Blog

Used cars are an essential part of the automotive industry. While many people can’t afford a new car, there are also many buyers who don’t want to purchase a depreciating asset, instead opting for a vehicle that is anywhere from 1 to 5 years old so they can get the best bang for their buck. With that in mind, Ford offers some of the best value on the used car market. Used Car Data With data compiled by iSeeCars and reported by Autoweek, we can see that 9.2 million used vehicles from model years 2018 to 2022 were sold in 2023. Some of the most popular models that were bought as used were the Ford F-150, Explorer, and Escape. Ford F-150 It should come as no surprise that the Ford F-150, the best-selling vehicle in America, just so happens to be the best-selling vehicle on the used car market, too. When reporting on the used car trends, Autoweek said, “Making up 3.3% of the 9.2 million used car sales examined, the Ford F-150 retained its top spot for another year, not just in the used market. According to Ford's recently released 2023 sales data, over 700,000 buyers chose the F-150 as their truck of choice, making it the best-selling truck of last year.” Ford Explorer The Ford Explorer ranked 9th among the top 20 best-selling used cars. According to data, the Explorer was 11th in 2022, meaning that more people see the overall utility and charm of one of the most well-established SUV monikers. The current Explorer arrived in 2020 as an all-new vehicle, which makes the 2020-2022 models popular since they have all the same features and amenities as the current Explorer. The mid-size Ford is an excellent 3-row SUV for buyers who don’t want to break the bank and get a greater return on their investment. What Autoweek Said When discussing where the Explorer ranks amongst used vehicles purchased in 2023, Autoweek said, “1.5% of used cars sold from the 2018-2022 model years were Ford Explorers, bumping the midsize crossover to the ninth spot for 2023. That's a significant jump from 11th in 2022, beating out the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. It also holds the third spot for most popular used SUVs in America, representing 3.4% of the sales mix.” Ford Escape Ranking in 13th place is the Ford Escape, which is an excellent option for buyers looking for a vehicle that sits higher and has more interior usability but doesn’t have the poor fuel economy of a larger SUV. The Escape accounted for 1.4% of 2018-2022 model year cars sold in 2023, not far behind the larger Explorer and ahead of cars like the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and the Jeep Cherokee. At Benna Ford, we offer our customers some of the best prices and services. With more than 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

The Ford Maverick has been popular since its very launch. Benna Ford is pleased to announce that Consumer Reports has given it suitable recognition in its 2024 Buying Guide, which names the Maverick as the “Best Small Truck” and the Maverick Hybrid as the “Best Fuel Efficient Truck.” A Different Kind of Truck The Maverick is definitely a different truck from Ford with its unibody construction and front-wheel drive architecture. But the reasoning is sound. Not every pickup owner needs to load a Bobcat skid-steer in the bed, tow a 30-foot Airstream, or forge its way through a long-neglected two-track. Many pickup truck owners just want something that can bring home a washing machine, treadmill, or chest of drawers. The fact is, the Maverick can handle most, if not all, of the hauling tasks of the average homeowner. And it can do it with a car-like ride and leave plenty of room around it in the garage. Stretching the Miles Between Gas Stations It can also do it quite efficiently. The standard Maverick with the Ecoboost 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, front-wheel drive, and 8-speed automatic has an EPA city/highway/combined MPG estimate of 23 / 30 / 26 with AWD figures of 22 / 29 / 25. The Maverick Hybrid, with its 2.5-liter engine, hybrid system, and CVT, is only available with front-wheel drive but delivers an impressive 42 city mpg along with 33 on the highway for a combined mpg of 37. For the sake of comparison, the rear-wheel drive Ranger gets a combined 22 mpg. At the same time, the Maverick can haul 1,500 pounds in the bed and up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped. Solid Bones The earlier crossover reference is apt because the Maverick rides on the same platform as the Bronco Sport. This means it has the Bronco Sport’s front strut suspension with a trailing arm rear suspension on front-wheel drive models and a fully independent multi-link design on all-wheel-drive models, the latter offering better ground clearance and improved handling, particularly on bumpy curves. While the Maverick dashboard is not filled with swoopy curves and exotic materials, it features a straightforward, functional design that is in keeping with the truck’s mission. High in the center is an 8-inch touchscreen that can display AppleCarPlay and Android Auto interfaces as well as its own. A rotary transmission selector on the center console is simple to use and stays out of the way of access to cupholders and the forward storage bin, which is just one of many storage spaces throughout the cabin. Of particular note are the large bins under the swing-up rear seat cushions for secure and hidden placement of tools, emergency items, and whatever else you want to have on hand at all times. Flat Out Affordable Not to be overlooked is the Maverick’s price. With the departure of the Focus, the Maverick takes over as the most affordable model in the Ford model lineup, with a starting MSRP of $23,815 and $25,315 for the Maverick Hybrid. For an entry-level vehicle, it checks off a lot of capability boxes. Visit Benna Ford and see what the Maverick is all about and why it may be the perfect new vehicle for your garage.

2024 was a big year for truck introductions. The mid-size truck class was awash in activity with redesigns for the Ford Ranger, Tacoma, and the Colorado/Canyon twins. There was also the Silverado EV (following in the Ford F-150 Lightning's footsteps) and even the Cybertruck. But Benna Ford is pleased to announce that the truck that brought back the 2024 North America Truck of the Year trophy in its bed was the Ford SuperDuty. How NACTOY Selects Its Winners The vehicles were voted on by 50 respected automotive journalists who write for a wide variety of print, online, and broadcast media outlets from across the U.S. and Canada, from several publications and media outlets. Each of the journalists tested the vehicles in their own way by the customs of their own media outlets. NACTOY's winner selection was based on outstanding innovation, design, performance, driver satisfaction, and value. This unique process and level of expertise involved in the selection makes being named a NACTOY finalist—and even more so a winner—a highly coveted achievement. The many truck candidates were whittled down to three finalists, announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show. On January 4th in Pontiac, Michigan, the Ford SuperDuty was announced as the winner. The award primarily reflects the changes in the 2023 model year, which came too late for last year’s contest and thus qualified for the 2024 award. The redesign in 2023 included new exterior and interior design, updated technology focused on improving hauling and towing, and two new V8 engines, one gas and one diesel. Versatility and Capability Part of the Super Duty’s attraction is the broad scope of the model line, which can range from a work truck with vinyl floors and seating to offering heated, ventilated, and massaging seats covered in two-tone leather upholstery, all in a cab with an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. “Ford’s F-series Super Duty pickups embody the concept ‘a workhorse and a show horse.’ Equally suited to construction sites and towing million-dollar trailers, it’s loaded with technology to simplify its chores and keep the driver comfortable.” - Mark Phelan ( Detroit Free Press) and NACTOY juror. Taking on the Challenges of Towing A heavy-duty truck is expected to have excellent capability, and the Super Duty does not disappoint. Ninety percent of Super Duty owners use their vehicles to tow. Towing capabilities range from an F-250 Crew Cab, long-bed 4X4 model capacity of 13,700 pounds to 40,000 pounds with a gooseneck behind a single cab F-450 powered by diesel. It may be the towing technology that impressed the most, including: Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch - Estimates cargo weight in real-time and provides guidance on trailer tongue weight distribution, which can be accessed on the center touchscreen, FordPass™ app, or within the taillamps 360-Degree Trailer Camera System - Using mobile cameras can provide a bird’s-eye view of the trailer to assist in maneuvering in tight spaces. Blind Spot Information System for Fifth Wheel & Gooseneck - Mobile sensors can be attached to a trailer to extend blind spot identification across the entire length of the truck and trailer. Tailgate Down Camera and Tailgate Down Reverse Sensing System - The camera and reverse sensors in the top tailgate provide visual and audible alerts regardless of whether the tailgate is up or down. Pro Trailer Hitch Assist - Automatically backs the truck up and aligns the conventional hitch ball to the trailer receiver. Trailer Navigation - Plots routes that can be safely navigated with given trailer dimensions and weight to avoid potential issues with low bridges and tight turns “The Ford Super Duty retains its leadership in the heavy-duty pickup truck category with its impressive towing, payload, torque, and horsepower figures. Its four engine choices are highlighted by the new standard 6.8-liter gasoline V8 and 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8. And the big Super Duty is remarkably comfortable and easy to drive.” – Jack R. Nerad (America on the Road Radio/JDPower.com/TrueCar.com/USNews.com) and NACTOY juror. A heavy-duty pickup is always a significant investment, so it is good to know that in selecting the Super Duty, your choice has the backing of US and Canada’s most distinguished journalists. If you are in the market for a heavy-duty truck, visit Benna Ford and see the best Ford truck available.

It happened again. The Ford F Series has been named the best-selling truck for the 47th year. Benna Ford is just as proud as always that the F-Series retains its title of the best-selling truck in the U.S. By extension that makes it the best-selling vehicle of any kind in the U.S. Just to save you from doing the math, the F-Series has been the best-selling truck since 1977, the same year Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours ruled the airwaves and 20th Century Fox released something called Star Wars. Earning the Truck Triple Crown The Ford F-Series sold 750,789 units in 2023. That is over 200,000 more than the Silverado and over 300,000 more than the Ram Pickup. The F-Series also led sales in a way Ford calls the Truck Triple Crown. With electrification becoming more a part of the industry, Ford is also proud to claim the best EV truck sales of the year with the F-150 Lightning. The F150 PowerBoost Hybrid claims the title of the best-selling full-size full-hybrid pickup in America. In fact, the only hybrid pickup truck that outsold the F-150 PowerBoost is Ford’s own Maverick Hybrid. “Today, I am thrilled to share a milestone that fills all of us at Ford with immense pride. In 2023, more than 700,000 customers chose a new Ford F-Series truck, making it the best-selling truck in the United States for the 47th consecutive year.” Says Robert Kaffl, Ford Director, U.S. Sales. “It’s a streak that spans four generations (and started when I was only four) and has lasted longer than the entire lifespan of many other popular consumer products, including compact discs and mp3 players, and the entire brick-and-mortar video rental industry.” Changing for the Better While Keeping What Works Ford remains on top by paying close attention to what its customers want and how their needs have changed over the years. You will find plenty of differences between the F-150 of today and 47 years ago. Still, they have all been built “Ford Tough” and embody the strength, reliability, and versatility that our customers have come to rely on. Even so, Ford hasn’t hesitated to enhance its vehicles with technological innovations. Nearly a half-century ago, that may have meant the transition from carburated to fuel-injected engines. Today, you see it in the availability of BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, versatile infotainment systems, and sophisticated tools to assist in towing. Whether it is for the worksite, home, loading the bed full, or towing, there is an F-Series to meet your needs, and chances are you will find exactly what you are looking for at Benna Ford. Check our inventory, drop in for a test drive, and see for yourself why the F-Series is and has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S.

The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) announced seven category winners last fall. Benna Ford is happy to tell you that the Mustang Dark Horse was named their favorite Performance vehicle. Each category winner will be a finalist for MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle of 2024 award. The Favorite Performance Vehicle and four other category favorites are new from MAMA, which previously only issued awards for Favorite Family Vehicle of the Year and Favorite Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year. The organization expanded its awards to “recognize the diversity of vehicles available and of interest to the readers, viewers, and listeners of MAMA’s membership base.” MAMA was founded in 1994 and now comprises 273 automotive journalists and public relations professionals from across the U.S. and Canada. The automotive journalists have been testing vehicles throughout the year for their particular media outlets, and all members are invited to gather together for three drive events: The MAMA Spring Rally MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest Chicago Drives Electric Voting for the category favorites narrowed a field of over 100 eligible models to a few select members in each category. In the fall, they selected the Mustang Dark Horse and the other category winners. “With more than 100 new, redesigned, or refreshed vehicles MAMA members could drive during 2023, it was time to assess the breadth and depth of product at each event and for the year as a whole,” said Robert Duffer, MAMA President. “You could say MAMA loves all of her vehicles equally, but everyone knows there’s only one MAMA’s Favorite.” Though they riffed plenty on their MAMA acronym, the organization of communicators did not explain their reasons for selecting the Mustang Dark Horse. Still, it is not hard to imagine how the 5.0-liter V-8 producing 500 horsepower while still being naturally aspirated could capture their attention. The choice in transmissions is between the 10-speed, which is capable of greater acceleration and lap times, or the rev-matching 6-speed manual, which is simply more fun. A Torsen LSD, tighter chassis tuning, and Brembo six-piston front calipers clamping on 15.4-inch rotors, plus four-piston calipers and 14.0-inch rotors, round out the performance. It probably also doesn’t hurt that the Dark Horse shows the Mustang proudly soldiering forward while the Camero and Challenger say their goodbyes again. MAMA members will now vote on which finalists they will award as MAMA's Favorite Vehicle of 2024, which will be announced on February 8 at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show during a MAMA-hosted breakfast. As they have done non-stop for 60 years (as of April 17th, 2024), Ford keeps the high-performance sport coupe tradition alive in America. If you would like that tradition in your driveway, visit Benna Ford for a thrilling test drive.

Motor Authority Annual Best Car To Buy Every year Motor Authority holds their Best Car To Buy, and for the 2024 challenge, they took roughly 25 new or updated luxury and performance cars, trucks, and SUVs, and chose just 5 of the bunch to be named the site’s best of the best. The official winner will be announced on January 3, 2024. One of the five finalists they chose was the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Why The Dark Horse When talking about why they chose the Dark Horse as one of their finalists, Motor Authority said, “The Ford Mustang will be the last pony car standing at the end of this year, and the S650 generation brings with it a monster, the Dark Horse. With 500 hp from a naturally aspirated V-8, dual throttle bodies, and an available handling package with sticky Pirelli Trofeo RS tires, the Mustang has morphed into a thoroughbred sports car.” The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is seemingly a performance bargain, especially when fitted with the ultra-wow Pirelli Trofeo RS tires that are normally reserved for extreme super and hyper cars that cost in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. However, the Mustang, at roughly $60,000, wears them so that drivers can get the maximum amount of performance out of the Mustang as possible. Engine And Brakes As mentioned, the Dark Horse Mustang features a Coyote 5.0-liter V8 that muscles out 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque, aided by a dual throttle body intake and connecting rods courtesy of the Shelby GT500. Either a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission can be had to put that power to the rear wheels. From their years of racing, Ford has given the Dark Horse larger rear sway bars, MagneRide adaptive dampers, and Brembo 6-piston brakes both front and rear to haul the vehicle down from high speeds. The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse is available for purchase or a custom order now. At Benna Ford, we offer our customers some of the best prices and services. With more than 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

Available on the F-150 Lariat and Tremor and standard on King Ranch and Platinum, Ford’s Pro Access Tailgate is the latest in tailgate design. A visit to Benna Ford will quickly demonstrate how its side-swinging door within the traditional tailgate promises to solve some problems that have long plagued traditional tailgate design. It is also the latest in Ford’s long tradition of tailgate innovation. The Basics Were Set in 1927 The basic form of the tailgate has changed little since the 1927 Model A Wagon and truck. It was the width of the cargo area, bottom hinged with supports on either side that held it to a horizontal position when lowered. Initially, those supports were simply chains. They hung in a loop when the tailgate was up and bounced against the inner walls. In 1964, Ford replaced the chains with hinged metal bars that folded within the tailgate sides and stayed quietly in place. How the Tailgate Both Provides and Hinders Access One issue with the standard tailgate design is that an open tailgate keeps one away from the load in the bed, making it more challenging to position items in the bed, make adjustments, and reach for things to unload. In 1980, Ford combatted this with the easily removable tailgate. Though a bit cumbersome, the removed tailgate did allow a person much easier access to loading and unloading the bed. Interestingly, Ford developed a precursor to the Pro Access in 1966 on its full-size station wagons with a feature called the Magic Doorgate. An available feature at the time was seats on each side of the cargo area, each of which could fit one adult or two children. To prevent those passengers from having to crawl over the tailgate to get in and out, Ford created the Magic Doorgate, in which the full tailgate opened to the side and down. As this was for passenger accommodation, Ford did not extend this feature to its pickup trucks. The 2000s Provided an Explosion of Tailgate Ideas In the mid-2000s, Ford showed they paid considerable attention to the tailgate. In another move to improve access to the truck bed in 2006, Ford created a step extension for the King Ranch model. This would drop down at a height approximately halfway between the lowered bed and the ground and out a bit to help you step into the cargo bed. The following year, they showed a Pickup concept in which the entire tailgate would power downward horizontally to both act as a step and give the operator access to the bed while standing on the gate. It never went into production. In 2008, however, Ford addressed the issue of using the tailgate as an extension of the bed but subsequently leaving the rear open. Available on Super Duty trucks, the Bed Extender was a three-sided cage that could rotate out to create an enclosure on top of the extended gate for long loads. When not needed, the extender would rotate inside to divide the cargo bed or collapse out of the way.  In 2021, Ford used the bedliner composite molding on the tailgate to create an on-site workbench with a built-in yardstick, grooves for pencil holders, and other clever shapes to assist working. Ford’s Pro Access is the Best Tailgate Innovation Yet Ford’s latest and most comprehensive innovation is the Pro Access tailgate.  Here, the middle 60% of the tailgate, or 37 inches, is hinged on the passenger side to swing out of the way to give you access to the cargo bed. The swing-out gate has check-stops at 37, 70, and 100 degrees. The first check stop addresses a long-term issue with traditional tailgates when towing, in which a trailer jack hampers the ability to lower the tailgate. The 37-degree check is designed to stop just short of the trailer jack to give the operator bed access. When there is no trailer, the 70-degree stop provides easier access while still remaining within easy reach to close.  Opening it 100 degrees gets it completely out of the way for unloading. A wider kick step on the bumper under the license plate provides a convenient step for entering the cargo bed area. That the Pro Access hardware adds 62 pounds to the tailgate weight is not an issue because every Pro Access tailgate comes standard with power raising and lowering. By contrast, GM’s Multi-flex tailgate does not address the trailer jack issue, and Ram’s 60/40 side swinging tailgate adds 75 pounds and has no power function. The Pro Access tailgate is both the latest in Ford’s long history of tailgate innovation and just an example of the clever, user-based thinking that Ford puts into all of its trucks. Take a look at the best and best-selling trucks in the U.S. at Benna Ford.

Bidirectional charging is the ability to draw current from your household and when needed, reverse the process and send electricity back into the home. The F-150 Lightning has always had this ability, and Ford has explained it as a potential power source in the event of a grid power outage. Ford is considering harnessing this ability to lower a household’s electricity bill. Benna Ford explains how this is possible. This past December, Ford announced they will partner with a company called Resideo Technologies. This partnership is meant to explore an energy management system that pairs the electric pickup truck's battery with a Resideo smart thermostat used to control a home's heating and cooling system, which is usually a home’s most energy-intensive system. Taking Advantage of Tiered Energy Plans The system would benefit locations with an electricity supplier with a tiered energy cost program in which the company charges more per kilowatt for peak usage periods. The peak period can often be in the late afternoon to early evening when both work and home locations draw power for climate control systems. For instance, the electricity supplier may charge more per kilowatt from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm than the rest of the day. The idea is that if an F-150 Lightning is home for the day during all or part of this time, it can supply electricity for the climate system during the peak period and draw from it during non-peak hours. Homes with solar can further benefit from vehicle charging while the electricity is essentially free and then having the vehicle supply power during the peak period after sundown. The value of this ability would depend greatly on the habits of individual households and the timing of their use of their EV and climate control system. If used on a widespread basis, such a system could even reduce strain on the grid during these peak periods, theoretically to the point where there are no longer peak usage periods. Year-Long International Feasibility Study Ford will explore the potential for this capability through the 2024 calendar year. Part of the program involves collaborating with Volkswagen to test the system on an entire housing estate in Sweden. Volkswagen presently sells no bidirectional capable models in the United States. If the program yields positive results, and Ford thinks the results can apply to the United States, they will likely expand bidirectional charging to the Mustang Mach-E and future EVs. When the time comes, Benna Ford will be sure to have information on how you could benefit from the idea. In the meantime, the F-150 Lightning, Kelley Blue Book’s winner for Electric Truck Best Buy, and fully bidirectional charging capability are available at Benna Ford right now. See how the EV pickup truck could fit into and benefit your life.

The transition to the new year is a popular time for automotive awards. On January 4th, esteemed automotive publisher and website, Kelly Blue Book ( KBB), weighed in with their prestigious annual Best Buy Awards. KBB divides the industry offering into 14 categories, and the good news for Benna Ford is that Ford models won four of them. That is more wins than any other manufacturer. Ford’s strength in the truck market was evident as three winners were pickup trucks, and one was a truck-based, full-size SUV. How KBB Determines Their Winners Best Buy candidates comprise all-new, redesigned, and otherwise significantly changed vehicles. Throughout the year, KBB thoroughly tests each candidate. “ We’re looking for overall appeal, of course, with important factors like comfort, convenience, technology, and driving refinement factoring into our final judgment.” The most trusted resource in used vehicle values, KBB combines these findings with their proprietary resale and 5-year Cost-to-Own data estimates. KBB further describes its testing program: “The previous year’s category winner is tested side by side against the crop of the latest challengers. We evaluate seating comfort, ease of entry and exit, luggage space, amenities, and infotainment systems. In addition, we look closely at build quality, cabin materials, pricing against the competition, and expected resale value and operating costs. We also get behind the wheel and test drive the vehicles over a series of loops involving everyday traffic and road conditions to experience the cars as an owner would. A manufacturer’s reputation for quality, reliability, durability, and various warranties, including bumper-to-bumper and powertrain, also factor into our decision.” After their extensive evaluation and testing program, KBB awards one new best model and 13 “Best in Class” segment winners. Here are the four Ford category winners and what KBB had to say about them: Best Full-Size SUV 2024 Ford Expedition - The 2024 Ford Expedition combines incredible capability with refinement, comfort, and useful tech. Highlights: Up to 440 horsepower, 510 lb-ft of torque 9,300-pound towing capacity Intuitive infotainment and towing tech Excellent safety suite comes standard Roomy and comfortable in every row Pricing starts at $55,525 (plus $1,895 destination) Best Compact Truck 2024 Ford Maverick - The 2024 Ford Maverick is everything you want in a compact pickup truck. It can carry 1,500 pounds of payload, tow up to 4,000 pounds, is fuel-efficient, and is easy to maneuver and park around town. Highlights: Optional hybrid powertrain with exceptional fuel economy Swift acceleration from the turbocharged engine Tremor package allows for off-road fun 4,000-pound max towing/1,500-pound max payload Priced from $23,400 (plus $1,595 destination) Best Full-size Truck 2024 Ford F-150 - Whether you need a basic work truck, a luxurious people mover, a capable off-roader, or something in between, there’s a Ford F-150 for the job. The 2024 Ford F-150 is loaded with technology that helps when towing or off-roading, too. Highlights: Best-in-class payload and towing Available BlueCruise hands-free driving Outstanding luxury and off-road trims Priced from $36,570 (plus $1,995 destination) Best Electric Truck 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning - The Ford F-150 Lightning, the all-electric version of the Ford F-Series, is a great buy for its reasonable pricing, impressive range, and advanced tech features. Highlights: Up to 320 miles of range Quick acceleration Advanced tech features Pricing starts at $49,995 (plus $1,995 destination) You always knew that Ford builds quality trucks. We did, too! But it is always nice to have third-party validation from the experts. Come to Benna Ford and look at what Kelly Blue Book considers the best buys in the truck market.

Ford has a long history racing the Baja 1000. The legacy dates all the way back to 1968, when the first Ford Bronco entered and won with Hall of Fame off-roader and pioneer Larry Minor and Jack Bayer. Larry Minor with Rod Hall would win again in a Bronco in 1969. Rod Hall owns the Guinness World Record for the most class wins in Baja history with 25. Rod would win his final race in 2017 at the age of 79. Then, another legendary racing driver, Parnelli Jones, of both off-road and road course racing fame, won in ‘71 and ‘72 with Bill Stroppe in a Ford Bronco. Robby Gordon would later win with a prepped Ford F-150 in 1989. Overall Victories The manufacturer has 23 overall victories at the famed off-roading event, and was absolutely dominant in various classes in the 1990s with their Rough Riders program. Legend In The Making In 2008, Ford took an F-150 and took third place in class 8 racing at the Baja 1000, and it was later revealed during its official launch that it was basically a stock Ford F-150 Raptor that went racing without people knowing. Ever since that ‘08 race, the company has taken great pride in bringing their engines, chassis, brakes, and suspension developments for their trucks and SUVs to the Baja 1000 for the ultimate torture testing. Success Year After Year This year, 2023, was no different. The Ford Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor R both won their stock classes at this year’s event. The Bronco Raptor won the same event that the Ranger Raptor won last year, the stock mid-size class. “Ford is a family company with not only a goal to win, but to also further develop our street Raptors for customers around the world to enjoy,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “The Baja 1000 not only served as a testament to all the hard work from people on the ground and those in Dearborn, Mich., but this event also emphasizes our continued global commitment to the sport and making better products for our customers.” Drivers & Final Times Driving the brand new Bronco Raptor was Brad Lovell, a 2022 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, and he would take the checkered flag after a grueling 1,200 miles in just 40:37:47.820. The F-150 Raptor R was driven by Loren Healy, an off-road racing champion in both the Baja 1000 and multiple other off-road racing series. He would cross the line in only 41:44:45.634. Engines The Bronco Raptor is powered by a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. The F-150 Raptor R has a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that puts out 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles use a 10-speed automatic transmission. “Winning the Baja 1000 in the Raptor R will go down as one of my favorite victories in my racing career,” Loren Healy, Raptor R navigator, said. “The amount of work that went into the race efforts for both the truck and the Bronco Raptor are absolutely mind blowing. Somewhere around 100 people came together as a family and made magic, getting both these stock production vehicles to win their classes in the second longest Baja 1000 ever. It truly is an honor to be a small part of this epic, history-making team.” Leaving Satisfied Both drivers expressed overwhelming satisfaction and joy with not only the final result of the race, but also with the whole Ford Performance team. Both vehicles were basically stock, save for obvious safety changes. The engine, transmission, and driveline were all the same stock parts you would get in a Raptor product sold at Benna Ford or any other Ford dealer. At Benna Ford, we offer our customers some of the best prices and services. With more than 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

Since 2021, Ford has offered customers that purchased a new Bronco, Bronco Raptor, or a Bronco Sport a free off-roading school pass, and the owners are allowed to bring a guest with them. As of February of this year, over 31,000 Bronco owners and guests have attended the Bronco Off-Roadeo at the four locations in Texas, Nevada, Utah, and New Hampshire. Now Open To All Now, for the first time, non-owners will be able to pay $795 per vehicle to get a 4-hour pass for themselves and up to three guests to learn how to drive a Bronco off-road properly by professional drivers. Owners get a free 10-hour program. All participants need to cover their own hotel and travel fees. More Fords Sold Ford found that 8.3% of all guests that went with owners to the Off-Roadeo between June and September of 2022 ended up buying a Bronco, or other Ford vehicles once returning from the event. It makes sense for them to allow everyone to have access to see what a Bronco, Bronco Raptor, or Bronco Sport can do when faced with off-road challenges before they buy one. What You Will Learn Ford says that anyone who attends one of the four Off-Roadeo schools can expect to experience challenging terrain, including off-road trails, and get one-on-one coaching from professional off-road driving instructors. Owners and non-owners will learn about the technology and features that enable the Bronco to be so natural in off-road situations, like the Trail Control, Terrain Management System, and G.O.A.T. driving modes, along with drivers learning basic off-road driving skills. Rich Tradition For Racing Schools Ford has a rich tradition of allowing buyers of their vehicles to experience free performance schools to learn to drive expertly. Buyers of the Shelby GT350 and GT500 Mustangs were able to go to Ford Performance schools for Track Attack events at Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele, Utah, and Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. There were also schools in Utah and Asheville, NC for buyers of the Ford Focus ST and RS. Current Driving Schools Currently, Ford has the Raptor Assault Experience for F-150 Raptor customers, the ST SUV Experience for Edge ST and Explorer ST owners, as well as the Dark Horse Track Attack for the new 2024 Mustang Dark Horse. At Benna Ford, we offer our customers some of the best prices and services. With more than 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

Early in 2023, Ford entered into a partnership with actress Sydney Sweeney for a line of women’s workwear. The line launched in March and the most popular items sold out in a matter of days. Ford has announced that it is extending and expanding its clothing line collaboration with Sweeney. Grew up with Mechanics Sweeney is best known for her starring role in HBO’s Emmy-winning teen drama “Euphoria” as well as the first season of “White Lotus”. She grew up in Spokane, Washington, with a family of mechanics, so cars and car culture have been a large part of her life. She contributes to that culture herself by use of her TikTok channel, where she has documented restoring her 1969 Ford Bronco. She has used both that channel and Ford’s Instagram account to display her off-roading with the Bronco in Moab, Utah. Another Ford owned by Sweeney, her beloved Brittany Blue 1965 Mustang, inspired the new line. The line is also intended to be part of a wider campaign to encourage more women to become involved with the automotive industry. For nearly 60 years, Mustang has represented freedom and self-expression. Collaborating with Sydney and her love for her 1965 Mustang celebrates what that can look like. For Sydney, it meant embracing a new hobby to restore the vehicle of her dreams, and designing a clothing line that makes women feel comfortable and empowered to do the same,” says Erica Martin, Ford marketing communications manager. Designed by Ford and Sweeney, Made by Dickies The expanded line will be produced by the well-known maker of work clothes, Dickies. The new line will include denim coveralls, a racing jacket, a corduroy hat, a T-shirt, and a keychain. Ford will display the line with an online lookbook with the products modeled by celebrity female automotive restoration enthusiasts with an online presence, such as Adi Law, Gelica Peralta, Sandy Rancatore, Isabella Rosa, and automotive expert and analyst Lauren Fix. The lookbook will also provide step-by-step instructions for basic vehicle maintenance, changing a car battery, and checking tire pressure, brake fluid, and oil. “I love working in the garage and was so excited to partner with Ford on a clothing line that’s comfortable in and out of the shop,” said Sweeney. “I was so thrilled that Ford wanted to use auto enthusiasts to model the clothing and create content that teaches people how to do basic maintenance tasks on their vehicles. Being able to take my car into my own hands has been so empowering for me – and I hope this can inspire others who may have never considered working on their vehicle themselves to give it a try.” The clothing line can be found and purchased at merchandise.ford.com. Of course, Ford vehicles can be found here at Benna Ford. Contact us today and get behind the wheel of a new Ford!