The Reed Factor | Automotive information, products, deals, gadgets and gear from automotive expert Randall Reed.

Bronco ULTRA4 4400 Unlimited Class Extreme Race Vehicles Revealed to Tackle King of the Hammers Off-Road Race

Posted on February 4, 2021 by admin

The Reed Factor has off-roading, custom-built Bronco news. Ford is starting a new journey in off-road racing with their built to conquer boulder fields and dry lakes Bronco^®. The outdoor brand of Built Wild^™4×4 SUVs from Ford – expands its off-road presence by debuting three custom-built Bronco ULTRA4 4400 unlimited class race trucks that will compete in this year’s grueling King of the Hammers off-road racing event, which runs tomorrow through Saturday in Johnson Valley, California.“King of the Hammers inspired us to ensure every production Bronco model delivers the capability, durability, and high-speed off-road experience this growing off-road enthusiast community has been trying to create on their own,” said Mark Grueber, Bronco marketing manager. “These Bronco 4400 race trucks underscore our commitment to Bronco Built Wild capability and innovation in the red-hot off-road racing

Bronco 4400 Racing Trucks

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rpZ1uhoh-AE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Representing the original ULTRA4 unlimited class that helped launch the King of the Hammers race event, Bronco 4400 trucks feature a fully custom tubular chassis with massive off-road tires and long-travel shocks. Under the hood, high-power engines and custom 4×4 driveline systems build on Bronco brand’s racing heritage. Race-prepped cabins are highlighted by the first-ever FIA off-road-certified Pro Pacer XL ORV race shells from Recaro^®. Designed in the theme of the Bronco R Race Prototype, Bronco 4400s represent the return of Bronco 4x4s to sanctioned off-road racing.

“With the Bronco R Race Prototype at the Baja 1000 and the Bronco Sport victory at the Rebelle Rally, the debut of the three Bronco 4400 race trucks shows Ford Performance’s growing commitment to Bronco in off-road competition,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “These 4×4 vehicles are modeled after the all-new Bronco two- and four-door production SUVs with their combination of high-speed desert running and rock crawling agility.”

Bronco 4400 series teams feature an all-star lineup of off-road racing veterans, including Fun-Haver teammates Vaughn Gittin Jr. and two-time King of the Hammers champion Loren Healy each piloting their own custom-built Bronco 4400 race trucks, and Jason Scherer, a three-time King of the Hammers champion, driving a third Bronco 4400 race truck.

“This is a killer opportunity to bring a new flavor of Bronco to the Hammers and push the Bronco brand deeper into the competitive off-road scene, while also building the foundation for future Bronco off-road racing vehicles,” said Gittin Jr.

Bronco brand will have several vehicles on display, including the Bronco R Race Prototype, which served as a test bed for production Bronco two- and four-door SUVs and recently finished the grueling Baja 1000. Also on hand will be Bronco Sport, which brought home a class win at the 2020 Rebelle Rally.

Plus, one never-before-seen Bronco model debuts live Wednesday at King of the Hammers.

The all-new 2021 Bronco two-door, four-door and Bronco Sport models on site will provide many enthusiasts their first up-close and personal look at the all-new family of rugged SUVs – with media drives of Bronco Sport and ride-alongs in Bronco offered throughout the week.

Want your own Bronco built for an adventure?! Shop ReedHasIt.com!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ford bronco | Comments Off

Ford’s New, All-Electric Mustang Mach-E & F-150 Named 2021 North American Utility & Truck of Year

Posted on January 13, 2021 by admin

Ford is on the right track as they drive into the New Year. The American automaker’s all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E and all-new Ford F-150 have been named the 2021 North American Utility & Truck of Year by a 50-member independent jury of print and broadcast journalists from the U.S. and Canada.

The company’s winning vehicles have set a benchmark in their segments based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, and value for the dollar. Both models have connected vehicle technology, including over-the-air updates, that keep Ford at the forefront of purposeful technology and ensures our customers’ future wants and needs are met.

When you’re ready to shop for a new Ford truck, car, or SUV, visit ReedHasIt.com for a huge selection of everything from F-150 trucks to Mustang cars.

Posted in North American Truck of Year | Tagged all-electric, electric car, electric suv, Ford F-150, Mustang Mach-E | Comments Off

Virtual SEMA: Ford Revealing 2021 F-150, Bronco with Ford Performance Parts

Posted on November 11, 2020 by admin

Ford is revealing custom versions of the 2021 F-150, Bronco and Bronco Sport with Ford Accessories and Performance Parts through the first-ever virtual SEMA show.

For the first time, what happened in Vegas, is not staying in Vegas. After COVID-19 shutdown the typical in-person SEMA show, Ford changed lanes to virtually reveal epic customizations of the company’s latest all-new products from the streets of the Motor City. The event — Ford Auto Nights, SEMA Show Special is a two-day live broadcast experience this Thursday and Friday.

Ford will unveil customized build reveals, interactive vehicle immersion sessions and an on-demand content library. The program will feature customer and celebrity superfan stories and vehicle customization and performance expert highlights. Viewers can tune in HERE at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday for the show, then register for interactive live sessions held throughout Friday.

“From upfitters to outfitters, and from hot rodders to outdoor adventurers, the show must go on, and our first-ever Ford Auto Nights SEMA Show Special keeps the customization and innovation going virtually,” said Kim Cape, director of Ford global brand and integrated marketing. “This passionate, die-hard audience with an appetite for our Ford brand is vital to us.”

Custom builds of Ford’s newest products, including the 2021 Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang Mach-E and F-150, will headline, along with a few surprises during the two-day event.

Bronco

Bronco, Ford’s new outdoor brand of Built Wild SUVs, and the only domestic brand of SUVs with standard 4×4, celebrates 55 years of innovating the off-road landscape.

From the all-new and sixth-generation Bronco two-door, the first-ever Bronco four-door model and Bronco Sport, the Bronco of small SUVs, the entire family is born from innovative design, capability and extreme durability testing to ensure adventure and fun with endless customization options.

Mustang Mach-E

For the first time in 56 years, Ford is expanding the Mustang family, bringing the famous pony into the electric age with Mustang Mach-E, an all-new, all-electric SUV born of the same all-American ideals that have inspired the best-selling sports coupe in the world. The production Mustang Mach-E GT with options arriving next year, is targeted for 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Step inside the show

Day one takes place live from the ultimate Ford garage, stocked with tools, accessories and loads of space to tackle any project with hosts Jarod DeAnda and Kellee Edwards. DeAnda is an emcee, host, presenter and ambassador in the world of motorsports and action sports, while Edwards is a travel expert and television host by land, air and sea.

Day two takes an interactive deep dive into the technical details of the project builds revealed the night prior. TV host and auto enthusiast Cristy Lee will lead the four sessions with Ford engineers, designers and drivers.

Viewers can register at https://fordautoshows.com/reg/ for a closer look at these custom builds and ask questions directly online. The first 500 to register and attend the session will receive a limited-edition Ford Auto Nights, SEMA Show Special decal in the mail.

Viewers can scan QR codes (data rates may apply) on screen to shop for accessories from many of the custom builds. Ford Auto Nights custom vehicle illustrations can be downloaded as a digital memento at https://fordautoshows.com/semaspecial/.

Check It Out! Custom builds of Ford’s newest products include:

The MAD Bronco Sport Badlands turns the Bronco of small SUVs into the ultimate for overlanding adventures. Ford teamed up with MAD Industries for a build that is an outdoor adventurer’s dream conversion. MAD is an established Ford project vehicle builder, with a rich history of custom builds, tricking out everything from a Mustang to an F-350.

The Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch 2-Door Concept reveals Bronco’s modularity. This concept is built around one of the Bronco program’s customer-use scenarios, in which a comfortable Monday through Friday Bronco is converted for a weekend of extreme off-roading, and then back to stock Badlands spec for the week ahead. Instead of the potential damage to Bronco’s factory-equipped body parts, Bronco brand’s Built Wild innovative design process enabled the concept to have swappable front fenders and rear quarters. Easy to install before a trail ride, and removable, these concept accessory parts are made from robust and impact-ready materials that replace stock painted parts. And for a throwback cue to the first-generation Bronco U13 Roadster model, the Bronco features a tough stepover replacement panel for maximum thrill and open-air feeling instead of traditional doors. 3D-printed titanium parts strip weight and increase strength.

The Ford F-150 Limited Hybrid SuperCrew by BDS Suspension project vehicle highlights the ease of customization of the new F-150 while showcasing the all-new Pro Power Onboard mobile power generator. This is the “foreman’s truck,” which works all week with the tools and equipment onboard to do any job. Friday evening arrives, and those work tools and equipment are easily exchanged for adventure gear and supplies. Sunday evening arrives, the party is over, and it is back to business for F-150 on Monday morning, so the truck easily transforms back to its all business tools and equipment.

The Ford Ranger XLT Tremor SuperCrew, outfitted by Ford’s vehicle personalization team, enables even the most adventurous of lifestyles. Using the all-new 2021 Ranger Tremor as a starting point, this custom adventure truck features a selection of available Ford Accessories and Ford Performance Parts that complement the vehicle’s incredible factory capability and enable adventure seekers to not only get to the most remote trailheads, but also carry a mountain bike, kayak and all the gear needed for a day of hitting the trails and the lake.

When Ford Performance and Vaughn Gittin Jr. from RTR Vehicles collaborate, you know vehicle performance goes up a notch, as the Mustang Mach-E 1400 demonstrates. The Mustang Mach-E 1400, an all-electric road rocket that shows just how much performance can be harnessed without using a drop of gas. This one-off Mustang Mach-E with its seven electric motors and high downforce is ready for the track, drag strip or gymkhana course – anywhere it can show how electric propulsion promises extreme Mustang performance.

Stay tuned to The Reed Factor for more cool car news you can use! To shop for your new Ford today, show ReedHasit.com!

Posted in SEMA | Tagged mach-e, SEMA | Comments Off

Ford Bronco Sport Wins Rebelle Rally, All-Women Off-Road Event

Posted on October 20, 2020 by admin

Reed Factor news you can use takes us out to Nevada and California where the 2021 Bronco Sport to flexed its off-road muscle and brought home a big win. Professional driver Shelby Hall and navigator Penny Dale guided the all-new Bronco^® of small SUVs – on sale later this year – to a victory at the prestigious Rebelle Rally Saturday.

Hall and Dale won first place in the X-Cross class at the event, a grueling week-long adventure that requires contestants to cover 1,200 miles of Nevada and California desert terrain. In lieu of electronic GPS mapping, teams rely on old-school compass-and-map navigation to reach designated checkpoints along the way.

Perhaps as impressively, all three Bronco Sport entries finished the rally. Novice off-roaders and Ford Bronco marketing team members Jovina Young and Erica Martin finished fifth. Competing in a third Bronco Sport, enthusiasts Elana Scherr and Betsy Anderson were close behind in sixth place.

“Just finishing Rebelle is an impressive feat – we’re proud of all three Bronco Sport teams,” said Mark Grueber, Bronco brand marketing manager. “The results really underscore that Bronco Sport delivers, both for seasoned pros and off-road novices. All of these women embody what Built Wild^™ stands for, and the first-place finish by Shelby and Penny helps establish this all-new vehicle as the Bronco of small SUVs.”

This year marked the fifth running of the Rebelle Rally, an all-women off-road event that begins near Lake Tahoe in Nevada and ends at Imperial Sand Dunes in California. The event is designed to blend serious off-road competition with the ultimate road trip.

Want to learn more about the all-new Bronco Sport small SUV, visit www.ford.com/broncosport.

Posted in Ford Bronco | Tagged Bronco Sport, Off-road race, Penny Dale, Randall Reed, Rebelle Rally, reed factor, Shelby Hall | Comments Off

New Ford Full Hybrid 2021 Ford F-150 Tortured, Tested to Ensure Built Ford Tough

Posted on October 6, 2020 by admin

The 3.5-liter PowerBoost™ in the 2021 Ford F-150 is the only full hybrid powertrain available in a pickup and the only one Built Ford Tough; generating 430 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque, it can tow up to 12,700 pounds.

Reed Factor news you can use about the all-new Ford PowerBoost hybrid. It is being tested to the extreme standards the rest of the F-150 powertrain lineup endure. Ford engineers punished the all-new F-150 PowerBoost in grueling real-world proving grounds and laboratory conditions.

The all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost^™ full hybrid powertrain is available in the all-new F-150 and is the only full-hybrid powertrain available in a pickup. PowerBoost was created by the Ford team to deliver years of dependable, hardworking service with 430 horsepower 570 lb.-ft of torque – the most torque ever in an F-150.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7DTB0XGkNR4

“Just because it’s a hybrid doesn’t mean we treated PowerBoost with kid gloves,” said Craig Schmatz, F-150 chief engineer. “To earn Built Ford Tough certification, PowerBoost went through the torture testing we put all of our powertrains through. No F-150 powertrain gets a pass, we have one standard for quality and durability.”

The full hybrid powertrain is the most powerful engine in the all-new F-150 lineup, delivering 430 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque. To prove it will deliver the long-term performance customers demand, it also had to pass the same tests all other F-150s must complete. Tests included towing fully loaded trailers over desert mountain passes in 100-plus degree temperatures, withstanding punishing terrain off-road, conquering frozen tundras, and enduring high-humidity chambers, salt baths and roads designed to destroy.

Extra Mile for Hybrid Testing

Ford’s engineers added a unique durability test specifically for PowerBoost. Ford built a custom testing machine using multi-axis hydraulic actuation to violently shake the powertrain’s 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery – simulating conditions like hitting the harshest of potholes and washboard roads, then subjecting it to even more daily abuse. Putting the battery through just 82 hours on this machine is the equivalent of 10 years of mechanical torture. “This thing is like a mechanical bull on steroids,” said Jack Parnoutsoukian, high-voltage application engineer.

In combination with the modular hybrid transmission, the battery enables the operation of Pro Power Onboard to deliver a standard 2.4 kilowatts of exportable power or available 7.2 kilowatts – 18 times more power than the nearest competitor can manage.

That was in addition to the battery of Built Ford Tough testing that spans America. For instance, Davis Dam in the Mojave Desert of Arizona is a massive 11.4-mile slope that climbs 3,500 feet with an average 6 percent grade and harsh heat. It is one of the toughest places in the United States to test towing performance. PowerBoost trucks loaded to the maximum available tow rating of 12,700 pounds climbed and descended the Davis Dam pass over and over and over again to prove the full durability of the engine, modular hybrid transmission, cooling systems, and towing technologies.

Proof is in the Punishing

At the Ford Michigan proving grounds, PowerBoost was tested on road surfaces too punishing for test drivers. Robots repeatedly drove PowerBoost over a continuous series of man-made potholed and grooved roads at the unique Silver Creek test course. Silver Creek includes a dozen distinct types of metal-edged chuckholes repeated for almost a quarter-mile. Fully loaded to the maximum available payload of 2,120 pounds, PowerBoost successfully ran the course hundreds of times. It also proved itself against the extreme inclines of the proving grounds, on high-speed ovals, and in water intrusion events.

Part of pushing F-150 to the extreme means putting it through punishing off-road adventures, so engineers traveled to the unrelenting terrain of the Anza-Borrego Desert in Southern California. By subjecting PowerBoost-equipped trucks to mountainous sand dunes, slippery and jagged rocks, high-speed trails and mud walls, engineers ensured the hybrid system can deliver the power and capability F-150 owners need for work or recreation.

The all-new 2021 Ford F-150 goes on sale this fall. It is proudly built and assembled in America at Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.

You can shop for a Ford F-150 now at ReedHasIt.com. Stay tuned for more auto news you can use!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Ford F-150, Ford F-150 hybrid truck, Ford PowerBoost Hybrid, Randall Reed | Comments Off

Ford Announces CEO Jim Hackett Retirement, Names Successor Jim Farley

Posted on August 10, 2020 by admin

Jim Hackett Jim Farley — Jim Hackett, current president/CEO with Jim Farley, in-coming president/CEO for Ford

August 4, 2020, Ford Motor Company announced CEO and president, Jim Hackett, who led the company’s transformation since 2017, will be retiring. Jim Farley has been named the company’s new president and CEO and will join the board of directors as of Oct. 1.

Over the next two months, Hackett, 65, and Farley, 58, will work together on a smooth leadership transition.

Under Hackett, Ford moved aggressively into the new era of smart vehicles and drove a deeper focus on customers’ wants and needs. At the same time, Ford improved the fitness of the base business – restructuring operations, invigorating the product portfolio and reducing bureaucracy.

“I am very grateful to Jim Hackett for all he has done to modernize Ford and prepare us to compete and win in the future,” said Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chairman. “Our new product vision – led by the Mustang Mach-E, new F-150 and Bronco family – is taking shape. We now have compelling plans for electric and autonomous vehicles, as well as full vehicle connectivity. And we are becoming much more nimble, which was apparent when we quickly mobilized to make life-saving equipment at the outset of the pandemic.”

Farley, an automotive leader with deep global experience and a successful track record, collaborated with Hackett over the past three years to develop and execute Ford’s Creating Tomorrow Together plan to transform Ford into a higher-growth, higher-margin business.

“Jim Farley matches an innate feel for cars and customers with great instincts for the future and the new technologies that are changing our industry,” Bill Ford said. “Jim’s passion for great vehicles and his intense drive for results are well known, and I have also seen him develop into a transformational leader with the determination and foresight to help Ford thrive into the future.”

Farley joined Ford in 2007 as global head of Marketing and Sales and went on to lead Lincoln, Ford South America, Ford of Europe and all Ford global markets in successive roles. In April 2019, Farley was chosen to lead Ford’s New Businesses, Technology & Strategy team, helping the company determine how to capitalize on powerful forces reshaping the industry – such as software platforms, connectivity, AI, automation and new forms of propulsion. He was named chief operating officer in February of this year.

Hackett, who will continue as a special advisor to Ford through March of 2021, said the time is right to pass the mantle of leadership to Jim Farley.

“My goal when I took on the CEO role was to prepare Ford to win in the future,” Hackett said. “The hardest thing for a proud, long-lived company to do is change to meet the challenges of the world it’s entering rather than the world it has known. I’m very proud of how far we have come in creating a modern Ford and I am very optimistic about the future.

“I have worked side-by-side with Jim Farley for the past three years and have the greatest confidence in him as a person and a leader,” Hackett said. “He has been instrumental in crafting our new product portfolio and redesigning our businesses around the world. He is also a change agent with a deep understanding of how to lead Ford in this new era defined by smart vehicles in a smart world.”

Said Farley: “I love Ford and I am honored by the opportunity to serve and create value for Ford’s employees, customers, dealers, communities and all of our stakeholders. Jim Hackett has laid the foundation for a really vibrant future and we have made tremendous progress in the past three years. I am so excited to work together with the whole Ford team to realize the full potential of this great company in a new era.”

Source: https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2020/08/04/ford-announces-jim-hackett-to-retire-as-president-and-ceo.html

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged CEO, Ford Leadership, Ford Motor Company, Jim Farley, Jim Hackett | Comments Off

We are Excited to Introduce the 2020 Ford Edge ST-Line

Posted on May 26, 2020 by admin

The Reed Factor news you can use. Ford is introducing the 2020 Edge ST-Line model, a new choice for SUV customers who prefer Edge ST’s bold style but prioritize value over performance. Expanding the ST family by adding ST-Line will help even more customers find a Ford Edge that’s right for them.

“Edge ST continues to break new ground with terrific styling, powerful performance and smart technology,” said Craig Patterson, Ford SUV marketing manager. “But some customers want style and value and don’t need all of the horsepower. For them, Edge ST-Line hits the bull’s-eye – again.”

The Edge ST has been very popular with our customers nationwide. Since its 2018 introduction, sales have outperformed the previous Edge Sport model, with nearly double the number sold. In 2019 and 2020, nearly 13 percent of all Edge sales have been ST models.

With a starting price $5,165 less than Edge ST, Edge ST-Line shares the same aggressive looks and includes all of the smart driver-assist technologies Edge customers can enjoy – advanced features that help take the stress out of driving.

Edge ST-Line styling inspired by Ford Performance includes a unique ST-style grille with body-colored bumpers, black ST beltline molding combined with lower sport cladding, standard fog lamps and signature LED lighting. Black roof rack side rails, 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels and unique Edge ST-Line badging further enhance the look of the new SUV.

Edge ST-Line offers a fun-to-drive experience, and it comes standard with a 250-horsepower twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine featuring Auto Start-Stop, an 8-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel-drive capability.

Edge ST-Line comes loaded with technology including standard SYNC® 3 with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™, Waze and Ford+Alexa™ compatibility, plus a wireless phone charging pad. Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist Plus technology – featuring Enhanced Active Park Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane-Centering and All-Wheel-Drive Disconnect – is optional.

You can get your new Edge at ReedHasIt.com.

Posted in Ford Edge, Ford Edge ST | Tagged 2020 Ford Edge ST, Edge ST, Ford Edge ST, Ford Edge ST-Line | Comments Off

Respirators by Ford and 3M Arriving at Hospitals to Help Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Posted on May 13, 2020 by admin

Ford-built powered air-purifying respirators, which was developed with 3M, are making their way help health care workers fighting COVID-19.

In March, Ford turned its attention from vehicle production to creating personal protection equipment (PPE) and working with 3M to build urgently needed PAPRs. Ford is now shipping those respirators that were created using design guidance from 3M and off-the-shelf parts, like vehicle ventilator fans and power tool batteries. In a separate effort, 500,000 reusable medical gowns distributed by Ford will soon be on their way to the state of New Jersey.

“Ford could not stand by while health care workers in this country placed their lives on the line to help others without even having proper protection,” said Jim Baumbick, vice president, Ford Enterprise Product Line Management. “That’s why we kicked off an all-out sprint to protect those who are so selflessly helping patients afflicted with this terrible virus.”

“We are dedicated to helping support and protect the health care workers fighting COVID-19,” said Bernard Cicut, vice president, 3M Personal Safety Division. “We thank Ford for partnering with us to quickly develop and deliver more of these critical health care supplies to the heroes working on the frontlines of this unprecedented health crisis.”

3M is a leading provider of personal protective equipment, including powered air-purifying respirators. Demand for 3M PAPRs is exceeding supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through partnerships with companies like Ford and others, 3M plans to increase capacity of its own PAPRs by ten-fold within the next several months.

Fast Track

Ford and 3M have worked closely with Ford’s automotive supply chain to progress the new PAPR from idea to product in fewer than 40 days.

Ford’s Product Development team moved quickly to design the new PAPR, combining vehicle air conditioning expertise with 3M’s knowledge of medical devices. Hand-drawn concepts of the Ford PAPR were created one day after starting the project. Ford’s engineers also leveraged vehicle seat trim expertise to design the PAPR hood. In parallel, Ford’s Advanced Manufacturing team rapidly prototyped the PAPR using 3D printing, while the Ford Purchasing team worked with suppliers to procure and produce components and the Ford Manufacturing team designed the production process. Assembly lines and production of PAPRs started within three weeks of the initial request.

The PAPR includes a hood and face shield to cover health care professionals’ heads and shoulders, while a high-efficiency (HEPA) filter system provides a supply of filtered air for as long as 8 hours. The air blower system – similar to the fan in the Ford F-150’s ventilated seats – is powered by a rechargeable, portable battery, helping keep the respirator in constant use by first-line defenders.

Approximately 90 paid UAW volunteers have assembled more than 10,000 PAPRs at Ford’s Vreeland facility near Flat Rock, Mich., with the ability to make 100,000 or more.

One of the proud UAW workers is Michele Strong, a team leader volunteering in Ford’s Vreeland facility. Now at almost 43 years with the company, Strong has worked in both Flat Rock Assembly Plant and the Rouge complex. Strong maintains a perfect attendance record – she wasn’t about to stop now.

“I’m proud of all of the vehicles I’ve help build over the years, but this is something totally different,” Strong said. “I’m up for this experience to help the world – to help the situation we’ve got. A lot of friends ask me, ‘Are you really going to do this?’ and I say, ‘Yes. It’s the right thing to do.’”

The 3M and Ford development team worked closely with the U.S. CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. NIOSH provided timely guidance to encourage the development of PAPRs to help respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Ford has achieved temporary NIOSH approval under its limited-use protocol to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Over 10 companies from across Ford’s automotive supply chain are providing new and off-the-shelf parts for use in the PAPRs. Components include hood tops for the wearer’s head and shoulders, filters and fans for supplying filtered air, power electronics, switches, foam seals and more.

Shipping Needed Equipment

Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Wash., is the first customer to order and take delivery of the Ford-built PAPRs.

“We are very grateful to Ford and 3M for this shipment of air-purifying respirators,” said Steve Schaefer, senior vice president, Support Services, Virginia Mason Medical Center. “This important equipment will help ensure the safety of our patients, doctors, nurses and other members of the Virginia Mason care teams during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

3M will sell and distribute the newly designed Ford Limited-Use Public Health Emergency PAPR through 3M-authorized distributors to maximize speed and efficiency in deploying these technologies to heath care workers. Ford-built PAPRs also can be ordered directly from Ford.

3M will provide technical support for health care workers using the new PAPRs. 3M’s authorized distributors moved exceptionally fast to make these products available for order within days.

3M and Ford will donate any profits they earn from the sale of the PAPR to COVID-19 related nonprofit organizations.

Growing Gown Deliverables

Washable gown deliveries are rapidly growing as hospitals and medical services seek reusable protection for health care workers. The gowns have been self-tested to federal standards and are washable up to 50 times.

Ford suppliers are now producing 200,000 gowns a week, and more than 400,000 gowns have been shipped by Ford to medical workers around the country.

The state of New Jersey has also placed an order for 500,000 reusable gowns.

Project Apollo

Inspired by the go-fast effort in 1970 to help NASA’s disaster-stricken Apollo 13 astronauts, Ford’s Project Apollo team has undertaken a variety of efforts in the fight against COVID-19. The company is making and supplying critically needed PPE and health care equipment, including more than 12 million face shields, ventilators in collaboration with GE Healthcare, medical masks for its workforce, and washable gowns for hospital and medical workers.

Posted in COVID-19 Help, Ford Partners | Tagged 3M and Ford, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Ford Fights COVID-19 | Comments Off