Ford Smart Mobility Tour Kicks Off

The Ford Smart Mobility Experience  visits five cities – Louisville, Orlando, Seattle, Denver and Los Angeles -- this summer and fall. Company leaders will share Ford’s Smart Mobility Plan which is our plan to deliver the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data.  The tour also showcases the company’s driver assist technologies that help improve the driving experience. Participants will get the chance to experience  the company’s current semi-autonomous and driver assist technologies including active park assist, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping aid and Pro Trailer Backup Assist as well as SYNC 3, Ford’s all-new communications and entertainment system.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 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 http://corporate.ford.com.

Pickup Packs by Highway Products

The Pickup Pack™ is a unique alternative for companies needing organized storage and lockup security without the cost of a service body and that can be easily installed on your pickup in a few hours.

Pickup Packs™ include a headache rack, two lockable low side boxes, a flat or dome center hatch, and a removable ladder rack. Other options include gullwing saddle box and an HPI Truckslide™.

Learn more at http://www.highwayproducts.com/pickup...

Autogas: Propane as an Engine Fuel

Propane autogas, the term for propane when fueling an on-road vehicle, has the attention of fleet and transportation managers for a few reasons: economics, energy security, and the environment. It is a safe, sustainable, and domestically produced fuel with a robust infrastructure and economic efficiencies.

As an approved clean alternative fuel under the Clean Air Act of 1990, propane autogas qualifies as an alternative fuel eligible for various federal tax incentives and programs. Currently propane autogas powers more than 270,000 propane autogas vehicles in the U.S., including school buses, shuttle buses, trucks, vans, and taxis. More than 15 million vehicles run on propane autogas worldwide. Countries such as South Korea, Poland, Indian, and Japan have a significant percent of their transportation vehicles running on propane autogas. About 40 percent of vehicles in Turkey are fueled by propane autogas.

There are two different ways vehicles may be powered by propane autogas — dedicated and dual-fuel:

    Dedicated vehicles, fueled only by propane autogas, can be converted from gasoline powered vehicles or can be delivered direct from select original equipment manufacturers.
    Dual-fuel vehicles, installed by certified technicians, can run on either propane autogas or gasoline.

Propane autogas vehicles operate in a similar way as gasoline fueled vehicles. Only a few modifications to the vehicle must be made. The system can be a vapor or a liquid fuel injection. In a vapor injection, propane is vaporized and mixed with combustion air in the intake plenum (enclosed chamber) of the engine. Traditionally, vapor systems are less expensive but result in a loss of power. In a liquid system, liquid propane autogas is injected directly into each cylinder’s intake port. The liquid fuel vaporizes in the cylinder, cooling the air and resulting in no loss of horsepower, torque, or engine performance.

Propane autogas vehicles have the longest driving range of any alternative fuel — more than 250 percent farther than compressed natural gas, about 60 percent farther than methanol, and 25 percent farther than ethanol. This is due to a number of reasons, including the fact that propane autogas requires a smaller storage vessel than other pressurized alternative fuels to go the same distance.

Propane autogas vehicles meet the same standards for safety as conventionally fueled vehicles. Propane autogas vehicle tanks are constructed from carbon steel under code developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME4196), are 20 times more puncture resistant, and can withstand far more pressure than typical gasoline, methanol, or ethanol tanks. ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel tanks are designed to hold a capacity that maximizes the number of miles driven between fill ups.

Propane autogas offers more energy per unit mass and has a higher octane rating than gasoline. Propane as an auto fuel does have a slightly lower fuel economy, due to the lower British thermal unit (Btu) content of propane as compared to gasoline — it takes more fuel to create the same amount of power.

Many propane autogas vehicle fleets have reported two to three years longer service life and extended intervals between required maintenance when compared to their gasoline vehicles. The cleaner burning nature of propane and the lack of carbon build up in the engines leads to this unique benefit of propane autogas. ROUSH CleanTech customer testimonials prove the on-road performance of propane autogas matches research documented in trials, including the same horsepower, torque, and towing capacity as gasoline-fueled vehicles.

Ease of refueling a propane autogas vehicle has helped grow the use of this alternative fuel. With thousands of refueling stations across the U.S., a robust national infrastructure is in place to support its implementation as a primary fuel. In addition, some fleets choose to work with their local propane marketer to establish a propane autogas refueling infrastructure on-site at little or no cost.
To learn more about propane autogas, visit:

Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy

Clean Cities Coalitions

Propane Education & Research Council

Autogas for America

F-150 transmission has Mustang feel with pickup capability

Have to make a difficult choice between a Ford Mustang and an F-150? Well Ford’s new F-150 has got you covered. Kind of!

Jason Cannon

The all-new 2015 Mustang and F-150 were developed on a similar time line and share certain automatic transmission technology. Engineers often drove both vehicles on the same trips used for testing.
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“Our team realized how well the new F-150 handled and responded to acceleration due to its reduced weight,” says Karl Jungbluth, Ford transmission calibration engineer. “So we decided we could adapt the sport mode capabilities of the six-speed automatic transmission from Mustang to F-150 to enhance the overall driving experience for truck customers.”

Sport mode on F-150 is activated by pushing the tow/haul mode button twice. An amber S appears in the lower-right portion of the tachometer indicating that sport mode is active.

The feature changes the frequency of gearshifts, allowing the truck to stay in the powerband “sweet spot” and holds lower gears longer to, as Ford puts it, “make driving more fun.”

There is some practicality of Sport mode beyond fun. It provides for less shifting on twisty roads and rolling hills. Instead of shifting gears up and down for peak efficiency, the transmission holds a specific gear longer to make driving more responsive.

Sport mode also reduces the frequency of having to step on the gas pedal to reach peak torque, resulting in quicker acceleration with less pedal travel.

An advanced feature of F-150’s six-speed automatic transmission is its ability to match engine rpm as it downshifts in slowing for a corner. Electronics calibration for this feature comes straight out of Mustang.

Sport mode makes Mustang come alive, and we feel it does the same thing in F-150,” Jungbluth says.

F150 SportMode is similar to F-150’s tow/haul mode, which also changes shift points under acceleration, keeping the truck at a higher rpm and further up in the power range while driving over rolling terrain for an improved towing experience. The technology limits the transmission from shifting up when the vehicle crests a hill, and provides downhill brake support that allows engine-compression braking to slow the vehicle and maintain a steady speed.

Sport mode is standard with every F-150 engine and can be activated in two-wheel drive, four-wheel-drive automatic and four-wheel-drive high settings.

By Jason Cannon 

Source:  http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/f-150-transmission-has-mustang-feel-with-pickup-capability/

2015 Ford Transit Because your van IS your office.

The all-new, full-size Ford Transit with available EcoBoost® engine fits any business like a work glove. See how this full-sized, completely-customizable van can make a hard workday a lot easier.

The official YouTube channel of Ford Commercial Trucks. Learn more about our Transit and Transit Connect wagons, and how we designed them to be Built Ford Tough.® You’ll also see examples of how Ford trucks and vans can help any business boost productivity.

Ford Transit: http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitvan...
Ford Transit Connect:
http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitcon...

See the all-new 2015 Ford Transit at http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitvan....

F-150 Performance Enhanced by New Sport Mode

•     2015 Ford F-150’s 700-pound weight savings, its choice of four high-output, more fuel-efficient powertrains, and – for the first time ever – an on-demand sport mode combine to enable an improved driving experience for truck customers
•     Six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode is standard across F-150 lineup; system operates in two-wheel drive, four-wheel-drive automatic and four-wheel-drive high settings
•     Automatic transmission technology used for both Mustang and F-150 was jointly created – allowing some performance advantages of the pony car to be applied to the pickup truck for a more responsive driving experience

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 5, 2015 – Crazy-smart Ford engineers have struck again – this time blending the sport mode feature borrowed from the all-new Mustang with the reduced weight of the all-new F-150 to deliver an engaged, dynamic driving experience with any of the four high-output, fuel-efficient powertrains available to truck customers.

Since the all-new 2015 Mustang and F-150 were developed on a similar time line and share certain automatic transmission technology, powertrain engineers often drove both vehicles on the same trips used for testing.

“Our team realized how well the new F-150 handled and responded to acceleration due to its reduced weight,” said Karl Jungbluth, Ford transmission calibration engineer. “So we decided we could adapt the sport mode capabilities of the six-speed automatic transmission from Mustang to F-150 to enhance the overall driving experience for truck customers.”

Sport mode on F-150 is activated by pushing the tow/haul mode button twice. An amber S appears in the lower-right portion of the tachometer indicating sport mode is active.

The feature works by changing the frequency of gearshifts, so the truck stays in the “sweet” spot of the powerband and holds lower gears longer to make driving more fun. That means less shifting on engaging drives, such as twisty roads with rolling hills. Instead of shifting gears up and down for peak efficiency, the transmission holds a specific gear longer to make driving more responsive and spirited.

Sport mode reduces the frequency of having to step on the gas pedal to reach peak torque – resulting in quicker acceleration with less pedal travel. The truck feels more responsive to the driver’s pedal inputs. When combined with the transmission changes, the result is an on-demand performance feel similar to what an aftermarket modification might add to the truck, but with the benefit of maintaining the Ford vehicle warranty.

An advanced feature of F-150’s six-speed automatic transmission is its ability to match engine rpm as it downshifts in slowing for a corner. Electronics calibration for this feature comes straight out of Mustang.

“Sport mode keeps the engine operating in the desired power and torque ranges, or what we like to call the ‘sweet’ spot,” explained Jungbluth. “It makes Mustang come alive, and we feel it does the same thing in F-150.”

Sport mode is similar to F-150’s tow/haul mode, which also changes shift points under acceleration, keeping the truck at a higher rpm and further up in the power range while driving over rolling terrain for an improved towing experience. The technology limits the transmission from shifting up when the vehicle crests a hill, and provides downhill brake support that allows engine-compression braking to slow the vehicle and maintain a steady speed.

Sport mode is standard with every F-150 engine and can be activated in two-wheel drive, four-wheel-drive automatic and four-wheel-drive high settings.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 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 http://corporate.ford.com.

2015 Ford F-150 Honored for Innovation in Lightweighting with Altair Enlighten Award

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 3, 2015 – The all-new Ford F-150 – Ford’s toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – earned recognition as the winner of the third annual Altair Enlighten Award from Altair and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) for the truck’s use of lightweight materials to minimize weight.

The 2015 F-150 – with best-in-class towing, payload and EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy plus five-star top government crash test ratings for every cab configuration – is being recognized for its total weight reduction of up to 700 pounds.

Starting with the signature fully boxed frame, Ford engineers increased the use of high-strength 70,000-psi steel – from 23 percent to 77 percent of the frame – to improve stiffness and durability while reducing weight. The new frame is up to 60 pounds lighter than the current frame. High-strength, aluminum alloys, already used in aerospace, commercial transportation, energy and many other rugged industries, are used throughout the F-150 body for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance, and also saving weight.

“We are excited to present Ford with the 2015 Altair Enlighten Award,” said Dave Mason, Vice President of Global Automotive at Altair. “The judges recognized Ford’s best-in-class innovation with the company’s approach to weight reduction by incorporating advanced materials and design technologies for the F-150.”

The Altair Enlighten Awards highlight industry examples focused on minimizing the weight of products through innovative design techniques, materials technology and manufacturing processes. It also looks at products that improve industry best practices to respond to the challenges of mass management and meeting fuel economy targets, and addressing increasing vehicle safety requirements.
Read more: http://bit.ly/1If2ccH 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 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 http://corporate.ford.com.

THE TRUCK BODY LANDSCAPERS DREAM ABOUT

PLB-090B Landscaper Body on a GM 3500 chassis with a KPLS-942463A Storage Pack and Solid Rear Cargo Gate


Versatility and functionality meet with Knapheide's Landscaper Body. Our Landscaper Body was designed to do the jobs that other landscaper bodies can't.

Want to transfer mulch, dirt, or sand into a wheelbarrow without spilling half of it?  Our metering gate can handle it.  Want to load pallets of sod into the bed?  Our 50" wide side access door that opens to a full 180 degrees is perfect for the job.  Want a hassle-proof way of climbing into the bed to retrieve your equipment?  Our grab handle and step has got you covered.  No matter if you need to haul or dump, the landscaper body can do it all.  Add on some external secure storage with our storage packs or under body roughneck toolboxes.

Find out more at: http://www,knapheide.com/product/landscaper-bodies

2015 Ford F-150 Leads Light-Duty Truck Segment in Safety Ratings

DEARBORN, Mich., July 30, 2015 – Ford’s all-new F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever is the first pickup in America to earn an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for its SuperCrew model.

The new Ford F-150 is also the only full-size, light-duty truck in the industry to earn the government’s highest possible 5-star rating for the driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.

The excellent crash test performance of the new Ford F-150 is enabled by its up to 700-pound weight savings through the use of high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering.

A cross-functional group comprised of Ford truck product development veterans and researchers worked to optimize vehicle weight savings and manufacturing design to deliver improved durability, capability, fuel economy and crashworthiness. The team created 31 safety-related innovations including new structures, materials and joining methods that were tested virtually with supercomputer simulations, then retested in Ford’s advanced laboratories to engineer the safest F-150 ever.

Breakthrough innovation also applies to the reparability of the new F-150, thanks to its innovative modular structure that simplifies repairs.

Ford does not agree with the reparability costs and findings by IIHS and other stunts.  Ford’s view is based on real-world accident repair data. In fact, real-world repair costs on the new 2015 Ford F-150 average $869 less than last year’s F-150 model, according to Assured Performance, an independent body shop certification company that works with leading automakers.

Insurance companies also agree with the new F-150’s repair costs – with both Allstate and State Farm saying insurance costs for the new F-150 will remain comparable with 2014 models.

Truth About Trucks: Safety Fact Sheet (PDF)

Truth About Trucks: Collision Repair Fact Sheet (PDF)

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 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 http://corporate.ford.com.

New Top-of-the-Line Ford F-150 Limited Is Most Advanced, Luxurious F-150 Ever

•     New Ford F-150 Limited meets the growing needs of discerning truck customers interested in exclusivity, capability and craftsmanship – those looking to differentiate themselves from buyers of other high-series trucks
•     Innovation comes standard with new F-150 Limited – including SYNC® 3 with AppLink™, and class-exclusive1 features such as a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, quad-beam LED headlamps, remote tailgate release and multicontour massaging front seats
•     Exclusive exterior and interior design elements include raised LIMITED lettering on the hood, unique custom satin-chrome grille and tailgate, 22-inch wheels, genuine fiddleback eucalyptus, Mojave leather seating surfaces, unique instrument cluster face and laser-engraved VIN plate with production number

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 21, 2015 – Ford, America’s truck leader, introduces its most advanced and luxurious truck ever – the Ford F-150 Limited.

The new Limited expands the F-150 model lineup – Ford’s toughest, smartest, safest and most capable F-150 ever – with more standard technology and driver convenience features than any other light-duty pickup. The Limited, a 2016 model, goes on sale this winter.

“The F-150 Limited sets a new bar for what discerning customers should expect in a high-end truck,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “We’re adding segment-exclusive technology, and features that improve productivity, convenience and capability with distinctive style.”

There’s a Ford F-150 for every truck customer, beginning with work-ready versions that have a starting MSRP below the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT, as well as the popular mid-range F-150 XLT. But the new F-150 Limited meets the growing, untapped needs of luxury customers looking for exclusivity, convenience and fine craftsmanship that’s differentiated from other high-series trucks. F-150 Limited surpasses the well-appointed Lariat, the Western-themed King Ranch and contemporary Platinum edition models.

In 1999, the company introduced the special-edition 2000 Harley-Davidson F-150. In 2001, the first King Ranch F-150 arrived. The 2009 F-150 took truck luxury to new heights with the Platinum model, and the first-generation Limited was added with the 2013 model year.

Exterior refinements
The 2016 Ford F-150 Limited stands out with exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels and raised dimensional LIMITED lettering on the hood, unique grille and satin-finished chrome badge on the tailgate. The chrome front bumper has body-color end caps while the rear bumper is body color; bright belt moldings visually tie the two together. The exterior is further accented by satin-chrome door handles and chrome exhaust tip.

Available colors include Shadow Black, Magnetic, Blue Jeans and White Platinum Metallic tri-coat.

Top-tier equipment
The standard equipment list is a showcase of the best F-150 Limited has to offer to make getting work done easier and with greater comfort.

BLIS® with cross-traffic alert, chrome front tow hooks (4x4 only), panoramic vista roof, power-deployable running boards, quad-beam LED headlamps, remote start and tailgate release, as well as an integrated trailer brake controller come standard. A technology package includes a lane-keeping system, 360-degree camera system and dynamic trailer hitch assist.

Interior equipment includes heated and cooled black and Mojave leather front seats that are unique in design and feature Limited badging, 10-way power adjustment and class-exclusive1 multicontour massaging. Heated rear seats and SYNC® 3 with AppLink™ are also included.

SYNC 3 is Ford’s newest communications and entertainment system that features enhanced voice recognition, high-speed performance, capacitive touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.3

F-150 Limited also includes a Sony® 10-speaker sound system with HD Radio™, subwoofer and single CD player paired with a five-year subscription to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link to complete the package.

The interior is further differentiated from other F-150 models with a laser-engraved VIN plate on the center console lid including production number. Unique front and rear floor mats, unique instrument cluster face, genuine fiddleback eucalyptus, and aluminum interior accents and unique scuff plates with ice blue backlighting further distinguish the Limited model.

All-new, segment1-first Pro Trailer Backup Assist is available that makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up to launch a boat or park in a driveway. The technology allows customers to steer a trailer instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction; the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed.

Advanced power and fuel efficiency

The 2016 F-150 Limited is powered by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6, which allows for towing of up to 10,100 pounds when properly equipped. This advanced powertrain produces 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque – the latter unsurpassed by any truck with a comparable engine in its class1 – and has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined.2

The engine is paired with an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul and sport modes that features SelectShift® with progressive range select. Four-wheel-drive models are equipped with two-speed automatic four-wheel drive that automatically shifts between two-wheel and four-wheel drive depending on driving surface traction conditions.


2016 Ford F-150 Limited Standard Features Comparison

Standard high-end features	2016 Ford F-150 Limited	2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country	2016 Ram 1500 Limited
Leather	Yes	Yes	Yes
Chrome	Yes	Yes	Yes
High-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body	Yes	No	No
Advanced gasoline turbo direct-injection engine	Yes	No	No
Quad-beam LED headlamps	Yes	No	No
Adaptive cruise control	Yes	No	No
Multicontour massaging seats	Yes	No	No
360-degree camera system	Yes	No	No
LED side-mirror spotlight	Yes	No	No
Remote tailgate release	Yes	No	No

The 2015 F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn the highest rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a five-star crash test rating for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.^4
1Class is full-size pickups under 8,500 pounds GVWR. Premium performance engines.
²Two-wheel-drive, 2015 model tested.
³Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Only use SYNC/other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so. Some features may be locked out while vehicle is in gear. Not all features are compatible with all phones. Message and data rates may apply.
⁴Government five-star safety rating is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Tests include driver and passenger front, side, side barrier and pole tests.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 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 http://corporate.ford.com.

Rugby Manufacturing Introduces HD Rancher

Rugby Manufacturing (Rugby, North Dakota) introduced an all-new Rugby HD Rancher Body, ideal for heavier duty construction and landscape applications, as well as oil field operations. Designed for maximum durability, the HD Rancher offers several enhanced features including an upgraded 3/16-inch tread plate floor, 7 gauge formed cross-members with 12-inch spacing, 12-gauge bulkhead sheet and a 3/8-inch tie down rail.

The HD Rancher is also available with a B&W Turnoverball™ Gooseneck Hitch that allows a flat surface with no cutouts in the floor.  Five models of the new HD Rancher are available ranging in length from 9 feet 3 inches to 12 feet.

For more information, visit www.rugbymfg.com.

Ford Transit Model Configurations

Transit does everything from hauling cargo to carrying people.

• Cargo van available in three roof heights and three body lengths – flexible cargo volume/payload configurations
• Wagon available in three roof heights and three body lengths – configurations covering 8-, 10-, 12- and 15-passenger seating
• Vans and wagons available in single- and dual-rear wheel models
• Ford vans provide the lowest fleet lifecycle cost in America*

*Based on Ford Transit results in Vincentric 2015 Fleet awards analysis of full-size vans.

Multiple wheelbases and body lengths offer a variety of choices.

•     Three body lengths, each offering unique volume and payload capability
•     130-in. regular wheelbase
•     148-in. long wheelbase
•     148-in. wheelbase with extended body

Three Roof Heights
Carry cargo - and lots of it.

•     Three van/wagon roof heights available: low, medium, high
•     Choose cargo load floor length and floor-to-roof height for the box size needed
•     Cargo van volumes from 246.7 cu. ft. (130-in. regular wheelbase with low roof) to 487.3 cu. ft. (148-in. long wheelbase/extended body and high roof)
•     Wagon with high roof accommodating a passenger standing 6 ft. 5 in.

Ford Earns Three Segment-Level Awards in J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study

DEARBORN, Mich.– When it comes to delivering vehicles that owners really love, 3 of the Ford nameplates led in their respective segments as per the latest J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released earlier today. Ford had three segment award recipients – C-MAX, Expedition and the F-150. 

The all-new 2015 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever –achieved highest ranking for the Large LightDuty Pickup award, which received the accolade for the  second consecutive year. In addition, Ford Expedition ranked highest in the Large SUV segment and the C-MAX received the Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle Award.

According to J.D. Power, the APEAL study, now in its 20th year, is the industry benchmark for new-vehicle appeal, examining how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive.  Owners evaluate their vehicle across 77 attributes, which combine into an overall APEAL Index score that is measured on a 1000-point scale.

With three segment awards and an overall brand score of 798, Ford improved by 9 points over last year in the annual study and now equals the industry average.

J.D. Power’s press release is available here: http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2015-us-automotive-performance-execution-and-layout-apeal-study

2015 Ford Transit Connect Wins Edmunds.com Award

The 2015 Ford Transit Connect van 

received an award for Best Retained Value®.

The 2015 Ford Transit Connect van and F-350 Super Duty pickup are honored with Edmunds.com 2015 Best Retained Value® Awards. These awards recognize the vehicles that have the highest projected residual values after five years based on their average True Market Value® price when sold new.

The 2015 Ford Transit Connect is the Edmunds.com 2015 Best Retained Value Small Commercial Van, and the 2015 Ford F-350 Super Duty is the Edmunds.com 2015 Best Retained Value Heavy Duty Truck.

Because residual value is the biggest driver of a vehicle’s total cost of ownership, high retained values like those of the 2015 Transit Connect and F-350 Super Duty are important purchasing considerations for commercial customers, as well as retail customers interested in leasing their vehicles or trading them in after a few years. Edmunds.com calculated the average retained value after five years of Transit Connect at 47 percent and of F-350 Super Duty at 58.5 percent.

The Edmunds.com award is the latest in a string of accolades for the Transit Connect, which was also named ALG’s Best Resale Value among midsize commercial vans. The Transit Connect XLT short-wheelbase midsize van earned the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in America award in the Mini Passenger Commercial Van Category in April.

More details about Edmunds.com’s Best Retained Value Awards can be found at http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/best-retained-value-cars.html
.

To determine the model winners of the Edmunds.com Best Retained Value Awards, Edmunds evaluated model year 2015 vehicles that were launched by the end of 2014 and had unit sales in February 2015 that were at least 25 percent of the average unit sales for the vehicle’s market segment.

Source: Automotive World

Helping Fleets with Rousch CleanTech Propane Autogas

Todd Mouw of Roush Cleantech talks with Joe Hughes of the National Ford Truck Club about Roush's success in expanding their propane autogas expertise into larger trucks that serve larger fleet companies helping them to save a lot of money in fuel costs and at the same time being better on the environment. See more about these products and services at http://www.roushcleantech.com/Rousch CleanTech