Page 16 - Auto Know News Today

Although the Ford Bronco Four-Door -- full-sized -- is one of the success stories of the auto year, one area where it has not lived up to the successful story line is in the ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety where issues with the head restraints and headlights kept the popular model from earning an IIHS award.

Ford has decided to cap its F-150 Lightning reservation system at 200,000 as it begins to convert them over to its order bank.

With a lead of almost 150,000 vehicles over its nearest rival, the Ford Motor Co. is on its way to keeping its claim to the top sales slot in the truck market for the 45th consecutive year.

Although it is a tiny recall, the Ford recall of its Escape Hybrid for an issue with the high-voltage system is important for two reasons. One is that the automaker issues recalls when other carmakers tend to wait and wait. The second reason is that it shows that electrics and hybrids are important to Ford's future and that issues have to be dealt with quickly.

At last, the committee running the North American Car and Truck Awards program has its finalists. In a surprise, Ford has two entrants. The entries are not where you think they might be -- electric. Instead, Ford's "back to the future" retro SUV, the Bronco, is one vehicle, while the automaker's innovative compact pickup, the Maverick, is the second. Two of the entrants are from manufacturers that didn't exist three years ago, Lucid and Rivian. Photos Courtesy Ford Motor...

If you remember last year's rendition of the Baja 1000, there was a specially designed Ford Bronco running in it. Very retro, the Bronco R did well in the race -- unlike the year before when breakdowns hindered it. Now, Ford is offering a limited-edition model to those who can afford the $200,000 price tag. The Bronco DR (Desert Racer) is ready to step up to the starting line and run with the big dogs.

At this year's Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Assn. (SEMA), Ford has put together an aggressive display of the ways customization can make a vehicle more fun for an owner as well as making it the owner's special truck.

Ford's display at this year's SEMA Show, kicking off tomorrow, will feature a huge range of customizations. It not only features its own online offerings, but, it also shows the wares that have been created by customizers that will highlight offerings for customers.

Working with some of the aftermarket customizing leading firms, Ford has put together a large display of vehicles that shows what customers can do to customize their Mavericks, Rangers, and other models.

When the SEMA Show kicks off on Monday visitors will see more than 40 must-have creations that will highlight Ford's many accessories for its cars and trucks.