Ford Announced the Ford Power Promise for EV Customers

Managing a fleet of vehicles is a complex affair. Ford knows that and has developed Ford Pro Fleet Management Software to simplify and bring order to the process. To illustrate what this software can do, Benna Ford offers this case study about an organization known as HomeTown Services. Creating one Company out of 26 The company was formed as a cohort of 26 separate residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical service providers in the South-central United States. The entire nature of the business involves sending technicians in commercial vehicles to locations, and overall, HomeTown Services operates over 1500 vehicles, including Ford Transit® vans, E -350 box trucks, and F-250® Super Duty® trucks. Managing a fleet of this size across multiple states would challenge any business, but how HomeTown was formed from many separate businesses brought additional complexities. “Our oldest brand was founded in 1961,” said Del Underwood, Vice President of Purchasing and Fleet. “Even the youngest is at least ten years old.” When they were independently operated, each business had its own fleet management process, and much of it was done manually. “Fleet management was happening largely without software support,” Underwood said. Recognizing the need to organize these disparate, often paper-based systems, HomeTown Services turned to Ford Pro™ to guide them through software adoption and implementation. Streamlining Vehicle Purchases It is a growing business that can purchase up to 250 vehicles annually.  They already know what they need, so the most important factor is making the process quick and straightforward. Brian Harbison, Ford Pro™ FinSimple™ Commercial Business Development Manager, was called upon to set up a Commercial Line of Credit (CLOC) so that vehicles could be easily added by applying the total amount financed for each vehicle to an existing balance. Underwood and his team work closely with Harbison to ensure a sufficient balance to match their fleet growth projections. Managing Different Forms of Maintenance Maintaining such a fleet is a huge task, but the Ford Pro™ Fleet Management Software helps Underwood and his department stay on top. “Some branches have in-house mechanics, some use car dealers, and others use mechanic shops,” Underwood said. The software allows him to accommodate these different maintenance and repair processes, which allows each brand to maintain its individuality while ensuring HomeTown has an overall view of the fleet’s status. “In our industry, downtime is a killer,” Underwood said. “We look at a vehicle and technician as a ‘unit.’ Whenever a service unit is down, it costs us up to $12,000 per day, while the revenue losses from a down installation unit can be as high as $22,000 per day.” Knowing When to Say Goodbye The Ford Pro™ Fleet Management Software also provides advice as to when a vehicle may need to be replaced. “It might sound counterintuitive, but you don’t want to drive a vehicle until the wheels fall off,” Underwood said. “At some point, its total cost of ownership will start to rise to a point where it makes more financial sense to bring in a new vehicle.” Any fleet manager can recognize all these issues. Hopefully, this introduction has given a hint of how the Ford Pro™ Fleet Management Software can help them from purchase through the entire lifecycle of every fleet vehicle. Contact Benna Ford to see how the Ford Pro™ Fleet Management Software can help you with your fleet.

Ford’s BlueCruise goes beyond adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technologies to provide genuine hands-free driving on our nation’s major highways. The system is available on several Ford and Lincoln models and can be used on 130,000 divided highways across North America. Ford has now improved the system with BlueCruise 1.4, which provides a more natural driving experience and lets you be hands-free longer. In addition, the system will now cost less for monthly or yearly subscribers or can be purchased as a one-time purchase. Benna Ford gives you the details. BlueCruise 1.4 provides Ford’s best hands-free driving experience with a more natural and intuitive drive than before. The three primary functional improvements include: Enhancements that automatically and smoothly adjust the vehicle’s speed in curves, helping the driver stay engaged in hands-free mode longer and experience a more continuous drive. Greater in-lane stability is unlocked by an all-new motion controller, which controls the vehicle’s steering, helping reduce the ‘side-to-side’ movement within the lane. When driving in diverse conditions due to inclement weather, such as rain or direct sun, hands-free engagement can remain in place longer than in prior versions. Ford points out that in previous versions of the system, approaching a sharp curve would alert the driver that the system would disengage and the driver should regain control. By contrast, BlueCruise 1.4 will slow the vehicle’s speed prior to and through the curve while remaining in hands-free mode. BlueCruise 1.4 also builds on previous versions of BlueCruise, such as Lane Change Assist, which allows you to change lanes hands-free at the tap of a turn signal. Another recent improvement is In-Lane Repositioning, which helps adjust the vehicle positioning within the lane to provide more space for vehicles in adjacent lanes, just as you probably subconsciously do yourself. Other 1.4 improvements include staying engaged during inclement weather or when the sun is reflected on the vehicle’s sensors. The system also continually improves itself. As of September 2024, 492,000 BlueCruise-equipped vehicles were on the road globally, accounting for more than 244 million hands-free highway miles driven. The more customers use BlueCruise, the more the system learns, enabling improved over-the-air updates. In addition to making BlueCruise better, Ford is also making it more affordable. All models with Blue Cruise compatibility provide the system for a 90-day trial. After the trial, you have the option of: One-Time Purchase: $2,495.00 1-year Option $495.00 Monthly $49.99 All of these prices represent a significant cost reduction. The one-time purchase has not been previously offered. A former 1-year option was limited in availability and cost $800. The previous monthly cost was $75. The monthly subscription is particularly useful for those who occasionally drive long distances. Such a customer could activate the service for one month for a road trip and not activate it again for another year. They could also choose to activate it only during the holiday travel season. BlueCruise is currently available on five Ford vehicle lines: F-150 F-150 Lightning Expedition Explorer Mustang Mach-E The 1.4 system will be available on the 2025 Ford F-150, and more vehicles will follow. If you like the idea of being more energized after a long trip, ask one of the Benna Ford sales professionals to show you how BlueCruise can work for you and which models offer it.

When the Ford Maverick was introduced, everyone celebrated its status as a small pickup truck done right. The design was made to be used as a pickup truck. The bed design was perfect. The size was great for smaller tasks. There was plenty of space inside for people in the cab. It featured a standard hybrid engine that returned up to 40 MPG. The response to the Maverick was unbelievable. People were knocking on our door, asking for one. There was so much demand that Ford tried its best to keep up. Something was missing. Because we live in a climate that needs all the traction to get through our tough winters, drivers needed a Maverick with an efficient hybrid engine and all-wheel drive. Ford is finally giving us what we really want – a Maverick Hybrid with all-wheel drive. It is one of the many things we will get in the 2025 Maverick. Yet, this specific item is important because you can get both engines with all-wheel drive. The hybrid will still be as efficient as it is in the front-drive model. Ford is estimating a target of 40 MPG in the city. Another advantage of the 2025 Maverick Hybrid AWD is increased towing. You can now upgrade to the 4K Tow Package for a maximum rating of 4,000 pounds. That means your Maverick Hybrid can now pull small campers, watercraft, and utility trailers. While we are talking about towing, the 2025 Maverick is now available with Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. Coupled with Pro Trailer Backup Assist, the job of towing has been made easier in the 2025 Maverick. Both features will be available in 2025 on Lariat and Tremor models. While the Hybrid AWD driveline is big news, the 2025 Maverick is getting a facelift and more technology than before. The interior will receive an available 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen above the center stack. It will now run Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, which will also enable wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new screen also houses the new 360-Degree camera, giving you a full view of your surroundings – even when you’re trying to correct your parking. Out back, you can organize your load using the FlexBed system. You can properly place 2x4 boards, and sheets of plywood, divide plants and pavers with pre-set markings and dividers inside the bed. The multi-position tailgate is an added assist when keeping boards and trail bikes in place. If you need to plug in a small tool, a 110-120-volt outlet is available inside the bed. Safety and driver assistance will get a huge upgrade through the Ford Co-Pilot360 technology suite. For 2025, every Maverick is equipped with standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane-Keeping Aid, a Rear View Camera, and Auto LED High-Beam Headlamps. In addition, Lariat and Tremor will be equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering, and Predictive Speed Assist. One more thing, the popularity of the Tremor package has been good to the Maverick. So good, that it will become its own trim level on the 2025 Maverick. A great compliment with its revised style outside, including new LED lights and a cleaner grille design. Sounds like the 2025 Maverick just got better. All in bringing customers who want a truck to tool around town and beyond into Northern Minnesota to do everything you always wanted to do in a Maverick. Contact us at Benna Ford is let us know if the 2025 Maverick is the right pickup truck for you.