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Ford is well known for its innovations in things like vehicle production and assembly, engine design, fuel-efficient “EcoBoost” motors, and cabin technology. But you may not realize that Ford innovates on many different fronts, in addition to the straightforward appearance of new features on new and updated cars. For example, technical experts at the Ford Research and Innovation center have recently released a manufacturing process called Ford Freeform Fabrication Technology (F3T), which will change the way Ford designs and produces prototypes. more The technology that Ford will be using to develop prototypes of new Ford vehicles, as well as customized parts and low-volume manufacturing, hinges on computer management of sheet metal fabrication. So when a designer comes in with a piece for a prototype vehicle, a piece of fresh sheet metal is clamped in place and a pair of stylus-like tools manipulate the fresh piece from opposite ends to form the piece required. This innovation allows much quicker production of prototype models, because designers can see their ideas in the flesh much more quickly. Another advantage to the customer is that of advanced customization. If someone orders a customized piece for a car from Frankfurt, Ford is much more quickly and affordably able to accommodate special request at the factory through the use of the F3T technology. The low costs, increased velocity, and higher flexibility of this technology places Ford firmly ahead of competitors in terms of their manufacturing ability for these types of requests. In fact, the technology is expected to have applications beyond the automotive industry, with potential uses in areas as varied as building aircraft to building household appliances.

We have covered the development and success of the Ford EcoBoost engine line recently, and coverage of these engines has often focused on the fuel economy gains that they enable. But maybe you’ve been wondering how these engines fit into a picture of powerful Ford motors dating back over 50 years, with V8 powerhouses that changed the standard for muscle cars. Well, there is an exciting development on the way in 2014: the Ford F-150 Tremor pickup truck, which will be the first EcoBoost-powered sport pickup truck ever. more This certainly wouldn’t be the first sport pickup truck to make waves from Ford. In Fact, there have been many versions, old and new, of the extra-oomph Ford F-150 pickup truck. The difference here is that those vehicles have often used hugely power V8 motors to achieve their performance, and occasionally at the cost of fuel economy. The 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor will use EcoBoost engine technology to achieve V8 power in a sport pickup with V6 fuel economy. As you might have seen driving around Lawrenceburg, the Ford F-150 is already available with EcoBoost technology. But now, the 3.5-liter power plant in the Tremor will be producing 365 horsepower and an amazing 420 lb-ft of torque at only 2,500 RPM. This is the power that will drive the sport pickup truck ahead of any competition. And that’s not all you get with the sport package: the 2014 F-150 Tremor will also stand out with a customized appearance package including black accents and special 20-inch wheels. Finally, the acceleration and performance of the tremor will be augmented by a special launch-optimized 4.10 rear axel drive ratio, which will enable amazing acceleration.

Ford trucks are built to pretty exacting standards. In fact, the manufacturer has an entire testing program designed around the motto “Built Ford Tough,” and tough the testing is. This regime has recently been augmented with the addition of robotic technology allowing the vehicles to be driven remotely through even more demanding courses—ensuring that the upcoming generation of Ford trucks will be built even tougher than ever before. more If you’ve tackled driving in the rougher weather or rougher terrain around Frankfurt, a Ford truck has probably been your best friend. This is because for decades, Ford trucks have been the standard in durability due to the quality of build and testing. However, according to Ford manager for vehicle development operations Dave Payne, “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.” This is where robots come in. In order to ensure that vehicles like the new 2014 Ford Transit van are up to the standard and able to face the toughest conditions, robotic technology has been utilized to drive the test-vehicles through test courses. Although the courses are pre-programmed, the robotic driver can control steering, acceleration, and braking, while being tracked via GPS. Additional, sensors can initiate emergency stopping if obstacles like other cars or pedestrians enter the course. Using this technology, Ford is able to compress years' worth of strenuous use onto a test vehicle in a course measured in hundreds of yards. This technology is important in making keeping Ford trucks as durable as possible. According to Payne, the objective for Ford was “to create a test track solution that allows for this type of intense testing that could take our vehicles to the most extreme limits of their engineering while ensuring the safety of all involved.” In other words, to make sure every vehicle is “Built Ford Tough.”

One of the fields on which Ford has focused in recent years and proven itself against other manufacturers is the all-important aspect of fuel economy. In addition to being on the mind of most drivers who have to open their wallet at the pump, there are also now numerous environmental reasons to decrease carbon emissions. And on this front, Ford has thrown the gauntlet to other manufacturers to match up to its efforts in the line of EcoBoost engines, with a series of events inviting the drivers to compare EcoBoost vehicles with the competition themselves. more The EcoBoost engine is itself an increasingly common component in new 2014 Ford vehicles. In fact, by the end of 2013, more than 90% of Ford vehicles will have the option to include of these engines. The secret of the EcoBoost is in fuel management—not just in the cylinders, but also all the way from the gas tank through to the exhaust. Additionally, EcoBoost motors take full advantage of technologies like direct-injection and turbocharging, to garner the maximum power from the engine while still keeping a high level of fuel economy in vehicles like the Fusion and the Ford Escape. Ford is so confident in the abilities of its EcoBoost motors that it is holding events across the U.S. to put competing vehicles right up against the same EcoBoost-equipped cars you could find at a Frankfurt Ford dealer. Not only will participants get to drive vehicles like the Fusion and Escape around a specialized course, but they will also get to see the brand new Ford Fiesta ST in advance of its appearance in dealerships. In a time when many manufacturers reference fuel economy, Ford is taking it to the customers to decide who is handling the challenge best.

Of course Ford vehicles have been American favorites for years, but recent updates and additions have had buyers lining up for some of the newest vehicles. And one large reason why has to do with the appeal of fuel-efficient vehicles. Not only are many Ford vehicles leaders in their respective segments in terms of fuel economy, but many have a particular advantage in that regard: the option of a hybrid-electric motor. more Among recent Ford vehicles that have had particular appeal to drivers in places like Lawrenceburg, the Ford Fusion is one of the most alluring to come from the famous American manufacturer. This is not only because of the value, versatility, and variety in the Fusion, but also because of its wonderful good looks. Now interested drivers can also add the outstanding hybrid-electric drive version of the 2013 Ford Fusion to the “pro” list. But it’s not only average drivers who have seen the benefit in these fuel-efficient vehicles. In addition to the Fusion, the 2013 Ford C-MAX hybrid is another car that many companies and corporations have added to their professional fleets. The reasons are many—it’s not just that these hybrid cars have outstanding mileage thanks to their technological innovations, but also because of their outstanding durability and reliability. Finally, there is a little-known factor to Ford hybrid vehicles that the average driver may not realize when they hear that corporations are stocking their fleets up with cars like the Fusion and the C-MAX. This is that those hybrid vehicles often retain value better than their conventionally fueled counterparts. So a company that’s stocking up on Ford hybrid vehicles actually stands to get a little more money out of their investment on the other end, since the resale value on their hybrid vehicle will be a little higher than the alternative. Sounds like there are a lot of reasons to go hybrid!

When you think of Ford, you may think of dependability, ruggedness, versatility, or something else—maybe you think of the iconic Ford Mustang. But one company considers all of these aspects and more in a complicated index in order to identify those select few vehicles that provide the driver an outstanding experience in something called “Total Quality.” This year, Strategic Vision, a research consultancy, named three Ford vehicles as number 1 in their respective segments: the new Ford Fusion in the midsize sedan segment, and the Ford F-250/F-350 trucks in the heavy duty pickup truck segment. more These studies are conducted to assess a wide range of criteria, but the goal is to determine the cars that are the highest-quality overall experience for their drivers. This experienced consultancy uses careful metrics and controls to quantify the experiences that are most moving and most meaningful to drivers, and drive both drivers’ and prospective drivers’ decision making. So, for example, in the midsize sedan segment, the Fusion topped the list. And its April sales figures speak to this: from Florida to Frankfurt, the Ford Fusion had one of its best-ever months. Another mention that Ford gained from the study was for the stellar performance of the Ford F-250/F-350 pickup trucks. And this performance encompasses more than just the power that these two pickups are known for: a large reason that the F-250/F-350 trucks were recognized in the study is because of their class-leading fuel economy and their overall comfort level for heavy duty pickup trucks. Whether you’re considering a midsize sedan or a high-performance truck, Ford stands ahead when it comes to total quality.

It’s not just the most popular truck, but also one of the most popular vehicles of any type in America. There’s only one Ford F150 pickup truck, and time and again the workers, farmers, families, and drivers of this country have made their collective choice clear: the F150 stands alone as the standard for the American pickup. The demand is growing, and to meet it, Ford has been ramping up production at their Kansas City, Missouri plant. more The Ford F150 pickup truck has been a standard among American work vehicles since its introduction in the late 1940s. But despite its long history, its popularity and reputation hasn’t waned, and due to this continuing popularity, Ford is planning to add over 2,000 new jobs at its Kansas City, MO plant to accommodate increases in production, out of which more than 1,000 will be new hires. Staffing increase helps towards the Ford goal to create 12,000 hourly positions in the U.S. by the year 2015. However, the Kansas City plant’s output isn’t limited to vehicles like the 2012 Ford F150. Shelbyville drivers may be aware of another Ford utility vehicle that enjoys staggering worldwide popularity: the Ford Transit. This is the vehicle that changed the worldwide perspective on the panel van, and one of very few that—like the F150—can boast to have had only increasing popularity in its long lifespan. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has also been a game-changer. The fact that both of these incredible vehicles are still popular enough to demand increased staff for their biggest manufacturing plants speaks to the quality of Ford vehicles. Come by your local dealership and take another look at the Ford Transit or the F150 pickup today!

As we’ve mentioned before on this blog, we’re approaching the 50 th anniversary of the one and only Ford Mustang. Introduced in 1964, this American icon is not only one of the longest-running cars in the world, its easily one of the best known. One thing you may not know is that this product of Motor City is still manufactured in the same state it was designed and introduced. In fact, alongside the upcoming 50 th anniversary, the primary factory in Flat Rock, Michigan, is celebrating the one-millionth Mustang built since production moved there in 2004. more Of course, there have been way more than one million vehicles with the famous “Mustang” badge manufactured in 50 years. In fact, the number is more like 8.5 million over the unbroken production run. But the special part here is the Flat Rock facility’s ownership of the Michigan tradition of Mustang manufacturing. According to the Ford group vice president for global product development Raj Nair, “Mustang is one of the most beloved nameplates in the industry, with fans around the world and throughout Ford Motor Company.” Before it moved to Flat Rock, production of the new Ford Mustang was seated at the famous Ford Rouge factory, near the headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. When it was introduced, the Ford Mustang was so unexpectedly popular that additional manufacturing had to be added outside of native Michigan. But today, for any driver from San Francisco to Frankfort, their Ford Mustang will be built at the Flat Rock plant. Opened alongside the introduction of the 5 th generation Mustang, this manufacturing facility has been behind several special editions of the vehicle, and has been making other cars since 1987.

One of the proactive steps that Ford has taken to decrease the carbon footprint of Ford vehicles is to focus on engine technology. You may have seen the EcoBoost logo on Ford cars in recent years, and it means that vehicle has a motor specially designed to bring that little extra fuel economy and efficiency. In fact, these motors have been so successful that new plants have been opened just to build these engines, and now, a new one has been added to the lineup: a special 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine that now includes turbocharging. more For a driver in Louisville, the Ford EcoBoost engine may seem like it wouldn’t have enough power for you—that’s exactly the kind of concern that the new turbocharged 1.5-liter four cylinder EcoBoost engine addresses. Using turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and variable valve timing, this engine is expected to produce the same power as the current 1.6-liter EcoBoost motor, but from a smaller engine size. Moreover, it will include innovative features from the original EcoBoost motor like an integrated exhaust manifold. These technology features, which have been working their magic in any new Ford vehicle with the EcoBoost option, help to achieve better fuel efficiency. But one function the new 1.5-liter EcoBoost motor has is to push many global EcoBoost drivers into a slightly better tax situation because of the engine’s small size. According to Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of powertrain engineering, “Ford EcoBoost technology has changed the way people look at gas engines and has enjoyed huge success with customers.” In fact, there have been more than 600,000 EcoBoost engines sold since its introduction, and with the new model and new factories in that lineup, the capacity is now up to 1.6 million motors annually.

The 2013 Ford Fusion has been making waves since its introduction both for its incredible styling and for its all-around performance. In fact, the popularity of the new Fusion and the speed with which it’s leaving the dealership floors are both testaments to its quality. Now there’s another one to add: the AAA Auto Buying experts have named it as a 2013 all-around top sedan for commuters. more This recognition for the new Ford Fusion comes a number of reasons. The AAA Auto Buying awards crew looked at hundreds of vehicles, and for each one they evaluated things like fuel economy, comfort, performance, and features to arrive at their decision. For drivers in Lawrenceburg, Ford Fusion models excel at every one of these. The 2013 Ford Fusion comes with a choice of engines that all offer excellent fuel efficiency. One in particular, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 240 horsepower, provides a V6-engines power through turbocharging with a four-cylinder’s economy. This is the kind of tactic that the Fusion uses to hit so many of the factors in making it one of the AAA top pick sedans. Another important feature that propels the 2013 Ford Fusion to such high status is the quality of its styling and trim, which, according to the reviewers, “could easily have passed for a luxury car not too many years ago.” Add in that its looks have been compared to legendary works of automotive beauty like Aston Martin and Jaguar, and you can easily see how the Fusion has become such a desirable sedan. Check out yours at your local Ford dealership before it’s too late!

Few vehicles in the world can compete with the Ford Mustang in terms of reputation, mystique, notoriety, and fame. Not only did it rock the car world when it was introduced in the 1964, but it changed the way the world viewed American cars. Here was a machine that was patently American, a vehicle the country could call its own. And within the 50 states, it also kicked off a trend in the American auto industry that is still manifesting itself today: the muscle car. more To celebrate this heritage, Ford is unveiling a host of licensed Mustang products from 50 different manufacturers, each product branded and related to this lineage of both old and new Ford Mustang muscle cars. These products will range from model cars to watches to t-shirts, all exclusively licensed for the occasion, and including a specially designed custom logo that speaks to the 50 years of heritage behind the Mustang. One of the first products unveiled will be a limited edition, exclusive leather bomber jacket from Schott NYC company, a know high-end jacket manufacturer. You won’t need to search for long among Shelbyville used cars to find numerous examples of why the Ford Mustang is so beloved, and so widespread. When it was introduced, never before had a vehicle so audaciously combined one-of-a-kind looks with such a brash, powerful V8 engine. And those elements—the eye-popping lines, the unmistakable V8 engine, and the legendary noise—are all present in the current Mustang. This muscle car is not just the first, but also the continuing icon of American muscle, and Ford will be celebrating its anniversary with 50 iconic products in the coming year.

The buyers of Ford vehicles have made their presence and preferences known. Aside from their propensity for quality cars at convenient price points, they have propelled the Ford 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine to the heights of popularity. In fact, demand for this engine has been so high, that Ford recently announced an almost $200 milling investment in its Cleveland, OH engine plant to increase capacity. more This comes as gas prices—still flirting with all-time highs in the United States—are placing more and more stress on Americans’ wallets. With this in mind, a new, more fuel-efficient was designed for placement in new Ford vehicles. They called the engine the EcoBoost, because of its ability to deliver significantly higher fuel economy compared to other engines of similar capacities. This is accomplished through variable valve timing, turbocharger technology, and direct fuel injection. The best part about the EcoBoost engines that you can find in many Frankfort Ford vehicles is that the technologies we mentioned improve performance, along with preserving great fuel economy. This is why these little motors have proved so popular among recent Ford owners. Currently, the EcoBoost line is available in the Ford Explorer, Edge, Escape, Fusion, Focus ST, and Taurus. You can expect to see more of these great engines with the expansion of the Cleveland, OH plant.