The Work Truck Show: Networking, learning opportunities for all industry professionals

Hear what industry professionals say about attending The Work Truck Show. http://www.worktruckshow.com

Are you willing to pay more for connected vehicle technologies?

We all know all sorts of technologies, everything from autopilot systems and remote diagnostics to stolen vehicle tracking, offer some potentially big benefits to the trucking industry.

But are truckers willing to pay extra for them? And if so, how much extra?

Global consulting firm Accenture recently conducted a survey posing those very questions to consumers in China, Germany and the U.S. regarding a range of automobile technologies and found – on average – drivers would opt to pay up to an additional 10% of a new car’s sticker price to obtain various in-car systems offering a variety of entertainment, information, remote and driver support services.

In the U.S., where average sticker prices for new light vehicles hit $34,428 in December last year, according to Kelly Blue Book, that “up to 10%” figure translates into some $3,400 or so for technology.

As a point of reference, Axel Schmidt, managing director in Accenture’s automotive practice, noted that the firm polled 5,111 drivers over the age of 18 who operate a vehicle on a regular basis in China, Germany and the U.S. and who also own a smartphone or plan to buy one in the next 6-12 months.

“Consumers are becoming more inclined to make separate purchases of the in-car functions they want most,” he added. “We believe that the demand for a range of features, from safety systems and remote services to parking assist technology, will increase in the coming years.”

Indeed, Accenture believes that by 2025, all new cars sold will be connectivity-enabled. But the question remains exactly what kinds of “connectivity” will appeal most to drivers. Some indications from the firm’s survey include:

•     The functionalities consumers would be most willing to spend more on include remote services such as when a vehicle automatically sends a distress message (63%) to the nearest emergency center when a life-threatening situation occurs or alerts when vehicle breaks down (41%).
•     There is also high interest in remote diagnostics (75%) and vehicle lifecycle management reports (71%), with nearly half of the respondents (43%) willing to spend extra on these features.
•     Over half (55%) want location functionalities like stolen vehicle tracking and recovery, navigation, and remote parked car locator systems, with a third (29%) willing pay more for those in-car services.
•     All told, seven in ten of all respondents (71%) would pay up to 10% of a car’s price to add such functionality to their light vehicles.

Accenture also emphasized that consumer interest in key in-car technologies is likely to grow, with 75% and 71% respectively expecting to use vehicle health and vehicle lifecycle management services in the future.

Appeal for location-based services is also anticipated to gain popularity, with 78% of respondents to Accenture’s poll saying they are interested in having a stolen vehicle recovery and tracking system in the future, with 71% desiring features like the remote parked car locator and just under two-thirds, or 59%, welcoming the use of in-car navigation systems down the road.

In addition, 35% of drivers surveyed by the firm desiring “concierge services” such as voice-activated responses to location-based questions, with 19% willing to pay an additional fee to get it.

A further 32% want “smart home” integration for their vehicles, which provides the ability to control automated devices within the home from a connected vehicle, and 20% would pay more for it.

Yet how much are folks willing to spend for such offerings? Here’s what Accenture’s poll found:

•     Drivers surveyed in China would be willing to spend an average of 16% of the new car’s price on “infotainment” features, while U.S. drivers stop at 15% and Germans at 11% of a new car’s sticker price.
•     For “convenience” services, drivers in the U.S. are willing to spend on average up to 16% of a car’s price, followed by China at 15% and Germany at 11%.
•     With regard to payments for in-car services, nearly half of respondents (47%) are willing to make an upfront payment when buying a new car, or pay for connected services over the lifetime of the services.
•     More than one-third of those polled (34%) want free basic services subject to in-car advertising with the option to upgrade to premium versions of services.
•     And 32% would consider paying a monthly fee for connected vehicle services using a credit card or PayPal.

Some things to think about as we continue diving deeper into the connected vehicle future, in both the car market and commercial trucking space.

Source: http://fleetowner.com/blog/are-you-willing-pay-more-connected-vehicle-technologies

360° Camera | F-150 Class-Exclusives

A Ford F-150. A tightly packed parking lot. And some very expensive-looking bikes. What could go wrong? See how our class-exclusive 360° camera* leads the way.

Learn more about the Ford F-150 and its class-exclusive features: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/

Subscribe to Ford Tough: https://www.youtube.com/fordtrucks/

.2016 Ram 1500 Review

The current-generation Ram 1500 has been one of the most value-packed half-tons in the segment from the moment it was introduced in 2013. Now that the pickup market is moving at warp speed (growing last month by 10 percent), Ram announced it will move most of its next-generation 1500 production to a bigger plant with more capacity.

Meanwhile, take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current-gen Ram 1500 in our comprehensive Cars.com review to see how the current Ram half-ton measures up against the competition. Click here.

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/05/2016-ram-1500-review.html

Sacramento Auto Museum Spotlights Pickup Trucks

Anyone living in or traveling to the Central Valley of California in the next few months should plan to visit the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. You'll want to see the dozen historically significant pickup trucks on display there.

Dressed up to do the things they're built to do, the pickups are part of a temporary exhibit called "The Pickup Truck: Where Utility Meets Everyday." The exhibit showcases some of the most important pickups built during the last century. It even includes an aluminum-body Ford F-150 to represent today's workhorse (some will argue whether this pickup will ever become a classic, but you never know).

"Where Utility Meets Everyday" includes period-correct displays of the activities for which these trucks may have been purchased, along with several interactive displays designed to get kids and adults contributing to the exhibit. Our favorites were the miniature toy truck display and the post-the-oddest-thing-you've-seen-in-a-pickup-bed board, where people can briefly tell their own stories about how creative pickup owners can be when it comes to cargo.

See more at: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/05/sacramento-auto-museum-spotlights-pickup-trucks.html

2017 Ford Super Duty Camper Handling and Roll Testing

Ford engineers put the all-new 2017 Super Duty – the toughest, smartest, most capable Super Duty ever – to the test at the Arizona Proving Grounds.

See how we push the Super Duty to the limit with a custom built slide-in camper simulator to demonstrate the roll stability control and other capabilities designed to ensure that every Super Duty customer is a happy camper.

Learn more about the all-new Super Duty: https://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty...

New report: Pickup and SUV production surging 49 percent

Though they may be the scourge of some government officials set on doubling the current fuel efficiency average, you may have noticed more pickups and SUVs on the road.

If you have, that would come as no surprise to a leading U.S. auto analyst said Wednesday that trucks and SUVs are poised to become the most popular vehicles on the road, according to Reuters.

See more at:

 http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/new-report-pickup-and-suv-production-surging-49-percent/?utm_source=hwt&utm_medium=email&utm_content=05-13-2016&utm_campaign=Hard%20Working%20Trucks&ust_id=73ef45b752004fd7c5cf260e66e4ffd4

Ford Motor Company Fund and Country Singer Drake White Team Up for "Livin' the Dream" Community Service Tour

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 9, 2016 – Ford Motor Company Fund is teaming up with country music singer Drake White on a series of community service events in five key markets across the U.S.
Ford Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, will host the community projects with White, who’s new single “Livin’ the Dream” is currently in the top 40 of the Country Music charts. Ford dealers are assisting with vehicle transportation in the individual cities.

The dates and locations are:

• May 19, 2016 - Foodshare, Hartford, CT  
• June 4. 2016 - American Red Cross, Los Angeles, CA 
• July 2, 2016 - Habitat for Humanity, Detroit, MI  
• August 14, 2016 -  Ford Driving Skills for Life, Dallas, TX  
• August 20, 2016 -  Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston, MA

Ford Fund and White — a Ford truck owner — organized the tour after discovering a shared interest in community service.

“Ford, country music and community service have a long, rich history, dating back to Henry Ford, a big music fan and believer in making the world a better place,” said Yisel Cabrera, community relations manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “We are excited to join with Drake in fighting hunger, disaster relief, promoting safe driving and building stronger communities.”

White has previously worked with Outnumber Hunger and Feeding America through their partnership with Big Machine Label Group. “Even before I had a public voice, giving back to the community has always been very important to me,” said White. “I used to volunteer in my hometown in Alabama and now that I have this platform it is more important to me than ever.”

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community and global partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 65 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life is free, interactive, hands-on safety training focused on skill development and driving techniques, while addressing inexperience, distractions and impaired driving.  Innovation in education is encouraged through Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Next Generation Learning and other innovative programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. The Ford Volunteer Corps enlists more than 30,000 Ford employees and retirees each year to work on local projects that strengthen their communities and improve people’s lives in more than 40 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.

About Drake White

Named one of the Huffington Post’s Top Country Artists to Watch in 2016, DRAKE WHITE is an accomplished songwriter with a rock-infused, organic country sound and signature foot-stomp. He continues to stun crowds with his incredible live show and soulful voice. Backed by his band The Big Fire, Drake has previously toured with Superstars including Willie Nelson, Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, Eric Church, Toby Keith and more. It is no wonder that the Alabama native was featured in Rolling Stone’s 10 Country Artists You Need To Know and Billboard’s Hot New Country Artists to Watch. Drake’s current single “Livin’ the Dream” is both heartfelt and humbling with a wholesome lyric video to match. The single is the follow up to his first EP, the four-track IT FEELS GOOD – LIVE EP, which is now available on iTunes. He is also featured on the new album OPRY 9.0, VOL 1: DISCOVERIES FROM THE CIRCLE from the Grand Ole Opry which spotlights the country music careers destined to propel the show toward the century mark. Drake is currently working on his debut album for Dot Records slated for release in 2016 and will hit the road again soon with Zac Brown Band. For the latest updates, visit DrakeWhite.com.

Rack-it Truck Racks Use Pipe - Not Tubing!

Just because our racks look pretty and look like metal tubing, they are and they are not. They are pretty, but they are not tubing, they are made of HD schedule 10 pipe. The difference is everything when it comes to strength (the one on the left, of course. . .). Yet with our unique design, they look so attractive on your truck, you hardly notice it has a rack at all. In fact, many people don't like the idea of a truck rack because they're thinking of those big, heavy duty, square things they see on a lot of work trucks. We offer the best of both in that they are strong like the square ones, but follow the lines of your truck to blend in with it's good looks and style.

Rack-it, since 1986. http://www.rackitinc.com/

Quality Modular Rack For Pickups by Rack-it

Gary gives us a tour of their modular truck rack system. These racks have the same high quality as Rack-it's famous fully welded versions. This is the standard version and all of their racks are made truck-specific so that it is designed for your truck. See more at http://www.rackitinc.com

All-New Ford F-150 Raptor – The Ultimate High-Performance Off-Road Pickup

It’s one thing to describe the capabilities and features of the all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 Raptor ever. But nothing compares to seeing F-150 Raptor do what it does best.

LEARN MORE: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150raptor/

More Torque and Better Boost: 2017 Ford F-150 to Debut with All-New 3.5-Liter EcoBoost Engine and 10-Speed Transmission

• Continuously improving for customers, 2017 Ford F-150 doubles down on efficiency, capability and performance with debut of the second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine and all-new Ford-built 10-speed automatic transmission
•     New 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine provides 30 lb.-ft. more peak torque compared with the first-generation EcoBoost engine, up to a best-in-class 450 lb.-ft. for a V6, beating gasoline- and diesel-powered competitors
•     The first volume-production 10-speed automatic transmission available to consumers from any automaker will deliver improved acceleration and performance

3.5-Liter EcoBoost engine infographic

10-speed automatic transmission infographic

DEARBORN, Mich., May 3, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, continues its relentless pace of innovation, delivering more torque and better acceleration to 2017 F-150 customers with the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine and 10-speed transmission.

The new second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will provide 30 lb.-ft. more peak torque compared with the first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, up to a best-in-class 450 lb.-ft. for a V6. F-150 remains the only truck in its segment to offer a twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine.

The all-new Ford-built transmission – the first volume-production 10-speed automatic transmission available to consumers from any automaker – will deliver improved acceleration and performance compared with previous six-speed automatic transmissions.

“The Ford truck team lives to serve our hardworking truck customers,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Product Development, and chief technical officer. “The powertrain is the heart of every F-150, and together our all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 10-speed transmission will give our customers better power, efficiency and confidence.”

More than 20 patents are approved or pending for the innovative powertrain combination.

Second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine builds on the success of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine and first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine available for the 2016 F-150. Nearly 1 million F-150 EcoBoost engines have been sold to date, with the 2.7-liter and first-generation 3.5-liter accounting for approximately 60 percent of F-150 sales.

Ford engineers designed the new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine to provide best-in-class torque for a V6 engine, beating gasoline- and diesel-powered competitors. The new engine provides better low-end and peak engine performance, ideal for hauling heavy payloads and towing heavy trailers.

The engine features an all-new, Ford-first dual-direct and port fuel-injection system. Two injectors per cylinder – one mounted in the intake port where air enters the cylinder and one positioned inside the cylinder – work together to improve power output, efficiency, and emissions.

All-new turbochargers deliver more boost thanks to improved twin turbos and a lighter turbine wheel. The new turbos work seamlessly with Ford-first electrically activated wastegates, enhancing operating efficiency. Light-weighting the turbine wheel – by making it out of high-temperature super alloy Mar-M-247 developed by the aerospace industry – improves responsiveness.

Ford’s commitment to continuous light-weighting to improve performance also is evident in the hollow camshafts in the all-new roller-finger follower valvetrain that help save up to 4 pounds of weight. The valvetrain also features more durable intake and exhaust valves, and hydraulic valve-lash adjusters that optimize engine durability over the life of the truck.

The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine provides Auto Start-Stop as a standard feature, helping customers save fuel, though actual fuel savings vary depending on driving patterns. The technology also contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions due to decreased idle times. Auto Start-Stop is specially tuned for truck customers, shutting off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop – except when towing or in four-wheel-drive mode.

All-new 10-speed transmission
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will be paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission for the 2017 F-150.

The transmission delivers improved acceleration and performance compared with previous six-speed automatic transmissions, thanks to optimized wide-span gear spacing, coupled with drag-reduction actions. Three overdrive gears and a wider ratio span enable lower-numerical rear-axle ratios to help improve fuel efficiency at highway speeds, while maintaining best-in-class towing.

Weight savings play a key role in improved shifting performance. The 10-speed transmission uses advanced materials and alloys to save weight, and it is the first Ford gearbox that does not use cast-iron components.

An integrated torque converter/turbine clutch also helps shave more than 2 pounds of weight, while also reducing the packaging footprint.

Smarter shift logic helps 2017 F-150 customers tow with improved confidence using tow/haul mode. All-new real-time-adaptive shift-scheduling algorithms monitor more than a dozen powertrain- and driver-control signals to ensure the right gear at the right time for an engaging driving experience, including in sport mode.

An integrated electric pump works with the standard Auto Start-Stop system for seamless restarts and improved driving efficiency.

Manufacturing investment
Ford announced earlier this year that it will invest $145 million to upgrade its Cleveland Engine Plant – creating or retaining 150 jobs to support production of the all-new second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine for the 2017 Ford F-150 lineup.

An additional $1.4 billion is being invested at Ford’s Livonia Transmission Plant to create or retain 500 hourly jobs to build the 10-speed transmission.

Both investments are part of the company’s commitment to invest $9 billion and create or retain 8,500 hourly jobs in its U.S. facilities during the next four years. In the past five years, Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created nearly 28,000 total U.S. jobs.

The 2017 Ford F-150 goes on sale this fall.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles.  At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and data and analytics. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

2016 Toyota Tacoma: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know

( http://www.TFLtruck.com ) The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is all new and completely redone. In this TFLTruck video we talk with the new truck's Chief Engineer to find out Everything you Ever Wanted to know about the new 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

Ford Invests $1.6 Billion in U.S. Plants, Creates 650 Hourly Jobs in Michigan and Ohio

• Ford is investing a total of $1.6 billion in its Livonia Transmission and Ohio Assembly plants
• The investment is part of the company’s commitment to invest $9 billion and create or retain 8,500 hourly jobs in its U.S. facilities during the next four years
  
• In the past five years, Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created nearly 28,000 total U.S. jobs

DEARBORN, Mich., April 26, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is investing $1.6 billion to upgrade two of its manufacturing facilities in Michigan and Ohio, and creating or retaining 650 hourly jobs in the United States.

The $1.4 billion investment in Livonia Transmission Plant and $200 million investment in Ohio Assembly Plant are part of the $9 billion commitment the company made in the 2015 UAW-Ford collective bargaining agreement to continue investing in its U.S. plants.
Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created a total of nearly 28,000 U.S. jobs in the past five years.

“We are proud that Ford employs more hourly workers and builds more vehicles in the United States than any other automaker,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “We are committed to manufacturing in the United States, as we have been for more than 100 years.”

Ford’s latest investment creates or retains 500 hourly jobs in Michigan at Livonia Transmission Plant to build a new 10-speed transmission to be first introduced in the all-new F-150 Raptor and certain F-150 models. The investment and 150 hourly jobs at Ohio Assembly Plant, located in Avon Lake, will be used to build Super Duty chassis cab. Both F-Series trucks are part of Ford’s toughest, smartest, most capable truck lineup ever.

Ford has committed to 2,800 U.S. jobs in the past five months. The company has committed to a total of 8,500 hourly jobs in the U.S. during the next four years in communities across Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York and Ohio.

“I am thrilled that through our collective bargaining with Ford we were able to secure a substantial investment for the communities of Southeast Michigan and Northeast Ohio,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department. “The men and women of both Livonia Transmission and Ohio Assembly have shown a great commitment to manufacturing quality products, and we look forward to their continued success.”

Livonia Transmission Plant
Livonia Transmission Plant employs more than 1,550 people. It builds a six-speed transmission that is used in a number of products including Mustang, F-150, Transit and Expedition. Production begins in June for the new 10-speed transmission.

Ohio Assembly Plant
Ohio Assembly Plant employs more than 1,650 people. It began building F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cab configurations earlier this year. The plant also produces Ford F-650 and F-750, which was insourced from Mexico last year, as well as Ford E-Series cutaway vans and stripped chassis. 

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Automatic Emergency Brake Technology to Be Standard by 2022

Who says automakers can't work together for the good of the consumer?

In a voluntary agreement including just about every automaker that sells vehicles in the U.S., almost all vehicles will have forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking as standard equipment by model-year 2022. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that is about two years faster than the time it would have taken for regulations to force them to add the technology.

According to Cars.com, the new technology could cut rear-end collisions up to 40 percent, saving thousands of lives. Collision avoidance systems with automatic emergency braking use cameras or radar to sense an impending collision, prepare vehicle safety systems — and hit the brakes if the driver does not react quickly enough, avoiding the crash or lessening the impact.

Each automaker will create their own timeline to incorporate the systems into their vehicles, but it looks like both cars and pickups will be included. The 2022 target applies to all vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of 8500 pounds or less (which includes every half-ton and midsize pickup). Pickups with GVWR ratings from 8500 pounds and 10,000 pounds GVWRs get a little longer, with the technology to be standard by 2025.

We expect the technology to show up in the upper trim packages first, then trickle down to become a standard safety feature across the lineups by the target dates.


Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/03/automatic-emergency-brake-technology-to-be-standard-by-2022.html#more