Tommy Gate - Flatbed and Van - Railgate Series: Bi-Fold

Bi-Fold, High-Cycle Railgates


Bi-Fold, High-cycle models feature folding platforms ideal for dock loading and utilize a steel roller and leaf-chain pulley drive system which maximizes smoothness of motion, endurance, and strength. This medium-duty railgate is ideal for high-cycle applications in any environment. These lifts are built with the highest quality components and place a priority on function and safety.

Steel Rollers


Steel rollers guide the platform vertically within the rail track and are designed to withstand intensive cycling. Dual sealed, maintenance-free ball bearings ensure the rollers are long-lasting and perform consistently in all climate conditions.

Looking to the Gecko for Answers; Ford to Seek Solutions by Mimicking Nature

• Ford researchers will study the gecko’s sticky toe pads for clues to
  improve adhesives and increase the recyclability of auto parts
• Biomimicry is an innovative approach that looks to nature for
  sustainable solutions to modern-day challenges; biomimetic innovations
  could transform the interior design of Ford vehicles
• Ford Motor Company recently hosted a biomimicry workshop at its
  Dearborn campus with participation from Procter & Gamble and The
  Biomimicry Institute

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 20, 2015 – Ford Motor Company will chart new territory as it seeks to create adhesive innovations inspired bythe gecko. Ford will also work with Procter & Gamble, sharing research findings as both companies look to biomimicry for a host of business solutions.

For years, Ford researchers have considered ways to make auto manufacturing more sustainable. A key challenge is glue used to adhere foams to plastics and metals can make disassembling parts for recycling
nearly impossible.


Enter the gecko.


The lizard’s toe pads allow it to stick to most surfaces without liquids or surface tension. The reptile can then easily release itself, leaving no residue. Consider, too, that a typical mature gecko weighing 2.5 ounces is capable of supporting 293 pounds.


The gecko could inspire a host of adhesive innovations for global applications at Ford, said Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader for plastics and sustainability research.

“Solving this problem could provide cost savings and certainly an environmental savings,” said Mielewski. “It means we could increase the recycling of more foam and plastics, and further reduce our environmental footprint.”


Buoyed by the biomimetic method, Ford recently hosted a forum at its Dearborn campus with participation from Procter & Gamble and The Biomimicry Institute, a nonprofit committed to promoting the innovative approach of looking to nature for sustainable solutions to modern-day challenges. Nearly 200
researchers and designers took part in the day-long session to learn about biomimicry and how to apply it to their work.

“We are excited for the opportunity to participate, together with Ford – with whom we have a history of collaboration – in The Biomimicry Institute workshop,” said Lee Ellen Drechsler, director for corporate
connect and development, The Procter and Gamble Company. “We have an interest within Procter & Gamble for using biomimicry as a way to broaden our approach to solving tough research challenges.”


The biomimetic approach is not new. The Bullet Train in Shinkansen, Japan was inspired by the kingfisher. Velcro took its cues from a burr.And improved medical needles were developed based on the mosquito.
Interest in the approach has increased in the last decade as awareness of climate change and environmental challenges is heightened, said Gretchen Hooker, project manager for design challenges at The Biomimicry
Institute.


Founded in 2006, the group works to empower people to create sustainable products and services using biomimicry. In addition to mobilizing educators and regional practitioners through the Biomimicry
Global Network, the organization provides a platform to learn and practice biomimicry through multiple design challenges. These include open innovation, academic-corporate partnerships and corporate-employee
challenges where employees get hands-on training while developing new solutions to issues corporations face. AskNature.org, the organization’s  online database of biological solutions, offers inspiration to those
looking to find answers in biomimicry.


“Ford and P&G are the first companies to take part in these new corporate-employee challenges,” said Hooker.


Beyond recycling, the Ford design teams have worked for nearly a  decade to find nature-inspired technologies, with recent successes in yarn production for seating materials and headliners.

Ford is the only automaker to use Unifi’s high-performance REPREVE fiber, made from 100 percent recycled materials including plastic bottles, in its vehicles. Ford employs REPREVE in five of its vehicles –
the new F-150, Explorer, Edge, Focus Electric and Fusion – making it aglobally used material. The use of REPREVE represents Ford’s commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle, part of the automaker’s global
sustainability strategy to lessen its environmental footprint.


Ford designers are now looking to expand upon that commitment,turning to nature to further improve the sustainable materials invehicle fabrics. The gecko may also inspire fabric technologies that
could transform the cabin of Ford vehicles, researchers said.

“As we look to further our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, taking a holistic, biomimetic approach makes sense because nature has efficiencies in design and uses minimal resources,” said
Carol Kordich, global sustainable fabric strategies and development, Ford. “Nature is the ultimate guide.”

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan,
manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About The Biomimicry Institute

The Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization that empowers people to seek nature-inspired solutions for a
healthy planet. http://www.biomimicry.org.

Innovations for the 2016 Ford F-150

•     Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps make backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob
•     New Special Edition Appearance Packages available on XLT and Lariat with unique wheels, graphics and finishes
•     Compressed Natural Gas/Propane gaseous fuel prep package available for 5.0-liter V8-equipped F-150s, helping reduce operating costs and tailpipe CO2 emissions

The 2016 Ford F-150, part of Ford F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for 38 years, continues to innovate with the addition of breakthrough towing technology, new Special Edition Appearance Packages, SYNC 3 and alternative fuel capability.


ll-new Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up to launch a boat or park in a driveway. The segment-first technology allows customers to steer a trailer instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction; the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed. Ford engineers developed the system leveraging advanced camera technology and tested it for almost a decade. Ford earned five patents for the technology along the way, with 10 more pending.


The Special Edition Packages for XLT and Lariat further personalize F-150 to customer tastes, adding all-new unique 20-inch premium anodized dark-painted aluminum wheels with red sport lettering, black running boards, smoked headlamps, unique bodyside graphics and badging, special edition seats with Alcantara® inserts, red contrast stitching and red bolsters, and unique red stitching on the steering wheel, transmission gear selector boot and instrument panel. This package also features a dark anodized grille with black mesh on XLT while the Lariat dark anodized grille receives red accents.


F-150 also features SYNC 3 – Ford’s newest communications and entertainment system that features enhanced voice recognition, high-speed performance and capacitive touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.


Responding to customer requests, the 2016 Ford F-150 with the 5.0-liter V8 engine will offer a gaseous-fuel prep option, making it the only light-duty pickup capable of running on compressed natural gas or propane.


New features and color choices


Other changes for the 2016 F-150 include:


    Shadow Black replaces Tuxedo Black

    Lithium Gray replaces Guard Metallic

    20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted silver pockets available on XL

Ford Trucks Hold Up Their End to Welcome Attendees to the ICUEE in Louisville, KY

The International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE), also known as The Demo Expo, is the premier event for utility industry professionals to gain comprehensive insight
into the latest technologies, innovations, insights, and trends affecting their industry.


This nice Ford F550 Dually is equipped with a Utility Body and a Terex Manlift Bucket. 2015 attendees had the opportunity to see dozens of Fords mounted with a variety of utility bodies, cranes and  other equipment throughout the inside exhibit halls as well as those displayed throughout acres of trucks in outside exhibits.

Find out nore at: http://www.scottpowerline.com/equipment.php

Vehicle Maintenance to Conserve Fuel

A comprehensive vehicle maintenance strategy can help fleet managers and drivers conserve fuel. Your fleet may already rely on these practices to ensure vehicle efficiency.


Proper Tire Inflation


Properly inflated tires last longer and increase fuel economy. Every decrease in pressure by 1 pound per square inch for four tires can decrease fuel economy by 0.3%. Some fleets use nitrogen inflation, tire pressure monitoring systems, and other technologies to maintain optimum tire pressure.

Recommended Motor Oil


Fleets can improve fuel economy by 1% to 2% using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can decrease fuel economy by 1% to 2%. Similarly, using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can decrease fuel economy by 1% to 1.5%.


Motor oil labeled "Energy Conserving" in the performance information contains friction-reducing additives that improve fuel economy.

Engine Tune-Ups


Tuning a neglected vehicle or fixing one that failed an emissions test can increase fuel economy by 4% based on the repair type and quality. Repairing a serious problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can increase fuel economy by 40%.

Aluminum Service Bodies by Highway Products

A standard Highway Products service body comes with six external storage
compartments, a drop down tail gate and a bolt on bumper. The lockable
storage compartments on these service bodies protect your tools from the
elements. Aluminum services bodies are half the weight of steel bodies
which will increase your fuel economy. We have a wide variety of utility
bodies to choose from and over 20 add-on option. We guarantee a perfect
fit and all service bodies come with a Lifetime Warranty.



Find out more at:  http://www.highwayproducts.com/

L.A. Drivers Fear Backing Onto Busy Roads More Than Ghosts, Flying; Ford Showcases Tech to Make Life Easier

•     Los Angeles drivers fear backing out onto a busy street more than ghosts or flying – according to an independent study commissioned by Ford, which brings its Ford Smart Mobility Tour to town
•     Ford Smart Mobility is the company’s plan to use innovation to develop the next advances in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data. A major area of focus is multimodal transportation, including developing an app that facilitates routing and integrates seamlessly with vehicles and electric bikes
•     To improve the driving experience, Ford has introduced several driver-assist technologies such as its Blind Spot Information System and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, as well as semi-autonomous technologies including a lane-keeping aid and active park assist

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 2015 – Angelenos worry more about backing out onto a busy street than ghosts or flying – according to a recent survey.


The survey, conducted by independent research company Penn Schoen Berland, examined driving-related fears, as well as public receptiveness to driver-assist and semi-autonomous technologies designed to ease driver anxiety and commuting hassles.


More L.A. survey respondents said they are more afraid of backing out onto a busy street (26 percent) than ghosts (16 percent) or flying (15 percent). In fact, visibility while driving is a leading concern for Los Angeles drivers, the PSB survey found. Three out of four said monitoring blind spots is a concern, while seven out of 10 listed backing out onto a busy street is a concern, and not being able to see all angles when backing up or driving in low-visibility situations as worrisome.


L.A. drivers find technology to alleviate these driving worries both popular and compelling:

    Nearly seven in 10 said they are more likely to purchase a vehicle that includes technology to alert you if someone is in your blind spot, while six in 10 said they are more likely to buy one with a rear view camera

    Nine in 10 said they are more comfortable in a car with blind spot alert technology (and 61 percent are much more comfortable with it)


Most L.A. residents described blind spot alert technology as “useful” (63 percent) and “safe” (52 percent). Nearly 90 percent of L.A. residents said they would feel more comfortable driving a car with a rear view camera – 52 percent say they would be much more comfortable 6 in 10 described rear view cameras as “useful” - nearly half described the cameras as “safe.”


Ford Smart Mobility Tour

This week Ford brings its Ford Smart Mobility Tour to L.A. The tour highlights the company’s driver-assist features that can help address driving-related fears, including BLIS® and semi-autonomous driving technologies, along with the Ford Smart Mobility plan.


Ford Smart Mobility is the company’s plan to take it to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data. Ford introduced the plan at CES in January, 2015 along with 25 initial experiments aimed at better understanding consumers’ mobility needs around the globe.


“Our smart mobility vision at Ford is about changing the way the world moves,” said Ken Washington, Ford vice president, Research and Innovation. “We are transitioning from experimentation to the start of implementation, beginning with the Go Drive and Peer to Peer car sharing pilots. Our goal is to make people’s lives better by helping them more easily navigate to where they want to go, using one or more interconnected modes of transportation.”


In addition to the Smart Mobility Tour, Ford will host a panel discussion moderated by Susan Carpenter, motor critic at The Orange County Register and The Wheel Thing contributor at KPCC-FM. The panel will include:


    Mike Tinskey, director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure, Ford Motor Company

    Claire Bowin, city planner, Los Angeles City Planning Department

    Hilary Norton, executive director, Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic (FAST)

    Brian Taylor, director, UCLA Institute for Transportation Studies


The event will commence at 10 a.m. today at the William Turner Gallery at Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica.


Driver-assist and semi-autonomous tech for today

To improve today’s driving experience, Ford has introduced driver-assist and semi-autonomous technologies such as active park assist to help drivers parallel and perpendicular park more easily. Driver-assist technologies include lane-keeping aid to help drivers stay in their lane and BLIS, which alerts drivers to vehicles detected entering their blind spots.

To stay connected while in motion, SYNC® 3, Ford’s all-new communications and entertainment system, features faster performance and conversational voice recognition, along with an available intuitive smartphone-like touch screen.

Ford offers more vehicle nameplates in the United States with active park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with lane-keeping aid and blind spot monitoring than any other manufacturer – according to automotive research firm SBD. Ford also leads in four segments, offering vehicles with the most available driver-assist features among mainstream vehicles in the country:

•     Large light-duty pickup – F-150


•     Midsize SUV – Edge and Explorer


•     Midsize car – Fusion

•     Large car – Taurus

Ford will demonstrate its new Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature that will be available on the 2016 F-150. The technology helps to ease the anxiety level of backing a trailer – which can be a challenging task for the novice and tricky even for those with trailering experience.

Multimodal mobility solutions

In many large cities, driving your vehicle directly from home to work is challenging due to traffic congestion. Ford believes solutions for multimodal journeys can make travel to and within urban areas more convenient. The company is studying how electric bicycles and mobile application technology can work seamlessly with cars and public transport to deliver faster and easier daily commutes and help businesses operating in urban environments.


Ford’s electric bicycle experiments include:


    MoDe:Me, introduced in March, is intended to keep the urban commuter moving in congested traffic

    MoDe:Pro is built for urban commercial use, and is designed to stow in a commercial vehicle such as Ford Transit Connect

    MoDe:Flex is easily reconfigurable for different customer needs. The bike’s center frame assembly includes the motor and battery, while the front and rear assemblies and wheels can be configured for road, mountain or city riding


Ford’s electric bicycle prototypes fold easily into Ford vehicles, and integrate seamlessly with the MoDe:Link app, which can be paired with a smartwatch.


This includes the “no sweat” mode, which increases electric pedal assist based on heart rate – ensuring a rider gets to his or her destination without breaking a sweat. The app also provides safety notifications. Hazards, such as potholes ahead, are signaled through vibrating

About Ford Motor Company


Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About Penn Schoen Berland


Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), an independent research company, conducted the poll on behalf of Ford Motor Company among 1,500 general population respondents (age 18+) in the U.S. – with 300 in Louisville, 300 in Orlando, 300 in Los Angeles, 300 in Seattle and 300 in Denver. The online survey was conducted from Aug. 11-17, 2015. The margin of error for each city is +/- 5.66%.

2017 Ford Super Duty: Towing and Technology interview

Ford has given the 2017 Super Duty pickup truck some solid upgrades, many of which have come in the technology department, both for improving safety and towing abilities.

PickupTrucks.com's Mark Williams interviews Ford Motor Company’s Driver Assistance Electronics Supervisor, Jennifer Shaw, at the 2015 State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

Easier Upfitting in the 2016 Ford Medium Duty Truck

Upfitting is easier than ever in the new 2016 Ford Medium Duty truck. Watch as Jon Taffer, business consultant and TV star, shows these real fleet buyers how nothing gets in the way of installing equipment, saving them time and money.


Learn more about the Ford Medium Duty lineup: http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks..

All-New 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Prototype Testing at Silver Lake Sand Dunes

This summer an engineering prototype of the all-new 2017 F-150 Raptor tackled the dunes at Silver Lake, Mich., State Park. Redesigned, larger FOX Racing Shox with more suspension travel and all-new terrain
management technology help F-150 Raptor tackle the toughest of surfaces. An available Torsen front differential increases off-road capabilityfurther. The system increases grip significantly for the front end ofthe truck and allows it to pull itself over obstacles and up steep grades – even when traction is split between the front tires. The all-new 2017 Raptor is powered by Ford’s new, second-generation
3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine. The 2017 F-150 Raptor goes on sale in Fall 2016.

• More than half of small business owners use their business vehicles for personal travel, finds a new survey by Ford and Manta; nearly
  75 percent of respondents say they would be more productive if their
  vehicle enabled them to make hands-free calls on the road with
  technology like Ford SYNC 3
• Purchase price, maintenance and fuel costs are the top considerations for business owners looking to purchase a new vehicle
• Three small business owners awarded $5,000 to customize their Ford
  Transit and Transit Connect vans in the Driving the American Dream
  contest conducted by Ford and Manta

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 1, 2015 –
Small business owners often need vehicles that can do double duty –
helping them grow their businesses while keeping their busy families on
the move, finds a new survey by Ford and Manta, an online resource
dedicated to small business.



Only 42 percent of respondents use their business vehicles for
business reasons all the time. One quarter drive their business vehicle
for nonbusiness-related travel 25 percent of the time, while another 17
percent drive their business vehicle for personal use half the time.



“Dual use was one of the key considerations in the design of Ford
Transit Connect,” says Yaro Hetman, Ford brand manager for Transit,
Transit Connect and E-Series. “Customers appreciate the seats fold down
for deliveries during the week and the vehicle works well as a family
van on weekends.”



Approximately 13 percent of small business owners surveyed rely on
vans for their businesses. One quarter drive trucks, 16 percent drive
another type of service vehicle, 23 percent drive cars and 18 percent
drive SUVs.



Regardless of which vehicle they choose, flexibility is key for these
entrepreneurs. Nearly half report they use their business vehicle
primarily for driving themselves to appointments, 36 percent use it to
carry equipment to job sites, 30 percent make deliveries and 8 percent
transport customers.



“One day we’re using our Transit to move merchandise between stores,
the next day we’re using it for event support for charity functions,”
says Stuart Hunter, founder of Columbus, Ohio-based roll:,
which sells bicycles, clothing and gear. “The next day it’s supporting
our race team – where it becomes a mobile changing room. The versatility
was really key to us.”



Hunter is one of three small business owners who won $5,000 to upfit Ford Transit and Transit Connect vans in the Driving the American Dream contest conducted by Ford and Manta. The other winners are Steve Ozment, owner and operator of Flowerama in Columbus, and Manuel Mendoza, owner of La Patisserie, a bakery and catering company in Charlotte, North Carolina.



Connectivity technology boosts productivity

Business errands
are made more efficient when entrepreneurs can leverage mobile
technology in their vehicles, according to the survey.



Almost three-quarters of respondents say they would be more
productive if they could make hands-free calls through a
Bluetooth-enabled system like SYNC^® 3 – Ford’s new
communications and entertainment technology that features faster
performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more intuitive
smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical
interface to help Ford customers connect on the road.



For some respondents – 25 percent – hands-free phone calls are the
No. 1 thing that gets them through spending a lot of time in their
vehicles. For others, snacks help them power through.



“When I’m traveling in the Transit, my dirty little secret is beef
jerky,” says Hunter. “It only happens within the Transit. It’s the only
place I’ll eat beef jerky. It’s kind of like White Castle – never before
midnight – so I have a passion for beef jerky I’m not sure even my wife
knows about.”



Purchase price, maintenance, resale value among top purchase considerations

In addition to
making the most of their time on the road, small business owners are
keen on maximizing their financial resources. Half say purchase price is
a top consideration when determining which vehicle to buy for their
businesses.Ford Transit is the best value for fleets in five out of six
full-size van categories, based on Vincentric 2015 fleet awards analysis
of full-size vans. The short-wheelbase midsize Ford Transit Connect XLT
was named Best Fleet Value in Vincentric’s mini passenger commercial
van category.





Nearly one quarter of survey respondents say maintenance is a top consideration.



“The reason I continue to buy Ford vehicles is they hold up, as
they’re not expensive to maintain, because they do what they say they’re
going to do,” says Ozment, who uses Transit Connect to deliver flowers.
“That one is checked off the list. Our Transit Connect is rock solid –
unequivocally the right answer.”



Ford Transit and Transit Connect can be repaired at any of more than
3,000 Ford dealer locations across the United States, and the Ford
Business Preferred Network includes nearly 600 dealers with advanced
commercial vehicle expertise. More than 80 percent of commercial
customers are located within 30 miles of a Ford Business Preferred
Network dealer and more than 63 percent are within 10 miles.



Other factors guiding small business vehicle purchases include fuel
costs for 22 percent of respondents, repairs for 17 percent and
insurance for 11 percent of small business owners,  according to the
survey. More than 10 percent say resale value is a top consideration.
Ford Transit Connect retains its value better than any other vehicle in
its segment, based on ALG's residual value forecast for the 2015 model
year.

Nearly 17 percent of small business owners surveyed report their
vehicles run on diesel or alternative fuel. Ford offers customers the
power of choice, so small business owners can decide whether naturally aspirated gasoline, EcoBoost^®, diesel, CNG or propane makes the most sense.



Many of the small business owners surveyed feel strongly their
vehicle purchases should support other American businesses. Nearly 65
percent say it matters that their vehicle is assembled in the United
States.

Transit – the best-selling commercial van in America – is assembled
at Kansas City Assembly Plant with domestic and foreign parts.



Manta surveyed 1,202 small business owners via online poll between
Sept. 4 and Sept. 8, 2015. The margin of error is +/- 2.83 percentage
points. 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a
global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan,
manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With
about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s
automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About Manta

Manta empowers small business owners to succeed on their
own terms by helping them stand out, connect with customers and grow
their companies. Our solutions include a small business directory with
millions of unique monthly visitors, proven tools to drive lead
generation and a suite of products to manage critical business needs. We
strive to inform and inspire through learning opportunities,
proprietary research, and a robust online community for dialogue and
collaboration. Thousands of business owners join Manta each month. Visit
manta.com to learn why.

Entrepreneurs Rely on Flexible, Tech-Savvy Vehicles to Grow Small Businesses, Survey Shows

• More than half of small business owners use their business vehicles for personal travel, finds a new survey by Ford and Manta; nearly
  75 percent of respondents say they would be more productive if their
  vehicle enabled them to make hands-free calls on the road with
  technology like Ford SYNC 3
• Purchase price, maintenance and fuel costs are the top considerations for business owners looking to purchase a new vehicle
• Three small business owners awarded $5,000 to customize their Ford
  Transit and Transit Connect vans in the Driving the American Dream
  contest conducted by Ford and Manta

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 1, 2015 –
Small business owners often need vehicles that can do double duty –helping them grow their businesses while keeping their busy families on the move, finds a new survey by Ford and Manta, an online resource
dedicated to small business.

Only 42 percent of respondents use their business vehicles for business reasons all the time. One quarter drive their business vehicle for nonbusiness-related travel 25 percent of the time, while another 17
percent drive their business vehicle for personal use half the time.


“Dual use was one of the key considerations in the design of Ford Transit Connect,” says Yaro Hetman, Ford brand manager for Transit, Transit Connect and E-Series. “Customers appreciate the seats fold down for deliveries during the week and the vehicle works well as a family
van on weekends.”

Approximately 13 percent of small business owners surveyed rely on vans for their businesses. One quarter drive trucks, 16 percent drive another type of service vehicle, 23 percent drive cars and 18 percent drive SUVs.


Regardless of which vehicle they choose, flexibility is key for these entrepreneurs. Nearly half report they use their business vehicle primarily for driving themselves to appointments, 36 percent use it to
carry equipment to job sites, 30 percent make deliveries and 8 percent transport customers.


“One day we’re using our Transit to move merchandise between stores,the next day we’re using it for event support for charity functions,” says Stuart Hunter, founder of Columbus, Ohio-based roll:,
which sells bicycles, clothing and gear. “The next day it’s supporting our race team – where it becomes a mobile changing room. The versatility was really key to us.”


Hunter is one of three small business owners who won $5,000 to upfit Ford Transit and Transit Connect vans in the Driving the American Dream contest conducted by Ford and Manta. The other winners are Steve Ozment, owner and operator of Flowerama in Columbus, and Manuel Mendoza, owner of La Patisserie, a bakery and catering company in Charlotte, North Carolina.


Connectivity technology boosts productivity

Business errands are made more efficient when entrepreneurs can leverage mobile
technology in their vehicles, according to the survey.


Almost three-quarters of respondents say they would be more productive if they could make hands-free calls through a Bluetooth-enabled system like SYNC^® 3 – Ford’s new communications and entertainment technology that features faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface to help Ford customers connect on the road.

For some respondents – 25 percent – hands-free phone calls are the No. 1 thing that gets them through spending a lot of time in their vehicles. For others, snacks help them power through.


“When I’m traveling in the Transit, my dirty little secret is beef jerky,” says Hunter. “It only happens within the Transit. It’s the only place I’ll eat beef jerky. It’s kind of like White Castle – never before
midnight – so I have a passion for beef jerky I’m not sure even my wife
knows about.”


Purchase price, maintenance, resale value among top purchase considerations

In addition to making the most of their time on the road, small business owners are keen on maximizing their financial resources. Half say purchase price is a top consideration when determining which vehicle to buy for their businesses.Ford Transit is the best value for fleets in five out of six
full-size van categories, based on Vincentric 2015 fleet awards analysis of full-size vans. The short-wheelbase midsize Ford Transit Connect XLT was named Best Fleet Value in Vincentric’s mini passenger commercial van category.


Nearly one quarter of survey respondents say maintenance is a top consideration.

“The reason I continue to buy Ford vehicles is they hold up, as they’re not expensive to maintain, because they do what they say they’re going to do,” says Ozment, who uses Transit Connect to deliver flowers. “That one is checked off the list. Our Transit Connect is rock solid –unequivocally the right answer.”


Ford Transit and Transit Connect can be repaired at any of more than 3,000 Ford dealer locations across the United States, and the Ford Business Preferred Network includes nearly 600 dealers with advanced
commercial vehicle expertise. More than 80 percent of commercial customers are located within 30 miles of a Ford Business Preferred Network dealer and more than 63 percent are within 10 miles.


Other factors guiding small business vehicle purchases include fuel costs for 22 percent of respondents, repairs for 17 percent and insurance for 11 percent of small business owners,  according to the
survey. More than 10 percent say resale value is a top consideration. Ford Transit Connect retains its value better than any other vehicle in its segment, based on ALG's residual value forecast for the 2015 model year.

Nearly 17 percent of small business owners surveyed report their vehicles run on diesel or alternative fuel. Ford offers customers the power of choice, so small business owners can decide whether naturally aspirated gasoline, EcoBoost^®, diesel, CNG or propane makes the most sense.


Many of the small business owners surveyed feel strongly their vehicle purchases should support other American businesses. Nearly 65 percent say it matters that their vehicle is assembled in the United
States.

Transit – the best-selling commercial van in America – is assembled at Kansas City Assembly Plant with domestic and foreign parts.


Manta surveyed 1,202 small business owners via online poll between Sept. 4 and Sept. 8, 2015. The margin of error is +/- 2.83 percentage points. 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan,

manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About Manta

Manta empowers small business owners to succeed on their own terms by helping them stand out, connect with customers and grow their companies. Our solutions include a small business directory with
millions of unique monthly visitors, proven tools to drive lead generation and a suite of products to manage critical business needs. W  strive to inform and inspire through learning opportunities,
proprietary research, and a robust online community for dialogue and collaboration. Thousands of business owners join Manta each month. Visit manta.com to learn why.

America's Work Truck Reinvented: All-New Ford Super Duty Is Toughest, Smartest, Most Capable Super Duty Ever

• Toughest: All-new, high-strength steel frame; segment-first, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body; stronger axles, springs and suspension create the only Built Ford Tough
  heavy-duty truck lineup that works as hard as Super Duty customers
• Smartest: 16 class-exclusive new features and up to seven cameras make Super Duty the ultimate tow vehicle; adaptive steering technology makes maneuvering easier
• Most capable: Ford-engineered, Ford-built gasoline
  and diesel engines and transmissions power all-new Super Duty lineup
  that tows and hauls more than ever
   

DALLAS, Sept. 24, 2015 – Ford, America’s truck leader, today introduces the all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty – the toughest,smartest, most capable Super Duty truck lineup ever.
“Ford Super Duty is the truck America’s hardest-working men and women trust and depend on,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas.“We are helping these customers build a better world by delivering a new generation of pickups that set new benchmarks in capability,performance and efficiency.”


Using advanced materials to reduce weight, 2017 F-Series Super Dutypickup truck and chassis cab feature all-new, segment-exclusive smart technology to help increase customer productivity, comfort and convenience.

“While Super Duty is America’s best-selling heavy-duty truck, we never take our leadership for granted,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development and chief technical officer. “Our
team is using relentless innovation in materials, technology and Built Ford Tough engineering to deliver customers our best Super Duty yet.”


Toughest

The backbone is an all-new, fully boxed frame comprised of more than 95 percent high-strength steel that offers up to 24 times stiffer than the previous frame – enabling the most towing and hauling capability ever delivered by Super Duty. The new truck line features heavier-duty four-wheel-drive components, driveline, axles and towing hardware.

For the first time, the Super Duty body uses high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy, which is more dent- and ding-resistant than the outgoing steel body and not subject to red rust corrosion.


Together, high-strength steel and high-strength aluminum alloy help reduce weight by up to 350 pounds while Ford is reinvesting additional weight savings everywhere it counts, to give customers more towing and hauling capability than ever before.


Super Duty chassis cab features an all-new, high-strength steel frame with an open-C-channel design behind the cab to enable easy aftermarket body upfit and modification.


Smartest

Towing is core to the Super Duty mission. All-new advanced coaching and camera technology makes conventional and gooseneck/fifth-wheel towing easier and more efficient than ever.

There are 16 segment-first new features – from LED lighting to adaptive cruise control – that assist Super Duty drivers to make driving  and work situations easier and more comfortable.


As many as seven cameras help customers see more angles and monitor conditions surrounding the truck, and provide better trailering than ever before.


A center high-mounted stop lamp camera provides visibility into the cargo box, especially for easier hook-up of gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailers. A 360-degree camera system uses four digital, high-definition cameras to give the driver a bird’s-eye view surrounding Super Duty.
Trailer reverse guidance provides visual cues and tips to help ease backing up a trailer. A first-ever, factory-available trailer camera can be attached to a trailer to improve visibility backing up.


Customers will benefit from a segment-first, in-cab trailer tire pressure monitoring system from the comfort of the cab while stopped or on the highway.

Adaptive steering provides for increased confidence to help make towing the heaviest of loads easier and brings greater ease to navigating job sites and parking lots – with or without a trailer. The technology reduces the amount of steering input needed to change direction at low speed, while reducing sensitivity to steering input at higher speeds.


The all-new F-Series Super Duty is available with numerous driver-assist technologies:

• SYNC^® 3 – Ford’s all-new communications and entertainment system features faster performance, conversational voice recognition and an easier-to-understand graphical interface, along with an intuitive smartphone-like 8-inch touch screen
  
  
• Blind Spot Information System with trailer tow is optimized for Super Duty to include the length of the trailer; BLIS^® uses radar sensors in the taillamps to monitor areas that may not be visible to the driver
  
  
• Lane departure warning provides a warning when a driver strays  from a lane through a series of steering wheel vibrations that mimic rumble strips
  
  
• Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support use sensors to detect slower vehicles moving in the same direction.  If another vehicle is too close, red lights flash on the windshield and a warning sound chimes. If the driver does not hit the brakes, the brake
  system is pre-charged to stop faster when the brake pedal is pressed
  

Advanced light-emitting diode technology sheds light all around the new Super Duty, including:

• New LED sideview mirror spotlights enable illumination surrounding the truck to light up a work site or camp site
   
• Class-exclusive quad-beam LED headlamps and taillamps
  
  
• New LED cargo box lighting
   

 
Most capable
Light-weighting and improved capability work hand-in-hand in the all-new Ford F-Series Super Duty.

“As we remove weight, we’re making Super Duty more productive by giving our customers better towing and payload capability,” said Craig Schmatz, Super Duty chief engineer. “We’re backing up improved
capability with a stronger gasoline and diesel Super Duty engine lineup.”


The second-generation Ford-designed, Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke^®
V8 diesel engine is available for pickup trucks and chassis cabs providing the highest combination of horsepower and torque ever.

The 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine comes equipped with the new TorqShift-G transmission for the F-250 pickup – allowing for improved capability.


The Super Duty chassis cab lineup offers a choice of 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 diesel, 6.8-liter V10 gasoline or 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engines.


“The bottom line is Super Duty customers will be able to tow and haul more than ever before,” said Schmatz.


Interior and cargo box

All three cabs – Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab – are longer and feature a new interior design, including dual compartment glove box, overhead console-mounted auxiliary switches to operate aftermarket equipment, and completely flat SuperCab and Crew Cab second-row floors
that make loading large items in the cab easy. Vital controls are close at hand, with the integrated trailer brake controller switch located even closer to the driver.

Customer accessibility and ease of use extend outside the truck as well, with the cargo box offering customers these class-exclusive features:

• BoxLink^™: Ford-patented combination of metal brackets and custom cleats that can be used to secure a variety of accessories in the cargo box
  
  
  
• Remote tailgate lock and release: Tailgate can be  locked/unlocked and opened with the key fob, eliminating manual locking and increasing convenience and security. The tailgate is damped –
  dropping gently down, hands-free, to a flat position when opened
  
  

There are five models in the Super Duty lineup – XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum.

The all-new Super Duty will be built at Kentucky Truck Plant, and goes on sale late next year.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan,
manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. Withabout 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’sautomotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For moreinformation regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

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2017 Super Duty Frame Stunt

The all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty is tough enough to take on any job you
can think of, including supporting the weight of eight Ford F-150 trucks
and the mighty Ford F-750 TONKA dump truck.



With a re-designed
fully boxed frame, made of over 95% high strength steel is up to 24
times stiffer than the 2016 model; the 2017 Super Duty is the toughest,
smartest, most capable Super Duty ever.



Explore the 2017 Ford Super Duty: http://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty/...



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