5/30/14

CV Show 2014 Interview - Rhino Products


On the Rhino Products stand at the 2014 CV Show, VansA2Z editor Neil McIntee spoke to Managing Director Steve Egerton and Clive Boult, Sales & Marketing Director. New products being launched at the show included SafeStep and TowBar and later in 2014 Rhino will be introducing the new aluminium LadderStow range. www.vansA2Z.com

5/28/14

Bolt PadLock



Featuring BOLT's Breakthrough One-Key Lock Technology, the BOLT Padlock works with your vehicle key!

For more information visit http://www.BOLTLock.com

5/26/14

Ford Motor Company Fund sending Cleveland-area war veterans to visit World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

  •  For the second year in a row, Ford Motor Company Fund is sponsoring an Honor Flight for 50 World War II veterans in the Cleveland area to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
  •     This year is significant as it marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944)
  •     Ford Fund will sponsor three Honor Flights this year, adding to the six flights it has sponsored since 2011
For the second year in a row, Ford Motor Company Fund is sponsoring an Honor Flight to transport Cleveland-area veterans to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The World War II Honor Flight veterans – all in their eighties and nineties – will be greeted at the national memorial by members of Congress and Ford employees.

Ford Fund is covering the cost of the trip to Washington, D.C. for 50 World War II veterans from Cleveland and other parts of Ohio to experience national memorials dedicated in their honor. The trip was organized by Honor Flight Cleveland (www.honorflightcleveland.com), the northeast Ohio hub of the Honor Flight Network.

All veterans will be accompanied by a volunteer guardian who will be paying for their own trip. Frankie Lannaggi, former U.S. Marine and Process Coach at Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant, is volunteering to be a guardian for Wednesday’s flight.

“As a U.S. Marine, I am honored to participate in this great program and give back to the men and women who have given so much to our country and paved the way for the freedoms we have today,” said Lannaggi, “I am proud to be part of the Ford family who are recognizing these local veterans for their sacrifice and dedication.”

In addition to the WWII Memorial, the veterans and their guardians are also visiting memorials dedicated to veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iwo Jima and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery.

Ford Motor Company’s support for veterans started more than 90 years ago when Henry Ford led a cross-country caravan of 50 Ford Model T’s to transport disabled veterans to their convention. Since 1974, Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company Fund have provided more than $8 million to veteran organizations, including support for the National World War II Memorial. Ford Fund is sponsoring three Honor Flights this year, which will bring the total Ford-sponsored Honor Flights since 2011 to nine.

The Ford Veterans Network Group, one of the company’s corporately supported Employee Resource Groups, sponsors activities in support of its veterans, military personnel and their families. Ford employs more than 7,000 U.S. veterans along with hundreds of active military personnel and U.S. reservists and guardsmen.
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in 30 countries. For more information, visit community.ford.com.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

5/24/14

All-New 2015 F-150 Most Patented Truck in Ford History – New Innovations Bolster Next-Generation Light-Duty Pickup

  • 2015 Ford F-150 has more new Ford technology patents and/or patent applications than any truck in Ford history, offering customers innovative technologies throughout – everything from the tailgate to the front end
  • All-new F-150 boasts more than 100 new Ford patents and/or patent applications, making this vehicle a benchmark for new technologies in Ford’s storied history of truck leadership
  • A Ford-developed heat treatment method for aluminum alloy nearly doubles the strength of the material, helping achieve better dent and ding resistance while reducing weight
From its tailgate step to the LED spotlights found on the side mirrors, the next-generation 2015 Ford F-150’s new features and technologies make it the most patented truck in company history.

“The all-new F-150 is loaded with innovation,” said Alana Strager, Ford program analyst charged with tracking new innovations for the 2015 truck. “Ford engineers filed more than 100 new patents for technologies on this truck as they have worked to redefine the light-duty pickup for the next generation.”

Patents and patent applications abound for state-of-the-art technologies covering new features and breakthroughs that will benefit customers of the all-new 2015 F-150. The scope of these innovations includes every part of the truck – body, exterior, interior, chassis, design, electrical and engine – as well as its manufacturing processes.

Patenting a smarter truck
Examples of Ford’s state-of-the-art technologies on the new 2015 F-150 include segment-exclusive LED spotlights found on the side mirrors, innovative remote tailgate release and smart trailer tow features that make towing easier.
  • Innovative LED side-mirror spotlights allow customers to illuminate the side of the vehicle for tasks from setting up a campsite to changing a tire
  • Remote tailgate release automatically lowers the tailgate with the push of a button on the key fob – a first for a pickup truck
  • Ford’s pioneering tailgate step has been completely reengineered so it fully integrates into the tailgate, making it virtually invisible when not in use. The tailgate drops down into position in one easy motion. The grab handle is now housed inside the tailgate, which keeps the inner surface of the tailgate uniformly flat
  • BoxLink cargo management system includes lockable, die-cast aluminum tie-down cleats, and provides a unique interface to the box for improved flexibility and organization, as well as additional locations for tie-downs. Available segment-first cargo ramps can be stowed on the sides of the pickup box via the BoxLink system and mounted quickly on the tailgate to enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles or mowers
Other smart features never offered before on a Ford pickup include 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab and LED headlights.

Patenting toughness
Mounted on an exceptionally strong and well-proven high-strength steel frame, the all-new Ford F-150 incorporates the latest high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys to form the body and cargo box.

The aluminum is heat-treated using a proprietary method developed by Ford engineers that nearly doubles the strength of the metal. Ford is first in the auto industry to use this methodology.

Additionally, Ford engineers have filed patent applications for spot welding methods, adhesives and hydroforming this first-of-its-kind truck.

“Ford is teaching the world how to build a next-generation truck, and the more than 100 patents filed by the F-150 team for technologies on the 2015 truck further proves these Ford engineers and designers lead the automotive industry in innovation,” said Strager.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

5/22/14

DiamondBack Truck Covers Product Spotlight on ScentBlocker Most Wanted



Find out why the guys at ScentBlocker Most Wanted choose DiamondBack Truck Covers for their trucks to get all their gear to their big hunts

5/20/14

Ford Brings Custom Transit Connect Wagons to Maker Faire 2014; Makers Get a Chance to Meet the Unminivan

  • Two new custom Ford Transit Connect Wagons, Hackmobile and Happy Mutant Mobile, will be on display at Maker Faire – an all-ages event for the do-it-yourself enthusiast
  • Ford and MAKE magazine teamed up in the construction of Hackmobile, the ultimate Transit Connect Wagon for the do-it-yourselfer, and Happy Mutant Mobile, which was personalized for the Web-based magazine Boing Boing
  • All-new Ford Transit Connect Wagon, the #unminivan, is available as a five- or seven-seat vehicle that can be paired with one of two fuel-efficient engines – a 1.6-liter EcoBoost® or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder
Ford and MAKE magazine will show two creative takes on personalizing the all-new Transit Connect Wagon as part of Maker Faire, an all-ages event celebrating the do-it-yourself spirit.

MAKE magazine put on the first Maker Faire in 2006 in the San Francisco Bay Area, bringing together tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, hobbyists, engineers and artists. It has since grown, with several Maker Faire events taking place around the world. Last year, about 195,000 people attended the two flagship Maker Faire events, held in San Francisco and New York. This year, Maker Faire events will take place in more than 60 cities in North America and beyond.

Hackmobile and Happy Mutant Mobile Transit Connect Wagons will make a public appearance on Thursday, May 15, at TechShop in San Francisco before going on display at Maker Faire, Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and May 18, at San Mateo Event Center in San Mateo, Calif. The vehicles will also be on display at Maker Faire in New York later this year.

“Transit Connect Wagon is exactly what customers want it to be,” said Minyang Jiang, brand manager for Ford Transit Connect Wagon. “Whether it’s used as a people mover or to carry cargo, the spirit of the vehicle is in how it can be transformed by its owners to express their passions. We think these two vehicles are a perfect example of the unminivan, of how to inspire the imagination in a new way.”



Hackmobile, a fabricating workshop on four wheels, was the winner of MAKE magazine’s Ultimate Maker Vehicle Challenge, a competition that saw 10 teams vie to create the ultimate Ford Transit Connect Wagon for the do-it-yourself enthusiast. As part of winning the contest, Ford commissioned California-based builder CGS Motorsports to build Hackmobile.

The winning design team, Twin Cities Maker, is part of a Minnesota-based community nonprofit that operates a shop called Hack Factory, where members build projects and hold classes for the community.

The concept was for a Transit Connect Wagon to be designed and built around a machine the team dubbed “The Fabber” due to its use as a multipurpose tool in fabricating. Hackmobile has shelving and storage for tools to do woodworking, metalworking and 3D fabrication.

Happy Mutant Mobile was developed in collaboration with MAKE magazine and Boing Boing, a Web-based magazine devoted to technology and culture.

Boing Boing’s editors designed Happy Mutant Mobile to be as original as its name, serving as an official vehicle for the site.

The custom-designed exterior features a large screen that can roll down to show outdoor movies, a hood ornament that blows bubbles and LED signs mounted to the roof.
 

The interior is decorated in dark custom woodwork and green leather upholstery. It houses a mix of oddities and knickknacks, a 3D printer, camera equipment, magazine rack and computer equipment.

Theresa Contreras of California-based LGE*CTS Motorsports, which served as builder on the project, said the whimsical design features, like the bubble machine on the hood, make it one of the most unique builds the team has worked on.

“Transit Connect is a great platform for any build of this magnitude, or for the weekend warrior, for that matter,” Contreras said. “It’s amazing that the minute everyone lays eyes on this vehicle, they start thinking about how they would use it. I’ve heard everything from office desks to mountain bikes to band equipment. The unminivan can be a vehicle for everyone.”

The 2014 Transit Connect Wagon went on sale in North America earlier this year as an affordable alternative to customers looking for something new and functional in a five- or seven-seat people mover. With its dual sliding side doors, fold-flat second- and third-row seating, a maximum payload of 1,270 pounds, more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space, choice of a rear liftgate or side-hinged cargo doors and a starting MSRP of around $25,000, Ford Transit Connect Wagon takes adaptability to a new level.

About MAKER MEDIA

Maker Media is a global platform for makers, connecting them with each other, and providing them with valuable resources, products and services. Through media, events and ecommerce, Maker Media serves a growing maker movement that is global in scope. Whether as hobbyists or professionals, makers are creative, resourceful and curious, developing projects that demonstrate new ways of interacting with the world around them. The launch of MAKE magazine in 2005, followed by Maker Faire in 2006, jumpstarted a worldwide Maker Movement, which is transforming innovation, culture and education. Maker Media also develops “getting started” kits and books that are sold in its Maker Shed store as well as in retail channels. Maker Media spun out of O’Reilly Media on January 1st, 2013 and received venture funding from O’Reilly AlphaTech Partners, Floodgate Partners and Collaborative Fund. The company is located in Sebastopol, CA.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com

5/18/14

New Ford Transit CV Show 2014 - Van Advisor


Signs of the commercial vehicle industry’s increasing self-confidence have been reflected at this year’s CV Show, which returned in spectacular form at Birmingham’s NEC arena.

For the first time in the UK, the complete Ford commercial vehicle range could be seen side-by-side. The Courier makes a return this summer after  a 12 year absence, adding a sixth vehicle into Ford’s LCV portfolio – more than any other manufacturer.

George Barrow of Van Advisor takes us outside the CV Show where Ford had a "See It, Try It, Buy It Experience and gets a tour of the newest features of Ford Van products from David Petts of Ford, and also gets some input from a Ford fleet customer. See more about Van Advisor at www.VanAdvisor.com

5/16/14

Oklahoma, Dallas Order 300-Plus CNG-Capable Ford F-150 Pickups As Demand Grows for Alternative Fuel Option



  •     The state of Oklahoma and its agencies to buy 256 Ford F-150 trucks prepped to run on compressed natural gas; Dallas orders 65 for its fleet
  •     2014 F-150 available with gaseous-fuel prep option on 3.7-liter V6 engine; can run on CNG or liquefied petroleum gas (also called propane autogas)
  •     By summer, Ford will offer eight vehicles that can run on clean-burning, affordable CNG; the company is on track to sell more than 15,000 such vehicles in 2014
The state of Oklahoma, its agencies and the city of Dallas have ordered a total of 321 Ford F-150 pickups that can run on compressed natural gas.

Since 2010, Ford CNG-prepped truck sales have increased more than 250 percent, said Jon Coleman, Ford fleet sales manager. Cumulative sales are expected to exceed 50,000 trucks by the end of the year, and Ford expects demand for CNG-prepped vehicles to continue growing as more fleet customers recognize the economic and environmental benefits of this clean-burning fuel.

CNG-powered trucks lower costs and offer emissions benefits, and the alternative fuel is domestically produced, Coleman explained. Operating costs can be as low as one third that of conventional vehicles. Typically, the fuel savings cover the cost of conversion within three years.

“For fleet customers in Oklahoma, Texas and other states, a CNG F-150 really makes sense,” Coleman said. “The fuel is more affordable and widely available, and it reduces greenhouse gases and pollutants that cause smog.”

The 2014 F-150 is available with a gaseous-fuel prep option for the 3.7-liter V6 that can run on CNG or liquefied petroleum gas. CNG/LPG engine prep from the factory costs $315. The customer then chooses a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. Upfits run approximately $6,000 to $9,500, depending on tank capacity.

For fleet managers, CNG conversions can provide stability against fluctuating fuel prices, lower vehicle operating costs and reduce pollutants. CNG sells for a national average $2.11 per gallon of gasoline equivalent, and is as low as $1 in parts of the country. By comparison, the national average for unleaded regular gas is $3.67 per gallon.

Customers can also accelerate the payback period by taking advantage of a growing number of incentives issued by states such as Oklahoma.

CNG expansion
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is leading a coalition of 22 states seeking to use more CNG vehicles in their fleets. CNG is abundant in this country and reduces America’s dependence on foreign oil. CNG also lessens the environmental impact of greenhouse gas by 20 percent and reduces smog-producing pollutants up to 90 percent.

Fallin announced the CNG project at her inaugural Governor’s Energy Conference in 2011. Since then, she has worked with other Oklahoma officials and governors from other states, met with Ford and other automobile manufacturers, and received bids to add more CNG vehicles to the state’s fleets.

“I am excited about Oklahoma’s partnership with Ford Motor Company as we work to support energy efficiency, cost savings and the use of clean-burning American-made energy,” Fallin said. “Ultimately, converting our state fleets to CNG will save millions in taxpayer dollars.”

CNG prices in Oklahoma vary from $1.07 to $2.49 per gallon of gasoline equivalent. The average statewide price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.43. Fuel bills could be reduced as much as 67 percent with CNG vehicles, Coleman said.

Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas have expressed interest in Ford CNG-capable vehicles, Coleman said.

The specially equipped bi-fuel F-150 model purchased by Oklahoma features two storage tanks – the regular factory gasoline reservoir and a supplementary CNG tank. Combined, this gives the light-duty truck a range of up to 750 miles, depending on the size of the tanks. The most common configuration allows fleet operators to go 450 miles on CNG alone and another 300 miles on regular gas.

Most CNG options
By this summer, Ford will offer eight commercial vehicles with a gaseous-prep option, more than any other full-line manufacturer:
  •     2015 Transit Connect van and wagon
  •     2015 Transit van, wagon, cutaway and chassis cab
  •     2014 E-Series van, wagon, cutaway and stripped chassis
  •     2015 F-Series Super Duty pickup
  •     2015 F-Series Super Duty chassis cab
  •     2015 F-650 medium-duty truck
  •     2015 F53 and F59 stripped chassis
  •     2014 F-150 light-duty pickup
Power of Choice
CNG/LPG prepped vehicles are part of Ford’s commitment to offering a wide range of alternative fuel options to customers to help meet their mileage and driving needs, including EcoBoost, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, Flex Fuel and B20 biodiesel.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

5/14/14

Westport Debuts California's Only CARB Certified CNG Ford F-150 at ACT

Westport Debuts California's Only CARB Certified CNG Ford F-150 at ACT

LONG BEACH, CA, May 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT) (NASDAQ:WPRT), engineering the world's most advanced natural gas engines and vehicles, announces that the only California Air Resources Board and EPA certified Ford F-150, featuring the Westport WiNG™ Power System, is being debuted during the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo (ACT) in Long Beach, May 6 to 8.



Dedicated CNG Ford F-150 with the Westport WiNG™ Power System

Unveiling the new model at this year's ACT Expo was a natural decision, says Paul Shaffer, Westport's Vice President and Managing Director of North American Ford business.

"California is one of the most promising states for the adoption of natural gas vehicles, thanks to the wide network of natural gas stations and the attractive incentives available to drivers and fleet owners," says Paul. "California is arguably one of the most significant natural gas vehicle markets in the US. The F-150 is a significant fleet vehicle, as some fleets prefer its smaller size."

While natural gas vehicles have grown in popularity for applications such as shipping and transit - in fact, some of the first Westport technology ever deployed was in California for buses at Berkeley University - few people are aware of their widespread use, economic and environmental benefits, and the growing number of options for passenger vehicles.

California represents an important market for natural gas vehicles, and according to the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, the state's natural gas fueling infrastructure is the most extensive in the United States—with nearly 600 public and private natural gas stations at the beginning of 2012.

With gasoline averaging $3.71 a gallon in the United States (US Energy Administration Information), and compressed natural gas averaging $2.11 per gasoline gallon equivalent (CNGnow), there's a clear price advantage to operating on natural gas, particularly for high-mileage drivers.

And mileage is key with the Westport WiNG powered Ford F-150, offering equivalent fuel economy, fuel capacity and mileage to a traditional gasoline-powered model.

Westport received certification from CARB for its 2014 model year Westport WiNG™ Ford F-150 3.7 L pickup truck with the dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) system in April. CARB certified vehicles meet all applicable California emission regulations.

The Ford F-150 pickup truck, which is also certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), runs on CNG and is available with a 17 gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE), 23 GGE tank, or an industry leading 27 GGE. The existing Ford OEM warranty remains intact, and is matched by the Westport warranty for all like components. All Westport operated trucks undergo the same safety testing required for all Ford original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products.

Westport has also received certification in April from the EPA for its 2015 model year Ford F-250 and F-350, 6.2 L super duty trucks with the Westport WiNG™ bi-fuel CNG system. EPA certified vehicles meet the EPA's emission standards.

The Westport WiNG operated Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks run on both gasoline and CNG and are available with a 17 GGE or 23 GGE tank, or a variety of combinations using underbody tanks. The existing Ford warranty remains intact, and is matched by the Westport warranty for all like components. All trucks with the Westport WiNG Power System undergo the same safety testing required for all Ford OEM products.

Westport, as the leading partner that is in Ford's Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program, provides OEM quality parts and production environment.

Visit Westport's website for more information about our bi-fuel and dedicated CNG Ford vehicles.
About Westport

Westport engineers the world's most advanced natural gas engines and vehicles. More than that, we are fundamentally changing the way the world travels the roads, rails and seas. We work with original equipment manufacturers worldwide from design through to production, creating products to meet the growing demand for vehicle technology that will reduce both emissions and fuel costs. To learn more about our business, visit westport.com, subscribe to our RSS feed, or follow us on Twitter @WestportDotCom.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Note: This document contains forward-looking statements about Westport's business, operations, technology development or the environment in which it operates, which are based on Westport's estimates, forecasts and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, or are beyond Westport's control. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. Westport disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

5/12/14

All-New 2015 Ford Transit Joins the Cast of History's Hit Series 'American Pickers'

  • 2015 Ford Transit joins the cast of “American Pickers” on the episode airing April 30 at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT on History
  • The durability and cargo hauling capability of Transit fit the needs of “American Pickers” as the cast crosses the country in search of forgotten relics and antiques
  • 487 cubic feet of cargo volume offers ample space to transport big finds
  • Ford is celebrating by launching a scavenger hunt across the U.S., giving 10 lucky winners the use of a 2015 Transit for two weeks
Ford Transit is joining History’s “American Pickers” as stars Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz travel around the United States, searching remote and rustic locations for classic gems that can be restored and resold.


Wolfe and Fritz will drive a 2015 Transit, a full-size van designed for commercial use, in their mission to find these relics. “The biggest thing is, when the van is full, then we’ve got to come home. I’m interested in real estate on wheels,” Wolfe says during the episode airing April 30. “There were four or five different vehicles I was looking at, and I just keep coming back to the Ford as the better choice.”

All-New 2015 Ford Transit Joins Cast of American Pickers

“American Pickers” will use the largest Transit model – with a long wheelbase, extended body and high roof – featuring the available Ford 3.2-liter Power Stroke five-cylinder diesel engine.

The show is just one example of how Ford Transit serves the needs of small businesses and commercial fleets. To celebrate the debut of Transit on “American Pickers,”

Ford is hosting a scavenger hunt that challenges contestants to find one of 10 scale-model Transit vehicles on display in antique shops across the United States. The 10 winners get the use of a 2015 Transit for two weeks. (No purchase necessary. Promotion ends 7/1/14. Click here for details: social.ford.com/winTransit)

 “We are thrilled to expand the great multi-year relationship we have with Ford,” said Peter Olsen, executive vice president of national ad sales for History. “We look forward to the Transit being part of Pickers for many years to come.”

The 2015 model year Transit – built at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant – will be available in three body lengths, two wheelbases and three roof heights; in van, wagon, chassis cab and cutaway body styles; and in XL and XLT trim levels, offering more choices than ever from a Ford commercial van.

The high-roof Transit – with best-in-class 81.5 inches of interior height – provides enough headroom for a person 6 feet 8 inches tall to stand upright in the cargo area. In some configurations, Transit offers as much as 75 percent more cargo volume than the largest E-Series, saving customers the fuel costs and time associated with having to make a second trip.

“Transit has been tested to rigorous Built Ford Tough standards, and comes equipped with great technology features like SYNC® and MyFord Touch®, and Lane-Keeping System with Driver Alert,” said Minyang Jiang, Ford brand manager for Transit, Transit Connect and E-Series.

“‘American Pickers’ fits in with the spirit of the Transit family as vehicles people can rely on to get the job done.” The van used on “American Pickers” will feature an available rear-view camera and available Reverse Sensing System.

5/10/14

National Ford Truck Club BOLT Lock Interview


The National Ford Truck Club interviews BOLT Locks National Sales Manager Erika Garcia at the 2014 NTEA Work Truck Show about upcoming new products for BOLT Locks

5/08/14

Harbor TradeMaster Service / Utility Bodies Ready to Work.



TradeMaster Service Bodies from Harbor Truck Bodies. These service bodies have a Beefy Harbor Rectangular Rack with an over the cab extension for carrying lengthy ladders, pipes or conduit, etc.

Harbor offers 8' and 9' Single Rear Wheel models, along with 8', 9', 11' Dual Rear Wheel models. We also offer a 6.5' for HD short bed trucks and a 13' for longer wheelbase trucks. Since we manufacture this product, we can build bodies to specific needs, but the standardized models will generally be the most cost-effective.

Quality is the mantra at Harbor Truck Bodies--Quality Design and Quality Manufacture. Below is a list of standard features in all our TradeMaster bodies:

1) New standard Harbor Lock allows you to see if your doors are locked from a distance of over 50' and you lock them by pushing in the button without a key!

2) Secure 3-Point Locking System with Teflon® rod guides and Automotive Quality water resistant locks with Double-Bit key is standard.

3) Standard One-Hand Latch, Self-Opening Stainless Steel Lids with Two Gas Shocks. Lighter and stronger and rust free! (Aluminum Treadbrite overlay is available as an option). Matching Stainless Steel Gravel Guards are standard. (Closed top models are standard steel and offer Aluminum Treadbrite as an option).

4) Standard Gas Shock Door Stays on all vertical and horizontal upward opening doors.

5) Standard 8" Recessed Step Bumper with True V-Notch for sure footing and wider trailer angles.

6) Standard Armless, Self-Supporting Tailgate for added work space and full 49" floor width to carry all standard materials.

7) Weather Shield protection includes a one-piece neoprene door seal, beveled door edge and self-sealing Stainless Steel rivets help prevent leaks into compartments.

8) Lock-Tight Shelving adjustable shelves lock into place preventing tools from dumping through off-road-like conditions.

9) All Electro-Galvanized Sheet Metal Construction. Stainless Steel piano hinge and pin on Cargo Bed Enclosure door, Conduit Box door and Rear Access doors. All expanded metal parts Hot-Dip Galvanized. Rivets have all Stainless Steel casing and mandrel to prevent corrosion.




5/06/14

Good Works Episode 5: Humberto Valdez



Welcome to the Built Ford Tough "Good Works". This week, Brendon Clark heads over to Texas to meet a man who has devoted his life to being a volunteer fire fighter. Follow along to see how Good Works at www.ford.com/GoodWorks

5/05/14

2016 Ford F-650/F-750: Durability



Ford Durability Engineer, Fayyaz Saleem discusses the grueling tests that go into making the All-New Ford Medium Duty truck, Built Ford Tough.

5/04/14

Good Works: Episode 4 -- Dan Foster



Welcome to the Built Ford Tough "Good Works". This week, Brendon Clark heads over to California to meet a Vietnam War veteran giving back to his fellow heroes. Follow along to see how Good Works at www.ford.com/GoodWorks

5/03/14

The new Transit Connect. More room = more potential.



Economist Yoram Bauman shows how eight more cubic feet of cargo space can add up fast and what that can mean for your business.

5/02/14

Good Works: Episode 3 -- David Delbianco



Welcome to the Built Ford Tough "Good Works". In this episode, our host, Brendon Clark, will be heading out East to see what one man is doing to help restore the post Hurricane Sandy community. Ready to hit the road and do good work? Follow along at www.ford.com/GoodWorks

5/01/14

2016 Ford F-650/F-750: 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel



Ford Engineering Manager, Joel Beltramo discusses the 2nd generation Ford designed and built 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Diesel Engine. These engines have been developed and tested to tackle medium-duty jobs, with three horsepower and torque levels.