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The products target the Ford F-Series Trucks and the new Ford Bronco

Auburn Hills, Mich. (Jan. 10, 2024) – Alps Alpine North America, Inc. (“Alpine”) announces three new vehicle-specific solutions designed for Ford F-Series Trucks and the new Ford Bronco.

“Alpine is no stranger to vehicle-specific upgrades for Ford,” said Gregg Thomas, Director of National Sales for the Alpine Brand Division at Alps Alpine North America, Inc. “Using what we learned from past product offerings, we’re proud to offer solutions and complete sound system upgrade packages that were intentionally designed to both compliment and improve the truck experience.”

The solutions will include two variations of a complete sound system upgrade for select Ford F-Series trucks and an easy bass upgrade for the new Ford Bronco.

Music Made for Trucks

Specially crafted for the 2015-up Ford F-Series truck line, Alpine will offer the PSS-23FORD-F150 Complete Eight-Speaker Sound System Upgrade with OPTIM™8 Technology. This system comes pre-tuned for the unique truck cabin environment and features High-Resolution Speakers for improved dynamic audio range.

The system includes six High-Resolution speakers from the Next-Generation S-Series line that replace the front and rear factory speakers in the Ford F-Series truck with 8” component front speakers and 6.5” coaxial rear speakers.

To enhance the bass performance in the F-Series Truck, the system also includes a 600W RMS (300W x 2) dual eight-inch truck subwoofer enclosure that’s intentionally designed to be installed under the rear seat of the truck, both enhancing the bass output and eliminating the need to take up valuable truck cabin space.

The entire system is powered by Alpine’s groundbreaking new OPTIM™8 8-Channel Hi-Res Sound Processor & Amplifier with Automatic Sound Tuning.

The system will also be available for the 2015-up Ford F-Series Trucks with the factory premium B&O audio system (PSS-23FORD-F150BO) featuring the same product offering powered by a S-Series 5-Channel amplifier instead of the OPTIM™8. Each system includes a vehicle-specific harness OEM integration harness designed for easy plug-and-play installation.

Bass for the Bronco

Alpine is excited to introduce a solution for the highly-anticipated return of the Ford Bronco with the SBP-24BRNC Weather-Resistant Powered Tailgate Subwoofer Enclosure for the 2021-up Ford Bronco. This solution was designed to be an easy bass upgrade for the OEM System in the Bronco with a high-performance subwoofer and easy, plug-and-play installation.

The enclosure comes preloaded with a 12” weather-resistant shallow subwoofer that’s optimized to add impressive bass performance while taking up less cargo space than a traditional subwoofer. The enclosure includes a built-in 500W RMS amplifier designed for uninterrupted performance, even when played at loud volumes.

A custom mounting bracket allows for easy installation on the inside rear tailgate of the 2021-up Ford Bronco Truck. A plug-and-play harness is also included for easy integration into the OEM system.

The complete sound system upgrade for the bass audio Ford F-Series Trucks (PSS-23FORD-F150) and premium B&O audio system trucks (PSS-23FORD-F150BO) will be available in Spring 2024 at $1,499.95 and $1,999.95 respectively. The tailgate subwoofer enclosure for the Ford Bronco will also be available in March 2024 at $999.95.

All products can be purchased at Alpine Authorized retailers and Preferred Online Stores. Please check the store locator on www.alpine-usa.com for details. 

PSS-23FORD-F150 8-Speaker Sound System Upgrade for 2015-Up Ford F-Series Crew Cab Trucks

  • Includes: S-Series 600W RMS (300W x 2) Dual 8" Truck Subwoofer Enclosure (S2-DB8V-TRK), 8" S-Series Component Hi-Res Front Speakers (S2-S80C), 6.5" S-Series Coaxial Hi-Res Rear Speakers (S2-S65) Speaker Adapter Rings, Plug-and-Play OEM Integration Harnesses, and Alpine OPTIM™8 8-Channel Hi-Res Sound Processor & Amplifier with Automatic Sound Tuning (PXE-C80-88)
  • Plug-and-Play OEM Integration Harnesses
  • Pre-tuned for F-Series Truck Cabin Environment
  • Replaces Front and Rear Factory Speakers with Hi-Res Audio Certified S-Series Speakers for Improved Dynamic Audio Range
  • Adds Deeper Bass Output with S-Series Truck Enclosure
  • Installs Under-the-Rear Seat with Integrated OPTIM™8 DSP & Amplifier for Compact, Sleek Look

PSS-23FORD-F150BO 8-Speaker Sound System Upgrade for 2015-Up Ford F-Series Crew Cab Trucks with factory premium B&O Audio System

  • 8-Speaker Sound System Upgrade for 2015-Up Ford F-Series Crew Cab Trucks with factory premium B&O Audio System
  • Includes: S-Series 600W RMS (300W x 2) Dual 8" Truck Subwoofer Enclosure (S2-DB8V-TRK), 8" S-Series Component Hi-Res Front Speakers (S2-S80C), 6.5" S-Series Coaxial Hi-Res Rear Speakers (S2-S65) Speaker Adapter Rings, Plug-and-Play OEM Integration Harnesses, and 5-Channel S-Series Amplifier (S2-A55V)
  • Plug-and-Play OEM Integration Harnesses
  • Pre-tuned for F-Series Truck Cabin Environment
  • Replaces Front and Rear Factory Speakers with Hi-Res Audio Certified S-Series Speakers for Improved Dynamic Audio Range
  • Adds Deeper Bass Output with S-Series Truck Enclosure
  • Installs Under-the-Rear Seat with integrated S2-A55V Amplifier for Compact, Sleek Look

SBP-24BRNC Weather-Resistant Powered Tailgate Subwoofer Enclosure for 2021-Up Ford Bronco

  • Preloaded with 12" High-Performance Weather-Resistant Shallow Subwoofer
  • Powered with Built-in 500W RMS Amplifier
  • Custom Mount Bracket for Installation on Inside Rear Tailgate of 2021-Up Ford Bronco
  • Plug-and-Play Harnesses
  • Easy Bass Upgrade for OEM System
  • Factory Rugged Look & Feel
  • Keeps Rear Cargo Space Intact
  • Weather-resistant Enclosure (IP55 Rated)

Ford© is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company

Product information is based upon current information at the time of press but cannot be guaranteed. All designs, features, specifications, and delivery dates are subject to change without notice.   

SEMA Show 2018 New Product Rollout

Holly Hill, Fla. – October 29, 2018 – Axxess Integrate ® by Metra Electronics ® is introducing Ford 2017-up* AX-DSP packages at the 2018 SEMA Show. The patented Axxess Digital Signal Processor (AX-DSP), a vehicle-specific T-harness, A2B data interface and amplifier bypass harness is included. “The Axxess Digital Signal Processor product line we introduced at last year’s SEMA Show was met with great demand, so we’ve been working to develop even more AX-DSP packages and harnesses for our customers,” says Juan Lugo, Director of Product Development for Axxess. Other new solutions for this product line will include the AX-DSP-HD1 and HD2 harnesses to cover select Harley-Davidson ® 1998-up* models. The low-profile AX-DSP size makes it ideal for motorcycle audio and the new T-harnesses will reduce installation time.

Ford A2B Plug-n-Play Packages with AX-DSP

This complete DSP package is designed to retain the OE functionality when upgrading a sound system. Designed for select Ford 2017-up* vehicles with a Sony A2B amplifier (AX-DSP-A2B1) or 2018-up* vehicles with a Bang & Olufsen A2B amplifier (AX-DSP-A2B2), this technology will retain SYNC voice prompts (if equipped), parking sensor chimes and other factory chimes. All chimes and voice prompts will go through the aftermarket amplifier and have an adjustable chime level. The amplifier does not need to be retained and installation of the AX-DSP must be done at the amplifier location.

AX-DSP-A2B1

Designed for select Ford 2017-up* vehicles with Sony A2B amplifier

AX-DSP-A2B2

Designed for select Ford 2018-up* vehicles with Bang & Olufsen A2B amplifier

Product Specifications:

● Includes AX-DSP and plug-n-play harnessing for the AX-DSP
● Includes A2B data interface and an amplifier bypass harness
● Retains factory chimes
● Retains factory parking sensor chimes
● Retains SYNC voice prompts (if equipped)
● All chimes/voice prompts go through the aftermarket amplifier
● Adjustable chime level
● Micro “B” USB updatable

About the Patented AX-DSP Technology

The AX-DSP is a cost-effective solution for customers who want to retain their factory radio and improve their vehicle sound quality, while still retaining systems like SYNC ® or OnStar ® . This digital signal processor sets itself apart with on-board digital amplifier turn-on capability, chime retention with volume control, and fully adjustable 31 band graphic EQ with time delay. All features and adjustments are controlled via Bluetooth ® to the Axxess smartphone application, available for iOS and Android devices. The AX-DSP, which began shipping in the summer of 2017, already works with a wide range of vehicle applications, including non-amplified vehicles that do not have chimes. *See the AX-DSP application chart at AxxessInterfaces.com for up-to-date, vehicle specific
information.

Additional new product information can be seen in the Axxess website news section . All of the new products will be on display at SEMA in the Metra Electronics main booth 11629 (North Hall). Metra
Electronics will have off-road, truck and powersports accessories at booth 37011 in the South Hall Upper Level.

At Metra, 12-volt installation and integration is our passion. We strive to continuously offer the highest quality products to meet the fluctuating technological challenges of the automotive world. We actively listen to our customers’ requests and invest resources into developing the highest quality dash kit and harness solutions. We make more dash kits for the most vehicle applications than anyone else in the world. That’s why we’ve been known as “The Installer’s Choice” ® for more than 72 years. Our other brands include: Axxess ® , T-Spec ® , The Install Bay ® , Heise LED Lighting Systems ® , iBEAM Vehicle Safety Systems ® , Shuriken High Performance Batteries ® , Raptor ® , Ballistic ® , AmmoTenna ® , Metra PowerSports ® , and Metra Marine ® . Metra’s expertise in connectivity solutions is also applied to its division of premium home theater and surveillance products, Metra Home Theater Group ® . For ordering information and pricing, visit Metra Electronics online at MetraOnline.com or call 800.221-0932.

CES 2019 New Product Rollout

Holly Hill, Fla. – January 7, 2019 – Axxess Integrate® by Metra Electronics® is debuting a new interface designed to automatically disengage the STOP/START engine feature on select Ford and Chrysler vehicles. “Having the engine turn off when stopped may be bothersome to some people. Now installers can offer drivers the option to override or re-engage this feature automatically,” said Juan Lugo, Director of Product Development for Axxess. The AX-SSO is patent-pending with exclusive interface technology and can be used with factory or aftermarket radios. The vehicle type is configured through Axxess Updater PC software and a simple four-wire installation is done at the radio location.

The AX-SSO, along with many other new products, will be on display at CES in the Metra Electronics booth 5211 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 8 - 11, 2019. New Axxess products can also be seen online at AxxessInterfaces.com starting January 8.

At Metra, 12-volt installation and integration is our passion. We strive to continuously offer the highest quality products to meet the fluctuating technological challenges of the automotive world.  We actively listen to our customers’ requests and invest resources into developing the highest quality dash kit and harness solutions. We make more dash kits for the most vehicle applications than anyone else in the world. That’s why we’ve been known as “The Installer’s Choice” ® for more than 72 years. Our other brands include: Axxess®, T-Spec®, The Install Bay®, Heise LED Lighting Systems®, iBEAM Vehicle Safety Systems®, Shuriken High Performance Batteries®, Raptor®, Ballistic®, AmmoTenna®, Metra PowerSports®, and Metra Marine®. Metra’s expertise in connectivity solutions is also applied to its division of premium home theater and surveillance products, Metra Home Theater Group®.  For ordering information and pricing, visit Metra Electronics online at MetraOnline.com or call 800.221-0932.


Telegraph -- Bill Ford, executive chairman of the Ford Motor Company, has said he wants to transform from a carmaker into a mobility services company.

“You have autonomous driving, connected cars, new ways of accessing ownership like Zipcar, Uber or Lyft, you have data collection. We are looking at all of it,” he told the audience at Europe’s largest technology event, the Dublin Web Summit.

“It’s the company that can stitch all that together to make people’s lives easier [that] will emerge as a winner. It will require partnerships with big technology companies and also with startups.”

Speaking about whether Ford may partner with the likes of Apple and Google to make driverless technology, Mr Ford said, “You never know. I do think partnerships will be important.

“In my great grandfather’s time, when he founded Ford, there was a single vertical, where they did everything,” he said. “But one company shouldn’t know it all or do it all. That’s going to change.” 

Read the rest here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11973273/Bill-Ford-carmakers-must-collaborate-with-tech-companies-like-Apple.html

CNET -- Ford's had a change of heart. When every other automaker went running for smartphone apps that connected to a vehicle via an in-car modem, Ford chose to hold off, claiming the smartphone was the method for providing vehicles with Internet-based functionality. That's all changed with the release of Sync Connect, which will launch with the 2017 Ford Escape unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

"There's a recognition that we need to be multifaceted in regards to connectivity," said Don Butler, Ford's director of connected vehicles and services. "With where we see the industry going, built-in connectivity will become an increasing part of what we do. I think the approach that we've taken at Ford has been consistent with our customers and their needs."

Sync Connect is similar to apps from other automakers in that it allows the owner to access certain vehicle functions and information from the owner's own smartphone. Available features include remote lock and unlock, vehicle status including tire pressures and fuel level, vehicle location and remote start.

 

Its standout feature is the ability to remote start a vehicle according to a schedule. You can, for example, program your car to start at 7:15 every morning for your 7:30 departure. Other automakers offer remote-start capabilities, but none let you schedule it ahead of time. Ford also believes its user interface will help set it apart from its competitors.

The app will also receive over-the-air updates, which require the car to be running. However, you won't lose infotainment functionality while that happens. According to Ford, the updating takes place on a module that operates independently of the Sync 3 infotainment system, so the driver won't miss anything while it's happening.

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.cnet.com/news/ford-announces-sync-connect-smartphone-app/

Traffic Technology -- With a recent study showing that drivers in Europe spend an average of 30 hours every year stuck in traffic jams, Ford is currently developing technology that could make driving in congestion less stressful. The company’s Traffic Jam Assist feature aids the driver by keeping the vehicle centered in the lane, and brakes and accelerates to keep pace with the vehicle in front of it.

The system is among a range of semi-autonomous driver assistance technologies that Ford is developing, as it moves toward the eventual introduction of fully-autonomous vehicles. Activated at the push of a button when a traffic jam is encountered, Traffic Jam Assist identifies the position of vehicles in front using a grille-mounted radar, and the location of lane markings using a front-facing camera behind the windscreen.

The driver can take over at any time by using the pedals, the steering wheel or the indicators. The system also regularly monitors the driver’s interaction with the steering wheel, issuing acoustic and visual warnings if it detects a lack of steering input.

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=75821

IT Pro Portal -- Just because you speak the same language as someone else, it doesn’t mean you pronounce your words in the same way.

There are so many regional variations of English that it can be difficult for a person born and raised in one area of a country to understand the accent of someone born and raised just a few hundred miles away.

SEE ALSO: Illegal downloaders to receive email warnings, as Pirate Bay traffic doubles

I’ve watched TV shows where people speaking perfectly good English have been subtitled because they have a really strong accent that not everyone can follow.

If people struggle to comprehend other people, you can only imagine the problems machines have with these variations. If you’ve ever spent time repeating the same set of words or commands in a variety of accents in an effort to have a piece of software understand and respond to you, you’ll appreciate what I’m saying.

The problem of not being understood by voice activated technology is particularly problematic in cars. When driving your focus should be on the road rather than trying to get your vehicle to recognise your request to place a call or play a music track.

Thankfully, Ford has a solution in the form of its global voice-activated SYNC Technology which responds to local accents. It can understand accents from Bavarian German to Liverpudlian English in 17 languages. The driver only has to say a few words, and accent will be recognised and remembered (should another driver use the vehicle the system will update a saved file to recognise their voice).

Read the rest here: http://www.itproportal.com/2015/09/26/ford-develops-accent-detecting-voice-recognition-car-tech/

Reuters, May 5, 2016 -- Ford Motor Co (F.N) is investing $182.2 million in San Francisco-based Pivotal Software, underscoring the pressure carmakers face to boost their technology platforms given the rise of connected and self-driving cars.

The investment in Pivotal, a cloud-software company which provides tools that make it easier for developers to build software, will help Ford boost its own software capabilities. As part of the deal, Ford and Pivotal will jointly open labs in the United States and Europe where their engineers will work side by side.

While Pivotal does not make the software at the heart of self-driving car technology, Ford chief executive Mark Fields said he expected benefits from the partnership to flow to all product-development and information-technology teams at Ford, including those working on autonomous cars.

For example, Pivotal can help Ford speed up its software-development times, he said in an interview.

Ford's investment, part of a $253 million funding round into Pivotal, comes a day after Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCHA.MI) said they would collaborate on creating autonomous minivans. In March, General Motors Co (GM.N) spent $1 billion on Cruise Automation, whose best-known product aims to add self-driving technology onto traditional cars.

“This is not about catching up or one upping the competition,” Fields said. “We have had leadership in (autonomous vehicles) for some time now.”

Ford is on track for a fleet of 30 autonomous cars by year end, a Ford spokesman said, second only to Google’s test fleet of autonomous cars. In general, Ford has provided few public details on its plans for self-driving cars.

Software maker Microsoft Corp.(MSFT.O) is also investing in the funding round for Pivotal, which had been considered a 2016 IPO candidate when this year's market for initial public offerings looked more promising.

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ford-motor-pivotal-software-idUSKCN0XW11G

Ford shifts its autonomous car program into a higher gear, announcing it will become the first automaker to test its self-driving cars at a new Michigan compound.

While the Detroit manufacturer has been working on both connected- and autonomous-car technologies for a decade, the new testing program at Mcity – a 32-acre faux metropolis in Ann Arbor, Mich. – reflects Ford’s recent move to upgrade its self-driving efforts from pure research to advanced engineering.

“We’ve been testing (autonomous) cars in the real world, but using a place like Mcity will allow us to refine our algorithms and better calibrate car sensors by repeating specific situations in a reliable way,” says Raj Nair, Ford’s vice president of global product development.

Mcity opened this past summer and is a joint project of the University of Michigan and the state’s Department of Transportation. Ford is one of a few large automakers contributing $1 million over three years to Mcity, which features storefronts, traffic lights, pedestrian zones and other real-world infrastructure to better train autonomous cars on how they need to react in a range of scenarios.

With the reality of streets humming with self-driving cars now more a matter of when than if, automakers and technology companies are looking for ways to accelerate their respective efforts.

4/7/2016, Washington Post -- Commuters, this is for you. Ford is rolling out a new, semi-autonomous feature that promises to help cope with the tedium and stress of bumper-to-bumper traffic. It's an upgrade to its adaptive cruise control technology that supports stop-and-go traffic.

Currently, many adaptive cruise control features on the market will slow you down when the car ahead applies the brakes, and it'll speed you up again when things get moving. But usually, at speeds of around 12 mph, the cruise control will deactivate and hand the driving duties back to the human.

Ford's stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, which will be available this spring on new Fusion sedans, works below that speed threshold, and will still function even when your car has come to a full stop. Using a suite of cameras and radar, the technology tracks the car ahead and matches its speed, slowing or even stopping if the situation warrants it.

If you're standing still for more than three seconds, the feature will ask you to tap a button to reactivate it, which could get annoying. Still, so long as the traffic is frequently starting and stopping, so will the car, all by itself.

Read the rest here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/04/05/ford-just-took-another-step-toward-a-traffic-free-future/

Programmable Web -- At last week's Ford Developer Conference, Ford announced that its new SYNC 3 platform would include an API open to the developer community. API access to the platform will allow developers to build apps that integrate with SYNC 3 enabled vehicles. SYNC 3 enabled vehicles include features such as voice recognition, touch screen, and more.

Ford named the technology that allows app-vehicle communication AppLink. AppLink allows the app developer community to integrate with SYNC 3 enabled vehicles with voice control and allows apps to appear on a vehicle's SYNC screen. Ford first rolled out a developer program in 2013. Since the initial launch, over 90 smartphone compatible apps have been developed for AppLink. The latest release should only increase that number.

The Detroit News, May 10, 2016 -- Ford Motor Co. thinks the driverless cars of tomorrow could come with their own drones.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office published a Ford patent application for a drone deployment system that would work with autonomous vehicles to serve as the car’s “eyes” by flying ahead and mapping its surroundings. Passengers would use the car’s infotainment or navigation systems to control the drone as an aerial sensor.

“The drone device is introduced to the vehicle system in order to extend the range at which the vehicle is about to obtain information on its surroundings beyond the range of any one or more sensors, visual systems and/or communications interfaces that may be onboard the vehicle,” the patent says.

The patent also allows for the drone to accomplish delivery of items to and from the vehicle. In addition to a quad-copter or other flying device, the drone could be “a terrestrial model capable of land travel or a marine model capable of traveling on top or under water.”

Just because Ford has the patent for the technology doesn’t mean the system will ever be produced.

“As a technology leader, we submit patents on innovative ideas as a normal course of business,” a Ford spokesman said in a statement. “Patent applications are intended to protect new ideas but aren’t necessarily an indication of new business or product plans.”

Business Insider -- This month, the United States Patent and Trademark Office approved a patent application from a group of Ford employees for an "autonomous car with reconfigurable seats."

It's the latest step in Ford's move into the world of self-driving cars, and it comes on the heels of the company's launch of an advanced engineering program headed by the company's Research and Innovation Center in Palo Alto, California.

The company also has partnerships with MIT and Stanford to conduct research into the challenges of automated driving.

According to the patent, filed by Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad Rao, and Jialiang Le, the design calls for an automobile capable of operating without the input of a driver.

At the same the vehicle is equipped with seats capable of changing its layout.

This means that when the car is in autonomous mode, the passenger cabin can be converted into a lounge or a more socially conducive setting — turning the average family sedan into a road-going private jet.

 

Start-ups like Uber and Lyft are changing the way people view car ownership whilst the likes of Google and Tesla are forging ahead with autonomous and electric vehicles themselves. Even Apple is rumoured to be working on a self-driving car.

The reason Ford was at MWC was to promote and explain its expansion into ‘ smart mobility’ - everything from pay-by-the-minute car hire (GoDrive) to autonomous driving (Active Park Assist).

And the company insists it’s not intimidated by the technology coming from Silicon Valley, but rather sees it as an opportunity.

"We’re not scared of Silicon Valley at all,” Dr Ken Washington, the vice president of Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford, told Mirror Online at MWC.

Read the rest here: http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/were-not-scared-silicon-valley-7464581

Bloomberg, 9-15-2016 -- Ford Motor Co. intends to start selling driverless cars to the public by about 2025, its chief executive officer said.

The goal is to lower costs enough to make autonomous vehicles affordable to millions of people, CEO Mark Fields said in a speech Monday at company headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. After starting with sales of robot taxis to ride-hailing services by 2021, “around mid-decade we’ll make vehicles available for people to purchase for themselves,” he said.

“We’re dedicated to putting autonomous vehicles on the road for millions of people, not just those who can afford luxury cars,” Fields said.

The CEO is attempting to chart a new path for the 113-year-old automaker as the industry is roiled by changes from the emergence of the sharing economy and advent of the age of the autonomous car. Over the last month, Fields has revealed plans to roll out robot taxis -- with no steering wheel, gas or brake pedals -- and to expand into the mobility business by providing bikes and shuttle services in big cities. He has said he is transforming Ford into an automotive and a mobility company to succeed in this new era.

Automation Era

“We believe this next decade is really going to be defined by the automation of the automobile,” Fields told reporters after his speech, adding that he’ll offer a more detailed forecast of the autonomous future at Ford’s investor meeting Wednesday.

The robot cars eventually offered to consumers will be completely reworked in ways that will let their occupants enjoy entertainment or conduct business, he told reporters.

“Think about all the things you can do when you don’t have to be focused on driving,” Fields said. “You can design lots of things, using the interior for a lot of different use cases.”

Investors have not reacted favorably to the company’s push for driverless cars and mobility services, and seem more focused on the profit warnings Ford has issued. Ford lowered its 2016 pretax profit forecast last week to $10.2 billion from at least $10.8 billion because of the cost of an expanded recall of faulty door latches. That came after the automaker said in July its profit outlook was “at risk” due to rising costs and slowing sales as the U.S. auto market plateaus.

Ford rose 2.6 percent to close at $12.70 in New York, as the broader market rallied. The shares have declined 9.9 percent this year.

9-19-2016, C3 Report -- While attending the Further with Ford conference at the company’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, earlier this week, the automaker’s old-fashioned script logo at the entrance to the building caught my eye. Probably because I’d watched several episodes of HBO’s Silicon Valley on the plane ride to Detroit; its opening title sequence features tech company logos vying for attention. At Ford, its old-school insignia seemed out of step with its ambitions to remake itself as a mobility company rivaling the likes of Uber, Google, and others.

Technology has certainly created Kodak moments for many long-established and iconic companies, and some predict the same thing will occur in the auto industry. While Ford isn’t the only car company making this transition into mobility, it has been one of the most aggressive. It plans, for example, to build and deploy fully self-driving vehicles for an autonomous ride-sharing service in five years; check out a hands on with Ford’s latest self-driving car from our sister site ExtremeTech. Last week, it also acquired van-pool service Chariot and announced plans to expand bike-sharing in the Bay Area.

Those plans all run counter to selling more cars and trucks to people. In fact, Ford recently lowered its profit forecast for 2017 due to investment in mobility and other forward-leaning technologies.

The Further with Ford event featured a parade of company executives in a carefully choreographed series of discussions and presentations. But at the same time, I found the company’s kingpins, and particularly executive chairman and company scion Bill Ford, unusually candid about the opportunities and challenges the automaker faces in moving from selling vehicles to marketing mobility.

In an opening session, CEO Mark Fields suggested that vehicle miles traveled will be more important than number of vehicle sold. Product chief Raj Nair noted that Ford is intentionally disrupting its century-old business model of vehicle sales since the change is inevitable.

But few things provoke a stronger reaction from auto industry veterans than the idea that car companies are dinosaurs that will be eventually usurped by Silicon Valley. In an onstage interview, Bill Ford, the great-grandson of the company’s founder, acknowledged that “it’s not just Google and Apple, but it’s start-ups of people spinning out of Google and Apple” with which Ford will have to compete.

Read the rest of the story HERE.

9-16-2016 -- Ford Motor Co. executives say the automaker’s investment in autonomous cars and new transportation services will hurt in the short term, but will set up the company for long-term success.

Ford President and CEO Mark Fields said Wednesday at the company’s annual investor day that Ford’s 2017 financial results will fall from the $10.2 billion the company expected to earn this year as Ford invests in ride-sharing shuttles and other services. But the company’s fortunes will pick back up in 2018, executives say, and those emerging opportunities could offer profit margins of more than double what Ford makes selling cars and trucks.

“As we expand to be an auto and a mobility company, we’re not moving from an ‘old’ business to a ‘new’ business. We’re moving to a bigger business,” Fields said in a statement. “The world is moving from simply owning vehicles to owning and sharing them. That’s why we are expanding to sell more vehicles and provide transportation services at the same time.”

Ford’s investor day presentations, Fields said, were meant to convince Wall Street that Ford, “is a solid investment with an attractive upside on emerging opportunities.”

As has been the case in recent years, investors shrugged off the news. Ford stock closed Wednesday at $12.14 a share, down 1.94 percent for the day.

Executives from across the company detailed how they plan to continue to have a strong core business while methodically expanding into new services and technologies such as driverless vehicles. Fields said those opportunities could offer profit margins of 20 percent, while its target for margins in its core business is 8 percent.

Ford is investing heavily in autonomous cars because it believes driverless vehicles could account for 20 percent of industry-wide U.S. yearly sales by 2030. Of that 20 percent, Fields said 80 percent will be in fleets, while 20 percent will be for personal use.

Executives believe the company has the potential to earn $3.7 trillion of the transportation industry’s $5.4 trillion in annual revenue from emerging mobility opportunities such as ride-hailing and car-sharing services.

The automaker’s leadership sees the biggest chance to make money off retail and finance, followed by mass transit. The company expects the mass transit sector will account for $900 billion of the potential $3.7 trillion the industry could earn.

Ford’s already investing heavily in that space. Last week it acquired Chariot, a shuttle service based in San Francisco that it plans to expand to five additional markets in the next 18 months. Chariot is working to deploy fully autonomous cars for a commercial ride-hailing or ride-sharing service in 2021.

By targeting its autonomous vehicle for a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service, Ford said it can reduce the cost of traveling. Traditionally, owning a vehicle has cost between 70 cents and $1.50 a mile, it says. Ford’s autonomous ride-hailing or sharing vehicles could reduce the cost to about $1 per mile — on par or even less than personal ownership.

The company also sees money to be made off insurance, motorcycle and taxi services.

Ford projects that driverless cars will represent 20 percent of U.S. yearly sales by the end of next decade. If those figures were applied to today’s record-level auto sales, Americans would have bought about 3.5 million self-driving vehicles.

Ford also expects 10 percent of all miles traveled will be autonomous by 2030.

Ford says it will still focus on its core business of selling cars and trucks, and reiterated a number of plans, including a $4.5 billion investment in electric cars it announced last December, as well as maintaining leadership in the truck and van segments.

The company also is refocusing how it sells small cars, trying to reduce its cost footprint in a segment that not many customers want. It reduced Ford Focus buildable combinations from 200,000 in 2015 to approximately 300 for the 2017-model year and 30 for the next-generation Focus.

That’s saving the company about $300 per car, Ford said.

Ultimately, Ford predicts a pre-tax profit of about $10.2 billion this year, down from earlier estimates of $10.8 billion, which it earned last year. The company estimates it will earn about $1 billion in the third quarter, or about 10 percent of the full-year results.

Read the rest of the story HERE. 

April 26 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google unit, Ford Motor Co, Volvo Cars and two ride-sharing companies said Tuesday they are forming a coalition to urge federal action on self-driving cars.

The coalition, which also includes Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft, is "to work with lawmakers, regulators, and the public to realize the safety and societal benefits of self-driving vehicles."

The group said David Strickland, the former top official of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will serve as the coalition's counsel and spokesperson.

"The best path for this innovation is to have one clear set of federal standards, and the coalition will work with policymakers to find the right solutions that will facilitate the deployment of self-driving vehicles," Strickland said in a statement.

Sweden-based Volvo Cars is owned by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.

Miramar, FL—April 30, 2018—JL Audio, an innovator in high-end audio solutions,has announced the availability of new Stealthbox®subwoofer systems for theToyota Tacoma Double Cab, Tacoma Access Cab,and theFord F150 SuperCab.These vehicle-specific subwoofer solutions are designed to precisely fit into tight spaces within the vehicle while remaining virtually hidden from view while delivering strong, deep bass output.

The Stealthbox® for F-150 SuperCab and SuperDuty SuperCab trucks is designed to install neatly under the rear seat with no intrusion on cab space or affecting the ability to fold and recline the seat. A 10-inch TW3 thin-line subwoofer is housed in the all-fiberglass, sealed enclosure design. Additionally, a recess is incorporated on the top for mounting an amplifier, if desired.

Toyota’s Tacoma Double Cab has a highly optimized interior design with almost zero wasted space. This makes integrating a serious subwoofer a pretty major challenge. Utilizing the small box prowess and shallow mounting depth of the 10-inch TW3 thin-line subwoofer, a Stealthbox® subwoofer solution is sculpted toinstall behind the passenger side rear seat in the storage pocket. The results are stunning!

The Access Cab version of Toyota's midsize truck has minimal backseat space for passengers and almost no room for a bulky subwoofer enclosure. JL Audio’s Stealthbox® design team developed a clever solution that mounts between the jump seats, creating a nice arm rest with dual storage trays for rear passengers. Equipped with a 10-inch TW3 thin-line subwoofer, this down-firing Stealthbox® features an all-fiberglass, sealed enclosure design and delivers stunning deep-bass output. Rear seat folding remains unaffected.

For two decades, JL Audio’s acclaimed Stealthbox®vehicle-specific enclosures have set a high standard for sound quality, as well as vehicle-specific fit and installation integrity. Using laser-scanning technology, JL Audio’s development team, precisely measures the nooks and tight spaces available within a vehicle. Solid modeling software is then used to design subwoofer solutions with precise fit and maximum enclosure volume, for strong, deep bass output.

SB-F-F150SPRCB/10TW3:
fits 2015-Up Ford F-150 SuperCab / 2017-Up SuperDuty SuperCab

Contains one 10TW3-D4 subwoofer in a sealed enclosure. 400 watt power handling. Wired for 2 ohm mono. Installs under rear bench seat and requires removal of the storage divider panel. Stealthbox® includes a steel-mesh grille to protect the driver. Does not affect folding or reclining of seat.

MSRPUSD: $749.99
Availability: Now Shipping

SB-T-TACDCG3/10TW3:
fits 2016-Up Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

Contains one 10TW3-D4 subwoofer in a sealed enclosure. 400 watt power handling. Wired for 2 ohm mono. Installs in storage pocket behind the passenger side rear seat. Black steel mesh woofer grille is included. Requires relocation of factory amplifier and removal of factory “subwoofer", if so equipped.

MSRPUSD: $699.99
Availability: Now Shipping

SB-T-TACDCG3/10TW3:
fits 2016-Up Toyota Tacoma Access Cab

Contains one 10TW3-D4 subwoofer in a sealed enclosure. 400 watt power handling. Wired for 2 ohm mono. Replaces rear center console.

MSRPUSD: $649.99
Availability: Now Shipping

Guided by a philosophy that great audio has real value, JL Audio develops innovative products that improve the audio experience on the go, in the home, and in the studio. Committed to unique engineering and quality manufacturing, JL Audio operates three U.S. engineering facilities, and builds many of its home, car and marine loudspeaker products at the company’s Miramar, Florida, USA factory, with components sourced from the company’s global supply network. For more information, visit jlaudio.com or follow the company on Facebook or Twitter.

STILLWATER, USA – Created to match every curve and contour of today’s most popular trucks, KICKER® announces three under-seat, loaded subwoofer enclosures featuring dual Solo-Baric® L7T square subwoofers, with a rated power handling of up to 1,200 total watts (RMS). Dual L7T-Loaded Truck-Specific Enclosures will be available for purchase at Authorized KICKER Dealers in-store and online. Soon to be introduced to the world on the KICKER UnMASKED! Live™ streamed show, Truck-Specific Loaded Enclosures will retail starting at $799.99 and will also be available for purchase online at www.kicker.com.

Each version of enclosure has been verified to fit each truck model perfectly and look every bit as good as it sounds. Both the KFDL7T (for many models of Ford®) and KGMDL7T (for many models of Chevy® and GMC®) are down-firing enclosures loaded with 10-inch and 12-inch subwoofers, respectively. Shipping later this quarter, the up-firing KRDL7T is made specifically for various RAM® truck models and includes pre-installed grilles to further protect its 10-inch L7T subwoofers. Consumers can check kicker.com for fitment in specific truck models.

Covered in thick black carpeting and sporting a custom KICKER logo, these enclosures are pre-wired to a single two-Ohm terminal for easiest installation. Thick MDF construction and extensive internal bracing keep the enclosures stable.

The L7T subwoofer’s extended top plate includes a KICKER-patented “bumped” design, allowing extra excursion and longer throw for deeper overall bass from its extremely thin design. The L7T’s unique square cone provides up to 20 percent additional cone area compared to a standard round sub of the same size, making a 12-inch square sub perform like a 13-inch subwoofer. The listener enjoys more volume and deeper bass.

For more information, consumers can visit www.kicker.com.

KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.

Ford is a registered trademark, owned and used under license by Ford Motor Company.

Chevy and GMC are a registered trademark of GM, its subsidiaries, affiliates or licensors.

RAM is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.

Dual L7T-Loaded Truck-Specific Enclosures Specifications

Model                                         KFDL7T10 (for Ford)  KGMDL7T12 (for GM)KRDL7T10 (for RAM)

Woofers [in, cm]                         10, 25                            12, 30                            10, 25
Design                                        down-firing                    down-firing                    up-firing

Rated Impedance [Ohms]           2                                    2                                    2                             

Rec. Amp Power [watts RMS]     500-1000                       600-1200                       500-1000

Peak Power Handling [watts]      2000                              2400                              2000

Frequency Response [Hz]           25-100                           25-100                           25-100                    

Width [in, cm]                              55-1/8, 140                    52, 132.1                       58-7/16, 148.4
Height [in, cm]                            8-1/4, 21                        7-7/16, 18.9                   7-9/16, 19.2

Depth [in, cm]                             13-3/8, 34                      15-1/2, 39.4                   16-7/16, 41.7

Grilles                                         no                                 no                                 yes

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