The new 2016 Ford Explorer will go on sale in North America next year | Hacienda Ford

The 2016 Explorer will go on sale in North America next year with a new look and some of Ford's latest technology.

The current Explorer debuted in the 2011 model year and made the dramatic change from being a body-on-frame truck to a car-based crossover.

The Explorer helped define the SUV segment and sales in the U.S. peaked at 445,000 in 2000. Nearly 7 million have been sold since the SUV debuted in 1990. But gas prices forced Ford to rethink the family vehicle to make if more fuel efficient and nimble to drive. Crossovers of all sizes have surged in popularity because they fill that bill.

Global demand for SUVs is up 88% since 2008, making utility vehicles the fastest-growing segment around the world, according to IHS Automotive. Utilities now comprise 19% of the global vehicle market.

For the Ford brand, utility vehicles accounted for 23% of global sales in 2013, up from 17% a year earlier; and sales are forecast to grow to 29% by 2020.

"As utility vehicle demand rises around the world, our global lineup of vehicles, like EcoSport, Escape/Kuga and Edge, is helping us grow our share," said Jim Farley, head of global marketing, sales and service. "The global desire for new utility vehicles is driving expansion in developing markets like China and helping the Ford brand reach more customers."

Ford is trying to distinguish itself in China by offering four different crossovers for sale — the only region where Ford offers so many utility choices.

The expanded portfolio in Europe now includes the new and tiny EcoSport and the Edge will be added in late 2015. They augment the Kuga (known as Escape here). The utility market in Europe has grown from 9% market share in 2008 to 19% last year.

In the United States, small crossovers are now the largest segment. Ford reported record Escape sales last year.

Ford adds 850 jobs to build 2015 F-150 | Hacienda Ford

By Noah JosephRSS feedGoogle+

Pickup trucks tend not to advance at quite the same pace as the rest of the industry. That's what makes the new Ford F-150 so remarkable, jettisoning its old steel construction in favor of aluminum. It's a game changer that Ford is betting big on, and in anticipation of surging demand, the Blue Oval automaker is adding 850 new jobs to put the thing together.

Those 850 new employees will be centered at Ford's Rouge complex in Michigan – with 300 at Dearborn Stamping, 50 more at Dearborn Diversified and 500 at the Dearborn Truck facility, the latter of which has already kicked off what Ford describes as "the largest manufacturing transformation in decades." Old manufacturing equipment is being replaced with the latest technologies, and even the Ford Rouge Factory Tour is undergoing a complete overhaul.

The new jobs come as part of the commitments Ford made to the UAW in 2011 to create 12,000 hourly jobs in the United States by 2015 – a number which Ford has already exceeded at 14,000. Over 4,000 of those are centered in southeastern Michigan.

Five Habits that will Ruin your Vehicle | Hacienda Ford

Avoiding these habits can go a long way in preventing an expensive repair bill.

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule. While neglecting your car may seem harmless in the short term, regular neglect and mistreatment will add up and will reduce your car’s lifespan. To keep your car running longer and stronger, avoid these five harmful habits.

1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car’s longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner’s manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.

2. Ignoring dash warning lights

When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it’s important to address the problem immediately. If you don’t know what the light means, check your owner’s manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line.

3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it’s important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This “jerky” shifting places excess strain on the transmission’s internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

4. Jerky driving

We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won’t destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems.

5. Putting off tire replacement

Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you’re driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.

Is The 2015 Ecoboost Mustang More Fun Than A Fiesta Or A Focus ST? | Hacienda Ford

Máté Petrány

The first turbocharged Mustang in more than three decades is certainly a huge step up from the rental car that the V6 Mustang is, but is it fun enough to provide a real alternative to the GT?

This 2.3 is not that 2.3 you might remember from 1984. The 2015 Mustang's Ecoboost comes with a twin-scroll turbo, direct injection, forged connecting rods and a forged crankshaft, a high-pressure die-cast aluminum block and piston cooling oil jets. That's why it has a lot of torque at lower revs and in the midrange, but it's also tuned to lose most of its grunt as you get closer to the redline.

The claimed 310 horses are more like 279 at the wheel according to Motor Trend's dyno test, and they have to move roughly 3600 pounds which means the turbo Mustang is far from being the wildest pony out there.

It certainly wasn't built for the track, but let's see what's it like to drive one at speed for the first time:

Secrets Behind the New Ford Power Stroke Diesel | Hacienda Ford Edinburg TX

Tori Tellem,

 

10/5/2014

 

Secret #1: Ford engineered its own powertrain for the 2015 Super Duty^®

Secret #2: The 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® V8 makes more horsepower and torque than the previous model

Secret #3: First rule of the Power Stroke? There are no secrets

The design of the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8™ is something you would think would be cloaked in darkness, even within the walls of the Blue Oval. ™ Not so – Ford is proud of what it accomplished with the second-generation diesel model optional in the 2015 Super Duty, and admitted building an efficient engine* required a lot of openness. “Keeping everything in-house gives a competitive advantage because there are no go-betweens,” explained David Ives, Ford Power Stroke Technical Specialist. “The engine guy can just walk over to the transmission guy and they can work together to find the best solutions, breaking down barriers.”

The upgrades to the Power Stroke resulted in 440 horsepower – the previous 6.7-liter Power Stroke made 400 – and 860 lb.-ft. of torque – up from 800. This pertains to all Super Duty models, from F-250 to F-450. That’s what happens when you engineer a work truck to be a work truck, and as a team. Ford is the only manufacturer that develops and builds its own powertrains in this class. And there are innovations galore: a compacted graphite iron engine block and reverse-flow layout. About that no-secret rule? “Strong communication built a better diesel truck,” David added.

“The designers of the original 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel predicted that it would eventually need to be upgraded for higher output,” said David. “They designed it in a way that made it easier to add a larger turbocharger, increasing airflow and creating more power for dramatically improved performance, yet we haven’t lost any efficiency.”

So, looks like the cat is out of the bag: This purpose-built truck has been improved from (cylinder) head to tow.

*Based on Ford simulated city-suburban drive-cycle tests of comparably equipped 2015 Ford and 2011-2013 competitive models, consistent with SAE Standard J1321.

Ford Marks 20 Years of Fighting Breast Cancer with Warriors in Pink | Hacienda Ford Edinburg, TX

Tori Tellem,

 

10/1/2014

This year marks 20 years of Ford Motor Company fighting against breast cancer. The company’s journey began when it became one of the first corporate sponsors of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Ford branded its initiative Warriors in Pink^® and developed a full line of clothing and gear that donates 100 percent of the net proceeds to four breast cancer charities. Thus far, Ford has dedicated more than $125 million to the cause.

Involvement for Ford extends far beyond just financial support for research. Warriors in Pink encourages women to have continuing and honest conversations that keep them proactive about breast health and early detection.

“Through Warriors in Pink, Ford continues to be a unifying force in driving awareness for breast cancer. This year is especially meaningful to us as we mark our 20th anniversary and honor the strength and courage of all the survivors who have shared their stories with us throughout their journey,” said Joe Hinrichs, President of The Americas, Ford Motor Company.

Other ways Ford has been able to shine a spotlight on survivors is through its Models of Courage program, which highlights individuals who openly share their experiences with breast cancer.

Since 2006, Warriors in Pink has offered a line of apparel and accessories, and 100 percent of the net proceeds from the sale of these items benefit Warriors in Pink’s four charities partners: The Pink Fund, Susan G. Komen, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and Young Survival Coalition. Join the fight and support a breast cancer charity of your choice.

The Tale of the Printer and the Two-Seat “Shorty” Ford Mustang

Back in the early 1960s, as Ford Motor Company product planners, designers and engineers were brainstorming ideas for a compact sporty car, there were numerous proposals for two-seaters. Most of those concepts never got any further than sketches, but at least one running prototype of a two-seat Mustang was built and survives today thanks to the devotion of Bill Snyder of Hudson, Ohio.
The “shorty” Mustang, as it is often called, was designed by Vince Gardner and built in 1964 by long-time Ford supplier Dearborn Steel Tubing for a traveling custom car show. Now known as DST Industries, the company still builds and prepares many Ford prototype, concept and show vehicles.
“I saw the shorty Mustang during one of the stops of that traveling car show and decided I had to have one,” said Snyder. “I told a Ford rep I wanted to buy a two-seat Mustang to go along with my then 10-year-old Corvette, but he said it was a one-off that they were never going to build.”
The owner of Ohio-based screen printing company Nordec Inc., Snyder has always been a sports car fan. Although Snyder was hugely disappointed, he nevertheless kept an eye out in case Ford ever did produce a similar car. It turns out patience truly is a virtue, and several years later Snyder ended up owning exactly the car he saw on that show stand.
How did this car come to be?
After choosing a Gale Halderman-penned two-door hardtop as the basis for the production Mustang in the fall of 1962, the Ford design team continued to look at possible alternatives for expanding the lineup. A convertible joined the hardtop at Mustang’s launch in April 1964, with a fastback coming a few months later. Body styles that were considered and rejected included a four-door sedan and even a two-door station wagon.
Early on in the program, two-seaters were frequently pitched as potential replacements for the late, lamented first-generation Thunderbird, which by that point had grown into a luxury four-seat coupe. However, two-seaters then and now are niche products and Ford wanted its new car to have a broader appeal including young families, so the decision was made that the car would have four seats.
Despite that, when an opportunity arose to build a custom Mustang for an upcoming traveling car show, DST brought in freelance designer Gardner to take another shot at a two-seat Mustang. It’s not known if Gardner ever saw or had access to rejected Ford design studio sketches, but the concept crafted by the DST team bears a strong resemblance to at least one sketch from February 1963.

The resulting car is a Mustang fastback with 16 inches removed between the rear edge of the door and the rear axle. Working with one of the preproduction 1965 Mustangs that otherwise would have been sent to the crusher, the DST fabricators created unique rear bodywork from fiberglass and new outer door skins that incorporate the classic Mustang side scoop.
When the tour where Snyder had seen the shorty ended, the car, which was rejected for production, was set to meet the same fate as most such cars – the crusher. Not wanting to see this unique Mustang destroyed, Gardner stashed it away in a nearby warehouse.
Several months later, after Ford reported it stolen and received an insurance payout, the warehouse owner discovered the car. Since Gardner had apparently not paid any rent, the insurance company that paid out the claim took possession of the car and later sold it to one of its executives.
Shorty finally finds a home
Four years after he first saw the shorty Mustang at the car show, Snyder spotted it once again, this time listed in the for sale section of Hemming’s Motor News.
“I contacted the seller and immediately sent a driver from my printing business to Connecticut to pick up the car,” said Snyder. “I’ve owned this one-of-a-kind Mustang for the last 46 years.”
Over time, the original auto show lacquer finish cracked and the car was sprayed with body primer as Snyder accumulated about 15,000 miles on the car. Before it went on the show circuit in 1964, Ford engineers installed a special engine. The original 260 cubic-inch V8 that was available in Mustang was bored out to 302 cubic-inches and a trio of two-barrel carburetors were installed, making this effectively a prototype for one of the most beloved engine configurations in Mustang history.
When Snyder decided to restore the car several years ago, his wife found some of the original color under the hood and worked with a paint supplier to match it exactly. Since it was a concept car, the original builders had used plexiglass for the quarter windows and backlight rather than cutting custom glass. Despite being heavily fogged after nearly 50 years, the restorers were able to buff the windows back to their original clarity.
Looking as good as or better than it did in 1964, the one-of-a-kind, two-seat shorty Mustang made its debut at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in Florida. This year, Snyder has been taking it to a variety of events celebrating 50 years of Mustang.

TRUCK OF THE YEAR

THE ALL-NEW EXPLORER COMBINES GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY, THE BEST V-6 HIGHWAY MPG, NO-COMPROMISE POWER AND THE ABILITY TO HANDLE ANYTHING YOU THROW AT IT.

Under the hood, a powerful V-6 engine delivers fuel economy to envy.

It takes only one glance at the stunningly sleek, aerodynamic design of the 2011 Explorer to see that Ford has completely reinvented the classic American utility vehicle. But the features that recently won it the North American Truck of the Year award—given by a jury of veteran automotive journalists who judge on factors that include innovation, performance, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value—can be found under the hood as well. Explorer sports a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine, electric power–assisted steering, available 5,000-pound towing capability and available technologies including Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System. And the 2011 Explorer holds the distinction of having the best V-6 highway mpg.* No wonder it’s driving off with all the awards.

Check out all of the 2011 Explorer Go.Do.Adventures.

*EPA estimated 25 hwy mpg, V-6 FWD. Class is Three-Row Large Utilities, nonhybrid.

TAGS: EXPLORER, TRUCKS

Even Music Sounds Better in the 2015 Ford Mustang

 

 

• 2015 Ford Mustang will be available with three audio systems including a standard  six-speaker configuration, a premium nine-speaker system with an eight-inch touch-screen  or a 12-speaker ShakerPro with trunk-mounted subwoofer
• New car’s improved structure and aerodynamics provide a better acoustical foundation for audio fidelity
• Mustang is the first Ford vehicle to feature a high-power, 2.1-amp USB port that charges phones and other devices twice as fast as other ports

The throaty rumble of a V8 or the refined though aggressive note of an EcoBoost^® engine is generally the preferred soundtrack when driving a Ford Mustang. Yet for those times when a favorite road trip tune is called for, the all-new 2015 Mustang has that situation covered as well.
“As our team developed this Mustang, the goal was to improve the car’s fidelity in every respect – from the way it slices through a corner to the way the audio system reproduces the sound of favorite driving songs,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The process of rebuilding this car from the ground up allowed us to improve all aspects of the driving experience.”
Creating a solid foundation is essential to extracting the maximum performance out of the tires and suspension on the road. But that same foundation also provides numerous side benefits, such as enabling the audio system to provide cleaner, clearer sound.
The stronger body structure of the 2015 Mustang fastback is 28 percent more resistant to twisting than the previous model, resulting in less noise. The acoustic environment is also aided by improved aerodynamics that result from twice as much simulation and wind tunnel development – significantly reducing wind noise, especially at highway speeds.
“With a fundamentally quieter baseline to work from, we had a better acoustic environment to tune the audio systems in the new car,” said Joe Kafati, multimedia systems supervisor. “The reduction in ambient noise enabled us to achieve the same sound pressure levels in the cabin with much less power and distortion.”
The new Mustang is again available with three audio systems, each of which is better than the system it replaces in the outgoing model. The baseline system features a six-speaker configuration with separate high-frequency tweeters, now mounted in the A-pillars and pointing across the cabin to provide more direct sound to the driver and front passenger.
The more rigid doors of the new Mustang enable the use of slimmer, lighter 6.5-inch door speakers that don’t need as much travel to produce comparable audio volume, with higher-fidelity mid-range and bass sound. A pair of 6.5-inch round full-range speakers are mounted in the rear package tray of the fastback, or in the quarter panels in the convertible.
Both available premium audio systems add a front center speaker mounted in the top of the instrument panel for improved vocal and speech clarity. These systems add a separate 8+1-channel amplifier, and use powerful neodymium magnet speakers to help reduce weight while improving overall sensitivity and sound reproduction. The mid-range nine-speaker system adds a second speaker to each door, separating the low and mid-range frequencies for improved fidelity.
Stepping up to the top-end Shaker Pro system that is available on Mustang EcoBoost Premium and Mustang GT Premium brings 12 polymer cone speakers, with a pair of coaxial tweeter/woofers in the rear, plus a trunk-mounted subwoofer for maximum bass response. The subwoofer has been repackaged to fit into the rear corner of the trunk, leaving more space for cargo. Even with the Shaker Pro audio system, the 2015 Mustang convertible can still accommodate two large golf bags, or everything you would need for a weekend getaway.
“We took advantage of our new acoustics lab to tune the equalization modes for each system to provide improved clarity across all frequency ranges and in different driving conditions,” said Kafati. “The lab provides us with a consistent baseline for measuring the response of audio systems with a wide variety of music and spoken word content.”
Using the lab, Kafati and his colleagues can take objective measurements and bring in listeners to evaluate the audio from each seating position, ensuring everything sounds clear and well balanced.
With mobile technology constantly evolving, Ford SYNC^® has always been designed to enable drivers to easily connect devices of their choice. Mustang is the first Ford vehicle to feature a high-power, 2.1-amp USB port in the media bin at the base of the center stack to charge those devices twice as fast as before.
No matter which audio system a Mustang customer selects, supplemental controls on the steering wheel and voice activation for hands-free operation are standard. With standard Bluetooth wireless connectivity, drivers don’t even have to take their phone out of pocket or purse to stream music or take calls.
Each of the three available systems includes a single-disc CD player and auxiliary input. The standard audio system also features next-generation SYNC AppLink^™, enabling drivers to take advantage of selected smartphone apps while keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
“Whether it’s a V8 rumble or ‘Mustang Sally,’ we’ve worked to make this the best-sounding Mustang ever,” said Kafati.

SMARTER CAR

FORD TEAMS UP WITH FOUR UNIVERSITIES TO ENGINEER A MORE INTUITIVE VEHICLE.

By Seth Putnam

Ford has consistently established itself at the vanguard of automotive technology, often through its alliances with cutting-edge engineering departments at universities around the world. Now researchers at four universities are tackling the gray area between human and automated driving. “There’s the concept of having a virtual driver,” says Greg Stevens, Ford global manager of Driver Assistance and Active Safety Research. “In the future, we’ll effectively have a virtual driver sharing the driving tasks with us.”

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Engineers from Ford and the University of Michigan have developed a Fusion Hybrid automated research vehicle with LiDAR sensor “eyes” that take 2.8 million measurements per second. The sensors bounce lasers off physical surroundings and measure the returning light, effectively generating a three-dimensional map of the vehicle’s surroundings.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers are developing algorithms that allow the car to predict the trajectory of other vehicles and pedestrians in its path, thereby avoiding collisions. At Stanford University, researchers are working to give a virtual driver the ability to automatically maneuver to see around objects like large trucks on the road. Meanwhile, Aachen University is focused on keeping drivers engaged, exploring the best cues for informing the human driver what the virtual driver plans to do next.

TAGS: FUSION HYBRID, RESEARCH

HAULING 101

LOHMAN HELICOPTER OWNER AND OPERATOR MORGAN LOHMAN EXPLAINS HOW TO HANDLE A HEAVY TRAILER LOAD WITH CARE.

By Kent Black

Without the hefty towing capacity of a Ford Super Duty^® pickup, Morgan Lohman would not have an efficient way of getting his choppers to a work site. He’s learned a few things over the years of hauling his valuable cargo that translate for anyone pulling a trailer behind a truck. Novice haulers, take note.

1. Know Your Load “It doesn’t matter if you’re hauling a helicopter, lumber or hay, you should know the weight of your load and how it’s distributed across the trailer,” says Lohman. Every truck comes with specs on gross trailer weight and maximum tongue weight, so check them out before you go any further. Swaying trailers are almost always the result of insufficient tongue weight.

2. Have Enough Truck Lohman chose F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks because he knew there would be up to 400 horsepower when he needed it. Nevertheless, he made some after-market modifications, such as adding two-inch suspension lifts that added major poundage to the Super Duty’s towing capacity to make sure his trucks could always handle the hefty weight of his helicopters.

3. Never Enough Straps “We go pretty slow over some bad roads, and we still have straps come loose,” says Lohman. “The last thing you want is to hear something rattle.” Of course, it hardly matters if you’re hauling hay, but for most cargo—from an enclosed trailer of motorcycles to an open trailer with a mobile construction shop—you need to make sure everything is strapped and double strapped. You do not want to see it disappearing in the rearview mirror.

4. Recheck the Brakes Lohman says that one of the trickiest situations he encounters in highway driving is sudden braking—a scary event when you’re hauling tens of thousands of pounds. If your trailer has electric brakes, then the small gel cell battery should be checked before every trip to make sure it is charging properly.

5. Level Your Load It’s extremely important to make sure that the trim of your trailer and truck is level. Before hitching up, load the trailer to maximum capacity and then level using a jack stand and a carpenter’s level. Level again after you’ve hitched the trailer to your truck.