Picking Your Playmaker, One Power Play at a Time

In honor of the NCAA basketball tournament going on right now, we wanted to highlight one of our own frontrunners. While Cambridge Classic Ford certainly understands how important basketball season is (hey, we’re fans too!), we’re taking the time to concentrate on another type of player…the 2013 Ford F-150 XL.

Just think of the 2013 F-150 XL as the post player in a basketball game. This is the machine that does the heavy lifting, executes power moves, provides a little extra elbow room, and still maintains the hard and ready look you expect from such a powerful playmaker. Yes, we said it, a playmaker.

We love that the 2013 F-150 has three-point restraint safety belts and Safety-Canopy side airbags. It’s just the kind of protection you expect from the post position. And for those days when you’re hauling a heavy load (a basketball hoop or the hopes of an entire basketball team for example), the fully boxed frame and trailer sway control definitely come in handy.

Every team needs a point guard, but without the post player, who would do all of the heavy lifting? That’s why the saying goes, “Built Ford Tough”.

The Top Ten Bestselling Ford Models of All Time

This week we’ve got an interesting list – the top ten bestselling Ford models. Some you will likely know for sure, others may come as a surprise to you.  We here at Cambridge Classic hope that you find this as interesting as we did:

 

10. Ford Explorer (1990-present), E-Series (1961-present), and Transit (1965-present) – a tie between three models that have each sold 6,000,000 units over their many generations.

 

9. Ford Mondeo (1993-present) – selling over 6,500,000 units, this model is also known as the Contour and now the Fusion.

 

8. Ford Ranger (1983-present) – has sold over 7,000,000 worldwide.

 

7. Ford Taurus (1986-present) – over six generations, it has sold around 8,000,000 units.

 

6. Ford Mustang (1964-present) – has sold over 10,000,000 over five generations and is Ford’s longest-running car nameplate.

 

5. Ford Focus (1998-present) – in just three generations, the Focus has sold over 11,000,000 units.

 

4. Ford Fiesta (1976-present) – 15,000,000 units sold, spanning six generations.

 

3. Ford Model T (1908-1927) – the Model T sold a staggering 15,500,000 units in its 19-year run.

 

2. Ford Escort (1968-2003) – a total of 20,000,000 have been sold worldwide, with Europe buying up over 12,000,000.

 

1. Ford F-Series (1948-present) – Ford’s bestselling vehicle of all time has sold around 35,000,000 units, the F-Series has also been the bestselling vehicle in the U.S. for 28 consecutive years.

 

 

There are some really impressive numbers on there, and several that may not be cars you’d think of as being in the top ten. Nevertheless, it’s really interesting to see those kinds of numbers and to look at what vehicles people have chosen consistently. Have you owned any of those on the list? Let us know on Cambridge Classic’s Facebook page and get in the discussion at: http://www.facebook.com/CambridgeClassicFord.

Ford Shifts its Attention to Making the F-150 Greener

When Ford showed off its new Atlas Concept at the NAIAS in Detroit, it became apparent that Ford envisioned the future of the heavy-duty pickup truck as strong, but efficient. Some of these technologies include things like active grille shutters, active wheel shutters, a drop-down air dam, and power running boards – which, combined, can save a lot more fuel than conventional vehicles.

What would you think about having a hybrid F-150? An F-150 running on both gas and electricity definitely would be something new and interesting to try out. That’s not the only possibility though, as Ford could also change the materials with which they build their trucks. Possibilities include such advanced, weight-saving materials as high-strength steel, boron steel, aluminum, and even magnesium. We could also likely see carbon fiber become more common.

No matter what path Ford decides to set out on with its popular F-150 series, it’s sure to be an innovative and exciting one. Until they release solid details, our job is to cling onto any rumors that come our way.

Ford F-150 Raptor is One of the Most Popular Toy Models

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Cambridge Classic Ford, Cambridge OHIt seems that adults aren’t the only ones impressed by the Ford F-150 Raptor. Ford’s high-performance off-road F-150 model is quickly gaining traction as a major hit for toymakers and video games. Scale-models of the Raptor have proven to be extremely popular with children of all ages, hitting an all-time high for Ford Motor Company’s licensing demands.

There seems to be a connection between this surge in toy popularity and the actual Ford F-150 Raptor’s top spot in the performance truck sales market. Sales records this year shattered last year’s, increasing by nearly 40%. The popularity of the truck is spreading to nearly every medium and even other countries such as Canada, Germany, Japan, China, and Brazil have seen high demand for the Raptor.

The Ford F-150 Raptor can be seen in toys and video games including:

  • Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars
  • Power Wheels ride-on vehicles for children
  • “Need for Speed Most Wanted” racing video game
  • “Forza 4” racing video game

Look for F-150 Raptor toys and video games, but also don’t forget to take a look at the real thing on the lot!

New Ford F-150 to be Made of Aluminum?

The Ford Motor Company has announced that the new Ford F-150 will feature an aluminum body, as opposed to the steel body of old.

The change to aluminum is being done in response to tougher federal fuel economy targets.  In 2011, the Obama administration was able to pass new fuel-economy regulations that require every U.S. vehicle fleet to average 54.5 mpg by 2025.

The switch to aluminum will cut the F-150’s weight by roughly 700 pounds, which is a 15 percent decrease in overall weight.  Not only will the initial weight reduction increase mpg, but it will also open the door so that Ford is able to outfit the F-150 with smaller, more fuel efficient engines.

“Aluminum is certainly a big opportunity for weight reduction,” said Raj Nair, the global chief of product development. “We have been public that weight reduction is going to be a big part of our strategy.”

2013 Ford F-150 Limited Revealed

Last week, Ford revealed the 2013 F-150 Limited, a truck that surpasses any F-150 to date in terms of luxury.  The Limited model will be the highest Ford F-150 trim offered.

“The F-150 Limited signifies the highest levels of design refinement, luxury and technology that we’ve ever offered in a Built Ford Tough pickup truck,” said Raj Nair, Ford Group Vice President for Product Development. “The F-150 Limited reflects a growing trend – more and more customers today have high expectations for luxury and convenience, yet their needs call for a truly capable truck.”

The exterior flaunts many visual enhancements sure to turn heads.  22-inch polished aluminum wheels and center caps make the wheels pop, and chrome trim accents the entire vehicle.  HID headlights – a segment first – generate two and half times more light than conventional halogen lights.

Where drivers get to experience the superior luxury of the F-150 Limited is inside the truck.  Heated and cooled memory seats trimmed in red and black leather are a welcome form of added comfort.  The 2013 Ford F-150 Limited comes with a standard moon roof and rearview camera, and gauge cluster is added to the 4.2-inch MyFord Touch screen which is customizable with various vehicle systems.  A Sony Audio System is also standard on the Limited.

Two Ford Trucks Earn Honors as AOL’s Best Trucks in America

Last month, AOL ranked the best trucks in the country and named the Ford SVT Raptor SuperCab 6.2L and the F-150 XLT SuperCab 3.5L EcoBoost as two of their top five.  Beating out over 100 other trucks, these two workhorses have proven their value to customers and reviewers alike.

With the move from a 5.4L to a 6.2L engine, the SVT Raptor SuperCab was absolutely built to leave the comfort of the paved road.  Sporting a fully boxed ladder frame and specially designed BF-Goodrich All-Terrain tires, this truck feels right at home in the rocks, mud, and just about any other situation in which it finds itself.

Also pushing the Raptor to the front of the pack is the knob that allows drivers to effortlessly switch from 2-Wheel-Drive to 4-Wheel-Drive, along with the control that engages the special Off-Road Mode.  This exciting feature locks the rear end and changes the throttle and transmission shift maps, along with the ABS Brakes, standard stability threshold, and traction to optimize performance after the beaten path is long behind.

Topping the list to take home the honor of AOL’s Best Pickup in America, the F-150 XLT SuperCab 3.5L EcoBoost continues Ford’s stellar tradition of powerful and dependable trucks.  Praise for the EcoBoost shone throughout the review, as it supplies the extra “get-up-and-go” that drivers crave while maintaining an economically-minded 22 Highway MPG.

The F-150’s 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine’s value doesn’t just stop when the pavement ends, though.  The twin-turbo, direct-injected V6 delivers an astounding 365 HP with 420 Foot-Pounds of torque, making its output more similar to Ford’s 8-Cylinder engines than its V6 counterparts.  This extra boost in power makes towing or hauling a breeze for even the most demanding job.

Grabbing two of the five spots on AOL’s list, Ford has once more shown its commitment to excellence and dependability.