Ford Meets Artificial Intelligence

Posted on June 20, 2019 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring has some exciting news! Self-driving cars may be closer to our reality sooner than we think, thanks to the Argo AI and Ford collaboration. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is the third-generation test vehicle for this self-driving vehicles project.

Advanced Tech

This Ford Fusion Hybrid has been redeveloped to be equipped with advanced technology. Argo AI and Ford have altered the third-generation of test vehicles with a significantly upgraded sensor suite that includes new sets of radars and cameras with higher resolution and higher dynamic range. Due to the higher resolution and the upgraded software, the Fusion Hybrid test vehicle is better at detecting and classifying what’s ahead at greater distances than before.

Another recent upgrade on the newest test vehicles is the brand-new computing system. This system offers far more processing power than previous generations. The computing system has improved thermal management systems that produce less heat and noise for riders in the vehicle. Thus, smarter, quieter test vehicles have been developed.

Possibly the most important upgrade, Argo AI has equipped the Ford Fusion Hybrid test vehicles with additional braking and steering systems that aid in maintaining vehicle control in case of emergency. These systems serve as precautionary measures in the event that the units function fail to ensure they may safely brake or pull over as necessary.

Test Cities

Argo AI and Ford have been testing the Fusion Hybrid test vehicles in major cities Argo AI is operating in such as Miami, Palo Alto, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and Detroit. Working in Detroit provides an advantage to Argo AI and Ford as Ford conducts engineering operations in Detroit and the city serves as the home for Ford’s self-driving efforts. Additionally, Detroit roads are not uniform with defining aspects such as the roads in Washington D.C. or Pittsburgh. In Detroit, you may see roads with roundabouts, multi-point intersections, unmarked roads and more. These factors challenge the test vehicles and force them to reason through navigating these obstacles while also predicting the actions of other drivers.

The team at Planet Ford in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Cypress, greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, Tomball) are excited to see where the future of the automotive industry is going. We are happy that Ford can be an integral part in paving the road for autonomous vehicles. Stay up to date on Ford news by connecting with us on social media.

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Dr. Derriere – Redesigning with Your Comfort in Mind

Posted on June 19, 2019 by admin

We at Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring recognize the importance of comfortable seating in the interest of your seat for your commute or long trips. Fortunately, so does Ford supervisor Dr. Mike Kolich, a.k.a. Dr. Derriere. Dr. Kolich designed the new front seats in the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer with your comfort in mind. Now, let’s get to the bottom of this seat redesign.

Comfort Reimagined

The all-new 2020 Ford Explorer will debut new front seats that will not only be more comfortable for front seat passengers, but they will also be less bulky, too. The new seats will offer more space for the second-row passengers to provide everyone with a more comfortable ride.

“Road trips can be largely defined by how comfortable people are – and when you get down to it, how comfortable our seats allow them to be,” said Dr. Kolich, whose Ph.D. in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering with a concentration on seat comfort has earned him the nickname among Ford seating experts.

The new design follows extensive research that suggests more and more families will be packing up in the car this year. According to AAA, more than 50% of family travelers will take a road trip this year. The U.S. Census Bureau also found that the average American commute is a record 26 minutes a day each way.

Dr. Kolich said, “As engineers, we’re thrilled with this new seat, but really it’s what our customers say and think that matters.” Following the Ford engineers’ research, the team discovered that when searching for automotive comfort, customers focus on two aspects: shape and softness. Ford engineers believe this new design will improve the comfort of those Americans that spend a lot of time in their vehicles.

Seats with Support

To add to the new level of comfort, Dr. Kolich and his team of engineers designed V-shaped seats that provide increased torso support as well as additional space to accommodate various body types. The new available 8 and 10-way adjustable front seats will cool passengers using a ventilation feature that draws warm air from the body, evolving from the previous design where the seats would blow cold air through seat perforations. The Explorer ST and Platinum trims will also feature a multi-contour system that includes unique massage patterns. These features will contribute to the overall experience that our Ford customers have come to expect.

EZ Access to the Rear

The all-new 2020 Explorer isn’t just getting more comfortable for the front driver and passenger, rear passengers will also receive reap the benefits from the new design. Great for families, the second-row seats feature the new-to-Explorer EZ-entry functionality. This design allows for easy access to the third row without having to remove a child’s booster seat. The front seat redesign also increases knee room for the second-row passengers, leading to fewer kicked backs for parents. Talk about a win-win!

Whether you have a long daily commute, enjoy road trips, or just want a more comfortable ride, we’ve got your back(side). Come visit Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring (serving greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, The Woodlands, Cypress) or visit us online to get behind the new standard of comfort.

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5 Awesome Things About The New 2020 Ford Explorer

Posted on June 19, 2019 by admin

When the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer was debuted in Detroit at Ford Field, we couldn’t contain the amount of excitement we were all feeling. The announcement brought smart new features, beautiful new design queues and two new Explorer models that we can’t wait to get our hands on.

We don’t know any exact landing dates yet, but it should be arriving very soon this summer. In the mean time, lets get to know the all-new Ford Explorer!

Know Your Ford Explorer

1. More Choices For The Way You Drive

Ford has added two new model variants to the list. Customers can now choose between the performance driven Ford Explorer ST and the efficient Explorer Hybrid model. Each comes with their own respective set of great features and powertrains (including all-new rear-wheel drive), giving you the power of choice.

2. Brains and More Brains

Drivers these days need a vehicle that matches the way they drive and one that can tackle any adventure. With the all-new Terrain Management System, drivers can select up to seven different drive modes through a single easy-to-use dial in the center console. It also animates with special 3D graphics on the available 12.3-inch digital cluster. Drive modes include normal, trail, deep snow/sand, slippery, sport, tow/haul and new eco mode.

3. Smarter Technology

Connect, navigate and discover different worlds around you with Ford’s suite of smartphone apps, in-vehicle touchscreen and voice-activated technology.

  • Use onboard Wi-Fi with the FordPass Connect™,
  • Start your vehicle with the FordPass app,
  • Connect your “life” using SNYC® 3 with Apple CarPlay™ or Android Auto™,
  • Bring your surroundings to life with the amazing capabilities of Amazon Alexa using Ford+Alexa,
  • Navigate your adventure using Waze powered by SYNC 3.

4. Features That Matter

Inside the all-new redesigned Explorer, you’ll find features that just make the driving experience, well, better. Get the royal treatment with tri-Diamond perforated leather seating surfaces. Or sport a hexagon carbon-fiber-lined front dash. Plus, the 10.1-inch available LCD portrait touchscreen gives you tablet-like access to connectivity, while the largest ever twin-panel moonroof offers new world views from the first and second rows.

5. Confident Driving

Ford gives peace of mind while making driving easier and safer. For instance, Fords intelligent Co-Pilot360™ suite of driver assist features give you the power to drive with confidence whether its the auto high-beam headlamps, rear view camera, lane-keeping system, automatic emergency braking (AEB) or even BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert.

As we roll closer to the finish line (aka the Planet Ford dealership delivery date), we’ll throw up more info on the Explorer on our social channels. Moreover, follow us on social for all the latest updates and info regarding this and your favorite Ford vehicles.

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Planet Ford Receives J.D. Power 2019 Dealer of Excellence Certification

Posted on June 14, 2019 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring is pleased to announce that our dealership has been recognized for our commitment to exceeding customer expectations for the second year in a row. Planet Ford is one of three Randall Reed dealerships that has been certified in the 2019 J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence Program.SM This certification recognizes a select number of vehicle dealerships throughout the United States that provide exceptional customer service.

“We are very proud to have this honor at all of these locations for two consecutive years,” said Randall Reed, founder and owner of World Class Automotive Group. “This certification sets us apart, especially coming from such an authority as J.D. Power.”

Planet Ford in Spring’s General Manager, Shawn Burns, said, “We have to thank everyone in this dealership for their contribution to making our customers happy. Everyone works very hard and in harmony to assist our wonderful community with all of their automotive needs from sales to service.”

For over 50 years, J.D. Power has conducted extensive research to represent the ‘Voice of the Customer.’ J.D. Power researchers translate survey responses from consumers and businesses in addition to studying reports to identify leading retailers that will go the extra mile.

J.D. Power states that buying a vehicle is a significant financial transaction and can be stressful due to the vast amount of information to digest. The Dealer of Excellence Program helps auto buyers locate an exceptional dealership where they can confidently purchase a vehicle. The J.D. Power brand can also assist certified dealers as they may promote their dealership’s commitment to providing an excellent customer experience.

“The Dealer of Excellence is an exclusive program,” said Mr. Reed. “Only the exception can qualify to be certified.” Those that do must pass a three-step process:

As the first qualification criterion, J.D. Power limits the percentage of eligible dealerships by nameplate based on each brand’s performance in the most recent J.D. Power U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study.SM Thus, proportionally more dealerships from top-performing brands can become a J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence.

Second, dealerships must rank among their brand’s top performers in key customer satisfaction areas consistent with measurements found in the SSI Study.

Finally, qualifying dealers must pass an audit to show they meet or exceed J.D. Power sales best practices. Those best practices include, but are not limited to listing vehicle inventory and pricing on the dealership website, negotiating in an efficient and transparent manner, offering a fair trade-in value, and presenting a clear and easy-to-understand menu of finance and insurance products.

When you’re ready to receive award winning service, come see us at Planet Ford in Spring, located at 20403 I-45N, Spring, TX 77388 (serving greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, The Woodlands, Cypress). Come experience service like it’s meant to be with our excellent Planet Ford staff.

Certification Based on J.D. Power U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index Study and Dealership Best Practices. Learn more at JDPower.com

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Planet Ford Reminds Drivers of First Responder Awareness

Posted on June 7, 2019 by admin

We at Planet Ford in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Cypress, greater Houston, Conroe) greatly appreciate our first responders! Fire fighters with the Spring Fire Department are shooting commercials at our Planet Ford store to educate and remind drivers what to do when first responders are approaching with their emergency lights on. Planet Ford in Spring has teamed up with the Spring Fire Department to share the importance of the Move Over/Slow Down law.

Did you know car accidents occur more frequently in the summer?

Because of this, we want to remind drivers of the laws in place when it comes to first responders. If you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with the emergency lights on, remember the law: Move over, slow down.

The Texas Department of Public Safety states that the Move Over/Slow Down law requires drivers to move over or slow down in the case that emergency vehicles- including police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks- are stopped on the side of the road.

More specifically, the law states a driver must:

  • Vacate the lane that is closest to the applicable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if it is a multilane road), or
  • Slow down to 20 miles below the posted speed limit (or to 5 mph if the speed limit is below 25 mph)

What about when an emergency vehicle is approaching?

David E. Persse, M.D., physician doctor for the City of Houston’s Emergency Medical Services, told the Texas Medical Center, “When you see an ambulance or any emergency vehicle approach you from behind, you should yield over to the right side of the street and come to a complete stop until the vehicle passes.” Dr. Persse added that if there is no room to move to the right, drivers should not proceed through the red light to make room for an ambulance, fire truck or other emergency vehicles.

“You really shouldn’t be pushed through a red light by an emergency vehicle from behind,” Dr. Persse said. “If the light is red and all the lanes are full, you have to wait until the light changes, and then you proceed and get over to the right as safely as you can.”

We want our Planet Ford customers to have a safe and fun summer. The Planet Ford team and the Spring Fire Department hope that you remember these laws the next time you see an emergency vehicle with its lights on. Remember: Move over, slow down. It’s the law.

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Spring ISD Announces Names of the New Stadium and Community Center

Posted on June 7, 2019 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring is excited to share this wonderful community news. Spring Independent School District and Randall Reed’s Planet Ford are pleased to announce an agreement naming the district’s new stadium Planet Ford Stadium, and the community center will be named Randall Reed Center.

Shawn Burns, Planet Ford general manager and partner, said, “The children are our future. Nothing is going to happen if there isn’t the young men and women who are going to come and fill the shoes of meetings like this or employees at Planet Ford.”

The stadium and community center is being built on a 117-acre parcel of land at 23802 Cypresswood Drive, only six miles away from the Planet Ford dealership. The stadium will feature a low-glare turf field, seating for 8,000 fans with great views from every seat, a state-of-the-art video scoreboard system, family-friendly concessions and modern press box amenities.

The Randall Reed Center, named after the owner of Planet Ford and World Class Automotive, will be a community room for up to 300 guests with options for catered meetings and events. The center will also serve as a memorial to honor the sacrifice of area service members.

Mr. Reed stated the decision to partner with Spring ISD on the new stadium and community center made sense, especially considering the organization’s long history in the Spring area. “Giving back to the community is a large part of what Reed Family Enterprises is all about. We are pleased to actively support a wide variety of local charities, and we’re definitely proud to support Spring Independent School District,” said Mr. Reed. “Since 1996, the Reed family has been privileged to support various school booster clubs and district events. We have also leveraged Spring ISD’s athletic digital signage to market Planet Ford in the past. As such, we are now honored and excited to expand our support of the district through this naming rights agreement.”

Mr. Reed said the naming rights arrangement will be a way to promote Planet Ford while continuing to support Spring ISD. The automotive dealership is already a big fan of the district’s teachers, donating a new vehicle and an all-expenses-paid cruise to educators at the annual Spring ISD Employee Recognition Banquet.

“We are excited and look forward to continuing our involvement for many years to come,” Mr. Reed said. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall. In the meantime, follow Planet Ford in Spring (serving greater Houston, Conroe, Aldine, Cypress) to follow along and stay up to date on all Planet Ford news.

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Planet Ford May 2019 Birthdays and Anniversaries Celebration

Posted on June 4, 2019 by admin

At Planet Ford in Spring, TX (serving greater Houston) we have an amazing team and each month we come together to celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries and other great milestones. During this week’s celebration,  Shawn Burns, General Manager/Operations Partner of Planet Ford, presented a gift to Sean Currie for hitting a great milestone –anniversary of 25 years of service. Others who celebrated big anniversaries:  Aaron Smith for 10 years, Erika Tristan for 5 years and Jaime Perez Arenas also for 5 years of service at Planet Ford. 

Mr. Burns also recognized Daniel Trevino, Jesse Williams, Amanda Holiday and Rogelio Gonzales for their many years of tenure. Last but not least, the Employee of Month for May was announced. Big congratulations to Bianca Cortez for earning the honor of Employee of the Month. Each employee received a free spin and chance to win some extra cash by taking a turn at the Planet Money Wheel, a longstanding tradition at our dealership. Thank you to all of our employees for your hard work daily to help make Planet Ford the best dealership around!

Congratulations to all of our wonderful Planet Ford team members. We appreciate all you do for our customers and fellow team members each and every day. Are you looking for a new vehicle, pre-owned, service, parts or performance? Let our award-winning team help you! They are always happy to help. Learn more at Planet Ford in Spring (serving greater Houston, The Woodlands, Cypress, Aldine, Conroe) at PlanetFord45.com!

AnniversariesBirthdays
Sean Currie, 25 yearsClay Volkert
Daniel Trevino, 22 yearsJeron Baker
Jesse Williams, 18 yearsDerick Brown
Amanda Holiday, 17 yearsMarvin Solomon
Rogelio Gonzales, 16 yearsNatalie Martinez
Delia Ramos, 11 yearsDianelly Montero
Aaron Smith, 10 yearsDavid Sherman
James Matthews, 8 yearsArthur Wooten
Reynaldo Flores, 8 yearsMorieta Treat
Karen Ferguson, 8 yearsJosaphat Rios
Marco Moreno, 6 yearsKyle Jensen
Alexander Chavarria, 6 yearsChase Mclain
Erika Tristan, 5 yearsJoel Tinnin
Jamie Perez Arenas, 5 yearsAdrian Angeles
Patricia Hernandez, 4 yearsAndrew Garcia
Christopher Peterpaul, 4 yearsTroy Hamburg
Vada Caccamo, 3 yearsAlan Wade
Juan Gomez, 2 yearsOscar Lopez
Thomas Hayes, 2 yearsThomas Dejohn
Peter Bonin, 2 yearsJill Mead
Ivan Fernandez, 2 yearsVickie Pscion
Ziad Fatayergi, 1 yearVance Deer
Michael Ibarra, 1 yearLuis Gonzalez
Carlos Montes, 1 year
Rigoberto Martinez, 1 year
Rodolfo Jaimes, 1 year
Roger Fluker, 1 year

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Ford Genius Aerodynamics Comes From Recycled Plastic

Posted on June 3, 2019 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring not only cares about our community and customers, we care about our environment too. Many of us have heard about the mounting plastic bottle concerns and know that recycling helps the environment. So, Ford is helping rev up new ways they can be used —  they are going into new Ford Vehicles. 

Ford uses about 1.2 billion recycled plastic bottles per year. That is 250 bottles per vehicle on average. These plastic bottles are used for underbody shields on all cars and SUVs, and wheel liners on F-Series trucks.

Aerodynamics has become a huge part of Ford designs, using recycled plastic bottles is both environmentally friendly and lightweight.

“The underbody shield is a huge part, and for a part that big, if we use solid plastic, it would likely weigh three times as much,” said Thomas Sweder, design engineer, Ford Motor Company. “We aim to find the most durable and highest performing materials to work with to make our parts, and in this case, we are also creating many environmental benefits.”

How Does it Work?

When plastic bottles are put into a recycling bin, they are collected with thousands of others and shredded into tiny pieces. That’s typically sold to suppliers who turn it into a fiber, by a process of melting the bottle and extruding it. Then the fibers are mixed together with other various types of fiber in a textile process and used to make a sheet of material that is then formed into the automotive parts.

Recycled plastic is ideal for the manufacture of underbody shields, engine under shield and front and rear wheel arch liners thanks to its lightweight, which can improve vehicle aerodynamics. For example on the all-new 2020 Ford Escape, these shields also help create a significantly quieter environment.

“Ford is among the leaders when it comes to using recycled materials such as this, and we do it because it makes sense technically and economically as much as it makes sense for the environment,” Sweder said. “This material meets all of our robust specifications for durability and performance.”

Ready to help do your part by selecting a new vehicle that is recycling and reusing for the betterment of our environment? Visit Planet Ford on I-45 at the Louetta exit (serving The Woodlands, Cypress, greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, Tomball) or shop online anytime at PlanetFord45.com!

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Save Big At Planet Ford’s Huge Memorial Day Sale

Posted on May 24, 2019 by admin

Ready for a New Ford or great used car? Now is a great time to buy and save BIG from Randall Reed, the Ford Whisperer at the newly renovated Planet Ford in Spring, TX (serving Houston, The Woodlands, Aldine, Cypress, Conroe) during our huge Memorial Day Weekend Sales Event! Take a Ford F-150, F-250, Mustang, Explorer, Fiesta, Fusion… for a test spin we have them all! Plus, ask about our special military and first responder programs*.  And check out our great deals on service all month long. 

Memorial Day Sale

Come see our huge selection and huge savings now through Memorial Day!

These deals won’t last long, so hurry in for the new or Certified Pre-Owned Ford vehicle of your dreams! With our newly renovated showroom and award-winning staff, Planet Ford in Spring is ready to help you into the Ford you’ve always wanted. Take the short drive on I-45 to the Louetta exit or browse our inventory online by visiting www.PlanetFord45.com.

*See dealer for details.

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5 Great Facts About The 2020 Ford Escape

Posted on May 17, 2019 by admin

At Planet Ford in Spring, we know great vehicles when we see them. That’s why we’re so excited for the all-new 2020 Ford Escape! The popular Escape is getting a makeover, and with that makeover comes new and exciting features that we can’t wait to share with you. We struggled to narrow down our extensive list of favorite features to just five, but we somehow managed and we’re here to present our list!

1. Escape Exterior Redesign

The all-new 2020 Escape was influenced by some other Ford favorites. For example, the Mustang influenced the shield-shaped trapezoidal grille for the Escape. The Escape also borrowed some design elements from the famous Ford GT as reflected in the lower front end of the Escape.

2. Spacious Second Row

Designers with Ford wanted the second row of the 2020 Escape to feel like a second row, not second class. Thus, it was imperative to them to design it in a way that would maximize space for the rear passengers without impeding on the cargo space. Featured in the all-new Escape will be a sliding second-row seat. This provides rear-seat passengers ample legroom, knee clearance, and foot length to ensure a more comfortable ride.

3. Copious Cargo Space

When the second-row seat is fully forward, the rear cargo space in the gas-powered models increases approximately 6 inches to 37.5 cubic feet.

Previously, driving a hybrid meant that you would lose cargo space to the battery. That is no longer the case, as the hybrid battery is now under the second-row seat, thus leaving your rear cargo area open for your needs. Designers of the 2020 Ford Escape constructed the vehicle to accommodate a foursome of golfers in the front, with each individual’s golf set in the rear.

4. Diverse Drive Modes

Ford’s newest SUV allows drivers to customize their driving experience to their desired mode or the conditions they may face. The five settings available are Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Snow/Sand driving.

Hybrid drivers can now experience the same benefits, as the all-new Escape offers four hybrid drive modes: Auto EV, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge. The all-new EV Charge mode allows drivers to continue to charge the hybrid battery as they are driving and save the electric-only miles for a later time.

5. Titanium Technology

The 2020 Ford Escape Titanium models now feature an all-new heads-up display, a Ford first in North America. The heads-up display projects pertinent information onto a 6-inch screen that protrudes from the dashboard in front of the steering wheel. This technology allows drivers to receive key information, such as their speed, without taking their eyes off the road.

For obvious reasons, everyone here at Planet Ford in Spring (serving greater Houston, Cypress, The Woodlands and Conroe) are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the all-new Ford Escape. As we expect the 2020 Escape to arrive this fall, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay tuned to the latest news.

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