USA - Ford issues two seperate recalls, for various reasons amounting to 10,000 Units

Ford Motor Company is issuing two safety recalls in North America. Details are as follows:

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2017 Ford Super Duty vehicles to inspect and install a fuel tank strap reinforcement

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 8,000 2017 Ford Super Duty vehicles to inspect and install a fuel tank strap reinforcement. 

In the affected vehicles, over time, a missing reinforcement could lead to a fuel tank strap separating from the frame, resulting in the fuel tank moving out of position and potentially contacting the ground, increasing the risk of a fuel leak. 

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2017 Ford Super Duty vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant, Aug. 10, 2016 to Sept. 17, 2016.

There are approximately 8,069 vehicles affected, including 7,103 in the United States, 964 in Canada and two in federalized territories. The Ford reference number for this recall is 16S45.

Dealers will inspect for the presence of a reinforcement bracket on the No. 3 crossmember at the front fuel tank strap attachment location. If no reinforcement bracket is found, the dealer will install one at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-17 Ford Flex, 2017 Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility and 2016-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles with 3.5-liter GTDI engines to inspect and replace leaking turbocharger oil supply tubes

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 1,300 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-17 Flex, 2017 Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility and 2016-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles with 3.5-liter GTDI engines to inspect and replace leaking turbocharger oil supply tubes. In the affected vehicles, improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak engine oil on the turbocharger and surrounding components. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain:

• 2016 Ford Taurus vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 2, 2016
• 2016-17 Ford Flex vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 10, 2016
• 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Oct. 15, 2016 to Nov. 12, 2016
• 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant on Nov. 2, 2016
• 2016-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 10, 2016

There are approximately 1,352 vehicles affected, including 1,157 in the United States, 126 in Canada and six in federalized territories. The Ford reference number for this recall is 16S46.

Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary right-hand and left-hand turbocharger oil supply tubes at no cost to the customer.

USA - Ford Explorer Sport has higher %age of Gen X buyers than all other non-luxury brand midsize SUVs in the USA.

• Ford Explorer Sport has higher percentage of Gen X buyers than all other non-luxury brand midsize SUVs in the United States, according to new vehicle customer study by MaritzCX
• Exclusive Explorer Sport emerges as a favorite for professional Gen-Xers (born 1965-78)
• Average Ford Explorer Sport buyer has household income of $175,000, versus $112,000 for average midsize SUV buyer, study reveals

Professional Gen-Xers don’t always drive SUVs, but when they do they drive Ford Explorer Sport, according to a new vehicle customer study by MaritzCX.

Data from the study shows the vehicle has the highest percentage of Gen X buyers of any non-luxury SUV in the United States, reflecting this group’s preference for exclusivity and performance at a great value. 

With its 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost^® V6 engine mated to a six-speed SelectShift^® automatic transmission, Explorer Sport delivers 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm.

Explorer Sport has grabbed a significant 15 percent of total nameplate sales since its debut in 2014.

Jim Mulcrone, director of research services for MaritzCX, says 23 percent of buyers of other midsize SUVs, on average, are Gen-Xers, but Explorer Sport attracts nearly 40 percent of those born between 1965 and 1978.

“Ford has a very interesting customer with this product, and what’s unusual is that many are buying it without trading anything in,” he says. “Our study shows that while 17 percent of all non-luxury SUV buyers classify themselves as ‘specialty professionals,’ that number is closer to one in four with Explorer Sport. It seems this product is breaking through.”

Peak earning years for members of Generation X are between 47 and 54 years old, and these consumers have a more practical, experiential and family-oriented mindset than baby boomers did at this stage of life, says Sheryl Connelly, Ford manager of global trends and futuring. “Boomers felt the need to display their status in more obvious ways than Gen-Xers do,” she says. “While both groups are hugely important, automakers need to pay special attention to Gen-Xers. Our Explorer Sport fits the profile of the successful member of Generation X.” 

Average household income for a buyer of Explorer Sport is $175,000, versus $112,000 for the average midsize SUV buyer, the study reveals. Mulcrone says Explorer Sport buyers broaden Ford’s base by attracting more affluent consumers, including those who have owned premium brands. Moreover, those Explorer Sport customers who do trade in a vehicle are twice as likely as average midsize SUV buyers – 12 percent versus 6 percent – to trade in a premium one. 

“When consumers look at Explorer Sport, they see all the style and performance of a luxury SUV, but at roughly $20,000 less,” says Omar Odeh, Ford Explorer marketing manager. “Our surveys show Explorer Sport owners highly rate such attributes as ‘power and pick-up,’ ‘fun to drive’ and ‘overall performance.’ The best part is they represent incremental buyers for us, in that some don’t even set out looking at the Ford brand. Explorer Sport is proving it can stand on its own.”

CHINA SALES - Ford posts growth numbers ranging from 6% to 15% dependant on it's joint ventures.

• Ford and its joint ventures sell 88,189 vehicles in July, up 15 percent
• Changan Ford Automobile sells 69,074 vehicles, up 20 percent
• Jiangling Motor Corporation sells 17,748 vehicles, up 6 percent

Ford and its joint ventures in China continued their strong sales performance with 88,189 vehicles sold in July, up 15 percent compared to July 2015. Year-to-date sales for Ford, Changan Ford (CAF) and Jiangling Motor Corporation (JMC) total 652,836 vehicles, up 6 percent compared to the same time last year.

July sales for CAF, Ford's passenger car joint venture, reached 69,074 vehicles, up 20 percent compared to July 2015. Year-to-date sales for CAF accelerated past the half million mark with 503,719 vehicles sold, up 11 percent compared to last year.

CAF’s strong performance was led by the Ford Escort, which saw July sales up 82 percent, and the new Ford Focus, with monthly sales up 13 percent.

JMC, Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, sold 17,748 vehicles in July, up 6 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales total 139,262 vehicles, down 5 percent.

CHINA - Ford grows by 6% over last year with the joint ventures, Lincoln and Ford all showing gains.

• Ford Motor Company first half sales in China total 577,097 vehicles, up 6 percent
• Changan Ford Automobile first half sales total 434,645 vehicles, up 10 percent; 64,377 vehicles sold in June, up 4 percent
• Jiangling Motor Corporation first half sales total 121,514 vehicles, down 7 percent; 19,351 vehicles sold in June, up 5 percent 
• Lincoln first half sales in China total 12,450 vehicles, an almost three-fold increase and exceeding 2015 full-year sales

Ford Motor Company continued its strong performance in China with vehicle sales in the first half for Ford, Lincoln and its joint ventures reaching 577,097 vehicles, a 6 percent increase compared to the same time last year.

Vehicle sales for Ford and its joint ventures in the first half were up 5 percent over last year to 564,647, with June accounting for 85,105 units sold. June results were 3 percent higher than June 2015.

“We continue to see solid growth in China during the first half,” said Dave Schoch, Ford Motor Company group vice president and president of Asia Pacific. “Even as the pace of growth slows and the market matures, customers continue to respond well to our products, particularly our world-class SUV lineup.”

Demand for Ford and Lincoln sport utility vehicles (SUVs) continues to be high in the first half of 2016, with combined sales of the Ford EcoSport, Kuga, Edge, Everest and Explorer and Lincoln MKC, MKX and Navigator surpassing 150,000 vehicles, a 27 percent increase over 2015.

The Ford Edge saw sales surpass the 50,000 mark during the first half. First half sales for the Ford Explorer increased nearly 50 percent over last year to 6,884. 

First half sales for Changan Ford Automobile (CAF), Ford's passenger car joint venture, reached 434,645 vehicles, a 10 percent increase compared to last year. In June, CAF sold 64,377 vehicles, up 4 percent compared to June 2015.

Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, sold 19,351 vehicles in June, an increase of 5 percent compared to last year. First-half sales totaled 121,514 vehicles, down 7 percent.

Lincoln continues to see strong growth in China with 12,450 vehicles sold in the first half of 2016, an almost three-fold increase compared to last year. With this, the luxury brand already has exceeded last year’s full-year sales of 11,630.

USA RECALL #1 - Ford issues one recall and two safety compliance recalls for various models.

Ford Motor Company is issuing one safety recall and two safety compliance recalls in North America. Models included are the Focus Electric, Ford F-150 and Explorer and the Transit Connect commercial vehicle.

Details are as follows:

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles to install new transmission differential assembly

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 900 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles to install a new transmission differential assembly equipped with a friction-reducing coating on both the pinion shaft and pinion gear bores. In certain vehicles, it is possible the differential pinion shaft could wear out, resulting in a shaft fracture that would cause the vehicle to lose motive power without warning while driving and transmission park function without warning increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Aug. 20, 2015 through April 13, 2016, and Saarlouis Assembly Plant, Feb. 28, 2016 through March 30, 2016. There are 949 vehicles affected including 865 in the United States and 66 in Canada.

Dealers will install a new transmission differential assembly equipped with a friction-reducing coating on both the pinion shaft and pinion gear bores at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2016 Ford F-150 and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles for inadequate driver seat back weld

Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 7,000 2016 Ford F-150 and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles. In certain vehicles, it is possible the driver seat back may have been improperly welded and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Assembly Plant, Feb. 20, 2016 through Feb. 25, 2016, and Kansas City Assembly Plant, Feb. 17, 2016 through Feb. 24, 2016; and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Feb. 17, 2016 through March 7, 2016. There are 6,661 vehicles affected including 5,280 in the United States and federalized territories, 1,199 in Canada and 132 in Mexico.

Dealers will inspect and replace, if needed, the driver seat backrest frame at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles to replace the brake hydraulic control unit

Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 600 2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. In certain vehicles it is possible reduced pump performance of the brake hydraulic control unit may decrease electronic stability control and related systems including roll stability control, anti-lock braking system, emergency brake assist, curve control, trailer sway control, traction control and hill start assist performance, without warning increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles built at Valencia Assembly Plant, Feb. 22, 2016 through April 9, 2016. There are 608 vehicles affected including 605 in the United States and federalized territories and 3 in Canada.

Dealers will replace the brake hydraulic control unit at no cost to the customer.

Ford to shorten the summer shutdown to meet extra demand for it's range of crossovers and Sports utility Vehicles.

• In response to strong customer demand, Ford is building its most popular SUVs an extra week this summer, making 22,000 extra SUVs for customers

• Ford is shortening its traditional two-week summer shutdown to one week in its SUV plants in Louisville, Chicago and Oakville, Ontario

Ford-brand SUVs are off to their best sales start in company history in the first five months of the year, prompting the company to build nearly 22,000 extra SUVs this summer.

“Strong customer demand for our SUVs means we will operate some of our North American plants during the traditional two-week summer shutdown,” said Gary Johnson, Ford vice president, North American Manufacturing. “Our SUV assembly plants will continue to build vehicles to make sure we have enough of our popular SUVs to meet customer demand.”

Ford SUVs sales total 325,475 through May of this year, a 9 percent increase versus the same time period last year. Ford has delivered sales gains across its entire SUV product portfolio including Escape, Edge, Explorer, Flex and Expedition.

Louisville Assembly Plant, Chicago Assembly Plant and Oakville Assembly Plant and their supporting stamping facilities will shut down only the week of July 4 for building maintenance and machine retooling, instead of the traditional two-week summer vacation shutdown.

In addition to the SUV plants, Kentucky Truck will have a shortened summer shutdown as workers there prepare for the upcoming launch of the all-new Super Duty truck later this year. The remainder of Ford’s North American manufacturing facilities shut down from July 4-15 for regularly scheduled building maintenance and machine retooling.

This is the fourth consecutive year Ford has shortened its summer shutdown at one or more manufacturing facilities due to high customer demand for its products.

The increased production was included in the second quarter production guidance that Ford provided on April 28, 2016.

Ford year to date sales in china are have risen to nearly half a million, and still growing at a steady rate.

• Ford year-to-date sales total 479,542 up five percent; 88,248 vehicles sold in May.
• Changan Ford Automobile year-to-date sales total 370,268, up 11 percent, 67,055 vehicles sold in May.
• Jiangling Motor Corporation year-to-date sales total 102,163 vehicles, down nine percent; 19,692 vehicles sold in May.

Ford’s performance in China remains strong with year-to-date sales reaching 479,542, a five-percent increase compared to 2015. May sales totaled 88,248.

Year-to-date sales for Changan Ford Automobile (CAF), Ford's passenger car joint venture, reached 370,268, an 11-percent increase compared to last year. CAF sold 67,055 vehicles in May, matching the company’s best-ever May performance of 2015.

The Ford Edge had another strong month in May with more than 8,500 sold.  The new Ford Taurus also is off to a strong start with nearly 2,500 sold during May.

Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, delivered year-to-date sales of 102,163 vehicles, a nine-percent decrease compared to the same time last year, generally in-line with the traditional commercial vehicle market. In May, JMC sold 19,692 vehicles, a four-percent decrease compared to May 2015. 

Ford China year-to-date sales total 391,294 vehicles, up seven percent; 82,324 vehicles sold in April.

• Ford year-to-date sales total 391,294 vehicles, up seven percent; 82,324 vehicles sold in April
• Changan Ford Automobile sales through April total 303,213 vehicles, up 14 percent; 58,802 vehicles sold in April
• Jiangling Motor Corporation year-to-date sales total 82,471 vehicles, down 10 percent; 22,165 vehicles sold in April

Ford’s year-to-date sales in China increased seven percent from 2015 with 391,294 vehicles sold. In April, Ford sold 82,324 vehicles, down 11 percent compared to April 2015.

Changan Ford Automobile (CAF), Ford's passenger car joint venture, delivered year-to-date sales of 303,213, up 14 percent from last year. CAF sold 58,802 vehicles in April, a decrease of 11 percent.

Ford’s portfolio of sport utility vehicles continues to be popular among Chinese consumers with year-to-date sales of the Ford Ecosport, Kuga, Edge, Explorer and Everest surpassing the 100,000 mark, up 27 percent compared to the same period last year. Ford introduced the newest members to its SUV lineup, the new Ford Kuga and the Ford Edge V6 Flagship, at the recent Auto China 2016.

The Ford Escort continues to be a top-seller for Ford, with year-to-date sales of the nameplate totaling 84,835 vehicles, up 69 percent compared to 2015.

Year-to-date sales for Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, totaled 82,471 vehicles, down 10 percent compared to the same time last year. In April, JMC’s sold 22,165 vehicles, down seven percent compared to April 2015.

Looking forward, CAF 1 Chongqing Assembly Plant, which produces the Ford Ecosport, Focus and Mondeo, will take downtime during the remainder of the second quarter due to planned maintenance. This downtime was reflected in the Ford Asia Pacific second quarter production volume of 345,000 units shared during Ford’s financial report April 28.