 original Rosie the Riveters to Washington, D.C., to celebrate their critical contributions to the war effort. The Rosies, ages 88-98, are being treated to a visit to the World War II Memorial and a special luncheon in their honor at the Library of Congress on Capitol Hill with members of Congress from Michigan.

Ford and its Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was a major force in the Arsenal of Democracy, the term given to the industrial powers that came together to support the Allied war effort and victory. The plant’s mile-long assembly line churned out nearly 9,000 B-24 Liberators – one every hour, or half of all the B-24s built during the war. At peak production, Willow Run employed 42,000 workers, up to one-third of them pioneering women industrial workers.

“These women not only helped win a war, they paved the way for future generations to achieve economic and personal independence,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, the philanthropic arm of Ford. “It is an honor to celebrate their vital contributions to our country and the cause of freedom.”

Today’s Honor Flight is part of Ford’s ongoing support for women and military veterans. Ford has sponsored 11 Honor Flights of World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. Last year, Ford Fund supported the Freedom Sisters REBOOT Workshop, which helped integrate women military veterans back into civilian life.

Ford’s support for veterans and their families dates back more than 90 years through its relationship with DAV, formerly Disabled American Veterans, and the DAV Transportation Network. Ford also supports Focus on Freedom, a program honoring veterans at the annual Ford Fireworks in Detroit.

Meantime, a key section of the historic Ford Willow Run Bomber Plant will become the new home for Yankee Air Museum following a successful fund-raising campaign to preserve and renovate the facility. In tribute to her lasting legacy, more than 2,000 women last year gathered at Willow Run Airport to set the record for the most representatives of Rosie to assemble in one place.

Ford Shelby GT350, GT350R Mustang Named Automobile Magazine All-Star

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2016 – With scoring criteria including style, class, importance and desirability, it's no wonder editors chose the 526-horsepower Shelby GT350^® and Shelby^® GT350R Mustang as an Automobile Magazine All-Star winner for 2016.

"The GT350R has a very 'mean American' feel but balances that with a very good chassis," said Automobile's Marc Noordeloos. He called Shelby Mustang a classic pony car, but one with "excellent dynamics." Of 25 vehicles evaluated, only seven took home awards.

Automobile chooses its All-Star contenders from the entire range of all-new, heavily revised or newly significant vehicles on sale or otherwise available in the United States in the 12 months preceding the test. The magazine's editors spend multiple days driving the vehicles on both road and track, then cast their votes for the winners by private ballot.

Windshield Wiper De-Icer | New Ford Escape

The new 2017 Ford Escape is the first Ford Motor Company SUV in the U.S. to offer a windshield wiper de-icer. The system is designed to melt light snow and ice from the wiper blades in under 10 minutes at minus 18 degrees Fahrenheit.