The original Mustang Bullitt car returns with the 2019 model year updated version.

• All-new special edition Ford Mustang Bullitt™ and Ford Edge ST – Ford’s first SUV to be tuned by the Ford Performance team – star at North American International Auto Show

• Mustang Bullitt™ is due out this summer in U.S. offering at least 481PS, saluting 1968 movie car with effortlessly cool appearance

• Original 1968 Mustang GT fastback that starred alongside Steve McQueen in award-winning movie “Bullitt” drives onto Ford NAIAS stage, ending 40-year mystery of its whereabouts

• All-new Ford Edge ST offers sports styling, 340PS 2.7-litre EcoBoost engine, eight-speed auto gearbox, Sport Mode and class-leading driver assistance tech

• Ford Ranger pick-up for U.S. revealed, specially engineered to meet U.S. customers’ needs with 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and 10-speed automatic transmission

Ford Motor Company delivered global debuts for the third-generation, limited-edition Mustang Bullitt™* – celebrating the 50th anniversary of Steve McQueen’s classic film “Bullitt”; and all-new Ford Edge ST – Ford’s first SUV to be tuned by the Ford Performance team, at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

The new Ford Mustang Bullitt™, due out this summer for Ford customers in the U.S., is powered by an upgraded 5.0-litre V8 engine that will deliver at least 481PS and 569Nm of torque, pushing the new Bullitt™ to a top speed of 163mph.

The original 1968 Mustang GT fastback that starred alongside Steve McQueen in the award-winning movie “Bullitt”, also drove onto the Ford stage at NAIAS, ending a 40-year mystery about the film car’s whereabouts.

Offered only for Ford customers in the U.S., the all-new Edge ST is the first version of the new Edge SUV to be unveiled by Ford. The new Ford Edge will be introduced for customers in Europe later this year in variants including Edge Vignale, ST-Line and Titanium, offering powerful new diesel engines**, sophisticated driver assistance technologies and enhanced styling.

Special Edition Mustang Bullitt™

The all-new Mustang Bullitt™ is equipped with a manual transmission, and the gear shifter features a white cue ball shift knob as a nod to the original. An active valve performance exhaust system is standard, and retuned to give the car a signature burble.

Other standard equipment includes a 12-inch all-digital LCD instrument cluster, identical in function to the cluster introduced on the all-new Mustang that goes on sale across Europe later this year, but with a unique Bullitt™ welcome screen that starts in green with an image of the car rather than the pony.

“This new Bullitt™ is, as Steve McQueen was, effortlessly cool,” said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer. “As a designer, it’s my favourite Mustang – devoid of stripes, spoilers and badges. It doesn’t need to scream about anything – it’s just cool.”

Exterior paint choices are limited to Shadow Black and the classic Dark Highland Green – as worn in the movie. Other features that pay tribute to the car McQueen drove are subtle chrome accents around the grille and front windows, and classic torque thrust 19-inch aluminium wheels. Inside and out, the vehicle uses minimal badging; only the circular faux fuel-filler cap Bullitt™ logo on the rear centre is visible on the exterior.

The Original

Two identical 1968 Mustang GT fastbacks were used in the filming of the hit movie “Bullitt” that debuted in theatres on 17 October 1968. After filming, the cars went their separate ways: the hero vehicle driven by McQueen in the movie was sold by Warner Bros. to a private buyer, and the other – used in many of the jumps during the famous chase scene – was sent to a salvage yard. That jumper vehicle resurfaced in Baja, California, in early 2017, but the other was lost to history. Until now.

Sean Kiernan, owner of the hero vehicle, inherited the car in 2014 from his late father, Robert, who had purchased the vehicle in 1974. To fulfil his family’s lifelong dream, Sean contacted Ford and the two parties worked together to reveal his movie star car alongside the all-new Mustang Bullitt™ at the 2018 North American International Auto Show.

First Ford Performance SUV

The all-new Edge ST features the most powerful V6 engine available in its class, with a specially tuned 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine delivering 340PS and 515Nm of torque.

A quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and ST-tuned sport suspension support dynamic handling. A new Sport Mode allows Edge ST drivers to experience more aggressive throttle response and shifting patterns and a more resonant exhaust tone.

“Edge ST puts a new animal on the road – a performance SUV with a track mentality,” said Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president of Product Development and Purchasing. “From a performance standpoint, and with its SUV silhouette and versatility, it sets a new standard Edge fans will love to drive.”

Edge ST features new front and rear styling, a wide mesh grille for optimal cooling, deep side skirts and dual-exhaust outlets. Unique 21-inch wheels are available and the interior features a redesigned centre console with an all-new rotary gearshift dial that frees up space, allows easier access to the wireless charging pad and enhances the vehicle’s modern, sophisticated feel.

USA - Ford Motor Company to invest nealry £2 billion in plant upgrades and new models.

• $850 million Michigan Assembly Plant upgrade supports return of Ford Ranger, Bronco
• $150 million investment and 130 jobs at Romeo Engine expands capacity for engine components for several vehicles, including Ranger and Bronco
• $200 million investment for advanced data center in Michigan supports Ford’s expansion to an auto and mobility company and expected dramatic increase in data storage needs
• Investments are in addition to $700 million and 700 new jobs at Ford’s Flat Rock, Michigan facility, announced in January, for high-tech electrified and autonomous vehicles; Ford has announced $1.9 billion in new investments in Michigan this year

Ford Motor Company is investing $1.2 billion in three Michigan manufacturing facilities to strengthen its leadership in trucks and SUVs and support the company’s expansion to an auto and mobility company.

Ford is investing $850 million in Michigan Assembly Plant to retool the plant to build the all-new Ford Ranger and Ford Bronco. Employees at Michigan Assembly Plant will begin building Ranger at the end of 2018 and Bronco in 2020.

The company also plans to create or retain 130 jobs and invest $150 million to expand capacity for engine components for several vehicles, including Ranger and Bronco, at Romeo Engine Plant in Michigan.

In addition, Ford is investing $200 million for an advanced data center to support the company’s expansion to an auto and a mobility company. 

It is the second of two new data centers Ford is building in Michigan, as the company expects its data usage to increase 1,000 percent – driven by manufacturing and business needs and new mobility services, such as more connected, autonomous and electrified vehicles.

The second new data center will be located at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant, where the company is investing $700 million and adding 700 direct new jobs – announced in January – to create a factory capable of producing high-tech electrified and autonomous vehicles.

“At Ford, we are investing aggressively in building on our strengths today – including trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, performance vehicles and SUVs – while at the same time growing our leadership in electrification, autonomy and mobility services,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “As America’s top producer of automobiles, we are proud to be going even further in our commitment to invest in manufacturing here at home.”

The company’s investments are supported by Ford’s strong partnership with the UAW, as well as with federal, state, county and local governments.

“UAW-Ford is proud of the total investments in three of our Southeast Michigan assembly and engine plants, which will lead to stronger job security for our members and continued support for the surrounding communities,” said UAW-Ford Vice President Jimmy Settles. “Thanks to collective bargaining, the hard-working men and women at each of these locations will now reap the full fruits of their labor. We look forward to celebrating more product investment and job growth at each of our UAW represented facilities in the months and years to come.”

In the past three months alone, Ford has announced $1.9 billion in new investments in Michigan. During the past five years, Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created a total of nearly 28,000 U.S. jobs.

Ford builds more vehicles in the United States and employs more hourly U.S. workers than any other automaker.

New Ranger and Bronco at Michigan Assembly

The work to transform Michigan Assembly Plant begins next May. Following the same pattern used during vehicle changeover at Dearborn Truck Plant in 2014, Michigan Assembly will take just four weeks to remove and reinstall the tooling necessary to build the all-new Ford Ranger and Ford Bronco.

The iconic Ranger and Bronco will further expand Ford’s truck and SUV leadership in North America – two of the company’s profit pillars.

During the last five years, sales of midsize pickups have grown nearly 50 percent. Many truck buyers want an affordable, functional, rugged and maneuverable pickup that’s Built Ford Tough. Ranger is built to meet their needs.

Rugged utilities have been the second fastest-growing SUV segment during the last five years, making it the time right for Bronco’s return – especially with its legendary 4x4 off-road capability.

Expanded capacity at Romeo Engine

Romeo Engine Plant produces engines for Ford Super Duty, E-Series, Ford Shelby GT 350 Mustang and Shelby GT350R Mustang, along with components for F-Series, Mustang, Explorer and Edge. This investment adds capacity and tooling for components for an additional engine when the plant begins its transformation in early 2018.

In North America alone, Ford has invested more than $3.8 billion to develop more than 30 engines since 2009, when the company introduced its first EcoBoost^® engine. Since then, Ford has produced more than 8 million engines globally with the fuel-saving technology.

Data center supports auto and mobility company expansion

As Ford expands to be both an automotive and mobility company, the company’s data storage requirements are expected to increase from 13 petabytes today to more than 200 petabytes in 2021. This is especially true as Ford grows its leadership in connectivity, autonomous vehicles, electrification and mobility services.

The new data centers are helping Ford create a world-class infrastructure for storage, processing and integration of this data.

The centers also will increase the ability of Ford’s global data insights and analytics team to transform the customer experience, enable new mobility products and services, and help Ford operate more efficiently. 

New Ford video shows some of the world’s best drone pilots tackling a unique and challenging course involving a Focus RS, a Mustang & a robot.

• New Ford video shows some of the world’s best drone pilots tackling a unique and challenging course involving a drifting Focus RS, a smoking Ford Mustang – and a robot
• Drone racing stars Luke Bannister and Brett Collis also pilot their drones under a Ranger pickup and through a B-MAX car, navigating remotely with the help of special goggles
• “Dronekhana” was filmed at Ford’s European HQ in Cologne, Germany, the city that this week hosts Gamescom – Europe’s biggest interactive games trade fair. Ford, also this week, will target gaming GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title with the Ford GT supercar

Ford has brought together one of the world’s most exciting new sports and some of its finest fast cars to create a new video called “Dronekhana”.

Two of the planet’s best drone pilots tackle a unique obstacle course that includes a drifting Focus RS, a smoking Ford Mustang, and a robot. 

Pilots Luke Bannister and Brett Collis navigate their drones remotely with the help of special goggles, which provide a first-person view as they fly under the Ford Ranger pickup and through the Ford B-MAX’s pillarless doors. 

A rig of 36 GoPro cameras captured the drones mid-action in a style made famous by the 1999 film The Matrix.

“It’s basically like stepping into the cockpit. It was a tough course and we had some mishaps – but at least the Mustang’s all right, that’s all that matters,” said 16-year-old World Drone Prix champion Luke Bannister who took on the course with Tornado XBlades team mate and fellow Brit, Brett Collis, 22.

Named in tribute to the YouTube phenomenon Gymkhana, starring Focus RS consultant Ken Block, “Dronekhana” was filmed at Ford’s European headquarters in Cologne, Germany, the city which this week hosts Gamescom Europe’s biggest interactive games trade fair. 

It follows previous “Snowkhana” videos that have become a festive Ford tradition.

Ford has also invited five gamers from across Europe to Cologne to try to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the “Longest video marathon on a racing game”, in Forza Motorsport 6. 

They face a two day stint behind the wheel of a virtual Ford GT race car to take on the simulated Le Sarthe circuit used for the Le Mans 24 Hours – where the real-life Ford GT race car won earlier this year. To set a new record, the gamers will need to race for more than 48 hours 1 minute – starting at 14:00 C.E.T on Tuesday Aug. 16. 

If successful, a presentation will be made to the record-breaking gamer on the Microsoft stand, at Gamescom, on Thursday.

USA RECALL - Ford and associated brands issues a recall for more Takata issues, this time, nearly 2 Million units.

Ford is issuing a safety recall for vehicles that have certain non-desiccated Takata passenger-side frontal airbag inflators after Takata declared those inflators are defective. This expanded recall follows Takata’s notification to the U.S. NHTSA that certain of its airbag inflators are defective, affecting several automakers across the industry.

The vehicles affected by this Takata action are 

2007-2010 Ford Edge, 

2006-2011 Ford Fusion, 

2005-2011 Ford Mustang, 

2007-2011 Ford Ranger, 

2007-2010 Lincoln MKX and 

2006-2011 Lincoln MKZ, Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles built in North America. 

Ford is not aware of any injuries associated with these passenger side frontal inflators in any Ford vehicles related to this safety recall. Driver side airbag inflators in these vehicles are not included in this recall.

A total of 1,898,728 vehicles now are affected by this safety recall, including 1,896,443 in the United States and federalized territories, 1,304 in Canada and one in Mexico. Dealers will replace the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator at no cost to the customer.

Ford is committed to providing our customers with top quality vehicles. We are equally committed to addressing potential issues and responding quickly. 

Customers who want to know if their vehicle is included in this recall can visit www.ford.com and click on safety recalls at the bottom of the page and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

SOUTH AFRICA - Ford invests $170 Million to expand production with the All-New Everest SUV & Ranger Pick-Up.

• Ford invests R2.5 billion ($170 million U.S. dollars) in local production of the all-new Ford Everest seven-seat SUV and expansion of the new Ranger pickup program
• Expansion will create 1,200 new jobs in South Africa
• All-new Everest extended range to include 2.2 and 3.2 derivatives, production commences at Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria in third quarter 2016
• Ford will export all-new Everest into Sub-Saharan Africa countries

Ford Motor Company is investing R2.5-billion ($170 million U.S. dollars) to expand operations in South Africa at its Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, South Africa, to produce the all-new Ford Everest, along with the new Ford Ranger that was launched at the end of last year.

This investment will create approximately 1,200 new jobs at Ford South Africa and within the South African supplier network.

“Our customers love the capability and utility offered by the all-new Ford Everest,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president and president of Europe, Middle East and Africa. “By producing the Everest in South Africa, we will be able to make it more readily available, and in a greater variety of models, for customers throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The R2.5-billion investment reaffirms the importance of these markets as part of our growth strategy across the Middle East and Africa,” Farley added. “It further reinforces South Africa’s position as a strategic export base for Ford Motor Company.”

The Silverton facility joins AutoAlliance Thailand in Rayong; Ford’s Chennai plant in India (where it is sold as the Endeavor) and the JMC Xiaolan Plant in Nanchang, China, as production hubs for the Everest. Initial production at Silverton of the Everest will commence in the third quarter of 2016, with the first units expected to come to market in the fourth quarter. South African-produced models will be sold locally and exported to markets across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Part of this investment has been directed towards the production of the new Ranger, which is already running at maximum capacity at the Silverton Assembly Plant – with domestic sales and export demand at an all-time high.

The Silverton Assembly Plant features state-of-the-art automation utilising Ford's global manufacturing processes, and will be equipped to produce 10,000 Everests annually.

“The all-new Everest has been extremely well received since it was launched in September last year, with demand far outstripping supply,” said Jeff Nemeth, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region.

“This crucial investment will enable us to increase volumes and expand the Everest range to eight derivatives across a broader price range. It will allow customers across Sub-Saharan Africa to choose from two powerful engines mated to robust six-speed automatic or manual transmissions for exceptional capability.”

Currently, the all-new Everest is imported from Thailand, using the locally produced 3.2-liter five-cylinder Duratorq TDCi engine. It is only available in South Africa in 3.2 Automatic guise in two specification levels – XLT and the range-topping Limited. With the commencement of local production, a 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi four-cylinder diesel engine will be added to the range, along with a wider spread of specification levels.

Built at Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, the latest-generation Duratorq TDCi diesel engines – which are also used in the new Ranger – offer maximum fuel economy along with exceptional performance.

The all-new Ford Everest is a rugged seven-seat SUV featuring body-on-frame construction, intelligent four-wheel drive and an Advanced Terrain Management System to help navigate challenging terrain with ease.

In recent years, Africa has emerged as an increasingly important region for Ford, with continued investment and growth.

In 2008, Ford announced plans to build the Ford Ranger at its Silverton Assembly Plant with an investment of R3.4 billion. The investment allowed Ford to transform both of its South African plants into world class facilities to produce the Ford Ranger and Duratorq TDCi engines for local consumption and export.

The Ford Ranger is exported to 148 countries in Africa, Middle East and Europe, while engines and machined components are supplied to Argentina, Thailand, North America, India and China.

In 2014, Ford formed its newest business unit, Middle East and Africa comprising 67 markets to support the region with a dedicated focus and clear understanding of the unique conditions and customer needs.

The African growth story continued in 2015, when Ford confirmed that it would assemble the Ford Ranger in Nigeria, using semi knock-down (SKD) kits and components imported from South Africa.

Ford Motor Company’s growth story goes beyond its manufacturing expansion in South Africa. In 2015, Ford sold 78,471 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in South Africa, the highest number on record. The South African-built Ranger pickup performed particularly well, with an 18.1 percent year-on-year increase in sales and a total of 33,920 Rangers sold in 2015.

“As we continue to grow our business here in South Africa we are committed to improving the skills of our employees and creating new opportunities within the company and the broader supply chain. It is only through the dedication and commitment of our work force, suppliers, dealers, union and government partners that we have been able to secure this investment and expand our operations, broadening our footprint in Africa even further,” Nemeth concluded. 

USA RECALL - Ford expands the Takata recall notice to cover 2004-2006 Ford Ranger Pick-ups.

Ford is expanding its safety recall on vehicles that have certain airbag inflators after Takata declared that those inflators are defective. The Ford vehicles affected by this Takata action are all 2004-2006 Ford Rangers built in North America.

Ford is aware of one report of a death related to a Takata airbag deployment.

A total of 391,394 vehicles are now affected by the expanded recall, including 361,692 in the United States and federalized territories and 29,334 in Canada. Dealers will replace the driver side airbag inflator at no cost to the customer.

Customers who want to know if their vehicle is included in this recall can visit www.ford.com  and click on safety recalls at the bottom of the page and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

USA SALES 2015 - FORD/LINCOLN - Ford continues to be the biggest single brand in the US, #1 model too.

• Ford Motor Company 2015 U.S. sales total 2,613,162 – up 5 percent, the company’s best annual sales performance since 2006; Ford is America’s best-selling vehicle brand for sixth straight year
• Ford Motor Company posts best U.S. December monthly sales results since 2005, selling 239,242 vehicles, up 8 percent
•  F-Series sales total 85,211 trucks in December, surpassing 85,000 sales for the first time in a decade; F-Series now America’s best-selling pickup for 39 straight years and the best-selling vehicle for 34 straight years with 780,354 trucks sold; Ford vans set annual sales record
• Ford brand SUVs up 13 percent, for best December since 2003; Escape, Edge and Explorer contribute to gains
• Fusion posts record December results, with total sales of 25,576 cars
• Lincoln has its best December since 2006, with annual volume their highest levels since 2008; sales of all-new Lincoln MKX up 77 percent

Ford Motor Company’s total 2015 U.S. sales of 2,613,162 vehicles are the company’s best annual sales results in nine years – up 5 percent. Ford brand sales of 2,511,935 vehicles make Ford America’s best-selling brand for six straight years.

U.S. December sales total 239,242 vehicles, up 8 percent versus a year ago. An 8 percent retail sales increase drove overall performance, with 174,509 vehicles sold last month.  

F-Series sales totaled 85,211 trucks in December, up 15 percent. Strong demand for F-150 contributed to the performance, as F-Series broke through the 85,000 vehicle mark for the first time in a decade. For the year, F-Series sales totaled 780,354 trucks – making it America’s best-selling pickup for 39 consecutive years and best-selling vehicle for 34 straight years.

“December capped off six straight months of year-over-year sales gains for F-Series, with strong increases coming from both retail sales and the strength of commercial fleet orders, as we closed out 2015,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. 

“Ford-brand SUVs delivered their best sales results in more than a decade, with our newest SUVs leaving dealer lots in a matter of days.”

Ford sold a total of 220,586 vans in 2015. This was an increase of 32 percent compared to the year prior and represents Fords highest van sales performance in company history. For the month of December, Ford van sales totaled 21,549, a 6 percent increase. 

Ford-brand SUVs totaled 65,675 sales last month – a 13 percent increase versus a year ago, for the best December performance since 2003. Escape sales of 27,954 rose 9 percent, for a record December and a record year. 

The all-new Edge delivered a 29 percent increase, with 10,263 vehicles sold. New Explorer sold a total 18,892 SUVs, a 14 percent increase, marking its best December performance since 2005.

December Fusion sales increased 15 percent at retail and 10 percent overall, making it Fusion’s best-ever December sales performance with 25,576 cars sold.

Lincoln sales totaled 10,860 vehicles for the month, representing a 12 percent increase and a 13 percent retail gain.

Strong performance from the all-new Lincoln MKX, with 2,960 vehicles sold, contributed to a 77 percent increase compared with a year ago. Lincoln MKZ sales were 3,207, up 22 percent.