What Ford Brought to NAIAS 2016

Last month I was sent to NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) on behalf of Ford. I was able to attend last year as my first year going to a huge auto show and was blown away. It is way different than we get here in Houston. This year was a bit different as there weren’t as many huge reveals as there was last year, but still some show stoppers and news worth sharing. Yes some of you may have already read most of the headlines, but for those who aren’t as much in the know about automotive news I am here to share with you. Here is what Ford brought to NAIAS this year.

Ford has had talks like the one I attended this last summer at Ford Trends and again in December about their plans to move forward not just as an automotive company but as a mobility company as well. What does this mean? It means that they are looking at ways to not just sell you a vehicle, but maybe to have car sharing services, technology that can bring you a car if you need to run a quick errand without the hassle of owning and maintaining your own vehicle. They want to make it easier to move about the world whether on an eBike or shuttle throughout the work day.

At NAIAS Ford announced FordPass®. It is an app that can be used for a lot of different things.

So what is FordPass®?

• FordPass^®, part of Ford’s transformation into an auto and mobility company, aims to do for car owners what iTunes did for music fans
• Launching in April, FordPass reimagines the relationship between automaker and consumer; membership is free whether you own a Ford vehicle or not by registering online
• Benefits include a Marketplace offering mobility services; FordGuides, who are always there to help you move; Appreciation, for membership loyalty; and FordHubs, where you can go to experience the company’s latest innovations
• Ford partnering with ParkWhiz to help drivers find and pay for advance parking more easily, and with FlightCar to help consumers share and borrow; FordPay makes it easy to pay for mobility expenses
• Ford also partnering with McDonald’s and 7-Eleven to reward FordPass members with merchandise and unique experiences
• FordHubs to open in New York, London, Shanghai and San Francisco; first will open later this year at New York’s Westfield World Trade Center

I think it is an interesting concept and we will have to wait and see how it all plays out and functions. My most favorite news at NAIAS was the introduction of the 2017 Ford Raptor SuperCrew. It takes the design that was showcased last year and turns it into a larger truck so that you can actually haul your family around while having a killer looking truck. I for one want to get my hands on it so bad!!! Maybe just maybe they will bring it to the TAWA truck rodeo this fall… Oh yeah!!!

Ford also debuted the Ford Fusion Platinum. Man this vehicle is decked out and almost makes me want a car… almost…

If you have never been to NAIAS before, you have got to try and make the trip one of these days. Ford puts on one of the most interactive displays of Behind the Blue Oval that really gives you a look into the vehicles, learning more about them, being hands on with them more than you would at a typical auto show. One of my favorites to watch was when they lifted a F-150 into the air and you could use the Pro Trailer Backup Assist through virtual reality. So cool to see and experience. I have done it in real life and as someone who has no clue how to really back up a trailer it made it an absolute breeze. Awesome technology that I can really get behind and is so useful to truck owners.

What do you think about what Ford brought to NAIAS? Thanks again for Ford for hosting me for NAIAS 2016. It is always a fabulous experience and pleasure to work with you all. Seriously though when can I expect a Raptor in my driveway?