Ford – Page 2 – Latino Traffic Report

TAWA Picks Truck Rodeo Winners

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Nov 152017

2018 Truck of Texas: Ford F-150. Photo by Kevin McCauley.

Latino Traffic Report (LTR) would like to recognize the winners of the 2018 Texas Truck Rodeo, hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) and presented by the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI). Taking the top three awards, Truck of Texas, Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) of Texas, and Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) of Texas were the Ford F-150, the Volvo XC60, and Alfa Romeo Stelvio, respectively.

2018 SUV of Texas: Volvo XC60.

The thirtieth annual Texas Truck Rodeo took place at the Longhorn Ranch in Dripping Springs, TX.

2018 CUV of Texas: Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

Each year, automotive journalists spend two days driving on off- and on-road courses, testing vehicles (trucks, SUVs, CUVs, and commercial vehicles) to select winners in 21 categories as well as three overall winners. Sixty-four vehicles, with a combined value of nearly $4 million were test driven this year by 75 journalists.

“The competition was incredibly fierce at this year’s Texas Truck Rodeo,” said TAWA President Nic Phillips. “Journalists put in more than 300 hours of driving time, evaluating the vehicles presented. The results in several categories are separated by the narrowest of margins … confirming just how competitive the trucks and utility vehicles are today,” Phillips said.

Full-size Pick-up of Texas: Nissan Titan. Photo by Kevin McCauley.

Engineers from the competing manufacturers were on hand to answer questions from journalists about the vehicles and to aid in the evaluation process. Vehicles are measured on their interior, exterior, value, performance, and personal appeal

Traditionally, new features or new models tend to attract the most votes. Restyled for 2018, one memorable moment in the F-150 Limited included getting a massage from the all-new seat massage function. This is the ninth win for Ford at the rodeo and a repeat from last year when the Ford F-250 won the title.

Mid-size CUV of Texas-Mazda CX-5. Photo by Kevin McCauley.

“With the new 2018 F-150, we’re honored to earn back-to-back Truck of Texas awards for F-Series, a recognition that speaks to the truck team’s dedication to our hard-working customers,” said Raj Nair, executive vice president and president of North America. “That’s especially true here in Texas – truck capital of the world.”

The SUV of Texas win represents a three-peat for Volvo. It was also the last SUV to be named Truck of Texas in 2003, prompting creation of the SUV and CUV of Texas awards. The 2018 XC60 T6 and the super luxe T8 Hybrid, with premium features like an Orefors crystal shift knob, were entered to compete in the Mid-Size Luxury SUV of Texas category, which it won as well. Additional awards for the XC60 included Best Connectivity for its Sensus infotainment system and Best Powertrain. Alfa Romeo’s first CUV also won the Luxury CUV of Texas category.

Overall, Nissan was the most overall awarded brand with five category wins and Mazda swept the three non-luxury CUVs, categories. Other highlights from the event included a near vertical climb up a hill with the Ram Power Wagon, assisted by a winch and the Land Rover Discovery, assisted by cruise control.

The following is a list of all the winners.

The 2018 award categories and winning vehicles were:

Truck of Texas: 2018 Ford F150
SUV of Texas: 2018 Volvo XC60
CUV of Texas: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport

Heavy duty pickup truck: 2018 Ram 2500 Limited Tungsten
Best commercial vehicle: 2018 Nissan Titan King Cab SV
Luxury pickup truck: 2018 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork
Off-road pickup: 2017 Ford F150 Raptor
Full-size pickup: 2018 Nissan Titan Midnight Edition
Midsize pickup: 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Best technology: Nissan Pro Pilot
Best connectivity: Volvo XC60
Best powertrain: Volvo XC60
Off-road utility vehicle: 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Recon
Sub-Compact SUV: 2017 Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk
Compact SUV: 2018 Nissan Rogue Platinum
Mid-size Luxury SUV: 2018 Volvo XC60
Compact Luxury SUV: 2018 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD
Full-size SUV: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Mid-size SUV: 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
Compact SUV: 2018 Nissan Rogue Platinum
Full-size CUV: 2018 Mazda CX9 Grand Touring AWD
Mid-size CUV: 2017 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring GT
Compact CUV: 2018 Mazda CX3 Grand Touring FWD
Luxury CUV: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport

Ford Recalls Certain F-150, E-350, Escape, and Lincoln MKC models

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Aug 172017

E-350

Latino Traffic Report has learned that Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.

The improperly manufactured bolts may fracture. If a seat, seatback, or seatbelt anchor attaching bolt fractures, the affected component may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Lincoln MKC

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 17S17.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ford Awards Driving Dreams Grants

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Jul 242017

Ford Driving Dreams

Latino Traffic Report has learned that Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, recently named the recipients of the Ford Driving Dreams (FDD) Grants at the 88^th Annual LULAC National Convention in San Antonio, Texas. A total of $400,000 in scholarships and grants will be awarded to ten Councils and LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) to support programs that encourage students to graduate from high school, and provide resources to help them pursue a higher education.

Ford Fund will award eight LULAC Councils $20,000 each in FDD Grants to implement educational programs over two school years in collaboration with a local education entity. Grant recipients from 2015–LULAC Council #2862 in Sacramento, California. and LULAC Council #313 in Chicago, Illinois–were selected to each receive a $10,000 renewal grant for an additional school year to continue their successful programs to promote on-time high school graduation.

“Ford Fund is very proud of its collaboration with LULAC. Together we provide invaluable resources to help the councils build a stronger and brighter future for thousands of students in their own communities,” said Joe Avila, manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Education has long been a priority for Ford and we remain committed to helping our young people advance in school and reach their academic dreams.”

The new 2017 grant recipients are:

Council #2890 Hollister, California
Council #5294 Pilsen, Illinois
Council #13004 Holland, Michigan
Council #20009 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Council #214 Houston, Texas
Council #44017 South Jordan, Utah
Council #4614 Richmond, Virginia
Council #11126 Washington, DC
Council #2862 Sacramento, California (renewal grant)
Council #313 Chicago, Illinois (renewal grant)

Angelica Eggers is a beneficiary of the Ford Driving Dreams Grants program through the San Antonio LULAC Council #4619. Eggers participated in the Ford Driving Dreams program during her freshman and sophomore years at South San Antonio High School. This fall, she plans to attend Texas A&M University in San Antonio and major in criminology. “My hard work is paying off and because of the Ford Driving Dreams Grants program and LULAC, I am excited about going to college to earn my degree and reach my goals,” said Eggers.

“Helping young people succeed is a constant effort we have made possible in association with Ford Motor Company Fund so students can graduate high school on time and pursue a college education. Today, we celebrate and recognize the work of the Councils who are making sure that their communities are being empowered through academic excellence,” said Brent Wilkes, chief executive officer of LULAC.

Earlier this year, Ford Fund impacted the lives of San Antonio students with a donation of 10,000 new books to elementary schools, a reading party for second and third-graders at Miguel Carrillo, Jr. Elementary School, and $50,000 in scholarships awarded to 25 high school students preparing for college this fall.

Joe Avila, manager, Ford Motor Company Fund.

Ford Driving Dreams Grants has invested more than $1.3 million since its launch in 2010. More than 1,500 students and 60 Councils have been able to leverage their success to impact the lives of high school students across the country. Each FDD grant recipient will develop a sustainable program that reflect the local education landscape and relies on partnerships with local education institutions. For more information on the Ford Driving Dreams Grants, visit www.forddrivingdreams.com.

Ford Motor Company Fund has invested close to $5 million in scholarships and other education initiatives across the country, Panama, and Puerto Rico. In addition to Ford Driving Dreams, other Ford Fund educational programs include Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Next Generation Learning, Ford College Community Challenge, and the Ford STEAM Lab. For more information, visit www.forddrivingdreams.com.

Ford Fund Donates $400,000 to LULAC

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Jul 292016

Latino Traffic Report has learned that the Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, named the recipients of the Ford Driving Dreams (FDD) Grants at the 87^th Annual LULAC Convention in Washington, DC. A total of $400,000 in scholarships and grants will be awarded to 10 Councils and LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) to support programs that encourage Latino students to graduate from high school, and provide resources to help them pursue a higher education. Ten Councils will receive $180,000 in FDD Grants to implement dropout prevention programs. Through LNESC, $220,000 in scholarships have been awarded to Hispanic students in San Antonio, Houston, and Puerto Rico.

Honorees from 2015.

Currently, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the high school graduation rate for Latinos is at an all-time high at 71 percent, a 10 percent increase from 2006. Yet, the Hispanic dropout rate is 10.6 percent, higher than the national dropout rate of 6.5 percent

Ford Motor Company Fund will award eight LULAC Councils a $20,000 grant over two school years to implement high school dropout prevention programs in collaboration with a local educational entity. The eight grant recipients that will implement their programs this fall are:

LULAC Council #4609 Arlington, VA
LULAC Council #7 Laredo, TX
LULAC Council #333 Milwaukee, WI
LULAC Council #40002 Portland, OR
LULAC Council #754 Rogers, AR
LULAC Council #15164 Toa Alta, PR
LULAC Council #11125 Washington, DC
LULAC Council #5273 Waukegan, IL

As a result of their success in 2014, LULAC Council #2848, Anaheim, Calif., and LULAC Council #44040, Provo, Utah, were selected to each receive a $10,000 grant from Ford Motor Company Fund to continue their programs for an additional school year. These model Councils will continue the programs that uniquely promote on-time high school graduation through student engagement activities such as mentoring and academic support.

Joe Avila.

“We are very proud of our work with LULAC, because together we are able to provide the resources to help the Councils build brighter educational futures for thousands of students in their own communities,” said Joe Avila, community outreach manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Education has long been a priority for Ford, and we are committed to helping our youth acquire the tools they need for future success.”

“Helping young people succeed is a constant effort we have made possible in association with Ford Motor Company Fund so students can graduate high school on time and pursue a college education. Today we celebrate and recognize the work of the Councils who are making sure that their communities are being empowered through academic excellence,” said Brent Wilkes, national executive director of LULAC.

Ford Driving Dreams Grants has invested more than $1.3 million since its launch in 2010. More than 1,500 students and 60 Councils have been able to leverage their success across the country. LULAC Council #21006 in Silver Spring, Maryland, used the $20,000 FDD grant awarded in 2014 to implement a program to help Latino students achieve their academic dreams with GapBuster, Inc., their educational partner.

One student is Luis Rosales, who, with 37 other students in the program, successfully graduated high school on time. Rosales recently graduated with honors from Montgomery Community College and this fall will attend Georgetown University School of Business on a full scholarship. Rosales and the FDD students started the first LULAC Youth Council in Maryland and is now a board member of GapBuster, Inc.

Each FDD grant recipient will develop a sustainable program that reflect the local education landscape and relies on partnerships with local education institutions. For more information on the Ford Driving Dreams Grants, visit www.lulac.org/ford

Ford Motor Company Fund, invests more than $10 million a year in scholarships and other education initiatives across the country. In addition to Ford Driving Dreams, other Ford Fund educational programs include Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Next Generation Learning, Ford College Community Challenge and the Ford STEAM Lab. For more information, visit www.forddrivingdreams.com.

Ford Recalls Additional Models with Takata Airbags

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Jun 142016

2008 Ford Edge

Latino Traffic Report has learned that Ford is issuing a safety recall for vehicles that have certain non-desiccated Takata passenger-side frontal airbag inflators after Takata declared those inflators are defective. This expanded recall follows Takata’s notification to the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that certain of its airbag inflators are defective, affecting several automakers across the industry.

The vehicles affected by this Takata action are 2007-2010 Ford Edge, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, 2005-2011 Ford Mustang, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX and 2006-2011 Lincoln MKZ, Zephyr, Mercury Milan and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles built in North America. Ford is not aware of any injuries associated with these passenger side frontal inflators in any Ford vehicles related to this safety recall. Driver side airbag inflators in these vehicles are not included in this recall.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

2010 Lincoln MKX

A total of 1,902,228 vehicles now are affected by this safety recall. There are 1,896,443 vehicles in the U.S. and federalized territories, 1,304 in Canada, and one in Mexico. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 11, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S26.

Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ford Partners with LULAC, Invests $180,000 in Education Programs

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Jul 102015

Salt Lake City, UT—Ford Motor Company Fund announced a total of $180,000 for the 2015 Ford Driving Dreams Through Education, LULAC grantees as they work together to promote on-time high school graduation and college enrollment among Latinos, the fastest-growing segment in public schools. The grantee recipients were announced today, July 10, at LULAC’s 86^th Annual National Convention in Salt Lake City.

Eight LULAC councils will each receive a $20,000 grant over two school years to implement a high school dropout prevention program in partnership with an educational entity. The eight grant recipients are:

Chicago, IL #313
Corpus Christi, TX #1
Little Rock, AR #756
Milwaukee, WI #319
Moline, IL #5285
Sacramento, CA #2862
Stockton, CA #2060
Vancouver, WA. #47013

Given their success, two grantees from 2013–LULAC Council #8035, Albuquerque, NM and LULAC Council #4933, Austin, TX–were selected to receive a $10,000 grant from Ford to continue their programs for an additional school year. These model councils will continue programs that uniquely promote on-time high school graduation through student engagement activities such as mentoring and academic support. The eight new LULAC council grantees will begin to implement their programs this fall.

Joe Avila, manager of community outreach, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.

“For six consecutive years, Ford Driving Dreams Through Education has activated local LULAC Councils around the country. Together we have made an extraordinary impact on more than 1,200 students by providing them with access to technology resources and innovative opportunities that help them achieve academic success,” said Joe Avila, manager of community outreach, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Education will always be a priority for Ford because there is still much work to do to ensure that Hispanics attain a solid education that will prepare them for the future.”

Since launching Ford Driving Dreams Through Education grants in 2010, LULAC Councils have been able to leverage their success. One of the first grant recipients, LULAC Council #326 in Milwaukee has made great strides since receiving the $20,000 grant to work with at-risk students in some of the most challenging public schools. The council used the grant to start a dual-enrollment program with the Milwaukee Area Technical College and Milwaukee Public Schools. The program has inspired these students to graduate from high school and then to transition college. For each class taken in the program, students earn credit towards high school graduation as well as college transferable credits.

To date, the student participants in the council’s program have achieved a 100 percent high school graduation rate and 100 percent college transition rate. As a result of the Ford Driving Dreams grant, the council has continued to raise and secure matching funds, resulting in a $485,000 grant from the Great Lakes Foundation to continue their educational programs and help more students.

Margaret Moran, LULAC president.

“LULAC has always placed great emphasis on education and leadership development of our youth,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “Although we have seen a decrease in the nation’s dropout rate, we must continue our efforts to ensure all students graduate from high school. Today, we congratulate the grant recipients for helping Latino students graduate and thank the Ford Motor Company Fund for its continued help in this effort.”

The educational success of the next generation is critical to the entire U.S. workforce. In the Latino community specifically, data from the Pew Research Center shows that the Hispanic high school dropout rate has declined and reached a record low. Yet, the Hispanic dropout rate remains higher than it is among African Americans, whites and Asians. Moreover, Hispanics still lag in obtaining a four-year degree even though they are the largest minority group on U.S. college campuses tripling the number of 18 to 24 year olds enrolled in a two-to-four-year college.

The Ford Driving Dreams Through Education Grants were launched in 2010, and to date, 52 grant recipients have worked to keep more than 1,200 students on the road to graduation. The grant selection process considers the best practices for engaging students, including mentorship programs, after-school volunteer and extracurricular programs, and parental involvement. The winning programs also must be sustainable, reflect the local education landscape, and rely on partnerships with local education institutions. For more information on the Ford Driving Dreams grants, visit www.lulac.org/ford.

Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, invests more than $8 million a year in scholarships and other education initiatives. In addition to Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Fund educational programs include Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Next Generation Learning, Ford College Community Challenge and the Ford STEAM Lab

Ford Expands Door Latch Recall

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May 052015

DEARBORN, Mich., May 1, 2015 – Ford Motor Company is expanding a safety recall regarding door latches to include approximately 156,000 more vehicles at the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bringing the total to 545,906 vehicles in North America. The door latch in certain vehicles may experience a broken pawl spring tab, which typically results in a condition where the door will not latch. If a customer is then able to latch the door, there is a potential the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford is aware of a total two allegations of soreness resulting from an unlatched door bouncing back when the customer attempted to close it, and one accident allegation when an unlatched door swung open and struck the adjacent vehicle as the driver was pulling into a parking space.

Affected vehicles include certain 2011-14 Fiesta vehicles built at Cuautitlán Assembly Plant, Nov. 3, 2009 to May 31, 2013; certain 2013-14 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013; certain 2014 Fusion vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, April 12, 2013 to April 26, 2013; and certain 2013-14 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013.