Ford's New Immersive Vehicle Environment Lab

                   The Ford virtual reality lab helps the company design vehicles in the virtual world.

Protect Your Stuff With a Roll Top Cover!

The Knapheide 8' Service Body with Custom Roll-Top Cover, Custom Heaboard & Window Protector, and Master Locking System. The body is mounted on a Ford Crew Cab single rear wheel 4x4. What is most unique about this unit is the roll-top cover which is interesting and rare to see. The advantage if the roll-top cover is that it rolls up like a window shade opening about 90% of the cargo area.

This unit was built by California Work Trucks In Sacramento, CA - (510)-477-8425

A SuperDuty Plumbers Body!

This Harbor WorkMaster was built for Orange County Plumbing and what a great work truck inside and out! Mounted on a nice SuperDuty Ford Dually Crew Cab, there will be no problem getting the full crew to the jobsite!

When they are ready to work, notice the great way they have stored the stepladders on the roof rack extension over the cab. And when you open up the rear doors you will see all the great storage space available for all their tools, equipment and parts.

Inside handles provide help to access the body interior. Notice in particular, the nice wide well-spaced shelving allows plenty of room for hefty tools and supplies on the passenger side and bins for small parts on the driver’s side and front.  

Shovels are easily retrieved from storage in the rear door mounted vertical pipes. The interior is well lit up with three overhead florescent style lights.

Access to the sky-high roof level is accessible by a rear mounted ladder on the driver’s side. Also, the pipe can be stored and retrieved through the small access door on upper right side. See the beefy step bumper and the vice bracket on the right side also.

Visit our website at http://www.htbi.net and call Harbor at 800-433-9452.

The TruckBoss Deck For Pickups

TRUCKBOSS Work Truck Solutions—a cross between a closet organizer, a pack mule and a vault.  Capture Channel Technology enables any toolbox, tie-down, or restraint to be attached to the Deck Surface, Deck Sides, Cab-Guard or Cargo Racks.  Capture Channels allow a carriage head bolt to be placed virtually anywhere on the deck—facilitating mounting points for any accessory imaginable.

WORK TRUCK SOLUTIONS

- Cab-Guard and Ramp Bar (TBOSS-CG) employ Capture Channel Technology, allowing accessories such as fire extinguishers, flashing amber lights,                 antennas, buggy whips or scene lighting.  The Ramp Bar doubles as a Tie-Down running the width of the deck

- Side Load Bars (TBOSS-SLB) not only increase the height of the side rails for increased containment, they also double as Tie-Downs

- Cargo Rack Front and Cargo Rack Rear (TBOSS-CRF and TBOSS-CRR) bolt to the deck surface and extend above truck cab height.  They are ideal for             carrying ladders, conduit, PVC pipe, or even a canoe (who says a work truck can’t play)

- 5000# rated D-Ring tie downs (TBOSS-TieD) can be attached on any capture channel

- Seals to the bed rails of your truck and a hinged Rear Access Flap works with your tail gate; all to seal out weather and secure cargo

- TRUCKBOSS is a Transferrable Asset—it is not truck-model specific and can be moved from one brand of truck to another

- Manufactured from anodized aluminum, providing years of service without a degraded appearance.  No painting nor rusting

- Aluminum drawers mounted to a cargo tray (for the HD user) or mounted on UHMW runners (light duty user) complete the system and enable access           to tools and equipment stored under the TRUCKBOSS

- Modular Design—the addition of ramps will enable hauling of an ATV, snowmobile or any other wheeled or tracked machine (lawn tractor, snow                     blower, golf cart, etc)

- The addition of Extendable Sides will enable hauling of two ATVs or snowmobiles

- Modular Design and Capture Channel Technology means damaged parts can be replaced with simple hand tools

BASE TRUCKBOSS SPECIFICATIONS

- 2000# Rated Capacity

- Capture Channel Technology

- Anodized Finish

- Rear Access Flap

- Front Safety Barrier w/Integrated Tie-Downs

- Optional Extendable Sides (6’ - 8.5’max width)

- Optional Cab-Guard and Ramp Bar

- Optional Side Load Bars (TBOSS-SLB)

- Optional Cargo Rack Front (TBOSS-CRF)

The 5 000th Ford Transit Rolls off the Production Line at Ford Sollers Plant in Elabuga

ELABUGA, Tatarstan, Russia, July 4, 2012 – The 5 000th Ford Transit has rolled off the production line today at the Ford Sollers plant in Elabuga (Tatarstan, Special economic zone “Alabuga”). The anniversary vehicle has been an all-metal van in Frozen White colour with a long wheel base and medium line of the body, diesel engine 2,2 l, 125 p.s.

Ford Transit’s production started at the Ford Sollers plant in Elabuga in January 2012. Transit is assembled with Global Puma 2.2.l diesel engine 100, 125, 155 p.s.. In Russia Ford Transit is available in the following modifications: Single cab, Double cab, Bus, Kombi, Van.

Adil Shirinov, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Ford Sollers congratulated the employees with a good start and thanked them for a great contribution made by the staff to the joint venture’s development: “The production of  the 5 000th Ford Transit in Tatarstan is an important achievement of Ford Sollers team, and an important event for the whole region. We have what to be proud of. It is important that we have reached the first anniversary number just in half a year after the start of vehicles assembly at the Elabuga plant. Ford Transit is the first vehicle which opens the road for a full cycle production of other Ford vehicles in Tatarstan. I wish you to continue at the same pace and good luck on the way to the company’s prosperity.”

Over a period of many years Transit has been the embodiment of a reliable and efficient vehicle for freight service, which was created taking into consideration the clients’ needs. Constant use of new technologies made it possible for this series to take the lead and repeatedly top the list of “the best” in its class. Ford Transit presents the widest and the most flexible model range of commercial vehicles in Russia. There are versions with a short, medium and long wheel base, and also with a lengthened frame.  Model range includes vans with a low, medium and high roof, chassis with a single and double cab, and minibuses with a small and medium height of the roof.

“Transit, as before, is one of the leaders in its segment on the Russian market among foreign brands. In January 2012 it has got a prestigious award “Golden Klaxon” in nomination “Special Transport”. It is not only the choice of professional jury, but it is the recognition of our clients”, – said Mark Simpson, Vice-President Marketing, Sales and Service.

According to the results of the first quarter 2012 Transit’s sales increased practically twice in comparison with the same period of the last year and consisted 2000 vehicles. It proves the model’s popularity in Russia.
 

The Crysteel Aluminum E-Tipper - Lightweight and Durable!

The Aluminum E-Tipper from Crysteel perfectly matches hard working
durability with lightweight efficiency. Weighing up to 50% less than
traditional carbon steel dump bodies, aluminum’s lightweight profile
saves fuel costs, as well as tire and brake costs, while increasing
payload capacity. In addition, the long lasting and durable Aluminum
E-Tipper provides contractors corrosion resistance and lower maintenance
costs.

With features like lightweight fold-down sides for easy access, the
Aluminum E-Tipper from Crysteel is designed to help contractors reach
new levels of productivity. Plus, you can customize your aluminum dump
body with a wide range of performance and appearance enhancing
accessories.

Ford Celebrates Fuel-Efficient Escape Launch, Additional Jobs at Louisville Assembly Plant

• Ford has added 1,800 jobs at Louisville Assembly Plant (LAP), with 1,300 more on the way this year to build the all-new Escape, the nation’s most fuel-efficient small utility vehicle with an automatic transmission

• Ford has added more than 5,200 hourly jobs in the U.S. this year alone. With LAP’s third shift, by year-end, Ford is on pace to deliver more than half of the 12,000 new U.S. hourly jobs it committed to add by 2015

• In addition to Ford’s $600 million investment, Louisville-area suppliers are supporting the Escape launch, with several investing more than $56 million and adding more than 900 jobs locally

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 13, 2012 – Ford Motor Company, its employees, dealers and suppliers today are celebrating production of the all-new Ford Escape at the company’s transformed Louisville Assembly Plant, one of several U.S. manufacturing sites where Ford is adding jobs to meet strong customer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Ford already has added 1,800 jobs at Louisville Assembly Plant and is adding 1,300 additional workers to a third shift this fall, bringing total hourly employment at the plant to 4,200.

Nationwide, Ford has added more than 5,200 hourly jobs already this year. With Louisville’s third-shift in place, by year end, Ford is set to deliver more than half of the 12,000 additional jobs it committed to add by 2015

The company invested $600 million to convert Louisville Assembly from a plant producing body-on-frame SUVs into a facility that builds America’s most fuel-efficient small utility vehicles with automatic transmissions.

“Today marks a celebration of progress and transformation,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Louisville Assembly Plant’s reinvention illustrates how Ford is going further, continuing to invest in American manufacturing and new jobs while delivering even more of the fuel-efficient vehicles that give customers true power of choice.”

The upgraded Louisville Assembly Plant is capable of producing up to six different vehicles at the same time, making it Ford’s most flexible U.S. plant.

As part of the upgrade, Ford installed new tooling and improved equipment in the plant’s final assembly area and body shop, including more than 1,000 robots and 20 miles of conveyors. Reprogrammable tooling in the body shop allows the plant to produce multiple vehicle models at the same time without requiring downtime for tooling changeover.

“Manufacturing flexibility is critical to staying competitive in today’s global automotive marketplace,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president of North America Manufacturing. “Our ability to produce up to six vehicles from a single plant gives us a sizable advantage in quickly adjusting our products and volumes to match changes in customer preferences and market factors.”

Louisville Assembly is the third Ford plant in North America to retool from producing traditional body-on-frame trucks and SUVs to fuel-efficient vehicles from global platforms.

The company’s investment in Louisville is supported by strong partnerships at the state, county and local level, as well as by Ford’s green partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. Louisville Assembly Plant is one of 11 Ford facilities in the U.S. participating in the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program initiated by Congress and implemented by the Obama administration.

“This is a day of celebration for Ford and the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “Production of the new Escape not only means thousands of jobs for Kentuckians, it boosts our GDP, tax revenue, and raises the level of the Commonwealth’s robust automotive industry, which is already one of the top five in the nation.”

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer added: “This is a great day for our city. Ford’s history and Louisville’s history are intertwined, and today we begin a new chapter in that heritage – a chapter of business expansion and job growth.”

The all-new Escape, which is on sale now, offers strong fuel economy and customers’ choice of two EcoBoost^® engines – a 2.0-liter four-cylinder as well as a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that delivers 33 mpg highway, which is 2 mpg better than the Honda CR-V and 5 mpg better than Toyota RAV4. The Escape also features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 31 mpg highway.

In addition, Escape delivers 11 features no other small SUV offers – including a hands-free liftgate with motion-sensing technology, SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® and active park assist. The Escape also features a new Ford Intelligent 4WD system that provides even better traction off-road.

The Louisville-built Escape is the first of the new line of compact SUVs to be built off of Ford’s global C-car platform. The same vehicle will be built and sold in Europe and China, where it is called Kuga, although there will be unique powertrains and features for customers in those markets.

Ford’s global supply network is playing a key role in the launch of the Escape, as well as the economic development of the Louisville area. Several major suppliers have invested more than $56 million locally and are in the process of adding more than 900 jobs, many of which will support the Escape. Suppliers that expanded operations include:

• Magna Seating of America Inc., which invested nearly $20 million to build a new 140,000-square-foot plant in Shepardsville, Ky., and will eventually employ 450 people. Magna supplies seat assemblies, fascias, the rear subframe, upper control arms, rear camera module, trailer tow module, fixed back glass and the rear bumper beam
   
• Faurecia, which invested $19 million at its Faurecia Interior Systems plant in Louisville. The facility will have 260 employees at full production – 250 dedicated to producing the Escape instrument panel. Faurecia also supplies exhaust systems
   
• Martinrea International expanded its Shelbyville, Ky., operations with a $12 million investment, adding 150 jobs. Martinrea makes body stamped subassemblies, the front subframe and fuel filler pipe
   
• Piston Automotive invested $5.5 million and added 50 jobs, many of which are supporting the Escape launch. Piston makes cooling module assemblies for the Escape

In addition to its manufacturing presence, Ford continues to play a significant role in the Louisville community. Through its Operation Goodwill with area dealers, Ford and its manufacturing operations expect to donate more than $1.5 million in 2011 and 2012 combined, supporting local nonprofit agencies.

Total Ford donations to Louisville-area nonprofits made since 2000 top $8 million.