Planet Ford Awards Liam McCarthy Built Ford Tough Player of the Week

Planet Ford in Spring, Texas is proud to congratulation Liam McCarthy, Frassati Catholic High School, for being named the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week! Shawn Burns, GM/OP & Brad Stapp, Dir. Of Operations, presented the prestigious trophy to Liam McCarthy at Frassati Catholic High School.

According to head coach, Calvin Lafiton, Liam is a once in a generation player who is only going to improve.  The Sophomore linebacker lived up to his coach’s expectations with a dominating defensive performance last week as the Falcons defeated the Wildcats 55-6.

McCarthy made 23 tackles (15 solo and 8 for a loss), secured 4 sacks, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble for a touchdown. The 5-1 Falcons look to extend their win streak to 5 games against All Saints Episcopal on Friday, 10/13.

Our Planet Ford in Spring team is looking forward to watching Liam and the entire team go far this season.

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Planet Ford Sponsors Automotive Tech Competition Students

Planet Ford in Spring is proud to be a supporter and be part of encouraging the automotive talent showcased at the Student Automotive Tech Competition. The Marshall Center for Advanced Careers of Alief ISD emerged victorious as the winners of the highly competitive Student Automotive Tech Competition, earning the honor of representing their school at the North Texas Automobile Dealers Auto Tech Competition 2023 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on December 1 and 2, 2023. The three senior students, Jose Vera, Juan Gomez, and Kevin Alviter demonstrated skill, teamwork, and automotive expertise. They won trophies, $500 cash prize donated by Peak Old World Industries, tools from Matco, and a $100 bonus from ASE Foundation. The school instructor, Julian Mendoza, was awarded $250 from SPD Construction for his instructional excellence. 

Third Place: Klein Collins High School. Team: Calvin, Grason, Jason with Joseph Philbrick, Instructor

The team from Clear Spring High School won second place. Klein Collins High School, sponsored by Planet Ford in Spring, took home the third-place awards. The students from Klein Oak High School, also sponsored by Planet Ford did a great job. Student Automotive Tech Competition provides an invaluable opportunity for these young talents to showcase their skills and fosters a connection between the automotive industry and the next generation of technicians.

Klein Oak High School Team left to right: Blake, Victor, Max

This premier event, presented by the ASE Education Foundation and the Houston Automobile Dealers Association, saw ten high school teams from across Houston competing in various automotive disciplines, including Preventative Maintenance Inspection and Repairs, Location of Fuse Panels and Relays, Navigating Service Information and Reading Wiring Schematics, Documenting/Typing/Writing on Repair Orders, and Navigating and Using Factory Scan Tools.

“We were honored to partner with the Houston Automobile Dealers Association to present this prestigious competition,” said Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “As the industry leader in providing solutions to the technician shortage, we always look to support events that inspire and connect the next generation of automotive service professionals with employers.”  

“We congratulate the Marshall Center for Advanced Careers and Sterling McCall Nissan on their remarkable success and wish them the best of luck as they advance to the next level of competition,” said Wyatt Wainwright, president of Houston Automobile Dealers Association. “Their hard work and dedication serve as a testament to the future of the automotive industry and the promise of these young talents.”

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Ford Introduces F-150 Lightning Flash

Electrifying Ford news! The American automakers is introducing a new F-150 Lightning model – F-150® Lightning® Flash™ – a tech-forward offering that brings together most of current customers’ favorite features under $70,000.  

Shop for your new Ford truck @ PlanetFord45.com.

The F-150 Lightning Flash expands on the XLT model line by adding in-demand tech capabilities, including an extended-range battery, which has a targeted EPA-estimated range of 320 miles, available Ford BlueCruise1 hands-free highway driving, and a standard 15.5-inch touchscreen for seamless interactions and navigation. The F-150 Lightning Flash customer values an EV powertrain and advanced tech features paired with a more accessible price point and the F-150’s proven ability to handle anything, whether people, pets, or gear. 

“The F-150 Lightning Flash is a direct outcome of engaging with and learning from our customers. This truck combines many of the technology-forward features our customers love in our EV lineup, at a more accessible price. With an EPA-estimated 320 miles of range, the Lightning Flash is another example of the speed at which we are adapting to grow our EV business.” Marin Gjaja, Chief Operating Officer at Ford Model e.

New Ford BlueCruise

Ford’s available hands-free highway driving technology, Ford BlueCruise,2 can assist in making driving less stressful and more enjoyable.

The F-150 Lightning Flash comes with version 1.2, which includes Lane Change Assist, allowing the driver to change lanes hands-free by tapping the turn signal once the path is clear, and In-Lane Repositioning to help to keep the vehicle in its lane while subtly shifting position away from vehicles in adjacent lanes. It will also improve over time with software updates.

And, with a new flexible option, customers can choose to activate BlueCruise at any point during their vehicle ownership journey – at purchase, annually or even monthly – and use it when they need it. Customers can also try BlueCruise for 90 days from vehicle purchase during a complimentary trial. 

Step Inside the F-150 Lightning Flash

  • – 15.5-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Swipe Capability  
  • – B&O® Sound System with HD Radio™ includes 8 speakers and subwoofer 
  • – Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start includes Approach Detection and SecuriCode® Keyless Entry Keypad, Driver’s Side
  • – Wireless Charging Pad
  • Charging: Home & On The Go!
  • F-150 Lightning drivers can access the BlueOval Charge Network, North America’s largest public charging networkwith over 84,000 chargers.
  • Starting spring 2024, F-150 Lightning drivers also will have access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers, making it the largest integrated fast-charge network across the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, Ford EV dealers are also adding public-facing fast-chargers and locations to the BlueOval Charge Network. 
  • Charging a vehicle at home is as simple as charging a phone. F-150 Lightning owners can charge overnight with the available Ford Charge Station Pro on a 240V wall outlet. To maximize home charging speed and connected features at home, they can purchase the Ford Connected Charge Station and its on-demand 80 amps of power. 

1 Ford BlueCruise requires a Connected Service plan that provides regular map updates, FordPass® App, and modem activation. Ford BlueCruise-equipped vehicles come with either a 90-day trial or a 3-year BlueCruise Connected Service plan, after which purchase is required. See ford.com/bluecruise for BlueCruise availability and version details. See the Connected Services section of your Ford Account for your BlueCruise Connected Service plan status and available plan options. Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. BlueCruise is a hands-free highway driving feature. Only remove hands from the steering wheel when in a Hands-Free Blue Zone.  Always watch the road and be prepared to resume control of the vehicle.  It does not replace safe driving.  See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.
2 Available Feature. Ford BlueCruise requires a Connected Service plan, FordPass® App, and modem activation.  Equipped Ford vehicles come with either a 90-day trial or a 3-year BlueCruise Connected Service plan, after which purchase is required. See ford.com/bluecruise for more details. BlueCruise driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace safe driving or driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. Only remove hands in a Hands-Free Blue Zone. Always watch the road and be prepared to resume control. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations. 
3 Based on full charge. Actual range varies with conditions such as external environment, vehicle use, vehicle maintenance, high-voltage battery age and state of health.
4 Current MSRP excludes destination/delivery fee plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge.
5 Based on original equipment manufacturers(OEM)/automotive manufacturers that sell all-electric vehicles and have active charging networks. Department of Energy data as of May 31, 2023 used. Numbers subject to change. FordPass,® compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.

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Ford Levels Up Ownership with Track School

Owners of the all-new, seventh-generation Ford Mustang will be able to enjoy a range of new experiences in 2024, from on-track driving courses led by some of the world’s best high-performance driving instructors to new lifestyle events and an online portal to connect with Mustang owners from across the country.

Shop for your new Ford at PlanetFord45.com!

“The Ford Mustang is all about two things: its community of passionate fans and racing. We’re combining those qualities and giving owners the opportunity to learn some of the same skills our racing drivers will take to Daytona and Le Mans next year,” said Matt Simpson, general manager for Enthusiast Vehicles. “And they’ll do so alongside their fellow enthusiasts.”

Mustang Dark Horse Track Attack at Charlotte Motor Speedway leads the charge for owners of Mustang Dark Horse – the most track-capable and powerful 5.0-liter V8 street-legal Mustang ever.

Boasting a near 3:1 attendee-to-instructor ratio, Mustang Dark Horse owners will receive personal attention on the skid pad, autocross, and Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. This experience comes included with the purchase of the Mustang Dark Horse (not including transportation and lodging).

This event starts with an evening reception at the CMS Champion’s Club, overlooking the track, and then the next day expands into classroom and on-track instruction. This includes learning how to utilize the Dark Horse’s no-lift-shift system and taking to the skid pad and autocross. Owners will then put their newfound skills to the test in lead-follow lapping on the fearsome Charlotte Roval with three 20-minute sessions, followed by a hot lap with the instructors in the driver’s seat.

Dark Horse Track Attack customers can register for this program starting in January 2024.

New Ownership Experiences to Grow The Mustang Community

Owning a Ford Mustang has always been a gateway to a larger world that draws on nearly 60 years of unparalleled history, passion, style, and performance. And Ford is growing that world in 2024, giving Mustang owners new in-person, on-track, local events and online activities and tools to experience and share their Mustang.

A destination driving event at the Ford Performance Racing School at Charlotte Motor Speedway will give Mustang EcoBoost and Mustang GT owners similar track instruction to the Track Attack program for the first time. Mustang owners are not a monolith, and this new brand immersive driving program recognizes that with a choose-your-own-adventure format, where owners can select from drift instruction, track driving, line-lock burnout classes, and more.

A new digital portal creates an online point of entry to the Mustang fandom, allowing owners to learn, engage, and interact with fellow fans. A series of roving, cross-country events in 10 U.S. markets will include on major automotive, lifestyle and motorsports events. This will provide owners with an in-person opportunity to interact with other Mustang fans.

“Ford Mustang fans make this car what it is – a global icon for performance and excitement. And now, we’re giving owners a chance to connect regardless of distance and share their passion,” Mustang Brand Manager Joe Bellino said.

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Ford Pro Reveals New 2 AC Charging Station 80 amp, Expands Fast Charger options

EV (electric vehicles) Commercial news you can use. Ford Pro, the commercial division of Ford, has revealed new charging hardware added to its suite of end-to-end solutions to help make it easier for commercial customers to transition their fleets to electric.

Shop EV vehicle options @ PlanetFord45.com.

The new Series 2 AC Charging Station 80 amp and expanded DC Fast Charger options are designed for commercial vehicle use and packed with new features. Coupled with Ford Pro’s charging management software, the company provides a fully integrated solution that simplifies EV charging for both Ford and non-Ford electric vehicles.

“We’re committed to helping businesses make the transition to electric easy with a single-minded focus on curated commercial charging solutions,” said Ted Cannis, Ford Pro CEO. “With our tailored EV consulting and portfolio of charging hardware and software solutions, we can design, implement and operate solutions for Ford and other brands that will last for many years to come. And we are not afraid to tell customers when electrification is not yet a good fit and support them with other solutions.”

Ford Pro’s BEV Fit team offers available complimentary consulting to customers to help identify available incentives, consult on charging site design and construction, and collaborate with local utilities on energy needs.

Now available for pre-order, the Series 2 AC Charging Station 80 amp comes with features that simplify and help improve the charging experience at the workplace for fleet operators and their drivers including:

  • Enhanced security with RFID that limits unwanted charger access. Fleet operators can issue a unique Ford Pro RFID card1 to control access to chargers enabling charging sessions to be limited to specific individuals or vehicles, by specifying day and times for access. The new RFID software also supports Ford and non-Ford vehicles unlocking the ability for fleet operators to track energy reports through Ford Pro’s charging management software.
  • Improved detachable cable and connector reduces time and expense of charger repairs avoiding replacement of the entire charging station if a cable or connector is damaged.
  • Wide range of connectivity options with cellular pre-configured and optional Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity for locations with restricted cellular coverage.
  • The new Series 2 AC Charging Station 80 Amp will be ISO-15118 ready and equipped to enable future functionality over the air such as advanced vehicle to charger communications that can identify and log when a specific vehicle connects. Ford Pro designed the new hardware to be ready for the future, so customers are better prepared for new electric vehicles and capabilities to come.
  • New LCD screen on the Series 2 charger displays step-by-step instructions to initiate charging and important information including charge duration, fault alerts, energy usage, and more.
  • Temperature sensors to monitor and alert for overheating by derating the charger automatically.
  • Extended operating temperature range of -40C (-40F) to 50C (122F) and operating altitude of up to 3500m to serve the needs of customers in more places.
  • The new Ford Pro charging hardware is backed by a 3-year warranty on charger parts and labor and continues to provide around-the-clock tech support to help increase uptime and productivity for customers.
  • Ford Pro Telematics, chargers, software and service work seamlessly to provide fleet operators and managers with a single solution to monitor their vehicle network 24/7.

For more information about Ford Pro Charging solutions, visit https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/charging/.

Ford Pro is also revealing extended DC Fast Charger options in 180kW and 240kW giving fleet operators and their drivers more versatility at their workplace with more power and shortened charge times. Aluminum pedestals feature an improved cable retractor and a sleeker look. The new Ford Pro DC Fast Chargers are available for pre-order now at ford.to/Series2ChargerPreorder.

Ford Pro Chargers work with Ford Pro’s smart charging software to help ensure vehicles are charged when customers need them. The integrated software and hardware solution helps fleet managers optimize how, when and where EVs are charged along with utility reimbursement reporting, important for home-based drivers.

Using Ford Pro Charging solutions can also allow customers to charge more vehicles at a given time. Customers can deploy more EVs without necessarily needing to wait for an infrastructure upgrade. The software also tracks performance and provides fleet managers with insights like kWh consumption, charge speed and distance to empty, and helps optimize total cost of ownership. 

Businesses can also help lower their total cost of ownership through understanding the various incentives available to them. To help ease confusion, Ford Pro has compiled commercial incentives to make it easy to find available tax credits on EV, charging equipment and charging installation costs at https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/incentives/. The company also launched a program with professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) to help give customers no-cost information to learn about IRA tax credits for which they may qualify. Available incentives include:

  • Up to a 30% federal tax credit on charging and installation costs2
  • Up to $7,500 back on each new qualified EV purchased in 20232
  • Hundreds of federal, state, and local EV incentives and rebates2

Ford Pro delivers an always-on, connected customer experience through a comprehensive solution of vehicles, charging, software, financing and service for all commercial and government customers. Ford Pro has nearly 125,000 fleet customers across the U.S. and 140,000 across Europe.

Ford is the leading global commercial vehicle brand and America’s best-selling line of commercial vehicles for 38 consecutive years3, featuring BUILT FORD TOUGH® commercial trucks and vans integrated with software and services such as Ford Pro™ Telematics. With more than 3,000 physical authorized service locations, Ford has an impressive support/service network among commercial vehicle manufacturers.

1RFID cards sold separately.

2Please consult with your own tax or legal professional to determine eligibility, specific amount of incentives or rebates available. The federal tax credit is a potential future tax savings. The amount of your tax savings will depend on your individual tax circumstances. Incentives and additional rebates are not within Ford’s control. This information does not constitute tax or legal advice. For additional information, go to https://www.afdc.energy.gov/laws/409.

3Based on S&P Global Mobility CY1985-2022 U.S. TIPNet registrations excluding registrations to individuals. TIP registrations prior to 2010 do not include all GVW 1 and 2 vehicles.

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Ford’s BlueCruise Offers More Hands-Free Flexibility

Planet Ford in Spring, Texas has exciting hands-free tech news! Ford is continuing to evolve how the American automaker offers products and services, including the way customers access BlueCruise. This is Ford’s enhanced hands-free highway driving technology.Plus, Ford is now including BlueCruise hardware standard from the factory to provide flexibility and choices to more customers. 

Customers with equipped vehicles can now choose to activate BlueCruise at any point during their Ford ownership journey – at purchase, annually or even monthly – as well as have the opportunity to experience it through a complimentary trial if they choose not to activate at purchase. Ford is projected to install BlueCruise hardware on 500,000 vehicles for the 2024 model year in North America across Ford and Lincoln – expanding the availability onto more electric and gas-powered vehicles. 

“BlueCruise is an experience-it-to-believe-it technology, and people are amazed at how BlueCruise can help make driving less stressful and more enjoyable – especially in traffic or on long drives,” said Ashley Lambrix, Head of Commercial Acceleration – Ford Model e. “We believe in this technology and how it can help transform the highway driving experience and want to give more customers the opportunity to try it and provide flexibility for them to activate it when they want to use it.” 

Ford customers who know and love BlueCruise can choose to order or purchase a vehicle with BlueCruise already activated for three years. It can be rolled into the financing as part of the vehicle purchase. For customers who want to try out BlueCruise first, they can use BlueCruise for 90 days from vehicle purchase during a complimentary trial. At the end of the trial or at any point during their vehicle ownership, customers can activate it on an annual or monthly basis. Plus, to meet the needs of active or occasional users, there is no minimum length commitment required to activate it. For example, a customer could activate the service for one month for a road trip and not activate it again for another year. 

Previously, customers would have to decide when ordering the vehicle if they wanted BlueCruise so the hardware could be installed. Now, Ford is removing this burden from customers, not forcing them to decide upfront if they might want access to this technology. 

Expanding BlueCruise Flexible Offering to Additional Vehicle Lines   

According to the results of an S&P Global Mobility study from March, consumers are willing to activate connected-car services that add value if they have the chance to try them first. In fact, 82% of respondents who had experienced a free trial or an existing connected service plan said they would “definitely” or “probably” consider purchasing a connected service on a future new vehicle purchase.

Ford first applied this approach on the Mustang Mach-E, and the company now is expanding this flexibility on all 2024 model year vehicles where BlueCruise is available – F-150 Lightning, Ford F-150 and Ford Expedition.*

BlueCruise activation for Ford customers costs $2,100 for three years at time of order or vehicle purchase. If a customer chooses not to activate upfront, after their complimentary trial they can choose an annual plan for $800 or a monthly plan for $75. If a customer chooses to forego activating BlueCruise, they can continue to experience Adaptive Cruise Control, which lets the driver set a cruising speed and distance from the vehicle ahead, including in stop-and-go traffic. 

Expanding BlueCruise Offering for Lincoln Vehicles 

The company also is expanding the BlueCruise offering for Lincoln customers. Now, all series of the 2024 Lincoln Navigator and Lincoln Nautilus and select trims of Lincoln Corsair will come equipped with BlueCruise hardware.** BlueCruise will also be available for the first time on the all-new Nautilus when it launches early next year. 

Based on the vehicle trim, Navigator and Nautilus customers will receive either four years of BlueCruise access included at purchase or a 90-day complimentary trial with the option to choose an annual plan for $800 or a monthly plan for $75 and activate it at any point during the vehicle ownership. Corsair trims built with the BlueCruise hardware, will receive four years of access included at purchase.

BlueCruise Will Continue to Improve 

BlueCruise can add value to highway driving time, helping make stop-and-go traffic for a daily commute or a long road trip easier and more enjoyable.† Customers have spent 1.4 million hours enjoying BlueCruise to date, and the number of miles driven has grown by more than 40% since the end the first quarter, reaching more than 100 million miles and counting. 

Ford is continuing to improve BlueCruise with a dedicated in-house team of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) engineers. There are currently 225,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with BlueCruise hardware on the road today globally. By adding additional BlueCruise-equipped vehicles, Ford’s ADAS team can continue to use the power of large-scale data, which customers have agreed and opted-in to share with Ford, to deploy improvements and features to vehicles through software updates. 

Earlier this year, Ford rolled out BlueCruise 1.2 and will soon be rolling out BlueCruise 1.3, first to 2021-2023 Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with BlueCruise hardware. The latest generation of BlueCruise software makes hands-free highway driving even better. It has improved performance when driving around curves and in narrow lanes. For example, based on our internal testing, BlueCruise 1.3 stayed engaged in hands-free mode for an average of 5X longer compared to BlueCruise 1.0, the first version of BlueCruise.

Customers can verify their BlueCruise access and status as well as renew the service via the  FordPass App and Ford Account under Connected Services. If the vehicle has Ford BlueCruise capabilities, it will appear under Connected Services and include the status as well as the date the BlueCruise active service plan began.

Ready for your new Ford car, Ford truck or Ford SUV, visait Planet Ford on I-45 in Spring, Texas or PlanetFord45.com. For more info on BlueCruise, visit ford.com/bluecruise

*Ford BlueCruise requires a Connected Service plan that provides regular map updates, FordPass® App, and modem activation.  Ford BlueCruise-equipped vehicles come with either a 90-day trial or a 3-year BlueCruise Connected Service plan, after which purchase is required.  See ford.com/bluecruise for BlueCruise availability and version details. See the Connected Services section of your Ford Account for your BlueCruise Connected Service plan status and available plan options.

**Lincoln BlueCruise requires a Connected Service plan that provides regular map updates, Lincoln Way® App and modem activation.  Lincoln BlueCruise-equipped vehicles come with either a 90-day trial or a 2 or 4-year BlueCruise Connected Service plan, after which purchase is required.  See your retailer to confirm BlueCruise Connected Service plan options for your vehicle.  Owners, see the Connected Services section of your Lincoln Account for your BlueCruise Connected Service plan status.  

†Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. BlueCruise is a hands-free highway driving feature. Only remove hands from the steering wheel when in a Hands-Free Blue Zone.  Always watch the road and be prepared to resume control of the vehicle.  It does not replace safe driving.  See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.

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Planet Ford Spring News: Ford Continues to Be Leader of the Pack

  • If you shop at Planet Ford in Spring, Texas on I-45, it comes as no surprise that Ford is America’s #1 brand going on six consecutive months this year on the strength of pickups, vans, commercial vehicles and the new Escape. The F-Series is still America’s #1 truck with Q2 sales up 34.0 percent; first half sales of F-Series up 27.9 percent – widening its lead over Silverado by over 118,000 trucks
  • Meanwhile, Ford electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to grow. The Ford Mustang Mach-E sales pace quickened at the end of Q2 with sales in June up 110 percent vs. last June.
  • Total Ford truck sales accelerated in Q2 – up 26.2 percent and making Ford America’s No. 1 selling truck manufacturer this year, outselling GM’s combined truck and van sales by 61,000 trucks.
  • And, no surprise, Ford outsells all of GM in total pickup sales in Q2 with F-Series, Ranger and Maverick sales of 246,155. As America’s #1 van, Transit van sales were up 30.1 percent, also, E-Series climbed 63.7 percent.

Ford EV Sales Gain Momentum

Ford’s EV sales continue to grow building on the sales momentum of the F-150 Lightning and Mach-E, which achieved higher sales through stronger inventory.

“Ford achieved both best-selling brand and truck for six consecutive months this year on the strength of F-Series, vans, our new Escape and F-150 Lightning,” said Andrew Frick, vice president, sales distribution, and trucks. “Our EV sales continue to grow. Improved Mustang Mach-E inventory flow began to hit at the end of Q2 following the retooling of our plant earlier this year, which helped Mustang Mach-E sales climb 110 percent in June.”

F-150 Lightning sales were up 119 percent in Q2 over year ago and a 4.1 percent gain from Q1. F-150 Lightning continues to attract new customers to Ford with 50 percent new to the brand, based on most recent conquest data. Year-to-date, Ford EV sales rose 11.9 percent. Ford’s overall EV sales were up 35.5 percent in June.

With the launch of Ford’s all-new Super Duty pickup and chassis cabs, F-Series sales increased 34.0 percent increase in Q2 on sales of 212,516 F-Series trucks. That’s up 24.7 percent from the first quarter. F-Series total industry share hit almost 36 percent in Q2 – up almost 5 full percentage points over Q2 last year.

Through the first half of this year, F-Series remains America’s best-selling truck on sales of 382,893 trucks – outselling second-place Silverado by approximately 118,000 trucks. Ford Maverick sales increased 7.8 percent in Q2 ahead of additional capacity coming online this month to meet continued strong customer demand.

Combined F-Series, Ranger and Maverick sales of 246,155 pickups outsold all of GM’s Silverado, Sierra, Colorado, Canyon and Hummer EV in Q2 of this year. Ford’s combined sales of F-Series, Ranger and Maverick were up 26.7 percent in Q2 over a year ago.

The strength of Ford’s vans continued to shine for the quarter. Transit continued as America’s best-selling van in Q2 on sales of 32,031 – up 30.1 percent, compared to year ago. Ford E-Series vans increased 63.7 percent in Q2 and are up 55.7 percent this year.  Ford was No. 1 in commercial sales, based on the most recent registration data through April. Ford’s U.S. Class 1-7 commercial trucks and vans share grew to 40.3 percent, up 1.0 percentage point from the same period a year ago.

Meanwhile, Lincoln closed the quarter with sales gains thanks to improved inventory. Navigator Q2 sales increased 20.1 percent on sales of 4,688 vehicles, while sales of the new Lincoln Corsair climbed 27.0 percent in June to end the quarter. Nautilus sales also saw a 58.5 percent increase in June at the end of Q2.

BlueCruise, Ford’s driver assist technology, continues to be a hit with customers. Customer usage has now surpassed 90 million hands-free driven miles, cumulatively, a 40 percent increase since the end of Q1.  Ford’s latest version of the technology, BlueCruise 1.2, allows hands-free lane changes with the tap of a turn signal and delivers a more seamless driving experience.  Ford will continue to improve the BlueCruise experience for its customers and deliver it through over-the-air updates.

Fast Sales Start for New Escape 

Sales of the new Escape were up 28.7 percent in Q2. Forty percent of Escape Q2 sales are the new ST-Line series

Nearly half of the Escape Plug-in Hybrid customers are new to Ford.

EV Momentum 

Year-to-date Ford EV sales rose 11.9 percent. Mustang Mach-E gains continued in June, up 110 percent vs. a year ago. Ford’s overall EV sales were up 35.5 percent in June.

Strong New Super Duty Q2 Sales

Sales of the all-new Super Duty continued its momentum through Q2, with sales up just over 28.5 percent. June Super Duty sales were up 28.9 percent, giving us a very consistent Q2 result.

Ready for your own new Ford, visit Planet Ford in Spring on I-45 off the Louetta exit. Our Triple Crown award-winning team is here to help you. PlanetFord45.com!

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New 2023 Ford Super Duty Display Uses Smart Features, Fighter Jet-Inspired Heads-Up Display

Heads up, Planet Ford in Spring friends and Super Duty drivers. Ford has been inspired by fighter jets to create a new, more driver friendly display. In addition, an available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist system that uses machine learning. These are just two of the new tech tools builders who are keeping this country moving have at their disposal with the all-new 2023 Ford F-Series® Super Duty® lineup of pickup trucks and chassis cabs.

This new heavy-duty truck is loaded with bumper-to-bumper innovations. The all-new Super Duty was designed to make life on or away from the jobsite more convenient and time-efficient than ever – easier to monitor gauges while driving, hitch a trailer, back up to a loading dock, make tight turns on off-road trails or install and operate upfit equipment.

“This truck represents the pinnacle of BUILT FORD TOUGH® strength and capability, now with advanced technology that makes towing and hauling even easier and businesses more productive. Whether you are towing a boat for weekend family fun, operating a boom lift to fix powerlines, or hauling heavy loads while navigating hills and tough terrain, the all-new 2023 Super Duty not only tackles the task with ease, but its smart connectivity will surprise our customers with ingenious new solutions to transform their truck experience.”-Tim Baughman, General Manager, Ford Pro, North America

The Head-Up Display2, inspired by fighter jet, gives drivers quick visual access to vital info without looking away from the road. The HUD system projects information in front of the driver on the lower half of the windshield, quickly conveying information and putting the most important information closer to the line of sight.

“We wanted to create an amazing digital experience for our most-focused truck customers, and our research led us to look at aircraft HUD concepts because of their task-oriented hierarchal structures,” said Mark Sich, Ford digital design manager. “But because pilots are trained to read information in a very prescribed and technical manner, our implementation needed the interaction to be more intuitive for the driver to immediately understand the context of the information being presented.”  

Drivers can choose from three views – Normal Mode, Tow-Haul Mode or Off-Road Mode – in order to see information most important to their trip. Each view changes automatically when a new drive mode is selected. In Normal Mode, information such as speed, speed limit and navigation prompts are displayed. Tow-Haul Mode changes to include tachometer, gear and trailer brake output. And Off-Road Mode displays tachometer, drive line status and vehicle pitch and roll updates. 

Driver-assist tech to get the job done

Over 90% of heavy-duty pickup owners use their trucks to tow. Super Duty, with best-in-class maximum available payload3 and best-in-class maximum available diesel gooseneck towing of 40,000 lbs.4, helps ensure customers can tow and haul with confidence. In addition, the 7.3-liter V8 gas engine produces 430 hp and 485 lb.-ft. of torque5, while the High-Output 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 diesel produces 500 hp and 1,200 lb.-ft. of torque6, all best-in-class.

Available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, an exclusive F-Series driver-assist7 feature developed in-house by Ford’s Advanced Driver-Assist Systems team, is designed to make an often-challenging task simple. Using machine learning and computer vision, the system automatically identifies trailer hitches and aligns the truck’s hitch ball to a conventional trailer coupler with the touch of a button.  

This industry-first technology uses a rear camera and rear corner radars to align the hitch with the trailer coupler while simultaneously controlling the truck’s speed, steering and braking on behalf of the driver or operator.

Super Duty owners can now power a jobsite or a tailgate with available Pro Power Onboard8, with 2.0-kilowatts of output – five times more exportable power than any heavy-duty pickup. Power outlets are accessible inside the truck and cargo box, or they can be mounted on chassis cabs with a special outlet installation kit.

Cameras and sensors help interpret the world around the vehicle and enable available driver-assist7 features designed to simplify the towing experience and build confidence, including:  

  • Tailgate Down Camera and Rear Park Aid Sensors: Industry-first camera and sensors on the top of the tailgate provide visual and audible alerts when the tailgate is lowered to make backing up to a loading dock or hitching a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer easier than ever
  • Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch: Estimates payload in real time and provides guidance on trailer tongue weight distribution directly on the center touchscreen or within the taillamps 
  • Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) for Fifth-Wheel and Gooseneck: Can be attached to a trailer to help identify when vehicles are next to a trailer and indicate this in the side view mirrors 
  • Pro Trailer Navigation: Plots routes that can be navigated with given trailer dimensions and weight to avoid potential issues with low bridges and tight turns 
  • Trail Turn Assist: Feature that allows drivers to virtually lock either rear wheel to shrink their turn radius to 180 degrees while navigating tight corners on the trail  

Helping business owners manage their fleet

For business owners and fleet managers, retrieving important fleet data from often-unreliable plug-in devices is a thing of the past. Among the Super Duty tech features are the Ford Pro Intelligence software products such as Ford Pro Telematics9, a cloud-based platform that uses vehicle data to give fleet managers access to valuable insights to help accelerate productivity that can help reduce vehicle and fleet downtime.

Where Super Duty already presents a well-equipped mobile office with a spacious interior and available Interior Work Surface, an embedded 5G modem1 ups the ante. This first-in-class10 feature gives Super Duty owners faster Wi-Fi, mapping and navigation while on the job.

And with over-the-air software updates, Super Duty gets better over time by adding new features and capabilities to enhance the customer experience. OTAs are capable of updating the vast majority of vehicle computer modules for quick and easy wireless upgrades that help enhance features, quality, experiences, capability and convenience.

Streamlining the upfit process

The new Ford Pro Upfit Integration System (UIS) changes how business owners work with upfitters to install, operate and control body equipment and upfits – such as utility cranes or snowplows.

UIS provides aftermarket equipment makers with improved access to the truck’s electrical system and signals to seamlessly integrate after-market equipment. Equipment makers can also add digital buttons that allow Super Duty drivers to control their equipment from the SYNC® touchscreen11 inside the truck. And with more reliable connections and vehicle integrations, owners no longer have to rely on cutting and splicing into the vehicle wiring and potentially voiding their vehicle warranty.

The system also allows for high levels of customization and interlocks, like preventing the transmission from shifting into drive with a raised boom lift.

The all-new 2023 Super Duty is shipping to customers now. For more information on features, pricing and availability, please visit www.ford.com or visit your local dealer.

1 Connected service and features depend on AT&T network availability and compatible plan. 5G not available everywhere. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features. Connected service excludes Wi-Fi hotspot. Available Wi-Fi hotspot requires separate AT&T subscription. Don’t drive distracted or while using handheld devices. Use voice controls.  

Don’t drive while distracted. See owner’s manual for details and system limitations.

2 Don’t drive while distracted. See Owner’s Manual for details and system limitations.

3 Maximum payload of 8,000 lbs. available on F-350 DRW Regular Cab 4X2 XL trim with gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package. Maximum payload is delivered when no additional options or accessories are added to this configuration. See label on door jamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR.

4 Maximum gooseneck tow rating of 40,000 lbs. available on F-450 Reg Cab with available 6.7-liter HO diesel engine and 40,000 lbs. Gooseneck Tow Package. Max. towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, and number of passengers. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR.

5 Max. horsepower and torque based on 7.3-liter V8 gas. Class is Full-Sized Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR. Horsepower and torque ratings based on SAE J1349® standard. Your results may vary. Horsepower and torque are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously.

6 Max. horsepower and torque based on 6.7-liter High-Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel. Class is Full-Sized Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR. Horsepower and torque ratings determined based upon testing requirements prescribed in SAE J149. Your results may vary. Horsepower and torque are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously.

7 Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgement and need to control the vehicle. It does not replace safe driving. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.

See Owner’s Manual for important operating instructions.

9 Available on vehicles with embedded modem or equipped with approved plug-in device. May require modem activation. Ford Pro Telematics and Ford Pro Data Services require a purchased subscription. Terms and conditions apply. Telematics service and features, and access to vehicle data depend on subscription and compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features.

10 Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR.

11 Don’t drive while distracted or while using handheld devices. Use voice-operated systems when possible. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear. Not all features are compatible with all phones.

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Planet Ford News: F-150 Lightning North American Truck of the Year

Planet Ford on I-45 in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Conroe, Aldine, Greater Houston) is happy to share that the Ford F-150 Lightning has garnered another award — the North American Truck of the Year™. This is the latest award in the electric truck’s trophy case and marks the third straight NACTOY Truck of the Year award for Ford. It’s also the fifth NACTOY award for Ford in the past three years. 

“Earning North America’s Truck of the Year is huge for the team that has been working so hard to build and deliver as many Lightnings as possible, as quickly as possible,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “We’re moving fast to further ramp production to a 150,000 run rate this fall and pushing to improve every aspect of this truck. We’ve started delivering Lightnings from the factory with a fantastic new user interface update to improve the driver experience that we’ll also roll out to all of our Lightning owners over-the-air.” 

The ultra popular and sought after F-150 Lightning is the best-selling electric truck in the U.S. since its launch in May 2022, with sales totaling 15,617, helping Ford to become the No. 2 EV automaker in the states in 2022.

“When America’s best-selling vehicle goes electric you know the transition has momentum,” said Karl Brauer, NACTOY juror and freelance journalist for Forbes. “Ford’s effort to create an all-electric F-150 is remarkable because it combines the standard truck’s dimensions, which means it retains massive aftermarket support, with substantial upgrades to areas like storage and mobile power support. It’s really the best of all worlds, giving the F-150 Lightning a wide range of applications for both traditional and new-to-the-segment truck customers.”

In order to win this honor, a vehicle must be new or substantially changed for the year. The jury of 50 professional automotive journalists from across North America choose a winner based on innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, user experience, driver satisfaction and value.

Other top awards eaned include MotorTrend Truck of the Year, The Car Connection Best Car to Buy, Edmunds Top Rated, Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year, Green Car Reports Best Car to Buy, TIME Top 200 Invention of 2022, 2023 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award, 2022 Altair Enlighten Award, Sobre Ruedas 2022 Awards, Wards 10 Best & Engines & Propulsion Systems, Internet Brands Best Car to Buy, Victory & Reseda Vehicle of the Year, TopGear.com 2022 American Car of the Year, Autoblog Technology of the Year 2022, Motor1 Star Awards, CarBuzz Save the Planet award and multiple Sabre awards.

Ready for your own new Ford, visit Planet Ford on I-45 off Louetta in Spring, Texas or PlanetFord45.com.

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Planet Ford in Spring Winter Care Care Checklist

Winter weather and freezing temperatures are headed for Spring and the greater Houston, Texas area. That means your car, truck and SUV will be faced with hazardous conditions in and around Spring, The Woodlands, Tomball, Aldine, Cypress, Conroe, and around Houston. To help you cope, Planet Ford on I-45 has some winter weather wisdom to share with you for your Ford.

HAVE YOU WINTERIZED?

If you haven’t had your vehicle winterized, now is the time. Our team at Planet Ford in Spring will help ensure your vehicle is running right. 

TIRE CHECK – Many Texas drivers have all-season tires, which can work well for most people. For anyone facing consistent harsh winter-weather conditions, winter tires are advised. 

TIRE PRESSURE & WEAR – No matter the type of tire, the wear and tear, and right tire pressure can affect traction and performance. If your tires are worn down, it may be time for new tires. When in doubt, top by Planet Ford, and we will do a complimentary tire check. With changing temps, also make sure you’re checking your tire pressure. The temp can cause pressure to quickly change. 

BRAKES – During bad weather, good brakes are key to ensure you keep your distance from the other drivers. Planet Ford can do a brake check to ensure you can slow your roll… safely.

BATTERY – When temps go down, it can decrease your battery power. Plus, cooler temperatures can require more power to start your car. Make sure your car has the starting power it needs so you don’t get stranded. 

WINDSHIELD WIPERS – Cold can play havoc on old rubber wipers. Check your blades to see if it’s time for new wipers or you may want to upgrade to winter wipers.

COOLING SYSTEM – When there is a big freeze, you need to make sure you have the right coolant/water ratio to protect your vehicle from potential freezing and corrosion issues. 

FULL FLUIDS – Make sure to check all of your vehicle’s fluid levels, including yoru windshield wiper fluid. A single storm can exhaust your reservoir. 

HOSES & BELTS – Winter weather can be the final straw for aging belts and hoses. Make sure to get them checked out so you don’t get left out in the cold. 

SPARK PLUGS, WIRES & MORE – Don’t leave anything to chance. Cold weather taxes all parts of a vehicle, so if you need any element checked, our team is here to help. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER & ROADWAYS

Did you know – and we are not factoring the snow or ice yet – the AAA states that wet pavement alone contributes to nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes each year. So, what does that mean when snow and ice come into the mix? Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, per research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. 

COLD WEATHER DRIVING

  1. Stay where you are! Best not to go out unless you have to.
  2. Take it slow & space out. Not only do you need to slow down, but it’s also more important than ever to leave extra room to both start and stop.
  3. Brake in the know. Make sure you know how your brakes work – not only in dry conditions but inclement so you react accordingly.
  4. No cruising. If surfaces get slippery, it is not a good idea to use cruise control.
  5. Fuel up! You never know what could happen, so make sure you have at least ½ tank – or better yet – a full tank of fuel.
  6. Pack-up power. It’s always a good idea to have a bag with essentials with you in case of an emergency. Items can include: glass scraper, umbrella, flashlight, water, blanket/warm clothing, etc.  P.S. Have basic car gear for a breakdown (spare, jack, jumper cables, etc.).

TIRE CHECKS

When did you last look at your tires? Do you know if you have a good tire tread depth? Are you checking to see if they are over or under-inflated? These are all factors to big factors in whether or not your vehicle has good traction, which is especially important on a wet road. Check your car, truck or SUV’s tire pressure, including your spare, monthly.  Make sure to do so when your tires are cold, and not after you’ve been on the road for a long time. When in doubt, bring them into Planet Ford in Spring to be checked out for free*.

WHOA! SLOW YOUR ROLL

This is a no brainer.  When it’s icy or wet, you need to slow down. One it can help reduce your vehicles chance of hydroplaning, which can become an issue with water on the ground.  AAA says with as little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber meeting the road. So, drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. At speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway. Slowing down can also allow more time to react to a situation.  Which leads to another important tip, allow ample space between you and the vehicles around you.  Wet weather requires more braking time and reaction time. So a little extra space can help you be in a safer place as you travel in less than desirable conditions.

SKID CONTROL

The AAA shared that no matter the experience, any driving can skin out in certain conditions.  If you ever find yourself in that situation, here are quick steps the AAA list on their website:

1.    Continue to look and steer in the direction in which the driver wants the car to go.

2.    Avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.

Yes, we know. That is easier said than done, but AAA goes on to share, “Don’t panic, and avoid slamming on the brakes to maintain control.”

You can’t control others and their actions on the road, especially on bad weather days, but you can prep, slow down and take actions to help keep yourself as safe as possible.

PLANET FORD IN SPRING IS HERE TO HELP!

If you need your vehicle checked out or need new tires, brakes, batteries, wipers, etc. our team would be happy to assist. If you’re simply ready for a new Ford car, truck or SUV, take the short drive on I-45 to the Louetta exit in Spring. We have great specials on a great selection of new and pre-owned vehicles. You can learn more about our Houston-area Ford dealership at www.PlanetFord45.com.

Be careful out there, Planet Ford friends.

Driving tip Source: https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.XjmuoC2ZNTY

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