Randall Reed’s Planet Ford is excited about the 2023 F-150 Heritage Edition introduced to celebrate 75 years of F-Series trucks. It is a modern take on the timeless 1970s and ’80s two-tone exterior paint offerings featuring the classic style combined with the outstanding durability, capability and technology today’s F-150 customers love.
Available on XLT series F-150 trucks, the design represents a fresh interpretation of the classic A-B-A exterior paint pattern, with an A color encompassing roof and pillars, a B color for the midsection, then A repeating on bumpers, lower door and lower body.
Interior offerings in slate gray and black complement the expressive exteriors. Distinct seat trim covers featuring unique inserts, plus embossing on the console lid further enhance the uniqueness of the Heritage design. A white “75 Years” logo appears in the upper center windshield and is included in the center screen startup animation and on the center console.
Five color options are available:
Race Red midsection, with upper and lower Carbonized Gray
Atlas Blue midsection, with upper and lower Agate Black
Antimatter Blue midsection, with upper and lower Carbonized Gray
Avalanche midsection, with upper and lower Agate Black
Area 51 midsection, with upper and lower Agate Black
Pricing will be available when order banks for the 2023 F-150 Heritage Edition open mid-July, with production starting this fall.
To celebrate 75 years of F-Series trucks, Ford introduces the 2023 F-150 Heritage Edition – a modern take on the timeless 1970s and ’80s two-tone exterior paint offerings featuring the classic style combined with the outstanding durability, capability and technology today’s F-150 customers love.
Available on XLT series F-150 trucks, the design represents a fresh interpretation of the classic A-B-A exterior paint pattern, with an A color encompassing roof and pillars, a B color for the midsection, then A repeating on bumpers, lower door and lower body.
Interior offerings in slate gray and black complement the expressive exteriors. Distinct seat trim covers featuring unique inserts, plus embossing on the console lid further enhance the uniqueness of the Heritage design. A white “75 Years” logo appears in the upper center windshield and is included in the center screen startup animation and on the center console.
Five color options are available:
Race Red midsection, with upper and lower Carbonized Gray
Atlas Blue midsection, with upper and lower Agate Black
Antimatter Blue midsection, with upper and lower Carbonized Gray
Avalanche midsection, with upper and lower Agate Black
Area 51 midsection, with upper and lower Agate Black
Pricing will be available when order banks for the 2023 F-150 Heritage Edition open mid-July, with production starting this fall.
Looking for another great reason to buy a Ford electric (EV) or Hybrid card, truck or SUV? According to Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance (txetra.org/incentives), the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP) offers a $2500 Rebate for the purchase or lease of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
The site states: These apply retroactively for vehicles purchased or leased on or after September 1, 2021
There are 2,000 rebates available and they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted until the rebates are depleted – or January 7, 2023, whichever occurs first.
Eligible vehicles are listed here. (Automakers without dealerships in Texas are currently excluded from the program.)
Instructions on how to apply and the forms you will need arehere. Per the alliance:
Form 2 has to be signed by a representative of the dealership, from which you acquired the vehicle. Get this done when you purchase/lease the vehicle!!! (If you are working with a dealer I have trained, they should have copies of the forms waiting for you.)
You will have to provide a copy of the vehicle title, if you are applying retroactively. If you are in the process of buying/leasing the vehicle, the dealership should provide you with a copy of the Application for Texas Title and Registration.
There are other documents you will need to provide, but those are normally given to you at time of purchase (like the financing contract). If you paid cash, you’ll need a copy of the check. Make sure you include everything required by using the checklist in the form set.
Additional Energizing Information You Can Use:
The Feds Offer a $7500 EV Tax Credit for qualified EV and Hybrid vehicles. Find out more below:
Austin Energy offers a EV360 Pilot Program for EV charging with reduced off-peak rates from 7 p.m.-2 p.m. on weekdays, and anytime on weekends. The lowest rates offered are $30/month. There is a one-time enrollment fee of $150.
Some utilities offer incentives for EV Owners. – Call and inquire. For instance,: Austin Energy offers PEV owners arebate of 50% of the cost to purchase and install a Level 2 charging station, up to $1,500. Multi-family properties are also eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of the cost to install an approved Level 2 charging station.
Insurance Impact?
Some Texas insurance companies may offer discounts on EVs. Make sure to ask your agent if your vehicle is elegible under your plan!
*Rebate offered via TCEQ. See txetra.org for rebate application, incentive, tax credit details. Contact your tax professional re: tax-incentive related information. Ends 1/7/23.
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, Texas is excited to share the launch of the all-new, electric F-150 Lightning pickup – a milestone moment in America’s shift to electric vehicles.
F-150 Lightning trucks are now being built for customers across America. F-150 Lightning is the fastest-accelerating F-150 yet and the only full-size electric pickup available now with a starting price less than $40,000.
Built at the ultra-modern Rouge Electric Vehicle Center within Ford’s historic Rouge Complex, F-150 Lightning is the only electric vehicle that is Built Ford Tough. Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck for 45 years in a row[1] and is second only to the iPhone in revenue among all American consumer products, according to a 2020 study.
“Today we celebrate the Model T moment for the 21st Century at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center,” said Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford. “The Rouge is where Ford perfected the moving assembly line, making it a fitting backdrop as we make history again. The stunning anticipation for F-150 Lightning is a credit to the work of our Ford engineers and designers, and the UAW team members who are building these trucks with pride.”
Ford has unprecedented demand for F-150 Lightning with 200,000 reservations and is expanding the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center to ramp up production to a planned annual run rate of 150,000 in 2023. The company has invested a total of $950 million and created 750 jobs at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Ford’s investment in Michigan for F-150 Lightning alone now totals more than $1 billion, with 1,700 recently created jobs spread among five Ford plants in the state, including Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center, where Lightning electric motors and electric transaxles are assembled, and Rawsonville Components Plant, where Lightning batteries are assembled.
“America’s real transition to electric vehicles starts now,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “F-150 Lightning is just the beginning of our ambitions for growth and leadership in digital, electric vehicles. We continue to expand our EV manufacturing footprint across the U.S., including the start of site preparation at BlueOval City, which will enable us to meet the ever-increasing customer demand for our exciting EV line-up.”
Ford is on track to deliver more than 2 million electric vehicles annually by 2026, equal to about one-third of the company’s global volume, on the way to 50% by 2030.
With acceleration from zero to 60 mph in the mid-4 second range with the extended-range battery, the freedom of a 10-kilowatt smart power plant on wheels, a starting price less than $40,000 before available tax credits and software updates that will make it even better over time, F-150 Lightning is attracting new customers to Ford. A full three-quarters of reservation holders do not currently own or lease a Ford vehicle. F-150 Lightning is also converting many of them to first-time truck or electric vehicle buyers.
Harnessing a century of manufacturing mastery for an electric pickup Ford announced its intention to build the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center at its historic Rouge complex 19 months ago, in September 2020, and has since created an ultra-modern site leveraging more than 118 years of expertise in manufacturing at scale.
Ford remains the top automaker in America in terms of U.S. production, sales of U.S.-made vehicles and employment of hourly autoworkers.[2]
“For UAW Ford members, the launch of the Lightning F-150 is an example that when electric vehicle expansion is done right, it can create good paying union jobs and opportunities,” said UAW President Ray Curry. “Today’s launch demonstrates that we can create a win-win for UAW families and communities as we build EV products for decades to come.”
The manufacturing technology in the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center is just as innovative as the F-150 Lightning. It is the first Ford plant without traditional in-floor conveyor lines and instead uses robotic Autonomous Guided Vehicles to move F-150 Lightning trucks from workstation to station in the plant.
These Autonomous Guided Vehicles create more flexibility in the plant for additional production output, quality checks and product customizations, among other benefits. And changes can be made quickly without the constraints of a typical line that requires the installation of floor chains, moving mats, conveyors and overhead cranes. The plant also uses cobots, or collaborative robots, that work side-by-side with people without any safety cages needed. These cobots help with tasks that would be ergonomically challenging for employees, while also keeping employees safe.
“Today UAW members begin a new generation of building the iconic F-150, crafting a game-changing electric vehicle backed by our UAW craftsmanship and quality assembly,” said Chuck Browning, UAW vice president, director, Ford Department. “Our members are proud of building Ford Tough and are excited to build this new Lightning EV with the same UAW care and legendary performance Ford customers have grown to expect.”
The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center is a zero-waste-to-landfill site, meaning none of the material generated as a by-product of the manufacturing process will go to landfills. The plant was built on the former Dearborn Assembly Plant site, using materials from the prior plant in the foundation.
Ford is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and to using 100% local, renewable electricity in all of its manufacturing operations by 2035.
The smartest, most innovative F-150 that Ford has ever built America’s favorite vehicle for 36 years straight is revolutionizing what it means to go electric.
For the first time, a full-size pickup provides cavernous lockable storage to store 400 liters of cargo out of sight. This Mega Power Frunk doubles as a cooler – washable and drainable – with lighting to see in the dark. It also has 2.4 kW of exportable power. Combined with the power available from the 5.5-foot bed and cab, it brings the truck’s Pro Power Onboard total to up to 9.6 kW from 11 power points.
At home, F-150 Lightning, together with a home integration system, can power a house during an outage for three days[3] and in time will be able to offer power back to the grid. It can charge other electric vehicles so no one is left stranded.
“It’s not every day that you get to launch a truck that will change the way Americans feel about electric vehicles,” said Linda Zhang, F-150 Lightning chief program engineer. “The team has done a phenomenal job ensuring we are offering customers unique features only made possible by the electric power unit. But it’s the drive experience that will blow people’s minds. It is simply effortless.”
F-150 Lightning accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in the mid-4-second range with the extended-range battery, making it the fastest-accelerating F-150 yet. Its planted ride ensures a ride and handling experience not usually felt by a truck driver. It also has the most torque of any F-150 ever (at 775 lbs.-ft.) and because it’s almost instantaneous, offers effortless towing.
Ford offers F-150 Lightning owners an optional BlueCruise hands-free driving experience on more than 130,000 miles of prequalified divided highways across the U.S. and Canada. F-150 Lightning will stay up to date and constantly improve through over-the-air software updates, called Ford Power-Ups.
F-150 Lightning is a zero-emissions vehicle with as much as 320 EPA-estimated miles of range. Lightning customers have access to the BlueOval Charge Network, the largest public charging network in North America offered by automotive manufacturers.
Home charging is straightforward with installation partner Sunrun. Extended-range battery customers with an 80 amp Connected Charge Station Pro can get a full charge overnight on AC power with dual on-board chargers. Customers may also have the opportunity to install solar energy – enabling them to power both their home and charge their truck with clean, renewable energy.
F-150 Lightning Pro is the first electric F-Series truck purpose-built specifically for commercial customers. F-150 Lightning Pro is offered through Ford Pro, a one-stop shop for commercial and government customers with a range of conventional and electric vehicles and a full suite of software, charging, financing, services and support on Ford and non-Ford products. F-150 Lightning Pro is backed with turnkey solutions for commercial operations, and Ford predicts commercial customers’ cost savings will begin from day one.
To learn more about the electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning pickup, visit www.PlanetFord59.com.
[1] Based on 1977-2021 calendar year total sales
[2] Ford assembles more vehicles in the U.S. than any other manufacturer based on S&P Global Mobility CYE 2021 US Light Vehicle Production data. Ford is No. 1 among high-volume automakers in American-assembled percent of American sales based on Ford’s analysis of S&P Global Mobility CYE 2021 Light Vehicle Production data. High volume manufacturers produce 500,000 units or more in a calendar year. Ford employs about 56,000 hourly workers in the U.S., more than any other automaker, based on Center for Automotive Research data.
[3] When home is properly equipped and home transfer switch disconnects home from the grid. Based on 30 kWh use per day using the F-150 Lightning with the extended-range battery. Results may vary depending on energy usage.
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, Texas, and World Class Automotive Group are making history… again! For the 10th consecutive time, Planet Ford in Humble on Hwy. 59 has earned Ford’s highest honor, the Triple Crown, among a myriad of other accolades for 2021. In addition, Ford Motor Company announced that the Planet Ford dealership family has repeated a historic winning year — every Planet Ford location in Texas has earned the manufacturer’s top honor.
When it was first time announced in 2018, it was an unprecedented event for an independent Ford dealer to earn this award at every single location within the same year. After earning it four times over for 2017, the Reed family of dealerships earned quadruple triple crowns, again, for 2021.
According to Ford, only 36 dealerships nationwide won the Ford Triple Crown. Randall Reed’s family of Ford dealership won four in a single year out of approximately 3,000 Ford dealerships.
“When our amazing team first achieved this accomplishment, it was said to be a billion to one odds chance of it happening. Now, our Planet Ford locations have done it twice,” said Randall Reed, owner of World Class Automotive Group.
Ford’s Triple Crown recognizes the best of the best. To receive the highly sought-after Triple Crown, each dealership had to receive all of Ford’s top awards, which include the President’s Award for customer service; One Ford Elite for excellence in Sales, Service or Parts; and the Ford Customer Service Premier Club. All of the World Class Automotive dealerships, including Bill Fick Ford in Huntsville, Texas, have garnered the Ford President’s Award, year after year.
“For over 30 years, our family has proudly served our community always treating our customers like one of our own family members,” said Shelby Reed, President of World Class Automotive Group. “Our team not only works hard to meet our customers’ every auto need, they care that our customers are happy and totally satisfied.”
While this is the second time the dealerships have won the honor simultaneously, it’s the 10th consecutive Triple Crown for Planet Ford in Humble, the ninth honor for Planet Ford 635 in Garland, the sixth for Planet Ford in Spring, and the third for Planet Ford Dallas Love Field.
Sherry Reed, co-owner of World Class Automotive Group agrees, “We’re thankful that our customers trust us with their auto needs. Helping people and making them happy is what our dealerships are all about.”
For award-winning sales, service, parts, aftermarket or body shop/collision center repair, visit Planet Ford in Humble (serving greater Houston, Atascocita, Kingwood, Katy, Conroe and surrounding areas) on Hwy. 59 or online at PlanetFord59.com.
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, Texas has had a lot of questions about the new Ford F-150 Lightning — and even more about the frunk. First — a question for you. When does a cardboard box help transform a trunk into a frunk? When Ford gives cardboard a new lease on life after being recruited by Ford to help develop a new feature known as the Mega Power Frunk. The all-electric 2022 F-150 Lightning pickup’s new front trunk or, as it’s known in industry-speak “frunk” is the largest in the truck industry – with 400 liters (14.1 cubic feet) of cargo space and maximum payload capacity of 400 pounds.1
“The F-150 Lightning pickup’s Mega Power Frunk is one of those features that reshape what vehicles can provide for customers. Its sheer size, ample power supply, drainable floor and open and close system that opens with the touch of a button make it frunking awesome!” said Linda Zhang, F-150 Lightning Chief Program Engineer.
something that many don’t know is that this spacious and dynamic space began life as a simple cardboard box with a cutout front door and a liftable hood.
All About the Customer’s Needs
It began back in February 2018 with Team Edison – Ford’s dedicated battery electric vehicles incubator that incorporates close collaboration between different teams to find solutions to customer needs. A small group of young user experience designers set out to California, where they sat down with actual Ford truck and fleet customers to talk about how they might use such a feature. The prototype, made of cardboard for simplicity and cost and built-in about a day using scissors and hot glue, was brought to every meeting to help customers visualize the opportunity.
In the studio, Greg Ardisana, design strategy director, passenger vehicles, and other Team Edison research members worked as consultants alongside engineering and design whenever they had customer use questions, which led to a close-knit collaboration between groups.
“Since the frunk was a new space, all the truck customers we interacted with got really excited about what it could be and what use they could get out of it in their daily lives,” said Ardisana. “We needed to take what they wanted and find a way to deliver on it.”
Truck customers imagined fitting not one, but two golf bags, even when it wasn’t a golf day. The additional permanent storage keeps valuables out of sight, is lockable and secure. Fleet owners saw their crews using the space to haul bags of concrete and charge their electric tools at construction sites. Customers also wanted lights to see at night, electric outlets, a work surface, and optimized access height to make the space truly usable. All of these valuable insights were derived from a simple piece of cardboard.
An asymmetrical frunk for two golf bags
There were challenges. Due to cargo volume numbers provided by vehicle architecture engineers, the first was the size of the frunk. It had to fit two golf bags, but this meant sacrificing a symmetrical frunk design.
The team treated it like a cooler box that needed to be durable and easy to clean, and have a rubberized floor with anti-slide properties. Once the frunk fit the main shell, finding ways to add all of the features on the customer wish list was the next hurdle.
Lighting & power
Lighting began as typical trunk lighting. It was functional, but the “wow” factor was missing. So the team pivoted and installed truck bed lamps in the frunk hood. The lamps offered a lighting source on the inner side of the hood, which prevented cargo from blocking lights and did away with unwanted glare and shadowing of the load area.
Four electrical outlets and two USB chargers were added to provide versatility for work and play. 2.4 kilowatts of power are available for everything from TVs to laptops, speakers to crockpots, power tools and other devices.
Accessible, drainable and opening & closing with ease
Lastly, access to lift and remove objects from the frunk had to be waist-height, as customers did not want to have to reach over the truck’s bed rails for their equipment. The waterfall grille was integrated into the hood by the engineering and design teams who were able to create an accessibility height that is similar to the rear cargo area of a Ford Expedition. The Mega Power Frunk has a powered open and close system also with six different ways to open it, including from your phone on the FordPass app as well as through an integrated push button on the grille2.
Once the frunk is open, customers can fill it with ice and drinks to “frunkgate” it, since it’s water-resistant, cleanable and has a drainable floor.
Steve McInally, frunk feature supervisor, said the team explored every detail as an opportunity. “We put the customer first in every decision we made and were able to deliver on a Mega Power Frunk,” he said. “And it’s going to blow people’s minds.” The 2022 F-150 Lightning pickup will be available starting Spring 2022.
To learn more, contact Planet Ford in Humble on Hwy. 59 (serving Porter Kingwood, Atascocita, Conroe, Houston, Katy areas). Shop online at PlanetFord59.com.
1Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution.
2FordPass App, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, Texas (serving Kingwood, Atascocita, Conroe, Katy, Houston) hosted an amazing VIP event for our Bronco and Pre-Order VIPs! A new Ford Bronco is now at Planet Ford on Hwy. 59 and available for test drives. During the event, our award-winning team enjoyed meeting our clients, taking VIPs for test drives, and sharing cool custom gear.
Ford Motor Company had a special custom accessories trailer on-site with a vast array of parts and accessories that are available for both the Ford Bronco and the Bronco Sport. New Bronco owners also picked up custom Planet Ford Bronco custom t-shirts and a swag bag filled with an assortment of Ford, Bronco, and car-care gear.
We also had a special visit with the Houston Firefighters. Our local heroes had a chance to see the new Ford Bronco up close. No surprise, their favorite color is red!
About the Bronco Family
The Bronco family is built on a legacy that spans generations. At its core is a wild spirit that takes root in adventure and is raring to take you outdoors, off-road, and to places you’ve never gone before.
Bronco History
While the new Bronco makes for one thrilling adventure partner, this isn’t its first rodeo. In 1966, this new breed of off-road vehicle stampeded onto the scene and into wild hearts everywhere, setting the mold for the modern SUV. You can click to learn more about the Bronco History.
We thank all of our Bronco VIPs for choosing Planet Ford in Humble for your special order needs. If you’re looking for a new Ford Bronco or would like to order any other vehicle, visit PlanetFord59.com
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, Texas (serving Houston, Kingwood, Atascocita areas) is happy to share that once again Ford Credit ranked highest in the mass market segment of the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study.
“This is Ford Credit’s fifth top ranking since 2015,” said Craig Carrington, Ford Credit executive vice president of U.S., Canada and International. “We’re proud of this record, and we’re even prouder of the way our team continues to treat customers like family and do the right thing every day.”
Ford Credit led in overall satisfaction in the study. The American automaker had a score of 867 on J.D. Power’s 1,000-point scale; the score was 22 points above the segment average. Ford Credit also scored highest in account management and communication, and in billing and payment process.
Ford Credit ranks No. 11 among mass-market brands consumer financing study for 2021
Ford Credit scores highest in account management and communication, as well as billing and payment process
2021 is Ford Credit’s fifth year with the top-ranking since 20152
– Ford Motor Company
“The results show our efforts to improve our digital experiences, including adding flexibility for customers to manage their accounts and make payments, are delivering the ownership experience our customers want,” Carrington said.
Ford Credit also has made concentrated efforts to improve service consistently, even though the pandemic and semiconductor chip shortages that are affecting the auto industry and its customers.
“We are investing heavily in changes across our processes and technologies to deliver leading, differentiating customer experiences,” said Sylvia Veitia, Ford Credit executive vice president of Operations. “These investments also benefit our agents, making it easier for them to do their jobs and be of service to our customers.”
Over the past year, the company has continued to improve its digital services, launched programs to support customers affected by the pandemic and semiconductor chip shortage that reduced vehicle inventories, and established a product organization with a unit focused solely on the customer experience.
“Our teams never quit working to serve and be always on for our customers, including through life’s challenges,” Carrington said. “Our goal is to be a reason people choose and stay with Ford Motor Company, and that’s the lens for everything we do.”
When you’re looking for finance options for your new vehicle, Planet Ford can help. Visit us at PlanetFord59.com.
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX (serving Kingwood, Atascocita, Houston, Conroe, Katy) is excited to share that Ford is now adding even more personalization features and thrills for Mustang customers direct from the factory, Ford introduces an all-new appearance package and a performance-minded update for the 2022 model year.
Mustang — one of Planet Ford’s most popular cars and the world’s best-selling sports car* — will debut a first-ever Stealth Appearance Package available for the EcoBoost®Premium model, while Mustang GT California Special will offer for the first time ever a GT Performance Package option.
“Since 1965, Mustang has been synonymous with performance and play, and the 2022 model year continues that call with the new Stealth Edition and an updated Cali Special,” said Jim Owens, Mustang brand marketing manager. “Mustang owners have always loved personalizing their ride, and these new flavors of Mustang are ready to inspire and excite new enthusiasts.”
Orders for the 2022 Mustang, including Stealth Edition and California Special, open later this year. Vehicles are due in showrooms in the first quarter of 2022.
Stealth First — Special Edition joins Mustang lineup Adding even more style to the 310-turbocharged-horsepower Mustang EcoBoost Premium model, the available Stealth Edition Appearance Package stays true to its name, giving customers a more menacing-looking fastback with uniquely blacked-out appointments.
The Stealth Edition Appearance Package features 19-inch Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels, black pony badges, performance rear wing, black mirror caps and new clear LED taillamp covers, also shared with the new Mustang Ice White Appearance Package. Unique new interior appointments include a matte and gloss black instrument panel badge and lighted sill plate.
“The black accents really give the car a whole new persona, sinister and sporty all at once,” said Owens. “Naturally, the package needed the right name. Stealth Edition says it all.”
This new Stealth Edition will be available in Atlas Blue, Carbonized Gray, Dark Matter and Shadow Black.
California Special adds excitement with GT Performance Package option Since the first-generation Mustang, the California Special has represented a uniquely regionalized appearance package with special styling cues. The updated 2022 Mustang GT California Special embodies this tradition.
Based on the 2022 Mustang GT Premium fastback and convertible models, the latest California Special Appearance Package pays homage to the original version’s blacked-out grille, side racing stripes and rear fender scoop.
The heritage-inspired “GT/CS” side stripe trademark traces from the front fender to the signature rear fender scoop. A California Special badge in Ebony Black and Race Red script adorns the trunk lid, while the honeycomb grille with “GT/CS” badge provides a unique look. A larger front splitter from the GT Performance Package underscores the icon’s handling prowess.
A performance rear wing from the GT Performance Package is available for the fastback model, while spoiler delete is standard for the California Special convertible. The California Special wears unique five-spoke 19-inch painted machined wheels. Under the hood, this special edition features a signature strut tower brace with California Special badge atop its 5.0-liter V8 engine.
Interior appointments include rich black Miko® sueded-trimmed door inserts and sueded-trimmed seats with the embossed “GT/CS” logo and red contrast stitching, along with custom embroidered “GT/CS” floor mats. The instrument panel is finished in carbon hex aluminum with a signature California Special script badge on the passenger side.
As a California Special-first, the GT Performance Package is now available, enabling greater handling and driving dynamics for the most capable California Special ever.
The GT Performance Package adds an array of performance and handling features including Brembo six-piston front brake calipers, unique chassis tuning with heavy-duty front springs, larger tubular rear sway bar, overall lower ride height, K-brace, strut tower brace, front subframe V-brace, TORSEN® limited-slip differential, unique stability control and electric power steering tuning. Staggered 19×9-inch front and 19×9.5-inch rear wheels with Pirelli summer tires further the handling grip.
The California Special is available in Atlas Blue, Carbonized Gray, Cyber Orange, Dark Matter, Grabber Blue Metallic, Iconic Silver, Rapid Red, Shadow Black and Oxford White.
Ready for your own Ford Mustang, visit Planet Ford in Humble on Hwy. 59. You can also shop online anytime at PlanetFord59.com!
Planet Ford on Hwy. 59 in Humble, Texas has some exciting Ford news. The new Ford Bronco Sport and Mustang Mach-E earned top spots in their respective segments of the J.D. Power 2021 APEAL Study, and Ford also received recognition from the group for its young lineup and significant launches.
The J.D. Power’s 2021 APEAL study measures owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement across 37 attributes, ranging from the power they feel when they step on the accelerator to the sense of comfort and luxury they feel when climbing into the driver’s seat.
Drum roll…. Ford Bronco Sport took first place in the Small SUV category, while Mustang Mach-E was voted top Compact SUV. Both models beat their segment competition in nearly every category, from exterior to powertrain to driving comfort. The study also noted that most Ford models match or exceed their segment average.
“Ford very much believes in listening to its customers,” said Chris Brewer, executive director, quality, Ford Motor Company. “These vehicles were created to delight and impress them every time they get behind the wheel. We’re honored by this award. It tells us we’re delivering on their wants and needs.”
Ford also was recognized for having one of the youngest portfolios in the industry, with an average vehicle age of 1.5 years versus the mass market age of 3.1.
The study also showed the Ford brand improved by five index points, maintaining its historic lead over the mass market average. Judges noted the brand score was helped by the company’s emphasis on higher-performing vehicles like Super Duty, F-150 and Bronco Sport.
Ready for your own “APEALing” new Ford, visit PlanetFord59.com? For more information about J.D. Power’s APEAL survey for 2021, please click here.
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford on Hwy. 59 in Humble, Texas (serving Houston, Houston, Atascocita, Kingwood, Katy, Conroe) has some electrifying news! A year after Ford confirmed building the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, the first Ford F-150 Lightning pre-production unit is leaving the factory. Demand is already soaring, so Ford is increasing its investment and adding jobs to boost production.
Supercharging production, Ford is investing an additional $250 million and adding 450 more direct jobs across the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center and Rawsonville Components Plant. The investment and added jobs will help increase production capacity to 80,000 trucks a year.
“We knew the F-150 Lightning was special, but the interest from the public has surpassed our highest expectations and changed the conversation around electric vehicles. So we are doubling down, adding jobs and investment to increase production,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company. “This truck and the Ford-UAW workers who are assembling it in Michigan have a chance to make history and lead the electric vehicle movement in America.”
F-150 Lightning, with a starting MSRP of $40,000 and targeted EPA-estimated driving range of 300 miles with the extended range battery1, is aimed at the heart of the U.S. auto market. Ford has taken more than 150,000 reservations for the trucks to date.
“Electrifying the F-Series – America’s best-selling truck for 44 years – and assembling it at this high-tech facility in Michigan – represents a significant step toward mass adoption of electric vehicles in America,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of The Americas and International Markets Group. “F-150 Lightning is intended to be more than a no-compromise zero tailpipe-emissions truck. It’s packed with ingenious features and technology that will improve over time, it’s exhilarating to drive and it can power your home and worksite.”
The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center is part of an initial $700 million investment in the historic Ford Rouge Center, creating a manufacturing home for the F-150 Lightning. Now Ford’s pre-production F-150 Lightning trucks are leaving the factory for real-world testing, with the truck available to customers next spring.
Ford Motor Company’s $250 million additional investment will create 450 additional jobs, with most of those workers assembling the F-150 Lightning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Workers at Rawsonville Components Plant will assemble the batteries and Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center will increase its capacity to supply electric motors and electric transaxles for the F-150 Lightning.
This is the latest in Ford’s continuing investment in Michigan. Ford has invested $7.7 billion in the state and created and retained 7,000 Michigan jobs since 2016, including bringing the new Bronco SUV and Ranger pickup production to Michigan, refurbishing Michigan Central Station, developing a new Ford Research and Engineering Campus in Dearborn, creating Ford’s Ion Park in Romulus and more. Michigan has been the home of Ford since its founding in 1903 and these sites represent a growing network across southeast Michigan that will support the next generation of Ford’s battery electric, connected and autonomous vehicles.
“Today’s announcement is a great example of the right way to navigate the transition to tomorrow’s vehicles by ensuring good-paying jobs of the future – investing in building vehicles in the United States, with the hard-working men and women of the UAW,” said Laura Dickerson, UAW Region 1A Director. “Investments like this can pave the way to a future that protects our families, our communities and our middle class. Ford is doing this the right way with the F-150 Lightning – creating 450 additional UAW-represented jobs. Ford is investing in this all-electric F-150 Lightning, as well as hybrid and gas F-150 versions, as consumer demands shift. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Ford hosted government officials including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to celebrate Ford’s commitment to Michigan and assembling electric vehicles in Michigan as the first pre-production F-150 Lightning trucks start to leave the factory.
“We’re standing on the edge of an era of electrification that will be built in factories like this one by hardworking UAW members and the innovative minds at Ford,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am proud of Ford for committing to invest $30 billion in electrification through 2025, including this additional $250 million today to create 450 jobs in Dearborn, Ypsilanti and Sterling Heights supporting the production of the new F-150 Lightning. I will stay laser-focused at the state level on making investments in the future of mobility and electrification too, and together, we can create good-paying, high-skill union jobs and lead the world in electric vehicle development and manufacturing.”
“Michigan is the heart of the auto industry and we need to work across all sectors every single day to keep it that way,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell. “Building the vehicles of the future here at home while maintaining good-paying, union jobs will help the United States lead on mobility technology and innovation and stay ahead of our global competitors. I’ve been working day in and day out in legislative markups and discussions to ensure strong support for domestic manufacturing and electric vehicle infrastructure. I’m thankful for Ford’s partnership in this goal as we work together to protect jobs and keep the supply chain here in the United States, while also combatting the climate crisis and strengthening our economy.”
The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center is in the Ford Rouge Center, which sets the benchmark for sustainable automotive assembly. This new center supports Ford’s vision of sustainable production as a zero-waste-to-landfill site.
The center uses natural lighting, as well as LED lighting and the primary forklift fleet will use hydrogen fuel cells with a zero-emission profile. The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center is built on the site of the old Dearborn Assembly Plant, using its recycled foundation and construction materials. To learn more about getting your very own electric Ford truck, visit PlanetFord59.com.
