The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally Looks Tailor-Made for Sideways Gravel Action
Electric vehicle platforms and simple powertrain components make it easy for automakers to customize and modify a model’s performance characteristics without re-engineering significant portions of their architecture. That has ushered in a new era of speed, as companies have figured out that slapping more powerful electric motors and upgraded suspension components onto existing models is an excellent way to squeeze more revenue out of each design. Ford did it with the Mustang Mach-E GT, and now The Blue Oval has another beefed-up variant on the way.
Used Car of the Day: 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
Today we give you a track-ready pony car -- this 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350.
2023 Ford Bronco Heritage Review - Vive Le Choix
Heritage can be a loaded word. One could be proud that an ancestor served with honor and dignity in battle in some far-off land and time. Or one might be proud of distant relatives who trapped and enslaved others. You have to be careful invoking both the word and the sentiment.
When it comes to Broncos, there is a similarly mixed bag of heritage. You can choose to recall the first-generation Bronco, small and nimble off-road and on. The bigger full-size Broncos were popular, too, both among outdoors enthusiasts and, weirdly, among about-to-be indicted running backs running slowly from the law. Or we can consider the lost heritage of a 25-year gap in a model’s timeline.
Other than a squinting resemblance to those first Broncos of the Sixties, the 2023 Ford Bronco Heritage has little in common with the back-in-the-day trucklets of yore. Modern safety, emissions, and convenience standards have made for big changes in what we need in our everyday machines. How does that heritage translate to today?
Used Car of the Day: 2016 Ford Focus RS
Today's used car of the day is a 2016 Ford Focus RS that calls to the boy racer in all of us.
2023 Ford Maverick Tremor Review - Shake It Up
When you think about it for more than a few minutes, it’s a wonder that no automaker offered a compact pickup truck to pair with both midsize and fullsize trucks in their own lineup until Ford debuted the Maverick a couple of years ago. After all, we have OEMs building half a dozen different crossovers and SUVs each, and with hundreds of thousands of pickups hitting American roads each year it seems to be a no-brainer to unveil something smaller and more affordable.
But no. There are currently but two truly compact pickups on the road right now, and while it seems a number of automakers are working to fill this niche, the inflated prices being asked for Mavericks reflect both pent-up demand for more efficient trucks and the difficulty Ford seems to be having in building enough to meet that demand. The hybrid Maverick seems to be the one getting the bulk of attention and the resulting additional dealer markup.
Into the void comes another flavor, the 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor. Based on the Ecoboost-powered AWD Maverick rather than the hybrid version, the Tremor package adds a bit of off-road verve to an interesting minitruck. How does the Maverick Tremor shake out?
Dark Horsing Around at the Woodward Dream Cruise
The Woodward Dream Cruise took place over the weekend, providing us an opportunity to sample Ford’s latest wares back-to-back — including the 500-horsepower Dark Horse Mustang.
NHTSA Opens Investigation Into 2022 Mustang Mach-E Recall
We hear about vehicle recalls all the time, but it’s not often that we hear about a recall being investigated for not going far enough. That’s the case with a 2022 Ford recall of the Mustang Mach-E, in which the automaker pulled back almost 49,000 units for battery overheating concerns during charging.
Used Car of The Day: 2005 Ford GT
Maybe it's because we covered a $300,000 Ford Mustang last night. Maybe it's because I've always loved the looks of this generation Ford GT -- I've never driven one. Or maybe it's because I am feeling saucy on a summer Friday. Whatever the reason, today I bring you this California-based 2005 Ford GT.
The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD Is a Horse of a Different Feather
The Ford Mustang has always been known for affordable -- or affordable-ish -- performance. The newest vehicle in the pony-car lineup will be priced not to compete with Camaros and Chargers but single-family homes. Meet the $300,000 Mustang -- the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD.
Ford Dropping Base Bronco for 2024
Ford’s Bronco is becoming more expensive, as the company is dumping the base trim for the 2024 model year. The Big Bend edition will now represent the cheapest way for one to procure the SUV. Though cheap may not be the operative word, as this choice shifts the Bronco starting MSRP from $36,785 to $41,025.
The Ford Mustang GTD is Expected to Be Revealed Today
Ford is pressing forward with new, more powerful Mustang variants when other automakers are pulling back on the segment. The company recently held a first drive for the 2024 Mustang, including the new Dark Horse variant, and we’re now seeing leaks for the Mustang GTD, a mid-engine car with wild styling and a surprising underbelly.
Bronco Turns 58, Throws Itself a Party
Ford is adding some new options to the almighty Bronco Raptor for 2024, including an array of snazzy colors and trim. But the Real Ones know that’s not the biggest news – not when Ford says the Everglades is returning thanks to popular demand.
Former Ford Employee's Lawsuit for Disturbing Sexual Harassment is Finally Heading to Trial
Ford is now four years deep into an alarming lawsuit that highlights alleged sexual harassment and what the plaintiff described as a very hostile workplace. The Detroit News reported that DeAnna Johnson filed the suit over her experience working at Ford’s Dearborn Truck plant, and the details are disturbing, to say the least.
QOTD: How Long Will the V8 Live?
Ford said a few days ago that it plans to keep the V8 alive for as long as it can, even as the world moves towards more electrification.
How long will that be?
Ford Plans to Continue V8 Production for as Long as Possible
As automakers convert their gas vehicle lineups to electric models, it’s not surprising that the big, thirsty engines are among the first to go. Ford, a pioneer of V8 engines and muscle cars, is certainly no exception, but the automaker’s executives aren’t giving up on displacement just yet.
Ford Recalled Hundreds of Thousands of F-150s for Defective Parking Brakes
Parking brakes can be very useful, but only in limited situations and when the driver intends to use them. Unexpectedly engaging the parking brake while the vehicle is moving can cause a loss of control and cause the vehicle to crash. Ford recently issued a recall for several hundred thousand F-150 pickup trucks for an issue that could cause their parking brakes to engage while driving.
Ford Planning a Range of New Hybrid Models
Ford is all-in on EVs, but The Blue Oval is finding that there are still plenty of buyers wanting fuel-efficient gas vehicles. That’s why CEO Jim Farley announced that his company would come up with a range of new hybrid models over the next few years as it continues its march toward electrification.
2024 Ford Mustang GT Review – Pony Power, Premium Price
It was almost certainly a coincidence that the site Ford chose to launch the 2024 Ford Mustang GT was near a horse-racing track. The company likely chose the location due to its proximity to challenging mountain roads like the Angeles Crest Highway.
Still, I wouldn’t put it past them. After all, the seventh-generation Mustang is the company’s newest version of a muscle-car thoroughbred.
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Review – Cheap(ish) Speed
For most car enthusiasts, a Ford Mustang without a V8 under the hood is sacrilege. This despite the fact that V6 and four-cylinder Mustangs have long ago shed the pejorative label of “insurance beater.”
Used Car of the Day: 2014 Ford Focus ST
Today's used car of the day is a 2014 Ford Focus ST that asks $14,500 and is based in Oregon.
Ford Issues Significant Price Cut For F-150 Lightning
Ford made big news when it announced the F-150 Lightning Pro and its sub-$40,000 price tag, but the automaker didn’t leave its entry-level electric truck at that price for long. Inventory and supply chain shortages and production delays caused it to raise the truck's price almost immediately, and it has been selling for top dollar since. That recently changed, however, as Ford slashed F-150 Lightning prices by up to $10,000 in some cases.
Ford Shows Off the Mustang Mach-E Rally, A Beefy Electric Pony Car
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is many things, but its crossover body has meant that it isn’t the performance stalwart that its namesake gas counterpart has been for decades. The Mach-E GT took a significant step in the right direction, and Ford recently showed off another performance variant at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Used Car of the Day: 1976 Ford Thunderbird
We here at TTAC love cars that get the "boat" designation, especially if they're also Malaise-era. This 1976 Ford Thunderbird would seem to fit the definition.
QOTD: Jobs Vs NIMBYs
We reported yesterday about the resistance Ford is facing toward building a new plant. So naturally, I wanted to hear what you think.
Ford Teases Rally-Ready Mustang Mach-E Ahead of Goodwood
In a move that will surprise absolutely no one, Ford is making a more rugged off-road version of the Mustang Mach-E and teased the vehicle on YouTube. The now well-worn path has been traveled by Porsche, Lamborghini, and countless homebrew mechanics, so it was only a matter of time before we started seeing more mainstream brands getting in on the action.
Meet the Boomers Trying to Scupper 2,500 Jobs in Rural Michigan
“We don’t need jobs,” said Fred Chapman, a 62-year-old toolmaker, when interviewed by Reuters about a new battery factory Ford wants to build near Marshall, Michigan. “I know what lithium is – it’s a very volatile element,” added Glenn Kowalske, a retired engineer who, according to LinkedIn, earned his degree in the 1970s.
Ford Applies To Patent Stand-Up Driving System
Sit down, buckle up, and be quiet. I heard those words many times from my parents and have likely said them countless times to my own kids, but a recent patent from Ford may change how people ride in their vehicles – at least off-road.
Ford's Overall Sales Climb While EV Numbers Drop
Ford has invested billions in its electrification efforts, but the automaker might not see a return on that money for quite some time. Though it reported a significant jump in sales in the second quarter of this year, the company’s EV sales have fallen slightly.
The Right Spec: 2024 Ford Mustang
We walk into this Right Spec knowing it’ll likely cause a decent amount of discussion and perhaps some effigies to be set alight. The venerable Mustang is new for 2024, becoming the last man standing from Detroit after the Challenger and Camaro shuffle off this mortal coil.
Used Car of the Day: 2003 Shell Valley Cobra
Today's UCOTD is a unique one. This 2003 Shell Valley Cobra is titled as a 1967 Cobra in Maryland, where the seller resides.
Forum Rumor: 2024 Ford Mustang Deliveries Are Starting Soon
It’s always difficult to tell when, exactly, automakers plan to release new models, but leaks do happen. A recent forum post on the 7th Mustang site claims to have delivery dates for the next-generation Mustang and shares a text it claims was sent to buyers.
Report: Ford Allegedly Planning More Layoffs
Ford has been restructuring for years and is reportedly planning additional layoffs. Staff from multiple business units, including its combustion-focused Ford Blue division and the Model e electric vehicle unit, are supposed to be getting bad news in the coming weeks. But the number of people getting laid off isn’t supposed to match what we’ve seen before.
Boogeyvan: Ford SuperVan 4.2 Headed to Pikes Peak
Trust the gearheads taking part in Pikes Peak to come up with vehicles appearing to be ripped straight off the digital pages of PlayStation. Ford, which has been fielding entrants since the Peak’s first event in 1916, is taking to the hill this year in their SuperVan 4.2, a machine with over 1,400 horsepower.
First Drive: 2023 Ford Super Duty Lineup
While Ford has been shipping all trims of its all-new 2023 Super Duty pickup line to customers since May, production issues have delayed things and you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone that’s actually driven one. Fortunately, the Blue Oval invited us to take a gander at the new trucks at the Ford Michigan Proving Grounds earlier this month.
As first impressions go, the Super Duty led off with a firm handshake and proved that it can be slotted into a myriad of roles. Ford offered up an impressive resume and a sound business plan and allowed us to beat on a few examples to prove its rigs were the correct vehicle for any job.
Consumer Reports Revises Recommendations, Puts F-150 on ‘Avoid’ List
Like ‘em or not, the musings of Consumer Reports can carry quite a bit of weight with John Q. Public when shopping for big-ticket items like a car or pickup truck. This month’s issue featured machines in numerous categories slapped with an ‘avoid’ label – including America’s best-selling vehicle.
Ford Reopens Cologne Facility as EV Plant
On Monday, Ford Motor Co. opened the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center in Germany. Founded in 1930, the facility first produced examples of the Model A intended for the European market. Though the site is probably more famous for manufacturing the Ford Capri and every single generation of the humble Fiesta.
The factory has more recently been the recipient of a $2 billion investment to prepare it for the automaker’s push into electrification. With retooling having concluded, Ford says the plant should boast an annual production capacity of 250,000 electric vehicles.
QOTD: Which Automaker Will Offer Tesla Charging Connectors Next?
We've reported on Ford and GM reaching agreements to use Tesla's EV charging standard.
So the obvious question is -- who's next?
Lobbyists Give Static to Government About AM Radio
Readers may recall a recent news post in which we mentioned Jim Farley took to Twitter and announced that Ford was heeding requests from policy leaders and rural Americans, electing not to yank AM radio from Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Going a step further, he also said any Ford EVs not currently able to pick up Amplitude Modulation stations would be getting a software update to give them the capability.
Despite this common sense development, a cadre of automaker lobbyists made their way to Washington yesterday to bleat at Congress and stomp their feet. Their message was the opposite of Farley’s, saying lawmakers shouldn’t consider requiring OEMs to include AM radio in their vehicles.
Ford Issues Another Recall for Fire Risk
Ford has acknowledged its recent struggles with quality, with CEO Jim Farley vowing to halt the brand’s backward slide. It will take some time for turnaround efforts to take hold, and in the meantime, we’ve got more Ford recalls to discuss. This time, the recall involves 125,000 trucks and crossovers for fire risk, including the ultra-popular Maverick.
Used Car of the Day: 1965 Ford Mustang
Today's UCOTD is a 1965 Ford Mustang fastback that appears to need some work.
Ford Performance Introduces 700hp Kit for F-150
It’s been ages since the venerable 5.0L V8 engine has been the F-150’s volume seller, but that hasn’t stopped some gearheads deep within the skunkworks of Ford Performance from coming up with a relatively affordable supercharger kit for the mill – one which cranks the wick to 700 horsepower.
Another Recall for the Ford Bronco
You know things are off the rails when typing “2023 Ford Bronco” into a search bar on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s database returns results with the words DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE in angry bold letters outlined with a red box. Oh, dear.
While that missive from the NHTSA may be a bit over-alarmist given it is for an easily remedied – but admittedly dangerous – issue of loose lug nuts from the factory, it remains true that Ford has issued yet another recall for its popular Bronco off-roader.
Mustang Gallops Back Into Production
Customers who had thrown down money to reserve a new Ford Mustang have been playing a waiting game in recent months, with the Blue Oval pushing production back in April and again earlier this month. Now, according to several reservation holders with accounts on the 7thMustang.com fan forum, production is ramping up and should be underway by at least the end of July.
QOTD: Warranty Limits
We told you the other day about a Toyota owner who is upset a damaged engine won't be covered under warranty after he drove his car on the track.
We've also covered an issue in which Ford Bronco owners complain that a factory feature has damaged their vehicles after off-road use -- and that Ford is denying warranty claims.
Ford Decides Against Dumping AM Radio
Ford CEO Jim Farley took to social media on Tuesday to announce that the automaker is reversing a decision to remove AM radio from its vehicles. The alleged concern was that all-electric vehicles would interfere with the signal and that listening trends were moving away from the relevant bandwidth. However, opponents noted that localized emergency broadcasts frequently end up on AM radio and that the airwaves likewise tend to be home to political talk shows or religious broadcasts.
Used Car of the Day: 2014 Ford Focus ST
Today's UCOTD comes to us from Ohio. It's a 2014 Ford Focus ST and the seller is asking $12,000.
QOTD: How to Succeed in China?
Ford is scaling back in China. Yet, at the same time, General Motors' Buick brand survived the brand purges in 2008-2009 in part because of its success in China.
So, what is the best way for non-Chinese makes to succeed in that market?
Some Bronco Owners Say Trail Turn Assist Killed Their Axles
Trail Turn Assist is a cool Ford Bronco feature that brakes the inside rear wheel to tighten the turning radius and help the SUV navigate challenging off-road obstacles. Though helpful, some owners have reported that the feature could damage the vehicle.
Ford to Pull Back On Future Chinese Investments
Ford will be scaling down future investments in China, as the company’s chief executive has suggested that there will be “no guarantee” Western automakers can compete with local electric-vehicle rivals. This should have been obvious to American manufacturers who have historically been required to engage in partnerships with Chinese corporations just to sell within the region. But it also speaks to hardships Ford has endured while trying to break into the market.
Report: Ohio Court Orders Limited UAW Picketing
A little over a week ago, a few hundred workers went on strike at the Clarios battery plant in Holland, Ohio, over failed labor negotiations. While picketing is standard practice for UAW members dissatisfied with their contracts, the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas issued the restraining order on Friday to prevent striking workers from disrupting business operations and creating an allegedly unsafe environment.
First Look: 2024 Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor
With Ford having debuted the global version of the midsize Ranger pickup in 2021, the only question was what kind of changes would be made for the American market.
Well, we aren’t getting the diesel powertrains available in other parts of the world. But that’s hardly a surprise. I suppose the big shocker is exactly how similar the U.S. Ranger happens to be to the versions you can already buy in countries where they have the steering wheel on the wrong side. However, that’s hardly an insult when you take into account what you’re getting.
The 2024 Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor Arrive This Summer
The Ford Ranger returned to America a few years ago as the automaker’s entry to the midsize truck market, but the rest of the world had been enjoying the pickup while it was on hiatus here. Ford released a new Ranger for other countries last year, and now the U.S. is getting it, along with a Raptor variant for the first time.
Ford CEO: We're Not Ditching CarPlay Anytime Soon
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are among the most asked-for tech features in new cars, but automakers can’t seem to come to terms with what that means for their own technology interfaces. Toyota was super slow to offer the tech, much to the irritation of buyers, and we recently learned that GM plans to phase the feature out in EVs going forward. The automaker’s cross-town rival, Ford, won’t be heading down the same path, as CEO Jim Farley said the battle has already been lost.
The New Ford Ranger Will Be Revealed This Week
The Ford Ranger is sold worldwide, but Americans have been slower to get new variants and models. That’s about to change, as Ford recently confirmed that it would reveal the truck on Wednesday, May 10.
Report: Ford CEO Says China Strategy Changing
Ford Motor Company is tweaking plans in China and seeking to turn around financial losses after five years of lackluster sales within the region. The new strategy will be focused on exporting to other countries, commercial product, and reinforcing the necessary supply chain for all-electric vehicles.
Ford Launches Cool Off-Road App Only for Its Owners
Like a petulant child who won’t share their toys, Ford has released a handy smartphone app filled with crowd-sourced and professionally curated tools such as trail maps for off-road journeys – but the only ones who can use it are Bronco owners.
Talk about walling off your garden. Or off-road trail, in this case
Ford Fixing MIA Quality Control, ASAP
Anyone blessed with the gift of reading comprehension has noticed an influx of stories about Ford and its recent quality control issues. Top brass Jim Farley is on record lamenting the problems and pledging to turn things around in this area. One of the first out of the gate with a quality control (QC) overhaul? The brand’s important (and profitable) new Super Duty.
Used Car of the Day: 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
We continue our Ford Friday -- it wasn't planned that way, I swear -- with this good-looking 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350.
2022 Ford Explorer Timberline Review – Off-Road Ready, If Needed
The 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline is aimed at a very specific audience – and if you aren’t part of that audience, other Explorer trims will better suit you.
If you are in that specific audience, this Explorer can do a few things that the other trims likely cannot.
This trim is the perfect example of how use case can dictate vehicle purchase decisions.
Ford F-150 Lightning Sales Numbers Improved But Are Still Softer Than Expected
A year after its release, the Ford F-150 Lightning remains one of the most elusive new vehicles, and wait times for factory orders extend to a year for some configurations. Year-to-date sales of the truck tally 3,600, better than before, but lower than expected. Despite that, Ford’s pushed into new markets with the truck, announcing recently that it would begin selling the Lightning in Norway.
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