Ford F-150 Strobe Light Kit

The Ford F-150 now offers an available factory-installed strobe warning LED light kit for fleet customers.

 The strobe light kit is designed for use by utility, road construction or municipal crews that need enhanced vehicle visibility while working on-site, warning motorists and others that workers may be present and to proceed with caution. The kit uses weather resistant, durable, low-power LEDs and was specifically designed to work with F-Series high-strength, military grade, aluminum alloy body.

Already available on 2016 F-Series Super Duty trucks, the lights are now available for all 2016 F-150 models – making the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever, an even better tool for work.

Ford Invests $1.6 Billion in U.S. Plants, Creates 650 Hourly Jobs in Michigan and Ohio

• Ford is investing a total of $1.6 billion in its Livonia Transmission and Ohio Assembly plants
• The investment is part of the company’s commitment to invest $9 billion and create or retain 8,500 hourly jobs in its U.S. facilities during the next four years
• In the past five years, Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created nearly 28,000 total U.S. jobs

DEARBORN, Mich., April 26, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is investing $1.6 billion to upgrade two of its manufacturing facilities in Michigan and Ohio, and creating or retaining 650 hourly jobs in the United States.

The $1.4 billion investment in Livonia Transmission Plant and $200 million investment in Ohio Assembly Plant are part of the $9 billion commitment the company made in the 2015 UAW-Ford collective bargaining agreement to continue investing in its U.S. plants.

Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created a total of nearly 28,000 U.S. jobs in the past five years.

“We are proud that Ford employs more hourly workers and builds more vehicles in the United States than any other automaker,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “We are committed to manufacturing in the United States, as we have been for more than 100 years.”

Ford’s latest investment creates or retains 500 hourly jobs in Michigan at Livonia Transmission Plant to build a new 10-speed transmission to be first introduced in the all-new F-150 Raptor and certain F-150 models. The investment and 150 hourly jobs at Ohio Assembly Plant, located in Avon Lake, will be used to build Super Duty chassis cab. Both F-Series trucks are part of Ford’s toughest, smartest, most capable truck lineup ever.

Ford has committed to 2,800 U.S. jobs in the past five months. The company has committed to a total of 8,500 hourly jobs in the U.S. during the next four years in communities across Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York and Ohio.

“I am thrilled that through our collective bargaining with Ford we were able to secure a substantial investment for the communities of Southeast Michigan and Northeast Ohio,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department. “The men and women of both Livonia Transmission and Ohio Assembly have shown a great commitment to manufacturing quality products, and we look forward to their continued success.”

Livonia Transmission Plant
 
Livonia Transmission Plant employs more than 1,550 people. It builds a six-speed transmission that is used in a number of products including Mustang, F-150, Transit and Expedition. Production begins in June for the new 10-speed transmission.

Ohio Assembly Plant
 
Ohio Assembly Plant employs more than 1,650 people. It began building F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cab configurations earlier this year. The plant also produces Ford F-650 and F-750, which was insourced from Mexico last year, as well as Ford E-Series cutaway vans and stripped chassis. 

2016 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Build Time Lapse | FORD PERFORMANCE

Watch the 2016 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet built piece-by-piece.

We Own Work: Behind the Scenes of the All-New 2017 Ford Super Duty

Five customers were given never-before access to the toughest, smartest, most capable Super Duty ever. Hear in their own words why We Own Work.

Meet our team of Insiders recruited directly from industries owned by Super Duty. Hear their questions around the first-ever aluminum heavy duty truck and get ready for a raw, uncensored view of the all-new 2017 Super Duty.

Ford Recycles Enough Aluminum to Build 30,000 F-150 Bodies Every Month

DEARBORN, Mich., April 22, 2016 -- The toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever is also the greenest F-150 – thanks to advanced materials like high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy and EcoBoost^® engine technology.

Ford recycles as much as 20 million pounds of aluminum stamping scrap per month using the closed-loop system at Dearborn Truck Plant, which builds F-150. That is the equivalent of more than 30,000 F-150 bodies in the largest configuration – a SuperCrew body including doors, plus hood, tailgate and 6.5-foot cargo box.

Opting for aluminum over steel in new automobile construction is the best way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, according to Oak Ridge National Lab.

Recycled aluminum avoids 95 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary aluminum production. It uses significantly less energy and water – another reason Ford F-150 leads the full-size truck pack in terms of lifetime carbon footprint, according to Automotive Science Group.        


Weight savings from aluminum alloy helps F-150 reduce its lifetime emissions compared to the previous steel-body version. Between 30 percent and 40 percent of a typical aluminum coil is turned into scrap in the stamping process. This is recycled into new metal for the truck using the closed-loop system.

When equipped with the available 2.7-liter EcoBoost with standard Auto Start-Stop technology, F-150 4x2 has best-in-class EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined (actual mileage will vary).

F-150 SuperCrew and SuperCab with available collision warning are the only trucks in their class to earn a Top Safety Pick from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. F-150 also is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star overall vehicle score and five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.[1]

Check out Instagram.com/Ford on Friday – Earth Day – to see the closed-loop recycling process in action.

[1] Government five-star safety ratings are part of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Tests include driver and passenger front, side and side barrier and pole tests.

Fearless, Ferocious and Fun: Ford Introduces F-150 Raptor SuperCrew to China

• All-new Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew makes its China debut, bringing unmatched levels of off-road excitement and performance to the world’s largest auto market
• Truck’s exclusive high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® V6 engine, paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission, produces the power of a V8 with fuel economy of a V6
• All-new Terrain Management System enables drivers to select from among six preset modes to optimize driving dynamics in all conditions

BEIJING, April 22, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, announces today that the all-new F-150 Raptor SuperCrew – the high-performance off-road pickup unmatched by any other auto manufacturer – will be available in China in 2017, delivering a new level of capability to China’s off-road enthusiasts.

F-150 Raptor is unique among off-road performance vehicles, with a purpose-built engine, chassis and suspension – all of which enable it to travel fast over challenging desert landscapes or crawl over rocky terrain, from Baja to the Gobi Desert.

“F-150 Raptor represents the very best of what Ford can accomplish with its world-class engineering and design teams, and its long history of building tough, capable and versatile trucks,” said Jamal Hameedi, global chief program engineer, Ford Performance. “We are thrilled to offer our customers in China the chance to experience new levels of off-road performance with the all-new F-150 Raptor.”

Advanced materials – including a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame and high-strength, military-grade aluminum-alloy body – help to improve durability while greatly reducing the weight of Raptor for improved off-road prowess. Combined with all-new EcoBoost^® engine technology, F-150 Raptor SuperCrew has a power-to-weight ratio that makes it even more agile off-road.

Smart technology
 
Advanced technologies enable drivers to travel across varying off-road terrain with greater confidence.

F-150 Raptor is powered by Ford’s new, second-generation high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost that produces more power with greater efficiency than the previous Raptor’s 6.2-liter V8, which was rated at 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. An F-150 Raptor exclusive, the engine is paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission for improved efficiency.

An all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case manages power distribution between front and rear wheels. It combines the best attributes of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with durable, mechanical-locking four-wheel drive to send power to the wheels in slippery conditions.

The truck’s pioneering off-road driving mode technology has evolved into an all-new Terrain Management System that enables the driver to select from among six preset modes to optimize driving dynamics to environmental conditions. Driving modes include:

• Normal mode for everyday driving
• Street mode for high performance, on-road driving
• Weather mode for rain, snow or ice
• Mud and sand mode for muddy and sandy trails and terrain
• Baja mode for high-speed desert running
• Rock mode for low-speed rock crawling

Legendary capability
 
An available Torsen front differential improves off-road capability further. The system increases front-end grip significantly and allows F-150 Raptor to pull itself over obstacles and up steep grades – even when traction is split between the front tires.

F-150 Raptor comes standard with new FOX Racing Shox with custom internal bypass technology that works to damp and stiffen suspension travel over rough terrain – helping prevent the truck from bottoming out. Large-diameter front and rear shock canisters are designed to improve performance and increase suspension travel.

F-150 Raptor sports a dual exhaust system and new 430-millimeter wheels with next-generation BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires designed for off-road performance.

“F-150 Raptor is the ultimate showcase of the tough capability available throughout Ford’s family of trucks and SUVs,” said John Lawler, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China. “By introducing it to the world’s largest auto market, we hope to inspire a new generation of off-road enthusiasts, and demonstrate how we are always bringing our customers new innovations.”

The all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will be built at Dearborn Truck Plant in North America and be available as a SuperCrew in China in 2017. The 2017 Ford F-150 lineup will be available in 96 markets around the globe.

2016 FORD TRENDS - Waste Not, Want Not

Looking beyond the auto industry to comprehend what’s happening in social, technological, economic, environmental and political arenas, Looking Further with Ford is a compilation of global research offering a blueprint for understanding how trends are expected to influence products and brands for 2016 and beyond.

#Ford #Mustang Is Best-Selling Sports Coupe Globally; Customer Demand for Iconic Pony Car Continues to Rise

• Ford Mustang was the top-selling sports coupe worldwide in 2015, according to IHS Automotive registration data
• Ford sold around 110,000 Mustang Coupes and around 30,000 Mustang Convertibles in 2015; Mustang was the only sports coupe globally to sell more than 100,000 units last year
• Once a North American phenomenon, Mustang is now on sale in 140 markets, including Australia, where it was sold out through 2017 before receiving an extra allotment of cars

DEARBORN, Mich., April 20, 2016 – In its first year of global availability, Ford Mustang became the world’s best-selling sports coupe. Demand for the iconic pony car remains insatiable.

According to company analysis of the most recent registration data from IHS Automotive, Ford sold around 110,000 Mustang Coupes globally in 2015 – topping all other sports coupe competitors.

That record was achieved despite limited availability for most of the year in such key markets like China and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Ford sold around 30,000 Mustang Convertibles, for total nameplate sales of 141,868 vehicles – making Mustang far and away the best-selling two-door sports car in the world.

“U.S. consumers have enjoyed interesting foreign sports cars for decades, so it was time for the Americans to return the favor with the worldwide launch of the new Mustang,” says Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst. “Global markets have responded in a huge way. Ford Mustang was the only sports coupe in the world with more than 100,000 units registered last year.”

Global data for 2015 suggests Mustang has room to grow overseas this year as many markets begin to take delivery of their full allotment. So far, Merkle notes, global customers are most interested in V8-equipped Mustangs.

“While much of the growth in Mustang demand in the United States has come from coastal markets – especially Southern California – and millennials opting for the 2.3-liter EcoBoost^® engine, buyers in other countries prefer the V8,” he says. “That unmistakable V8 warble is a hot commodity outside the U.S.”

Mustang in Europe, Middle East and Africa
 
To date, more than 16,600 customers in Europe have ordered a Ford Mustang, which went on sale there last summer. Shipments from Flat Rock Assembly Plant, exclusive production home to Mustang, began in the latter half of 2015. Of the 13,000 sold last year, 4,700 are now in customer hands.

Several significant markets, including United Kingdom, began selling Mustang in the fourth quarter. Total sales there top 3,500 cars, with the first 1,000 pony cars delivered to customers in March.

In Germany, Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe in March, according to data published by German Federal Motor Transport Authority, KBA. Despite relatively high gas prices, the 5.0-liter V8 is the No. 1 engine choice in Germany. The country also has the highest international take-rate for the convertible model, with one in three sales.

Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe last month in France, according to data from the Association Auxilliaire de l’Automobile. Ford sold 339 Mustangs in France in first-quarter 2016.
Incremental sales in South Africa, Cyprus and Malta are helping boost Mustang volume.

EcoBoost, V8 pony cars are big in Asia
 
In fourth-quarter 2015, Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe in China as exports made their way to dealerships in volume, according to IHS registration data. Buyers in China favor EcoBoost versions.

In its first three months on sale in Australia, Mustang ranks as the best-selling sports coupe. Demand is so strong, the pony car was initially sold out through 2017, but an additional 2,000 Mustangs are slated to ship Down Under by the end of this year.

More than 90 percent of buyers in Australia and New Zealand are opting for the V8 version.

Mustang maintains leadership in North America
 
In March, Mustang sales of 12,563 cars in the United States outperformed sales of 12,248 for the new Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger combined, according to published figures. Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe in the U.S. for all of 2015 and through the first quarter of 2016, according to industry-reported numbers.

In Canada, Mustang sales leadership is nothing new; it has outsold Camaro every year since 1985, according to data from the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association. Ford has the best-selling sports coupe in Canada.

And in Mexico, Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe last year, according to IHS registration data. Mustang sales were up 176 percent in Mexico in 2015 versus 2014.

Ford F-150 Special Service Vehicle Reporting for Duty

• 2016 Ford F-150 Special Service Vehicle package – available for both SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations – tailors the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever to meet the unique needs of government and fleet customers
• Package adds high-output alternator to meet power needs, plus easy-clean rear vinyl bench seating and flooring; a removed center console allows for custom equipment placement
• Along with the Special Service Vehicle package for both F-150 as well as Expedition, Ford offers a Transit Prisoner Transport Vehicle and a Special Service Police Sedan to help fulfill the unique needs of law enforcement agencies nationwide

DEARBORN, Mich., April 19, 2016 – Government and fleet customers – including law enforcement and roadside assistance providers – require the toughest, smartest, most capable vehicles for their work, so Ford offers a Special Service Vehicle package for the 2016 F-150 to meet their rigorous needs.

F-150 Special Service Vehicle gives fleets a selection of configurations so customers can pick what best suits their needs. Available in XL trim for either F-150 SuperCrew or SuperCab configuration, customers can opt for the package in a 4x4 or 4x2 drivetrain, along with the 5.0-liter V8 or high-torque 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® engine to ensure there is never a lack of power.

Law enforcement and fleet work can get messy, so trucks equipped with the package replace carpeting with easy-to-clean vinyl flooring. The rear seat is swapped out for a vinyl bench for quick cleanup.

A high-output 240-amp alternator replaces the stock unit to accommodate for extended idle times. Standard 40/20/40 seats are replaced with 40/blank/40 seats, with the center section deleted to create more space for customization.

“Many officers need the extra space F-150 Special Service Vehicle offers,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police marketing manager. “They can load the cargo box with equipment and still fit five people inside. Its utility is unmatched.”

Law enforcement makes up a large portion of Special Service Vehicle purchases, so Ford added F-150 to satisfy a complete range of police needs.

“We offer a whole family of police vehicles,” said Arie Groeneveld, Ford chief program engineer for police vehicles. “Our lineup aims to fulfill the unique needs of law enforcement officers, and our F-150 Special Service Vehicle is an extension of that offering. This vehicle definitely lives up to its Built Ford Tough reputation.”

The following Ford vehicles are available for law enforcement use:

• F-150 Special Service Vehicle
• Expedition Special Service Vehicle
• Special Service Police Sedan
• Transit Prisoner Transport Vehicle
• Police Interceptor Sedan
• Police Interceptor Utility

Ford GT - Incredible 360 degree Onboard lap of Silverstone! #360Video #V...

Get inside the the awesome Ford GT racing car on a 360 degree virtual reality lap of Silverstone - shot during the 2016 WEC Silverstone Race weekend. Looking weird? For 360 best effect, try watching this in the YouTube app on your smartphone!

Only 1 Pickup Earns Top Safety Rating - IIHS News

Ford F-­150 is the only pickup to earn top safety rating for small overlap protection

RUCKERSVILLE, Va. — Three out of seven large pickup trucks evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in a new round of crash tests earn an acceptable or higher rating for occupant protection in a small overlap front crash.

IIHS evaluated two body styles of each 2016 model-­year pickup — crew cab and extended cab. Crew cabs have four full doors and two full rows of seating. Extended cabs have two full front doors, two smaller rear doors and compact second-­row seats.

Ford Donates Customized Transit Van to Support The Salvation Army's Disaster Relief Efforts

DETROIT, April 15, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is helping The Salvation Army better respond to emergencies in Southeast Michigan with a customized Ford Transit van.

The Transit will serve as a disaster response unit as part of The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division Emergency Disaster Services’ canteen fleet. A similar Transit will be donated by Ford in Kansas City.

The disaster services volunteer team responds to calls for help from local authorities, and provides food, beverages, blankets, clothing, temporary shelter, communications support, emergency lighting, clean-up kits and comfort to victims and families of major disasters. The team also aids police, firefighters and other first responders at the emergency scene.

“Assisting with disaster relief is an important part of our mission to serve the communities where we live and work,” said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford. “The flexibility of the Ford Transit van makes it a great fit for The Salvation Army’s emergency response fleet.”

Ford has a long history of supporting disaster relief, as well as The Salvation Army.

The sleek design of the Ford Transit canteen will enable volunteer responders to more easily maneuver the tight spaces that emergency scenes – such as house fires or weather-related situations – can sometimes present.

The 2016 Ford Transit 350 cargo van has a high roof that enables someone 6 feet, 9 inches tall to stand upright inside. Custom elements include emergency LED strobe lighting in the grille and roof, plus sirens and external speakers. A generator and ham radio antenna will help keep The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team connected during a disaster.

The extended-wheelbase van offers more than 487 cubic feet of cargo space to house a custom-installed two-burner stovetop, microwave, coffeemaker, refrigerator, freezer, sink and electric hot water heater. Further food service upfits include two water tanks, a water pump and countertops. Food will be served through a custom window with a fold-out stainless steel shelf protected by a 10-foot awning.

Fully stocked, the Transit will be able to serve approximately 250 disaster victims and first responder personnel.

LED ceiling lights controlled by four switches will help improve interior visibility at disaster sites. The upfits were completed by Livonia, Michigan-based Technosports Creative.

The dual-rear-wheel van is powered by an available 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost^® engine.

FordPass with SYNC Connect Debuts on New Ford Escape Arriving at Dealers in May

• New Ford Escape brings to market available FordPass^® with SYNC^® Connect – allowing drivers to lock, unlock and locate their vehicle, and to schedule remote starts and check fuel level via a smartphone app
• 2017 Escape is first Ford vehicle to offer SYNC 3 with support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – allowing drivers to seamlessly integrate their favorite devices
• SYNC Connect is enabled through FordPass platform, which is part of Ford Smart Mobility initiative to take the company to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics

LOS ANGELES, April 13, 2016 – For 16 years, Ford Escape has been a leader in the popular small SUV segment by bringing the latest in advanced technologies to customers.

The 2017 Escape will continue that leadership when it arrives in showrooms in May, featuring available SYNC^® Connect technology that gives FordPass^® members remote access to their vehicle from their mobile device.

SYNC Connect enables drivers to use the new FordPass platform to lock, unlock and locate their Escape, as well as schedule remote starts and check fuel level. SYNC Connect is included in the Technology Package on Escape SE and is a standard offering on Escape Titanium.

“SYNC Connect provides the convenience customers want,” said Don Butler, executive director, Ford Connected Vehicle and Services. “It was designed with the customer as the focus – everything the technology does is intended to improve the vehicle-owning experience.”

Owners enable SYNC Connect through a two-step verification process to protect personal information, confirming setup on both the app and vehicle touch screen. The service is provided for five years at no cost to customers.

SYNC Connect makes its global debut on the 2017 Ford Escape, followed by the new Ford Fusion later this year. The platform will then migrate to the rest of the Ford lineup.

New Escape adds even more driver-assist technologies
 
The new Escape features available driver-assist technologies that enhance safety and convenience. These include:

• Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support: Sensors detect when Escape is approaching a slow-moving vehicle and automatically apply the brakes – slowing the vehicle as needed
• Enhanced active park assist: Provides steering assistance to park the vehicle in a parallel or perpendicular parking spot, and to pull out from tight parallel parking spots with the driver controlling brake, accelerator and shifter. The technology includes side park distance control
• Lane-keeping system: The system includes lane-keeping alert to alert drivers when they drift unintentionally from their lane, and lane-keeping aid to provide steering assistance to guide an unintentionally drifting vehicle back into its lane 
• Driver Alert System: Using data from the lane-keeping system, Driver Alert can detect signs of fatigued driving and provide a warning on the instrument cluster, as well as a steering wheel vibration

Three series, new Sport Appearance Package
 
Customers can continue to select from S, SE and Titanium models, as well as a new Sport Appearance Package available for Escape SE and Escape Titanium.

Across the lineup, the new Escape has been redesigned from the inside out. The new interior dramatically enhances ergonomics and storage, emphasizing comfort and convenience for driver and front passenger, while the redesigned exterior leans toward the nameplate’s capable SUV heritage.

Replacing the bulky, hand-actuated parking brake with a modern, push-button electronic system enabled Ford designers to rework the center console area. The gear shifter has been moved rearward for improved access to climate controls on the center stack, while an added storage bin offers easy access to a lighted USB port and a covered power outlet to charge and store electronic devices.

“Our interior redesign was driven by what our customers were telling us,” said Milton Wong, Ford Escape chief engineer. “We considered every detail, listened to our customers, and made a significantly better Escape.”

The center console introduces improved cupholders designed to accommodate cups of all sizes. Two new bins, in front of and behind the cupholders, add storage, and the center armrest has been extended for added comfort for driver and passenger.

An all-new steering wheel features easy-to-work buttons to control audio, adaptive cruise control and SYNC 3 voice command systems. A new “swing-bin” glove box offers easier access to stored items.

Escape Titanium features a Charcoal Black interior with subtle Deep Space black trim. Leather seats, featuring Salerno leather trim, show a unique horizontal pattern. Titanium customers can also opt for Medium Stone seats to contrast with the black interior.

The redesigned hood and raised trapezoidal upper grille set a wider stance – evoking a more prominent feel for the front of the new Escape. The grille is flanked by updated headlamps with low-beam projector lenses. Signature LED daytime running lamps are available for Escape SE and are included on Escape Titanium. The lamps can double as parking lamps at night. Bi-functional HID projector headlamps and speed-dependent cornering halogen lamps are available for Titanium as well.

The new Sport Appearance Package offers customers such unique features as:

• 19-inch Ebony Black painted wheels
• Ebony Black high-gloss painted upper grille
• Piano Black high-gloss fog lamp bezels
• Ebony Black high-gloss painted side vents
• Absolute Black painted mirror caps
• Darkened headlamp and taillamp trim

Standard Auto Start-Stop with two new EcoBoost engines
 
The availability of Auto Start-Stop on the 2017 Escape marks the technology’s first high-volume appearance, a standard offering with either of two EcoBoost^® engines new to Escape – a 1.5-liter and a 2.0-liter twin-scroll. It’s already available on F-150 equipped with 2.7-liter EcoBoost, Focus with 1.0-liter EcoBoost, Fusion with 1.5-liter EcoBoost and Edge with 2.0-liter twin-scroll EcoBoost.

The new 1.5-liter EcoBoost with Auto Start-Stop is standard on Escape SE and Escape Titanium. The technology shuts off the engine during common stops, so the vehicle burns no gas and emits zero tailpipe emissions. The engine restarts automatically – in less than half a second – when the driver releases the brake pedal.

A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the line, with new paddle-shift technology available for Escape SE and Escape Titanium.

Both the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter twin-scroll EcoBoost engines are available with Ford’s intelligent four-wheel-drive system that monitors traction and road conditions every 16 milliseconds. The system can transfer up to 100 percent of torque from front to rear wheels, constantly adjusting to road conditions to relieve driver stress and increase confidence by keeping the vehicle on its intended path.

When equipped with the 2.0-liter twin-scroll EcoBoost and Class II Tow Package, Escape can tow an impressive 3,500 pounds. Trailer sway control works to help keep both the vehicle and the trailer under control if sway is detected.

Horsepower and torque figures for the new EcoBoost engines are impressive. The 1.5-liter produces 179 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque; the 2.0-liter delivers 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque, which tops all four-cylinder competitors in the compact utility segment.

The 1.5-liter EcoBoost is EPA-rated at 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined on front-wheel-drive-equipped Escape; and at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with four-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost is rated at 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive; and at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined with four-wheel drive.

“With the most powerful four-cylinder engine in its segment and available Auto Start-Stop, Escape now delivers the perfect balance of performance, efficiency and capability,” said Wong.

Safest F-150 Ever: Ford F-150 SuperCrew and SuperCab Only Full-Size Pickups to Earn 2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2016 Ford F-150 pickup its Top Safety Pick for SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations – the only large pickup to earn this recognition
• Superb crash test performance of new Ford F-150 – including highest possible rating in small overlap front crash test – is enabled by high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering
• 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever – is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star Overall Vehicle Score and five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab

DEARBORN, Mich., April 12, 2016 – The 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever – is the only large pickup to earn an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations.

Class-leading crash test performance of the new Ford F-150 is enabled by the use of high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering, which also help to save up to 700 pounds of weight to enable best-in-class ratings for towing, payload and EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy.

“From the moment our team set out to design and build the new F-150, we knew it had to be best-in-class,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical officer. “This Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick is another example of Ford’s commitment to building the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever.”

A cross-functional group of Ford truck veterans worked thousands of hours to deliver improved durability, capability, fuel economy and safety. The team created 31 safety-related innovations – including new structures that manage crash forces, and joining methods that were tested virtually with supercomputer simulations, then retested in Ford’s advanced laboratories to engineer the safest F-150 ever.

These smart innovations include a patented extruded aluminum roof crossmember and additional frame crossmember to help improve crash resilience.

To manage crash forces in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small overlap front crash test, Ford created a system of innovations that work together to help protect the driver. Nylon hinge pillar reinforcements save weight, and in conjunction with specially designed wheel blockers, work to control crash forces while also providing additional safety.

“The same innovative approach applied to every other attribute of the 2016 F-150 is exemplified in our commitment to safety,” said Nair. “We spent thousands of hours engineering, designing and developing multiple safety features that work together in the event of an accident.”

F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star Overall Vehicle Score and a five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.

We Own Work: Reinvestment of Weight Savings for the All-New 2017 Ford Super Duty

Follow our group of real-world truck customers as they go behind the scenes to meet with Ford Super Duty experts and engineers to learn how weight savings from the high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body were reinvested into other areas of the truck for improved performance and capability.

Upgrades include a fully boxed steel frame, stronger axles, beefed-up suspension, bigger brakes and a higher capacity trailer hitch. These are just some of the reasons the all-new 2017 Super Duty is the toughest, smartest and most capable Super Duty ever.

No Lights? No Problem! Ford Fusion Autonomous Research Vehicles Use LiDAR Sensor Technology to See in the Dark

• Ford tests Fusion Hybrid autonomous research vehicles at night, in complete darkness, as part of LiDAR sensor development – demonstrating the capability to perform beyond the limits of human drivers
• Recent test at Ford Arizona Proving Ground shows how the company’s use of LiDAR technology and 3D maps work in conjunction to allow vehicles to drive without headlights on
• Testing supports Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics

WITTMANN, Ariz., April 11, 2016 – Recently, under the cover of night, a Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous research vehicle with no headlights on navigated along lonely desert roads, performing a task that would be perilous for a human driver.

Driving in pitch black at Ford Arizona Proving Ground marks the next step on the company’s journey to delivering fully autonomous vehicles to customers around the globe. It’s an important development, in that it shows that even without cameras, which rely on light, Ford’s LiDAR – working with the car’s virtual driver software – is robust enough to steer flawlessly around winding roads. While it’s ideal to have all three modes of sensors – radar, cameras and LiDAR – the latter can function independently on roads without stoplights.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data has found the passenger vehicle occupant fatality rate during dark hours to be about three times higher than the daytime rate.

“Thanks to LiDAR, the test cars aren’t reliant on the sun shining, nor cameras detecting painted white lines on the asphalt,” says Jim McBride, Ford technical leader for autonomous vehicles. “In fact, LiDAR allows autonomous cars to drive just as well in the dark as they do in the light of day.”

To navigate in the dark, Ford self-driving cars use high-resolution 3D maps – complete with information about the road, road markings, geography, topography and landmarks like signs, buildings and trees. The vehicle uses LiDAR pulses to pinpoint itself on the map in real time. Additional data from radar gets fused with that of LiDAR to complete the full sensing capability of the autonomous vehicle.

For the desert test, Ford engineers, sporting night-vision goggles, monitored the Fusion from inside and outside the vehicle. Night vision allowed them to see the LiDAR doing its job in the form of a grid of infrared laser beams projected around the vehicle as it drove past. LiDAR sensors shoot out 2.8 million laser pulses a second to precisely scan the surrounding environment.

“Inside the car, I could feel it moving, but when I looked out the window, I only saw darkness,” describes Wayne Williams, a Ford research scientist and engineer. “As I rode in the back seat, I was following the car’s progression in real time using computer monitoring. Sure enough, it stayed precisely on track along those winding roads.”

After more than a decade of Ford autonomous vehicle research, the company is dedicated to achieving fully autonomous driving capability, which, as defined by SAE International Level 4, does not require the driver to intervene and take control of the vehicle.

This year, Ford will triple its autonomous vehicle test fleet – bringing the number to about 30 self-driving Fusion Hybrid sedans for testing on roads in California, Arizona and Michigan.

These developments are key elements of Ford Smart Mobility, the plan to take Ford to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

Altered State: Driving the Ford GT | Ford

The all-new Ford GT is a one-of-a-kind supercar that only a few people will ever get the chance to drive. So we asked the question, how could we get more people to experience the thrill of driving the new Ford GT? Enter Marc Savard, a Las Vegas comedy hypnotist. Savard can, through the power of hypnosis, convince people to do, say or believe just about anything.

Ford Mustang Best-Selling Sports Car in Germany in March

COLOGNE, Germany, April 8, 2016 – Ford Mustang beat its rivals to become Germany’s No.1 top-selling sports coupe in March, according to data published by German Federal Motor Transport Authority, KBA.

“Germans have fallen in love with the Mustang. Driving a Mustang GT on the Autobahn is a one of a kind experience for people who love cars,” said Wolfgang Kopplin, managing Director Ford Germany.

Ford to Launch New Factory 'No Profile' Front Interior Visor Light Bar on Police Interceptor Utility

• Ford now offers a super-low-profile visor light bar that mounts inside the Police Interceptor Utility to enable a stealth appearance
• New interior visor light bar is fully integrated at the top of the windshield, allowing for maximum driver visibility
• Covert feature eliminates the need for a visible roof-mounted light bar

DEARBORN, Mich., April 7, 2016 – Lawbreakers will now have a more difficult time recognizing the profile of the best-selling police vehicle in their rearview mirrors.

Ford announced today it will offer a new, factory-installed front interior visor light bar that provides a stealth appearance for police agency patrol vehicles.

“Today, agencies typically use aftermarket interior visor light bars that are somewhat bulky and can obstruct the field of vision – especially for taller officers,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police marketing manager for North American fleet, lease and remarketing operations. “This extremely low-profile unit is fully integrated where the headliner and top of the windshield meet, for tremendously improved driver visibility versus aftermarket alternatives.”

Another advantage of the new interior visor light is that the dark shade band at the top of the windshield is replaced by clear glass when the light is ordered, providing superior color visibility and brightness. 

The light comes with a limited warranty and maintains the spacious interior feel that many agencies love about the newest generation of Ford Police Interceptor. When activated, it flashes bright – alternating red and blue bars through the top of the windshield. It can also be programmed for red/red or blue/blue operation.

The visor light features bright-white “take down” and “scene” capabilities for excellent forward visibility, and can be set up to meet California Title 13 regulations. It can be programmed from full intensity down to 20 percent, and provide auto-dimming capability as well.

The interior visor light is available to order now on the 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Utility.

Ford: Investing in America for over a Century

Since 2011, Ford Motor Company has created more than 15,000 hourly manufacturing jobs in the United States. Each day, more than 55,000 UAW-Ford workers keep Ford’s 19 plants in the U.S. running.

Tired of Traffic? New Ford Fusion Offers Technology to Make the Car Stop and Go on Its Own to Ease Stressful Commutes

• Study shows average U.S. driver spends up to 1.5 stressful hours a week stuck in traffic
• New Ford Fusion offers adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology to help take the edge off stressful traffic
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is one of 20 driver-assist features available on the new 2017 Ford Fusion arriving at dealers this spring

DEARBORN, Mich., April 5, 2016 – Ford can’t prevent aggravating traffic congestion, but it’s adding something new to help make traffic less stressful.

A new stop-and-go technology available for the 2017 Fusion, which piggybacks on the existing adaptive cruise control feature, can help drivers experience less stress on the road. When activated stop-and-go automatically accelerates and brakes for the driver while maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

According to the 2015 Urban Mobility Scorecard released by Texas A&M Transportation Institute, America’s drivers spent 6.9 billion hours stuck in traffic in 2014, an average of nearly an hour a week wasted. Drivers fighting traffic in the most gridlocked cities – New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. – found it significantly worse, losing nearly an hour and a half, sometimes more.

Now, whether on a long-distance trip or the daily commute, customers of the 2017 Fusion equipped with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology can drive with less stress.

Using dedicated steering wheel buttons, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go allows drivers to set cruise control speed and following distance from the vehicle ahead. The semi-autonomous technology can automatically adjust the set speed for comfortable travel – much like a human driver would – bringing the car to a full stop when traffic halts. If the car has to stop for more than three seconds, the driver can tap the resume button or accelerator and the car returns to its preset speed. This assures the driver is paying attention in the event of a long pause in traffic.

Adaptive cruise control employs a combination of sensors and software. When activated, the technology uses an advanced radar-and-camera based system, which reads the road every 50 milliseconds – tracking traffic and adjusting Fusion’s cruise control according to traffic flow. In slow traffic, with minimal driver input, the car can automatically brake itself to a stop, then resume travel up to set speed and following distance.

“When testing this system, we traveled to cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, heading straight for the worst possible congestion,” says Scott Lindstrom, Ford driver-assist technologies manager. “It was important for us to test this system under conditions the average driver encounters every workday.”

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is a great tool for dealing with traffic, but for unpredictable moments Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, part of the overall technology, employs the same sensors and camera to watch the road ahead for potential collisions with a vehicle or pedestrian. When a situation is detected, the system provides a visual and audible warning to the driver, pre-charges the brakes and, if necessary, can then automatically apply up to full braking force. This can help reduce the severity of, or even eliminate, some frontal collisions.

The 2017 Fusion is the first Ford vehicle in North America to offer adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection – among 20 driver-assist technologies available across the entire Fusion lineup, including Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi. Stop-and-go will be added to three new Ford products within the next two years.

The new Fusion arrives at Ford dealers this spring.

Ford 911 Assist: Peace of Mind. By Design | Ford

Ford 911 Assist: Peace of Mind. By Design | Ford

Ford Mustang RTR Engine Test

Vaughn Gittin Jr. is preparing for the 2016 Formula DRIFT season by testing his Ford Mustang RTR demo car with a 845 HP Ford Performance/Roush Yates ALUMINUM V8.

Video courtesy of Vaughn Gittin Jr.

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.