Ford F-150, New Mustang Mach-E Claim North American Utility and Truck of the Year

Posted on January 25, 2021 by admin

At Planet Ford in Spring, we are excited about the new 2021 Ford F-150 and Mach-E and even more so with recent accolades announced by Ford… Not one, but two vehicles are starting the New Year off right with award-winning news. The all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E and the all-new Ford F-150 claim the 2021 North American Utility and Truck of the Year.

“This recognition for Mustang Mach-E and F-150 is validation not only for our brand, but also for our Ford team, which continues to innovate and deliver on its commitment to creating must-have products and services,” said Kumar Galhotra, president, Ford Americas and IMG. “The North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards are among the most prestigious in the industry and such an honor serves as a capstone achievement for years of hard work for the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 teams.”

What makes it even cooler is that this is the first time since 2014 that the same brand has won multiple North American vehicle of the year awards in the same year.

Ford brought the all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E to life through a development process concentrated entirely on customer needs and desires, resulting in a sleek, beautiful SUV that delivers spirited ride and handling – with state-of-the-art connected vehicle technology that makes it even better over time.

This is the third in a series of recent awards that saw a Mustang Mach-E and F-150 double feature – both earned accolades in December for the Edmunds Top Rated Luxury EV and Edmunds Top Rated Truck of 2021, on top of recognition as the Green Car Journal 2021 Green Car of the Year and Green Truck of the Year.

Mustang Mach-E also was named Best Car to Buy 2021 by The Car Connection and Green Car Reports earlier this month.

The all-new F-150 is purpose-built to be the toughest, most productive F-150 ever, targeting the most towing and payload of any light-duty full-size pickup and introducing all-new features to increase customer productivity. F-150 has new connected vehicle innovations such as over-the-air updates that help keep it at the forefront of purposeful technology as well as an available all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost™ hybrid powertrain with Pro Power Onboard™ – an integrated power generator.

The North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards are intended to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

The organization gives out three awards: “North American Car of the Year,” “North American Utility Vehicle of the Year ,” and “North American Truck of the Year.” The awards are given by an independent jury of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada instead of by a single publication, website, radio or television station.

Built For Awards

This is just two of many awards the new Mustang Mach-E and F-150 have earned in recent months:

Ford F-150 Highlights

  • Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year – Detroit Free Press
  • Green Truck of the Year – Green Car Journal
  • Best Buy Award – Kelley Blue Book
  • Edmunds Top Rated Truck – Edmunds.com

Ford Mustang Mach-E Highlights

  • Green Car of the Year – Green Car Journal
  • Edmunds Top Rated Luxury EV – Edmunds
  • Best Car to Buy 2021- The Car Connection
  • Best Electric Car to Buy 2021 – The Car Connection
  • Best Crossover to Buy 2021 – The Car Connection
  • Best Car to Buy 2021 – Green Car Reports

Ready to get your award-winning Ford and an award-winning Ford buying or service experience? Our team at Planet Ford on I-45 off the Louetta exit can help. Stop by or shop online at PlanetFord45.com!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Ford F-150, New Mustang Mach-E Claim North American Utility and Truck of the Year

Mach-E Lights Up National Lampoon

Posted on December 21, 2020 by admin

Our team at Planet Ford in Spring loves the new Mustang Mach-E and a great Holliday classic, so to have the two come together — bonus! You wouldn’t be more surprised about this latest Mustang Mach-E TV spot even if you woke up tomorrow with your head sewn to the carpet.

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo reprise their National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation roles with Mach-E

Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprise their National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation roles as CLARK and ELLEN GRISWOLD in an updated take on one of the 1989 holiday classic’s most iconic scenes – starring Mustang Mach-E.

“It’s great to be back for another Christmas with my on-screen family and its rotating assortment of kids – and I have Ford and Mustang Mach-E to thank for paying me to do it,” said Chase. “I suppose you’re expecting some sort of riff on electric cars, but I can say with 85% certainty that this thing probably won’t cause any blackouts in your neighborhood when you plug it in.”

“My favorite side kick role is playing ELLEN GRISWOLD to Chevy’s CLARK, my one and only Sparky,” D’Angelo said. “But this year, the brightest spark is the Mustang Mach-E in the driveway! Please don’t tell him I said that. I’m already in trouble for bringing a different set of kids every time we go on a vacation.”

Catch the new short featuring Mustang Mach-E on the SNL Christmas Special Dec. 22.

Order your Mustang Mach-E in time for the new year at Planet Ford in Spring @ PlanetFord45.com.

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s20)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Mach-E Lights Up National Lampoon

Ford CEO Jim Hackett Retiring, Names Successor Jim Farley

Posted on August 6, 2020 by admin

On August 4, 2020, Ford Motor Company announced that CEO and President, Jim Hackett, responsible for leading the company’s transformation since 2017, will be retiring. Jim Farley has been named the company’s new president and CEO and will join the board of directors as of October 1.

Planet Ford in Spring, Texas had the honor of hosting a visit from Mr. Hackett and Ford executives in 2018 during our re-grand opening after our location on -I-45 (serving Houston, The Woodlands, Cypress, Aldine, Conroe) was completely renovated. He is a visionary that was kind in helping us celebrate Planet Ford’s future.

Over the next two months, Hackett, 65, and Farley, 58, will work together on a smooth leadership transition.

Under Hackett, Ford moved aggressively into the new era of smart vehicles and drove a deeper focus on customers’ wants and needs. At the same time, Ford improved the fitness of the base business – restructuring operations, invigorating the product portfolio and reducing bureaucracy.

“I am very grateful to Jim Hackett for all he has done to modernize Ford and prepare us to compete and win in the future,” said Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chairman. “Our new product vision – led by the Mustang Mach-E, new F-150 and Bronco family – is taking shape. We now have compelling plans for electric and autonomous vehicles, as well as full vehicle connectivity. And we are becoming much more nimble, which was apparent when we quickly mobilized to make life-saving equipment at the outset of the pandemic.”

Farley, an automotive leader with deep global experience and a successful track record, collaborated with Hackett over the past three years to develop and execute Ford’s Creating Tomorrow Together plan to transform Ford into a higher-growth, higher-margin business.

“Jim Farley matches an innate feel for cars and customers with great instincts for the future and the new technologies that are changing our industry,” Bill Ford said. “Jim’s passion for great vehicles and his intense drive for results are well known, and I have also seen him develop into a transformational leader with the determination and foresight to help Ford thrive into the future.”

Farley joined Ford in 2007 as global head of Marketing and Sales and went on to lead Lincoln, Ford South America, Ford of Europe and all Ford global markets in successive roles. In April 2019, Farley was chosen to lead Ford’s New Businesses, Technology & Strategy team, helping the company determine how to capitalize on powerful forces reshaping the industry – such as software platforms, connectivity, AI, automation and new forms of propulsion. He was named chief operating officer in February of this year.

Hackett, who will continue as a special advisor to Ford through March of 2021, said the time is right to pass the mantle of leadership to Jim Farley.

“My goal when I took on the CEO role was to prepare Ford to win in the future,” Hackett said. “The hardest thing for a proud, long-lived company to do is change to meet the challenges of the world it’s entering rather than the world it has known. I’m very proud of how far we have come in creating a modern Ford and I am very optimistic about the future.

“I have worked side-by-side with Jim Farley for the past three years and have the greatest confidence in him as a person and a leader,” Hackett said. “He has been instrumental in crafting our new product portfolio and redesigning our businesses around the world. He is also a change agent with a deep understanding of how to lead Ford in this new era defined by smart vehicles in a smart world.”

Said Farley: “I love Ford and I am honored by the opportunity to serve and create value for Ford’s employees, customers, dealers, communities and all of our stakeholders. Jim Hackett has laid the foundation for a really vibrant future and we have made tremendous progress in the past three years. I am so excited to work together with the whole Ford team to realize the full potential of this great company in a new era.”   

Source: https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2020/08/04/ford-announces-jim-hackett-to-retire-as-president-and-ceo.html

Posted in Ford News | Tagged | Comments Off on Ford CEO Jim Hackett Retiring, Names Successor Jim Farley

Planet Ford in Spring Introduces the All-New 2020 Ford Edge ST-Line

Posted on May 26, 2020 by admin

At Planet Ford in Spring, Texas we are excited to introduce the 2020 Edge ST-Line model. It is a new choice for our SUV-loving customers. This is an ideal option for those who prefer the Edge ST’s bold style but prioritize value. Expanding the ST family by adding ST-Line will help even more customers find a Ford Edge that’s right for them in Spring, The Woodlands, Aldine, Cypress and greater Houston.

“Edge ST continues to break new ground with terrific styling, powerful performance and smart technology,” said Craig Patterson, Ford SUV marketing manager. “But some customers want style and value and don’t need all of the horsepower. For them, Edge ST-Line hits the bull’s-eye – again.”

The Edge ST has been very popular with our customers nationwide. Since its 2018 introduction, sales have outperformed the previous Edge Sport model, with nearly double the number sold. In 2019 and 2020, nearly 13 percent of all Edge sales have been ST models.

With a starting price $5,165 less than Edge ST, Edge ST-Line shares the same aggressive looks and includes all of the smart driver-assist technologies Edge customers can enjoy – advanced features that help take the stress out of driving.

Edge ST-Line styling inspired by Ford Performance includes a unique ST-style grille with body-colored bumpers, black ST beltline molding combined with lower sport cladding, standard fog lamps and signature LED lighting. Black roof rack side rails, 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels and unique Edge ST-Line badging further enhance the look of the new SUV.

Edge ST-Line offers a fun-to-drive experience, and it comes standard with a 250-horsepower twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine featuring Auto Start-Stop, an 8-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel-drive capability.

Edge ST-Line comes loaded with technology including standard SYNC® 3 with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™, Waze and Ford+Alexa™ compatibility, plus a wireless phone charging pad. Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist Plus technology – featuring Enhanced Active Park Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane-Centering and All-Wheel-Drive Disconnect – is optional.

You can get your new Edge at Planet Ford in Spring. Or to learn more about the Edge ST-Line, call (866) 879-9329 to learn how to be alerted when they are available at PlanetFord45.com.

Posted in Edge ST | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Planet Ford in Spring Introduces the All-New 2020 Ford Edge ST-Line

Ford Resumes Production and Operations in the U.S. Following the COVID-19 Closures

Posted on May 18, 2020 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring, Texas is happy to share the news that as of today, Ford Motor Company has resumed production and operations in the United States. The company has implemented robust safety and care measures globally to help support a safe and healthy environment for the company’s workforce, including health assessment measures, personal protective equipment and facility modifications to increase social distancing.

This comes after production attention had in part turned from vehicles to providing safety material support for healthcare as well as  Ford dealership workers. 

Ford, based in Dearborn, Michigan, designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 190,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company.

Ready to get your new Ford car, truck or SUV? Planet Ford in Spring on I-45 at Louetta (serving The Woodlands, Aldine, Conroe, Cypress, greater Houston area) is here to help. Our dealership is open or shop and buy online anytime at PlanetFord45.com.

Posted in COVID-19 | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Ford Resumes Production and Operations in the U.S. Following the COVID-19 Closures

Ford-Built Respirators Arriving to Help Healthcare Amid COVID-19

Posted on May 12, 2020 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring has new Ford news as we all continue to look at how we can help one another. Ford is now sending out Ford-built powered air-purifying respirators, developed in close collaboration with 3M, to help protect health care workers fighting COVID-19.

In March, Ford turned its attention from vehicle production to creating personal protection equipment (PPE) and working with 3M to build urgently needed PAPRs. Ford is now shipping those respirators that were created using design guidance from 3M and off-the-shelf parts, like vehicle ventilator fans and power tool batteries. In a separate effort, 500,000 reusable medical gowns distributed by Ford will soon be on their way to the state of New Jersey.

“Ford could not stand by while health care workers in this country placed their lives on the line to help others without even having proper protection,” said Jim Baumbick, vice president, Ford Enterprise Product Line Management. “That’s why we kicked off an all-out sprint to protect those who are so selflessly helping patients afflicted with this terrible virus.”

“We are dedicated to helping support and protect the health care workers fighting COVID-19,” said Bernard Cicut, vice president, 3M Personal Safety Division. “We thank Ford for partnering with us to quickly develop and deliver more of these critical health care supplies to the heroes working on the frontlines of this unprecedented health crisis.”

3M is a leading provider of personal protective equipment, including powered air-purifying respirators. Demand for 3M PAPRs is exceeding supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through partnerships with companies like Ford and others, 3M plans to increase capacity of its own PAPRs by ten-fold within the next several months.

Fast Track

Ford and 3M have worked closely with Ford’s automotive supply chain to progress the new PAPR from idea to product in fewer than 40 days.

Ford’s Product Development team moved quickly to design the new PAPR, combining vehicle air conditioning expertise with 3M’s knowledge of medical devices. Hand-drawn concepts of the Ford PAPR were created one day after starting the project. Ford’s engineers also leveraged vehicle seat trim expertise to design the PAPR hood. In parallel, Ford’s Advanced Manufacturing team rapidly prototyped the PAPR using 3D printing, while the Ford Purchasing team worked with suppliers to procure and produce components and the Ford Manufacturing team designed the production process. Assembly lines and production of PAPRs started within three weeks of the initial request.

The PAPR includes a hood and face shield to cover health care professionals’ heads and shoulders, while a high-efficiency (HEPA) filter system provides a supply of filtered air for as long as 8 hours. The air blower system – similar to the fan in the Ford F-150’s ventilated seats – is powered by a rechargeable, portable battery, helping keep the respirator in constant use by first-line defenders.

Approximately 90 paid UAW volunteers have assembled more than 10,000 PAPRs at Ford’s Vreeland facility near Flat Rock, Mich., with the ability to make 100,000 or more.

One of the proud UAW workers is Michele Strong, a team leader volunteering in Ford’s Vreeland facility. Now at almost 43 years with the company, Strong has worked in both Flat Rock Assembly Plant and the Rouge complex. Strong maintains a perfect attendance record – she wasn’t about to stop now.

“I’m proud of all of the vehicles I’ve help build over the years, but this is something totally different,” Strong said. “I’m up for this experience to help the world – to help the situation we’ve got. A lot of friends ask me, ‘Are you really going to do this?’ and I say, ‘Yes. It’s the right thing to do.’”

The 3M and Ford development team worked closely with the U.S. CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. NIOSH provided timely guidance to encourage the development of PAPRs to help respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Ford has achieved temporary NIOSH approval under its limited-use protocol to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Over 10 companies from across Ford’s automotive supply chain are providing new and off-the-shelf parts for use in the PAPRs. Components include hood tops for the wearer’s head and shoulders, filters and fans for supplying filtered air, power electronics, switches, foam seals and more.

Shipping Needed Equipment

Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Wash., is the first customer to order and take delivery of the Ford-built PAPRs.

“We are very grateful to Ford and 3M for this shipment of air-purifying respirators,” said Steve Schaefer, senior vice president, Support Services, Virginia Mason Medical Center. “This important equipment will help ensure the safety of our patients, doctors, nurses and other members of the Virginia Mason care teams during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

3M will sell and distribute the newly designed Ford Limited-Use Public Health Emergency PAPR through 3M-authorized distributors to maximize speed and efficiency in deploying these technologies to heath care workers. Ford-built PAPRs also can be ordered directly from Ford.

3M will provide technical support for health care workers using the new PAPRs. 3M’s authorized distributors moved exceptionally fast to make these products available for order within days.

3M and Ford will donate any profits they earn from the sale of the PAPR to COVID-19 related nonprofit organizations.

Growing Gown Deliverables

Washable gown deliveries are rapidly growing as hospitals and medical services seek reusable protection for health care workers. The gowns have been self-tested to federal standards and are washable up to 50 times.

Ford suppliers are now producing 200,000 gowns a week, and more than 400,000 gowns have been shipped by Ford to medical workers around the country.

The state of New Jersey has also placed an order for 500,000 reusable gowns.

Project Apollo

Inspired by the go-fast effort in 1970 to help NASA’s disaster-stricken Apollo 13 astronauts, Ford’s Project Apollo team has undertaken a variety of efforts in the fight against COVID-19. The company is making and supplying critically needed PPE and health care equipment, including more than 12 million face shields, ventilators in collaboration with GE Healthcare, medical masks for its workforce, and washable gowns for hospital and medical workers.

Posted in COVID-19, Ford Partners | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Ford-Built Respirators Arriving to Help Healthcare Amid COVID-19

Mach-E Technicians Utilize VR Training Tool

Posted on May 1, 2020 by admin

At Planet Ford in Spring, we’re excited about the all-electric Mustang Mach-E. Our technicians are as well and soon many will be trained how to service and maintain the new Ford Mach-E without even needing to access a physical model. That’s right, and it’s thanks to a new virtual reality (VR) training tool from Ford and Bosch.

According to Dave Johnson, director of Ford service engineering operations. “Technicians will be immersed in a simulated and gamified world, meaning they won’t need to rely on actual Mustang Mach-E vehicles to learn about its components, including the electric SUV’s new high-voltage system.” He added, “This new virtual reality training tool allows technicians to understand the components and steps required to service these high-voltage systems, then confidently perform diagnostics and maintenance.”

So How Does It Work?

A Ford technician will learn how to diagnose and perform service related to the vehicle’s high-voltage system wearing the virtual reality headset. This training will include tasks such as removal and installation of the main battery as well as service and maintenance on the battery pack itself.

Now, Bosch is also developing future extensions where the technicians utilize VR to enter the vehicle and navigate through modules as if they were walking through rooms to learn the system. Navigating between modules enables the technicians to determine the issue to repair the vehicle.

“The virtual reality training solution is about new technology that builds efficiency,” said Geoff Mee, director of operations for Bosch. “By improving the diagnostic process, technicians are able to perform maintenance and make repairs faster and more easily.”

The virtual reality system can be used as an ongoing training tool, allowing technicians to learn niche skills in the Ford technical training program. Virtual reality training has the potential to attract new hires to the automotive repair world, rightly framing the profession as a high-tech, forward-thinking industry in which technicians can learn more efficiently in a state-of-the-art environment. Additionally, technicians can tap into the system from any location.

Bosch developed a proof of concept in 2019 for auto service training via VR, then market tested it with instructors, technicians and college students. Ford Motor Company is the first automaker to pilot the application in its service technician powertrain repair course, specifically with the all-new Mustang Mach-E, the company’s first all-electric SUV. Ford could expand the technology to train on additional vehicles in the future.

This VR training solution uses an Oculus Quest virtual reality headset from Facebook. Ford and Bosch are working with Oculus for Business to manage their fleet of headsets deployed to the Ford technician training program, as well as with PIXO VR. The company’s proprietary virtual reality content distribution platform enables scaling and iterating virtual reality training software and applications.

The Mach-E will soon be here and it is ushering in a whole new world of technology along the way. Stay tuned to learn more about our selection at Planet Ford in Spring and service options as well. If you need service assistance today, call (888) 501-9013 or schedule at PlanetFord45.com.

Posted in Mustang Mach-E | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Mach-E Technicians Utilize VR Training Tool

COVID-19: Ford, Employees Find New Ways to Give Back

Posted on April 3, 2020 by admin

With COVID-19 news changing daily, Planet Ford in Spring wanted to share some uplifting news of how the Ford Motor Company Fund is providing two new and unique opportunities for Ford employees around the world who are eager to give back while honoring stay-at-home recommendations. The end result will help communities and our kids.

This new COVID-19 Donation Match program is a combined effort between Ford Fund and Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford that will match $500,000 in donations to designated community organizations in the fight against COVID-19, raising a potential $1 million for groups battling the pandemic across the globe. Ford Fund is also launching a new “Read and Record” virtual volunteering project to create an online library of Ford employees reading children’s books for the 1.3 billion children and youth affected by school closings around the world.

“During trying times, Ford employees are used to being the boots on the ground – getting out, signing up and pitching in to help make a difference,” said Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Even now, while many are sheltering in place at home, our employees are looking for ways to help. These two new programs offer meaningful ways for employees to give back and join in the fight against COVID-19.”

Matching Donations to Make a Difference

Through the COVID-19 Donation Match, Ford Fund is giving Ford employees, as well as their families and friends, an opportunity to make a donation to support nonprofits and other community organizations in their efforts to meet coronavirus-related needs in more than 20 countries around the world.

GlobalGiving manages the program and is Ford’s longtime disaster relief and global grant-making partner. The program’s goal is to support community projects in locations that have both a significant level of emergency need and a substantial Ford employee presence. Projects focus on addressing hunger, shelter and mobility needs, providing educational resources, or delivering critical medical supplies and services to communities in need.

The $500,000 in matching funds, which include contributions from Ford Fund and Bill Ford personally, represent the strong commitment of both Ford’s philanthropic group and Bill Ford, who started the Ford Volunteer Corps 15 years ago and continues to champion the importance of volunteering and giving back.

Employees and others interested in donating can visit www.globalgiving.org/ford-covid-response to view a full list of participating countries as well as cities across the United States, and to learn more about community projects they can support. GlobalGiving will add new projects and additional details over the coming weeks, so employees are encouraged to check back often for updates.

Virtual Volunteers & Online Resources

Ford Fund has created a new “Read and Record” virtual volunteering project invites Ford employees from around the world to record and submit videos reading a children’s book in their own language. The effort is designed to provide Ford employees a way to give back from the safety and comfort of their own homes, and builds on Ford Fund’s ongoing efforts to increase literacy and promote a love of reading.

The online library will be catalogued by language, and multilingual employees are encouraged to read in languages other than English. Ford Fund plans to share the library with philanthropic groups that serve children and families.

To further assist employees, their families or anyone looking for things to do at home during the pandemic, Ford Fund is compiling COVID-19 related volunteer opportunities and providing a library of free online resources offered by many of its community partners. Available at www.fordfund.org/covid19, activities include virtual tours, downloadable worksheets, online tutorials, videos and more – all designed to help entertain, educate or inspire people of all ages. The site’s “How You Can Help” page also outlines ways employees can contribute to specific nonprofit needs for volunteers or donations of goods and supplies.

Ford Fund previously announced it is allocating more than $1.6 million in resources to help communities and local nonprofits throughout Southeast Michigan and across the United States address hunger, shelter and mobility needs related to COVID-19. Earlier this year, Ford Fund also worked with Ford of China to provide face masks and other protective gear needed during the initial breakout of the virus in China.  

Healthcare Support

As Ford Fund concentrates on taking immediate action at the local level, Ford engineers, researchers and suppliers are designing and manufacturing masks, respirators, ventilators and other critical medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders and patients fighting COVID-19. To learn more about the company’s recent news and efforts related to COVID-19, click here.

If you need automotive assistance, Planet Ford in Spring (serving greater Houston, The Woodlands, Aldine, Cypress, Conroe) is here to help. Visit us online at PlanetFord45.com to get started. We’re all in this together.

Posted in COVID-19 | Tagged , , | Comments Off on COVID-19: Ford, Employees Find New Ways to Give Back

Ford Teams Up with 3M and GE Healthcare to Manufacture Medical Equipment, Supplies

Posted on March 25, 2020 by admin

At Planet Ford in Spring, Texas, we wanted to share some recent Ford news. During the time with COVID-19 concerns, it serves as a good reminder that we are all in this together. The Ford Motor Company, joining forces with firms including 3M and GE Healthcare, is lending its manufacturing and engineering expertise to quickly expand production of urgently needed medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders and patients fighting coronavirus (COVID-19).

In addition, the American automaker says they plan to assemble more than 100,000 face shields per week and leverage its in-house 3D printing capability to produce components for use in personal protective equipment.

“This is such a critical time for America and the world. It is a time for action and cooperation. By coming together across multiple industries, we can make a real difference for people in need and for those on the front lines of this crisis,” said Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chairman. “At Ford, we feel a deep obligation to step up and contribute in times of need, just as we always have through the 117-year history of our company.”

Powering Air-Purifying Respirators

The Ford team is working with 3M to increase the manufacturing capacity of their powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) designs and working jointly to develop a new design leveraging parts from both companies to meet the surge demand for first responders and health care workers. This new respirator could be produced in a Ford facility by UAW workers.

To go as fast as possible, the Ford and 3M teams have been resourcefully locating off-the-shelf parts like fans from the Ford F-150’s cooled seats for airflow, 3M HEPA air filters to filter airborne contaminants such as droplets that carry virus particles and portable tool battery packs to power these respirators for up to eight hours.

Ford is looking at how it might produce these new-generation PAPRs in one of its Michigan manufacturing facilities, helping 3M boost production potentially tenfold.

“Working with 3M and GE, we have empowered our teams of engineers and designers to be scrappy and creative to quickly help scale up production of this vital equipment,” said Jim Hackett, Ford’s president and CEO. “We’ve been in regular dialogue with federal, state and local officials to understand the areas of greatest needs. We are focusing our efforts to help increase the supply of respirators, face shields and ventilators that can help assist health care workers, first responders, critical workers as well as those who have been infected by the virus.”

“We’re exploring all available opportunities to further expand 3M’s capacity and get healthcare supplies as quickly as possible to where they’re needed most – which includes partnering with other great companies like Ford,” said Mike Roman, 3M chairman of the board and chief executive officer. “It’s crucial that we mobilize all resources to protect lives and defeat this disease, and I’m incredibly grateful to Ford and their employees for this partnership.”

Ventilator Manufacturing

Ford and GE Healthcare is also are working together to expand production of a simplified version of GE Healthcare’s existing ventilator design to support patients with respiratory failure or difficulty breathing caused by COVID-19. These ventilators could be produced at a Ford manufacturing site in addition to a GE location.  

“We are encouraged by how quickly companies from across industries have mobilized to address the growing challenge we collectively face from COVID-19,” said GE Healthcare President & CEO Kieran Murphy. “We are proud to bring our clinical and technical expertise to this collaboration with Ford, working together to serve unprecedented demand for this life-saving technology and urgently support customers as they meet patient needs.”

Work on this initiative ties to a request for help from U.S. government officials.

Medical Respirators and Face Shields

Meanwhile, Ford’s United States design team also is quickly creating and starting to test transparent full-face shields for medical workers and first responders. The face shields fully block the face and eyes from accidental contact with liquids and when paired with N95 respirators can be a more effective way to limit potential exposure to coronavirus than N95 respirators alone.

The first 1,000 face shields will be tested this week at Detroit Mercy, Henry Ford Health Systems and Detroit Medical Center Sinai-Grace Hospitals. Roughly 75,000 of these shields are expected to be finished this week and more than 100,000 face shields per week will be produced at Ford subsidiary Troy Design and Manufacturing’s facilities in Plymouth, Mich.

Ford is leveraging its Advanced Manufacturing Center in Redford, Mich., and in-house 3D printing capabilities to manufacture components and subassemblies for use in personal protective equipment.

The auto company is evaluating a separate effort not involving GE Healthcare with the U.K. government to produce additional ventilators.

In China, Ford of China joint venture partner Jiangling Motors also has donated 10 specially equipped Transit ambulance vans to hospitals in Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak began. Ford is also reacquiring 165,000 N95 respirators from China that were originally sent by Ford to China earlier this year to help combat coronavirus.

Ford has also kicked off a working team to help hospitals locate and secure urgently needed surgical and N95 respirators. Ford has so far committed sending Henry Ford Health Systems 40,000 surgical masks while it locates additional supplies.

For companies and individuals who are interested in contributing to this effort,  they can submit their information here at www.fordnewideas.com.

Ford, along with the companies it is supporting, will provide additional updates as these special projects progress.

If you are need of vehicle assistance, from sales to service and parts, Planet Ford in Spring (serving Houston, The Woodlands, Aldine, Cypress, Conroe) is here to help. We pick up and deliver so you never have to leave your home. Get started by calling 888-501-9013 or visiting PlanetFord45.com. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Ford Teams Up with 3M and GE Healthcare to Manufacture Medical Equipment, Supplies

Ford Offers Special Savings & Payment Assistance Programs

Posted on March 19, 2020 by admin

Shop Online & Buy Online! Our team at Planet Ford in Spring will bring everything to you — even the test drive! Our team is working to help you get the car, SUV or truck of your dreams & you never ever have to leave your home. Right now, you can get an HUGE #TruckMonth sale deal & could defer your payment for SIX MONTHS*!

New Ford Programs: Built to Lend a Hand

Plus, right now there are amazing savings, Ford offers and payment assistance programs. For example, for current customers, Ford Credit encourages its current customers impacted by the virus to contact them and discuss the potential delay of payments. They are here to lend a helping hand.

For new customers, Ford Credit is offering no payments for 120 days.* Ford’s program gives the option to delay the first payment for 90 days* and Ford will make the first three payments when purchasing select new Ford vehicles.* Also ask about 0% APR for 84 months* on New Fords.

Benefits of Buying Online

  • Shop Huge New & Pre-Owned Inventory Online
  • Apply for Credit Online
  • Start Appraisal Process Online
  • At-Home Test Drives
  • Free Appraisal & Trade-in Pickup
  • New Car Delivered to Your Door

*Based on distance and availability. Contact dealer for details. Exp. 4/1/20

Vehicle Service Matters: We Deliver!

  • Schedule Online
  • Pickup Vehicle from You at No Charge
  • Assess & Provide Car Care
  • Deliver Serviced Vehicle Back to You

*Based on distance and availability. Contact dealer for details. Exp. 4/1/20.

All from the comfort of your home!

Planet Ford provides free appraisals, will pick up your trade in & deliver your new vehicle direct to you! No need to wait. Find your Ford today at PlanetFord45.com!

*Payment relief based on Ford making 3 mos. of payments for customer plus FMCC deferral up to 3 mos. for well qualified customers. Payment caps apply by vehicle. See Dealer for Details. Customers electing to defer their monthly payment maybe responsible for finance charges during the deferral period. All question regarding payment deferral should be directed to dealership’s financial office on 2019/2020 models. 0% APR for 84 Mos. is based on $0 down payment, payment of $11.91 per month for every $1,000 financed, regardless of down payment on 2019 Models. With very well-qualified approved credit through Ford Motor Credit. Not everyone will qualify for factory financing. Some restrictions apply. In lieu of any other factory incentives. 0% APR cannot be combined with Ford making customer payments. Excludes Super Duty and Raptors. Not available with some other offers. See dealer for details. Exp. 4/1/2020.

Posted in community | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Ford Offers Special Savings & Payment Assistance Programs