Take a sneak peek behind the Ford Design curtain and learn, in 90 seconds, what it takes to go from a scribble on a sketch pad to Ford’s most powerful Ranger ever – the next-generation Ranger Raptor.

Hundreds of sketches, thousands of kilos of clay, and hundreds of litres of paint. We think of new cars being built by sophisticated machines on massive production lines, but the first step in the process begins with artisans.

Like everything, the design of the next-gen Ranger Raptor began with a brief. This brief forms the backbone of the design, it confirms the inspiration and must-haves in the design.

Once the creative brief is locked, the designers begin sketching and it “always starts with a pencil and paper,” said Dave Dewitt, exterior design manager, Ranger Raptor. Once the sketches are approved, “and there are hundreds of them,” according to Dewitt, the digital design team recreates them virtually as both a master reference document and to feed into the next step, clay modeling.

Using more than 4000kg of clay, 1/3 scale models and then full-size models are carved first by machines before the finishing touches are made by master sculptors. The design chiefs approve the clay design and it is ‘frozen’. Clay modellers also sculpt life-sized models of steering wheels, dashboards, and seats.

While the clay modellers are working, the colour and materials team start selecting the fabrics, textures, and colours to help emphasise the look and feel of the next-gen Ranger Raptor while conforming with the design DNA of the vehicle. Interior design works to ensure the Raptor’s interior feels like a cockpit but is also as practical as can be.

While the various teams are working on the interior and exterior the design engineering team goes beneath the surface to ensure the good looks are more than just skin deep.

The end result, after lots of hard work, much of it hand built by a team of talented creatives and craftspeople, is the next-gen Ranger Raptor.

Performance at a glance

The next-gen Ranger Raptor wraps its performance chassis in a bold and aggressive exterior that not only takes Ranger to the next level, but screams Ford Performance and clearly links it to the rest of the Raptor family.

“Our design brief for Ranger Raptor was to really lean into ‘form following function’ and take Ranger to the next level,” said Max Tran, chief designer, Ranger Raptor.

The team was tasked with telling the story of Ranger Raptor through its design, Dewitt added.

“With just a glance you had to get a clear picture of Ranger Raptor’s power, performance, and capability but also recognise it was part of the Ford Performance and Raptor families,” he said.

Raptor vehicles are the pinnacle of off-road performance and while each model has its own personality they need to contain Raptor-family design cues. These include bold F-O-R-D lettering stretching across the blacked-out grille with Matrix LED headlights that stretch fender to fender, durable steel front and rear bumpers built for rigorous off-roading, high-strength steel bash plate, functional hood and side vents, and wide fenders.

Ranger Raptor contains all of those elements and further differentiates itself from next-gen Ranger with a pumped hood dome hinting at the power underneath, twin exhaust tips tucked up high to avoid obstacles, and precision grey accents.

“With our design, we ensured the Ranger Raptor stood alone as its own vehicle, not just next to Ranger but also in the Raptor family,” said Dewitt.

“You can park them all side by side and see the things that make them different but also the elements that tie them to one another.”

Performance-oriented interior

According to Nick Eterovic, interior design manager, Ranger Raptor, the interior of the Ranger Raptor had to provide customer with the confidence to unlock the high-performance capability of the next-gen Raptor.

“Our design team had to deliver a commanding cabin with the function of a high-performance off-road race truck with the comfort and convenience of a modern sports car,” said Eterovic.

Ranger Raptor’s cabin is as expressive as the exterior with Ford Performance Code Orange splashes throughout. Covering the instrument panel and the top of the door panels is Terra Suede which is soft yet tough and easy to clean. Its matte finish reduces glare and adds to the premium, performance vibe of the interior.

Unique to the next-gen Ranger Raptor, Ford Performance seats take their inspiration from the seats inside the F-22 Raptor jet fighter with grippy side bolstering designed to keep you in place no matter the terrain. The seat materials too have been developed to have both a functional and aesthetic appeal with a newly developed ‘super matte’ seat trim, accented with suede. And because the next-gen Ranger Raptor allows you to transport friends and family, the rear seats of Ranger Raptor have been designed to be as grippy and supportive as those in the front.

“Jet fighter seats need to be supportive both side to side and up and down,” said Eterovic. “We spent a lot of time looking at key details of the F-22 seats and how we could incorporate them into the Ranger Raptor’s seat design. And we wanted to make sure those in the back were just as comfortable as those in the front.”

Owners get a commanding cockpit feel with a new-design premium-grade leather steering wheel with a thick rim and thumb rests set off with an orange marker on the top of the rim, and magnesium paddles for manual gear shifts. The Ranger Raptor-specific My Mode button allow owners to select Normal, Sport, and Bajaⁱ modes for the steering, suspension, and exhaust (you can also select Quiet to ensure you stay on the good side of your neighbours).

Bringing the whole interior together is Ford’s new-to-Raptor configurable information-on-demand 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, which has bespoke start-up animations befitting the pickup’s performance character. Complementing the digital cluster is a 12-inch portrait-style centre touchscreen running Ford’s latest-generation SYNCÒ 4Aⁱⁱ infotainment system.

“Next-gen Ranger Raptor is as bold and expressive on the inside as it is outside. From the digital instrument cluster, fingertip access to customisable suspension, exhaust and steering modes, to the heavily-bolstered seats, dedicated off-road screen on the touchscreen, and the Code Orange accents Ranger Raptor is designed for action out of the box,” said Eterovic.

This article was first posted here.

All-Electric Power to Wow, More Connected Technology, Elevated Drive Experience and Built Ford Tough Capability

Super Powers Only Electric Can Deliver
F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for 44 years¹, charges into the future with the F-150 Lightning, elevated by all the advantages of electrification and packed with connected technology. F-150 Lightning is a powerhouse that delivers a targeted 563 horsepower and 775 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any F-150 ever – an exhilarating drive, a high-tech frunk, and the ability to power your home if needed.

Advanced Tech Now – to Guide You into the Future
F-150 Lightning offers an ingenious array of connected, intelligent features that improve over time via over-the-air software updates; FordPass app provides seamless access to charging stations and remote vehicle controls; available BlueCruise offers true hands-free driving on the highway, while enhanced Pro Power Onboard powers job sites or campsites.

No Question: Built Ford Tough Comes Standard
Powered by dual in-board motors and with standard 4×4, F-150 Lightning can take on rough terrain with Built Ford Tough durability and capability. Along with a high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body, a new independent rear suspension delivers improved ride comfort, while an all-new frame uses the strongest steel ever put in an F-150 frame and supports a maximum 2,000-pound payload and up to 10,000-pound towing capacity.

DEARBORN, Mich., May 19, 2021 – The truck of the future is here. The F-150 Lightning is the smartest, most innovative truck Ford has ever built. From near instant torque to intelligent towing, seamless connectivity to software updates, plus power for your home, a power frunk and a digital screen that’s larger than any currently offered on a full-size truck – F-150 Lightning is a driving and ownership experience unlike any other.

F-150 Lightning will roll off the line next year at a new high-tech factory using sustainable manufacturing practices at Ford’s storied Rouge complex in Dearborn just outside Detroit.

“For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress toward a zero-emissions, digitally connected future,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company. “F-Series is America’s best-selling truck for 44 years, the backbone of work across the country, and a trusted icon for generations of customers. Now we are revolutionizing it for a new generation.”

F-150 Lightning is a pillar of the company’s more than $22 billion global electric vehicle plan to lead electrification in areas of strength. Ford is starting with zero-emissions versions of its most popular and best-loved franchises – Mustang, Transit and F-150 – with much more to come in the years ahead.

Wickedly quick off the mark, quiet and smooth, F-150 Lightning delivers a new experience for truck owners at a starting price on par with today’s similarly configured F-150 trucks. The electric platform unlocks new capabilities as well – such as enough energy to power an entire home and a massive lockable frunk with power and charging capabilities to spare. Ford will deploy standard over-the-air software updates – called Ford Power-Up – to improve the technology experience, add new features and fix issues without trips to the dealership.

All this and more is backed by proven Built Ford Tough F-Series durability and capability and the largest public charging network in North America.² The commercial-oriented entry model starts at $39,974 MSRP³ before any federal or state tax credits, while the mid-series XLT model starts at $52,974 MSRP, offering additional comfort and technology.

“The F-150 Lightning is a massive moment for our Ford team. America’s No. 1 auto brand is going zero emissions with America’s favorite vehicle. It’s quicker than a Raptor, with standard 4×4 and independent rear suspension; a power frunk, enough juice to run your house for three days or power an awesome tailgate; and it will forever improve with over-the-air updates,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “It will be built at the Rouge factory, where Henry Ford changed the world and my grandfather punched in every day. F-150 Lightning represents all that our country can do when we push for progress.”

F-150 Lightning targets 563 horsepower, 775 lb.-ft. of near instantaneous torque⁴ – more than any F-150 ever – and a 0-60 mph time in the mid-4-second range when equipped with an extended-range battery, based on typical industry methodology. F-150 Lightning targets a maximum 2,000 pounds of payload in the standard-range model with 18-inch wheels, and a maximum 10,000 pounds of available towing capacity on XLT and Lariat trucks with the extended-range battery and Max Trailer Tow Package. The low center of gravity brings even more confident handling whether traveling along rain-slicked roads or through sand.

“We’re not here to make an electric truck for the few – Ford is committed to building one that solves real problems for real people,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford president, Americas and International Markets Group, Ford Motor Company. “F-150 Lightning delivers everything we’ve said electric vehicles can offer, plus the capability expected from a Built Ford Tough truck – not just near instant torque but powerful towing and hauling customers can depend on.”

April 9^th, 2020 Istanbul – Ford Global Fleet Sales (FGFS), Ford’s direct sales partner for export markets and special projects globally, today announced the delivery of two specially modified Ford Transit ambulances to Coscharis Motors Plc, a member of the Coscharis Group, a wholly-owned Nigerian conglomerate with businesses across various sectors.

Both Ford Transit vehicle modifications were carried out by RMA Automotive, RMA Group’s automotive division, in coordination with FGFS. The ambulances were fitted with features specially designed for end-use in Nigeria. These included IV holders, fluorescent lighting, climate control, ventilation systems and other critical equipment such as an oxygen tank, flow meter and stretcher space.

“Ford Global Fleet Sales is proud to collaborate with Coscharis Motors on the delivery of two lifesaving ambulances. With thousands of Ford Transit ambulances deployed worldwide, the vehicle is a workhorse known for its durability and dexterity, and it comes with an exceptional selection of life-saving equipment and internal capabilities. Our mission is to provide fleet solutions to aid organizations and governments in markets worldwide — partnering with Coscharis Motorsis a big step towards this goal,” said Chris Grakul, Regional Sales Manager, FGFS.

Also commenting on the collaboration, Abiona Babarinde, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications of Coscharis Group stated, “we are thrilled to have these modified Ford Transit ambulances in our market. As the exclusive representative of the Ford brand in Nigeria, this enables us to further delight our numerous customers and prospects with exciting new options within the Ford brand.”

FGFS has been in collaboration with Nigerian companies and government bodies since its latest project, where nine Ford Rangers were delivered to the Nigerian Ministry of Budget and National Planning. By working with Coscharis Motors, FGFS continues building successful partnerships within the country.

FGFS continues to be the leading provider of Ford vehicles for export markets and special projects across the globe and has delivered over 100,000 vehicles to nearly 100 countries to date.

In business there are some occupations that are easy, and some that are not so easy and fleet management falls into the latter category. It is not just about getting company vehicles on the road; it requires the ability to merge mechanical and human abilities into one functioning unit.

A group or collection of company vehicles is called a fleet, so as the title says, it is about the management of a fleet of vehicles. These vehicles can be commercial motor vehicles such as cars, vans, trucks, specialist vehicles (such as mobile construction machinery), and trailers. It can also include planes and helicopters, ships and rail cars.

But vehicles don’t drive themselves, well not yet, so there is also the human element that needs to be taken into account and managed.

A Fleet Manager must look after the fleet, the drivers and what else?

A Fleet Manager’s responsibilities

Fleet management includes a range of functions such as vehicle financing, vehicle maintenance, vehicle tracking and diagnostics, driver management, speed management, fuel management and health and safety management.

They are responsible for purchasing and insuring the vehicles, ensuring that the vehicles are maintained and able to function as required. This is done by allocating manpower and financial resources.

A Fleet Manager also needs to be held accountable for the employees that drive the vehicles – the safety of the drivers, what to do if the vehicle is stolen or involved in an accident – as well as all legal implications.

7 Top Tips for Fleet Managers

1. Empower your team

As a Fleet Manager, don’t take all the responsibility, rather be an overseer and make people responsible for the vehicle they drive.

• Have them do daily, weekly and monthly vehicle inspections, and document this.
• Report maintenance issues. They drive the vehicles daily – not you.

2. Measurement

Track vehicles and drivers with data relevant to your industry and requirements.

Monitor the following:

• Delivery times
• Petrol usage
• Distance travelled
• Recurring vehicle problems
• Maintenance issues

Keeping track of all of this data will help you manage your fleet efficiently and accurately.

3. Responsibility

Define who is responsible for what role.

• A clear and simple policy and procedure will prevent future problems.
• Drivers should always have a performance standard to conform to.

4. Staff employment

Just because a potential employee has a driver’s license doesn’t mean they are the correct candidate for the position. Different vehicle classes have different licence requirements. Employ the correct drivers for the class of vehicle they will drive.

5. Budgets

Fleet management is not a guessing game.

• Understand all of the running, licensing and servicing costs of your fleet.
• Include allowances for breakdown, unexpected repairs and vehicle rentals.
• Insure your vehicles, drivers, goods in transit – insure everything.

6. Route planning

• Use online route trackers and a GPS system to create cost effective and time saving routes.
• Get your drivers involved – make them part of the solution not the problem.
• Don’t micro-manage.
• Use web based telematics systems to monitor driver behaviour, including speeding, hard braking, or rapid acceleration.

7. Training

Up skill your drivers, have them trained to improve their driving skills and other relevant knowledge required to do their job best.

Ensure they know:

• how to drive defensively, handle wet weather and other hazardous road conditions.
• how to drive the vehicle efficiently, such as excess idling, speeding, harsh acceleration and braking.
• what to do if involved in a vehicle accident.
• how to deal with customers – a driver is not just a driver but a representative of your company.

RMA Fleet Management experts

RMA is a distinguished fleet solutions provider to Aid and Development missions and security forces globally.

Fleet productivity is the result of careful long-term planning of the vehicle’s life cycle. A GFS Fleet Solutions Program is a comprehensive fleet asset management system covering all aspects of creating and maintaining vehicles for successful operations.

The importance of Fleet Management

Fleet Management is a function which allows companies that rely on transportation in business to remove or minimize the risks associated with vehicle investment, improving efficiency, productivity and reducing their overall transportation and staff costs, providing 100% compliance with government legislation.

Fleet Management is important in ensuring your fleet drivers are safe. It is also about good driving habits, fuel efficiency and ensuring the vehicle is maintained and running well.

Applying these tips will assist you in improving the management of your fleet vehicles – whether your fleet is big or small – a fleet of two scooters, or a fleet of 200 trucks.

Sources

• https://www.cartrack.co.za/tips-highly-effective-fleet-manager
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleet_management