Ford Awes NAIAS Attendees With Engaging Auto Show Display

WESTLAND, Mich. –– Ford is making sure it cements its new image of being not just an automaker but also a consumer-experience oriented transportation pioneer. 

Ford is awing NAIAS attendees with an engaging auto show display that showcases new products and technologies like the all-new Ford Fusion, Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew, FordPass, and other innovations that will leave those in attendance more surprised than they intended to be. Other product introductions include new customer experiences, drive-assist technologies, and advanced lightweight materials.

But Ford isn't only showing off its latest innovations. When the predicted 70% of auto show attendees enter through the Ford-branded Cobo Hall entrance, they also get a glimpse of Ford's rich past thanks to a display of historic Ford Performance and racing vehicles alongside present-day vehicles.

According to Ford:

The new Ford exhibit inside the convention hall is encircled by an oval made of aluminum, encasing a 360-degree LED video ribbon. More than 114 million individual LEDs play vibrant high-definition video and spotlight visitors’ social media posts that use #FordNAIAS. 

Two 36x19-foot LED video walls glide open and shut. Rather than riding on rails, the walls move using the same laser-guided, magnetically driven technology that moves F-150 parts through the Dearborn Truck Plant. Sensors built into the LED video walls detect buried wire, which controls the walls’ nearly silent opening and closing. 

Vehicles are showcased on a 78-foot-diameter revolving turntable in the center of the stand, with three smaller turntables on it. 

Other fun experiences Ford is awing NAIAS attendees with in its engaging auto show display include a virtual ride in Explorer One, a Super Duty testing simulator that imitates what the heavy-duty truck can handle, and a shopping area stocked with vehicle accessories, personalization enhancements, and Ford licensed merchandise.

The Ford Fusion, Ford GT, Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew, Ford Focus RS, and Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang can all be seen at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, along with plenty of other excited products and technologies from Ford. If you have time, we recommend attending NAIAS 2016, but if you're unable to we have an entire album of photos from the Ford display available here.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+ 

Pictures of the 2017 Ford GT at NAIAS

WESTLAND, Mich. –– It's fun to dream sometimes, and that's what we've been doing all week as continue to hunt down the latest pictures of the 2017 Ford GT at NAIAS. After making its initial debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the 2017 Ford GT is back again to show off its sleek, streamlined body.

Pictures of the 2017 Ford GT at NAIAS

 All 2017 Ford GT photos provided by GTSpirit.

The GT has quickly become one of the rare cars of the world since the first model was put into production in 2005. Ford is continuing that legacy and will only produce 200 of the 2017 GT, which carries a hefty price tag of $400,000. 

While it's priced extravagantly, the 2017 Ford GT is worth every penny, starting with its claim to having the best power-to-weight ratio of any production car across the globe. In regards to its light weight, the entire car is made of carbon fiber and has a Gorilla glass windshield. For power, the 2017 GT boasts a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 Ecoboost engine that outputs 600 hp. The combination of weight and power is enough to drive you crazy imagining what it must feel like to get behind the GT's steering wheel and go.

For more information on the 2017 Ford GT, click here. While it would be fun to showcase this supercar at our Ford dealership in Westland, we're still happy to provide our customers with quality Ford vehicles that carry with them their own unique touches of Ford design and innovative manufacturing prowess. Check our our new Ford vehicle inventory to find a vehicle that fits your needs.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

Ford's FordPass Makes Mobility More Manageable

WESTLAND, Mich. –– Our cities and suburban communities are continuing to grow denser as we move into the future, and many companies are searching for solutions that will help people manage it in forms of transportation; however, this is no easy feat, and many would-be solutions have failed to deliver. But Ford's all-encompassing new FordPass changes all of that.

As a new solution from Ford, FordPass makes mobility more manageable than it was previously thought to be. The new platform allows Ford and consumers connect on a more personal level that allows the automaker to assist them with transportation and mobility solutions.

Whether or not you drive a Ford vehicle, anyone is able to become a FordPass member. Ford's FordPass makes mobility more manageable for consumers through a number of products offered under the platform:

• FordGuides: FordGuides allows members to speak one-on-one with mobility assistants to find convenient modes of transportation, or to reserve and pay in advance for parking. The best part is how easy it is to speak with a FordGuide––it takes pressing one button to speak free of charge with a mobility assistant whose "only job is to guide, serve, and help solve mobility challenges––not to sell," according to Ford.
• Appreciation: Appreciation is Ford's way of showing their gratitude to FordPass members for letting the automaker assist them with mobility solutions. With Appreciation, members are rewarded for actions such as member registration, reserving parking, and communicating with FordGuides. How simple! Rewards include merchandise and "unique experiences" with FordPass partners such as McDonald's and 7-Eleven.
• FordHubs: FordHubs are storefronts that will be located in major urban centers across the world, beginning with New York, San Francisco, London, and Shanghai. These hubs will give consumers a tangible experience of the mysterious, innovative work Ford is doing as a pioneer in today's changing auto industry. Members "will be able to explore the company's latest innovations, learn about its mobility services, and experience exclusive events," according to Ford. FordGuides on-site at the FordHubs will stand ready to assist members looking for mobility solutions in their cities by disclosing options according to each member's needs and providing real-time mobility maps. FordHubs will also be places members can participate in exclusive events like new vehicle reveals.

Over the past year, if you've been watching Ford take the auto industry by the horns and steer it what could easily be said to have never been considered a viable direction for it, then you understand how FordPass seemingly serves as a capstone to the automaker's 2015 progress, but dually as an explosive propulsion into 2016. As a Ford dealership, we're excited to watch the next year unfold as Ford, we expect, continues to unveil new solutions like FordPass as part of its Ford Smart Mobility Plan, which you can learn more about here.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

Ford Triples Autonomous Vehicle Fleet and Adds New Sensors

Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous vehicles with their four current Velodyne sensors

WESTLAND, Mich. –– Ford is tripling its autonomous vehicle fleet and adding new sensors to what will now be 30 Fusion Hybrid autonomous vehicles. This action will triple the fleet from 10 vehicles by adding an additional 20 Fusion Hybrids.

The large addition of vehicles to its autonomous fleet indicates Ford's leadership in the pioneering of driverless technology. Tripling its fleet of Fusion Hybrid autonomous vehicles will make it the largest autonomous-vehicle fleet of any automaker.

Ford tripling its autonomous vehicle fleet and adding new sensors will improve the automaker's ability to test and develop technologies in the realm of autonomous vehicles as part of its Ford Smart Mobility Plan, mainly in various driving environments throughout California, Arizona, and Michigan. This includes the testing and development of connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics, according to Ford.

“Using the most advanced technology and expanding our test fleet are clear signs of our commitment to make autonomous vehicles available for millions of people,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical officer. “With more autonomous vehicles on the road, we are accelerating the development of software algorithms that serve to make our vehicles even smarter.”

To help push into new territories of autonomous vehicle technology development, Ford is using Velodyne's latest LiDAR sensors––called Solid-State Hybrid Ultra PUCK Auto because of its hockey puck size and design. These sensors are abel to detect up to a range of roughly 600 ft, and are the first sensors specifically made for equipment of a vehicle.

One of the new Velodyne sensors that will replace the four seen in the photo above

The Ultra PUCK sensors will enhance Ford's autonomous vehicle technology in the area of strategic decision making and awareness on the road. Two new, lighter and sleeker sensors will replace four old LiDAR sensors that are less reasonable on a vehicle like the Fusion Hybrid, yet the new sensors will still accomplish collecting the same amount of data for testing because of their ability to be placed on more strategic areas of the vehicle.

There has been a deluge of information coming in about Ford's role in the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology. If you'd like to learn more about what they're doing to preserve the traditional role of the automobile while also continuing forward into a future that holds many broader possibilities for transportation, feel free to read more here. We're happy to provide you with information about the latest trends in the industry, as well as what advancements Ford is making with driverless cars.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

Ford Developing Ways to Pair SYNC With In-Home Smart Products

WESTLAND, Mich. –– Ford's SYNC infotainment system could very well be the most advanced communication and entertainment system for vehicles available. After debuting SYNC 3 in summer 2015, Ford is continuing to make advancements with the system.

Now, Ford is developing ways to pair SYNC with in-home smart products, beginning with Amazon Echo and Alexa. Through SYNC Connect, drivers will have the ability to use voice control between their SYNC system and these in-home smart products from Amazon.

Some of the conveniences available with pairing your Ford SYNC with in-home smart products like Amazon Echo and Alexa include the ability to:

• start and stop your vehicle
• lock and unlock your vehicle's doors
• find out your electrified vehicle's range and charge status
• check your fuel level
• find out vehicle mileage
• find out your vehicle's location
• find out driving time to a destination, including mileage

As Ford pushes into new territories of automotive technology, including developments outside of the traditional automotive realm––as with the new Ford MoDe:Flex electric bike and autonomous vehicles––Ford developing ways to pair SYNC with in-home smart products is another big shift the automaker is leading in the industry.

Rest assured that despite all of these technological changes occurring with Ford, your favorite Ford vehicles will continue to be available at our Ford dealership. Although Ford is developing new ways of driving that will change the industry forever, it's clear to us that Ford customers are always at the center of any new developments made.

Do you have questions about how to operate your Ford vehicle's SYNC system, or are you curious about changes being made to the technology? If so, be sure to attend one of our SYNC Sessions to learn how you can get the most out of your Ford SYNC system. 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

Ford Will Invest $4.5 Billion in Electrified Vehicle and Customer Experience Solutions

WESTLAND, Mich. –– Ford has been driving ideas of transportation in a new direction as of late and continues to release updates concerning its Ford Smart Mobility Plan. The plan lays out Ford's strategy for shifting from the current model of vehicle development and transportation to one of electrified vehicle solutions in an effort to provide more eco-friendly and efficient transportation to its customers.

The latest news says Ford will invest $4.5 billion in electrified vehicle and customer experience solutions by 2020. Ford expects to have added 13 new EVs to its fleet, as well as have 40% of its nameplates globally electrified by the end of the decade.

The first of what will be many new implementations will be the all-new Ford Focus Electric, debuting next year with all-new DC fast-charge capability. The next Focus Electric will be able to charge to 80% in 30 minutes and offer drivers a range of 100 miles.

According to Ford, other perks of the new Focus Electric will include:

• SmartGauge with EcoGuide LCD Instrument Cluster will provide various customizable displays to help drivers observe "real-time EV power usage to help maximize vehicle efficiency." 
• Brake Coach will teach drivers to brake more steadily to "maximize the energy captured through the Regenerative Braking System. The more energy a driver captures through braking, the more energy is returned to the vehicle’s battery." 
• An all around more enjoyable driving experience through "agile steering and handling engineered into the vehicle to give drivers a more connected feel to the road."

Ford will invest $4.5 billion in electrified vehicle and customer experience solutions as the company moves away from a vehicle development strategy centered around vehicle features and towards a process focused on customer experience, with help from social scientists. 

“The challenge going forward isn’t who provides the most technology in a vehicle but who best organizes that technology in a way that most excites and delights people,” said Raj Nair, executive vice president, Product Development. “By observing consumers, we can better understand which features and strengths users truly use and value and create even better experiences for them going forward.”

Ford says its team of social scientists has spent three years and over 4,000 hours "with thousands of vehicle users in more than 25 cities worldwide, taking 80,000 photos, nearly 3,000 hours of video and more than 8,000 pages of field notes." It's just another signal Ford is at the forefront of the automotive-transportation restructuring––including eBikes––occurring at a rapid pace. Expect to see a number of new EVs in our dealership showroom in the next few years.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

How to Get the Most Out of Your Ford SYNC System

WESTLAND, Mich. –– One of the great features of Ford vehicles is the SYNC communications and entertainment system. SYNC enables drivers to literally sync their smartphone or other Bluetooth device with their Ford vehicle. However, many Ford owners don't understand how capable SYNC technology is.

North Brothers Ford wants you to understand how to get the most out of your Ford SYNC system so that you’re able to take full advantage of the convenience it offers. On Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., North Bros will answer all of your SYNC questions at our SYNC Session.

At our SYNC Session, we’ll help you learn how to get the most out of your Ford SYNC system, including how to properly sync your device, accessing and navigating the numerous features of your device on the SYNC system, and any other questions or concerns you have about Ford SYNC.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

2017 Ford Escape Gets Technology and Design Upgrades

WESTLAND, Mich. –– After selling over 300,000 units in 2014, the Ford Escape is Ford's best-selling vehicle behind the Ford F-150. To maintain that track record, the 2017 Ford Escape is getting technology and design upgrades that could boost its popularity with drivers.

Exterior Upgrades

The 2017 Escape will join Ford's other models with a new hexagonal grille that includes active shutters for improved fuel economy. All trim levels will include LED taillights, and will be available in three new colors––Lightning Blue, Canyon Ridge, and White Gold

Interior Upgrades

The 2017 Escape will offer plenty of new space designed for storage. Ford removed the Escape's manual brake lever and implemented an electronic parking brake instead to add more center console space, and even included a new smartphone storage space in the design.

Another highlight of the 2017 Escape is its new steering wheel equipped with buttons designed to minimize discomfort while adding convenience for drivers. The crossover will also come available with Ford's SYNC3 infotainment system.

The 2017 Escape will offer a quieter ride than ever before thanks to acoustic side glass, a full hood seal, insulated A-pillars, a windshield seal, and front wheel-well insulation. For added comfort, Ford replaced the Escape's progressive suspension with linear springs that will make the crossover SUV feel like a car.

Performance Upgrades

While the 2017 Ford Escape is getting technology and design upgrades, its performance is also seeing some uplift. The 2017 Escape will keep the 2.5L four-cylinder engine, but Ford will introduce two new engines for the crossover SUV's SE and Platinum trim levels.

The new 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine is expected to enhance fuel economy, and the new 2.0L EcoBoost will increase power. Both engines include start-stop technology, which helps driver save fuel by shutting off the engine when the 2017 Escape comes to a stop, also available on the Ford Fusion.

At North Brothers Ford, we're excited to offer the 2017 Ford Escape at some point in the future at our dealership, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185. We're proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help you with any auto service or car repair your vehicle may need!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com.

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+

2016 Ford Explorer Launch Party at North Brothers Ford

WESTLAND, Mich. –– The 2016 Ford Explorer is an exemplary SUV showcasing some of the best technology and craftsmanship Ford Motor Co. has developed over the course of a century of automotive manufacturing.

To welcome the latest edition of the Ford Explorer, marking its 25^th year as America’s best-selling SUV, North Brothers Ford will host a 2016 Ford Explorer Launch Party on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at our showroom in Westland. Come #ExploreMore with the new 2016 Explorer, and join us for a tailgate barbecue to celebrate this innovative SUV that we’ve been anticipating for months.

New smart technologies, including front and rear cameras, Enhanced Active Park Assist, and an industry-exclusive Sony Audio System for the Platinum model, are just a few of the upgraded conveniences that make driving a 2016 Explorer an experience in itself. The all-new SUV also packs a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, or a 3.5L V6 engine for the base XLT and Limited models.

The 2016 Ford Explorer Launch Party at North Brothers Ford is your perfect opportunity to #ExploreMore with a globally recognized, game-changing SUV. North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

New Ford MoDe:Flex Electric Bike Makes City Living Easy

WESTLAND, Mich. –– Urban dwelling is making a comeback, and Ford Motor Co. is searching outside the bounds of its automotive territory for solutions that could improve livability in places with swelling populations. The new Ford MoDe:Flex electric bike makes city living easy and is one of the automaker's most impressive answers to the transportation dilemma of owning or driving a vehicle in an urban setting. The newest Ford eBike and its prototype smartphone app make daily travel, such as commuting to and from work, feasible in a metropolis.

As Ford’s third and most functional eBike, MoDe:Flex has the ability to adjust to customers’ specific needs. The center frame assembly consists of a motor and battery to assist riders, and the front and rear assemblies and wheels can be adjusted for road, mountain, or city riding. The bike folds to fit inside any Ford vehicle where it can charge while stowed, making transportation easy for those who drive into a city for work –– or play –– but prefer to get around by bike while in town.

Similar to the MoDe:Me and MoDe:Pro eBikes Ford debuted in March 2015,  the new Ford MoDe:Flex electric bike makes city living easy by syncing with the MoDe:Link app on an eBike rider’s smartphone. The app forwards important information concerning weather, congestion, parking prices, time, traffic, and public transportation to ensure the journey is efficient, cost-effective, and safe.

A new extension of MoDe:Link for the smartwatch puts all of this real-time data and functionality on an eBike rider’s wrist, and includes features like the no-sweat mode, which boosts electric pedal assist based on the rider’s heart rate and keeps them sweat-free. Other functions of the MoDe:Link smartwatch extension include safety notifications such as vibrating handlebars and beeping to indicate upcoming obstructions or hazards, such as potholes, in the rider’s path.

Ford is also experimenting with ways MoDe:Flex could act as a data receptacle. Sensors installed on the bike could collect data on traffic and pedestrian patters, and road conditions to help city officials develop better bike lanes through urban landscapes, while riders could benefit from insights on the best or worst routes to take.

Ford’s development of the MoDe:Flex eBike may seem peculiar coming from a company that initiated automotive mass production. But when you think about Ford's goal to develop technologies and transportation that drive humanity down better roads, it makes sense why it would create room in its project space for two-wheeled transit. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll sell eBikes on the same lot as the New Ford Vehicles and Used Vehicles at our Westland Ford Dealership.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

New Ford F-150 First Truck to Offer LED Headlamps

WESTLAND, Mich - The New Ford F-150 is the First Truck to Offer LED Headlamps that are brighter, tougher and more efficient than any other pickup headlamp. Typically, headlamps need to be replaced way before the end of the vehicle's life. Ford is doing away with old habits with the creation of the very first LED headlamps on the all-new F-150 that will last as long, or longer, than the truck itself. 

Ford's latest innovation is the first for light-duty pickup trucks. It uses 63 percent less energy than the usual halogen bulbs that we see in competitor's trucks. These headlamps have been developed from an outstanding form of technology, that makes the quality, durability and aesthetics of the headlamps superior to all other pickups on the road. You can literally stand -that's right we said STAND- on one of these 11-pound headlamps and the lens will not budge. These LED headlamps have been exposed to extreme heat, served as a bullseye for rocks, stones and ice as well as spent some time soaking in salt water. What were the effects? Absolutely nothing.

LED happens to be the fastest-growing segment in lighting technology. We see it in our smartphones, TVs, tablets and other recreational products are used on a regular basis. The LED headlamps on the all-new F-150 use a simpler form of technology, which makes for a longer-lasting, more durable product. The design of the headlamp magnifies light and better illuminates the road for F-150 drivers. The New Ford F-150 is the First Truck to Offer LED Headlamps and the company expects this trend to grow into "the next big thing" in the auto industry.

At North Brothers Ford, we proudly offer the latest and greatest Ford vehicles. You can see our entire inventory of new Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers online! See something you like? Schedule a test-drive with us! North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+