Every year when the snow starts to melt, West Michigan drivers welcome the more agreeable weather but know it comes with a cost: potholes will soon be everywhere. We might subconsciously memorize and avoid ones on our daily commutes, but there’s a chance that sooner or later you’re going to drive through one. There are steps you can take to minimize the damage they cause to your vehicle, but it’s important to understand what could be affected.

How Potholes Can Damage Your Tires

Knowing, identifying, and repairing pothole damage to your vehicle early keeps your repair bills down, so in this “Borgman How To,” we’re going to cover which parts are vulnerable and what function they serve – so you can sense when they need attention. The reason your vehicles have air-inflated rubber tires is (generally speaking) because they deform to the road surface. This gives you better traction and absorbs a good portion of the road noise and bumps by acting as a cushion. Making sure your tires are properly inflated to the correct pressure goes a long way toward lessening the impact of hitting a pothole. However, if your tires aren’t filled correctly, you run over a larger pothole, run over one at high speeds, or if you hit one on an angle, it is possible to damage your tire.

If the tire is struck hard enough head on, both the compression and shock could create tears in the inner lining. This is known as a sidewall breach, and you can often feel the bulge of air with your hands. If the tire is struck like that again, it could very well blow out.

How Potholes Can Damage Your Rims

How Potholes Can Damage Your Suspension

If you run over a pothole on an angle, these are impacts the tire was not designed for and it could do more immediate and severe damage. This includes taking chunks out at the tread, splitting, cracking, or in severe cases blowing them entirely. If you hit a pothole hard enough that it spills your coffee, the best thing to do is safely pull over and check your wheels for damage. Your rims could be damaged by a nasty pothole too, we’ll cover that next: Unlike tires, rims are not supposed to be flexible and if they take a big enough hit, they will bend, crack, or in some cases shatter. The most extreme cases come from vehicles with low-profile tires or tires that are under-inflated. If a rim takes damage from a pothole, there’s a good chance it has been compromised and will not be able to hold air. Your suspension’s job is to distribute the weight of your vehicle and absorb shocks or vibration from the wheels. When the impact from a pothole is more than they can handle, parts can become bent or fail altogether. In most setups, the front suspension consists of a MacPherson Strut which is connected to the body/frame at the top and bottom, the wheel, and to the steering control arms. The strut has a shock-absorbing cylinder within it that uses compressed oil or air to control the speed of the wheel moving up and down. A large spring coiled around this shock holds the body of the vehicle up off the ground.

Pothole impacts can damage that shock absorber, damage steering components like control arms, knock your wheels out of alignment, or bend/break other front-end parts. You can usually “sense” this has happened because the vehicle will make new noises when going over bumps, pull to one side, the steering wheel could be crooked, or it could be bumpier or louder than usual in the cabin.

Potholes Can Damage Other Parts Too

Where Do Potholes Come From?

How Do You Prevent Pothole Damage?

Severe pothole damage to your suspension is less common, but when it does happen it can be expensive. Depending on your auto insurance policy though, you may be able to claim the repair as a collision. We can certainly help you navigate this, but it’s important to check your policy beforehand to clear up any assumptions. While the wheels and suspension often get the worst of it, low-stance vehicles like sporty sedans can “bottom out” if the pothole is deep enough. This can result in dragging exhaust parts like the muffler, catalytic converter, or exhaust pipe on the pavement. Parts of the body can be damaged too, but usually, it’s just the plastic plate protecting the bottom of the engine. These are easily replaced, and we often have them in stock. During the warmer days, the ice on the road melts and seeps down into the cracks in the asphalt. After nightfall, when the temperature drops back below freezing, the water turns back into ice and expands with more than enough force to shatter the pavement, which then allows more water into the cracks. This cycle repeats until enough water can get in to wash away the earth below, and then the pavement collapses into a crater. From there, a pothole only gets wider and deeper until it’s repaired. Since there has been a lot of freezing and thawing going on all winter, you’re likely to see more than a few potholes while out and about. While running over a pothole isn’t ideal, sometimes it’s unavoidable. The best thing you can do to prevent severe damage is to make sure your tires are properly inflated – especially since the changing temperatures will affect the pressure in your tires. The rule of thumb is for every 10oF change in temperature, the pressure in your tires changes by 1 psi, but your mileage may vary so check them often.

Hit A Big Pothole? Have Your Vehicle Inspected at the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids, MI

If you absolutely cannot avoid a pothole, slow down as much as possible and release the brake just before impact. Make sure you drive straight through because as we mentioned above, hitting them on an angle can wreak havoc on your tires. Wait for the rear wheels to clear before getting back up to speed. If the impact made you cringe, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and inspect your wheels for damage. Pothole season has been an unfortunate fact of life in West Michigan for decades. If you’ve run over one recently and it’s causing some concern, Schedule an Inspection today at the Borgman Service Center and put your mind at ease. Our highly-trained and friendly staff will inspect your vehicle for signs of damage and will make honest recommendations based on what they find. If you have any questions about your vehicle, our advisors will be happy to sit down during your appointment and answer them for you. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford is pleased to share that Ford and DTE Energy have teamed up in an effort to make Ford’s operations even more sustainable. Through DTE’s MIGreenPower program, Ford is on-track to switch the Flat Rock Assembly Plant and other Ford facilities to 100% Michigan-sourced renewable energy by January 2021. Ford has been making investments in renewables for some time, with solar panels already in use at a number of their facilities and significantly reducing their water usage company-wide.

This latest energy decision will add wind turbines to the list, with Ford being the first automaker to announce they’re taking advantage of DTE’s new program. Borgman Ford applauds Ford’s commitment to sustainability, as these efforts drastically reduce pollutants and help preserve West Michigan’s and our Great Lakes’ natural beauty for generations to come.

Ford Motor Company To Procure Locally Sourced Michigan Wind Energy Through Collaboration With DTE Energy

A recent article from the Official Ford Media Center tells more about the new collaboration between Ford and DTE Energy, and we’ve included some excerpts below: Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Truck Plant, home of the Ford F-150 and Ford Raptor, Michigan Assembly Plant, home of the new 2019 Ford Ranger, and several new buildings on the Ford Research and Engineering Campus and Corktown campus, including Michigan Central Station, will soon be powered by 100 percent locally sourced renewable energy. This is in addition to the 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system already in place at Michigan Assembly.

This collaboration is part of a commitment by Ford to a substantial renewable energy procurement through DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program, supporting the company’s Southeast Michigan portfolio and providing 500,000 megawatt hours of locally sourced Michigan wind energy.

“Ford supports the implementation of renewable energy where the project can be tied to the customer’s facility, either directly or through the local distribution utility, and we believe that supports local jobs, improves the local environment and adds resiliency to the local grid,” said George Andraos, Ford Global Director of Energy and Technology. “This project is a great investment for the State of Michigan and will have direct impact on our state.”

Test Drive an Eco-Consciuous New Ford at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

You can keep reading the article here, or visit sustainability.ford.com to learn more about Ford’s sustainability performance, data and reporting. Ford has been doubling-down on fuel-efficiency in recent years, which is something Borgman celebrates as it has lasting impacts on Grand Rapids, West Michigan, and the planet. Across the entire Ford Lineup, technologies both within the vehicle and used in their construction help to reduce emissions, conserve water, and cut down on waste in landfills.

If you’re considering a Ford Vehicle to promote a sustainable future, visit Borgman’s showroom in Grand Rapids and test drive a New Car, Truck or SUV today. Our sales staff will be more than happy to help you find the perfect vehicle to suit your needs and your budget, and will answer any questions you may have. Read more about our Day Trader Program, and our Red Coat Traditions then stop by to see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford is excited to share some info about the upcoming 2020 Ford Super Duty with truck fans in West Michigan! Arriving at out Grand Rapids showroom sometime during fall this year, this newly-designed and heavily-upgraded F-Series workhorse is packed with new features, options, and technologies to better serve civilian and commercial uses alike.

For West Michigan adventurers, this means more power for towing, eye-catching new front grille and headlight design, and a host of connectivity, safety, and entertainment features. Many of these innovations do double-duty for commercial fleet customers offering a way to stay in touch with crews while they’re out on the road. However, the new 10-Speed TorqShift transmission retains the ability to borrow power for equipment like plows – without the need to bring the truck to a stop.

A recent article published on the 2020 Ford Super Duty info site tells all about the new truck and the features you can expect to find within it. Here are some excerpts from that article:

Upgraded 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty Pickup Raises the Bar Again with Next-Level Capability, Power and Technology

Ford, America’s truck leader, introduces the next level of Built Ford Tough heavy-duty pickup truck capability, power and technology with the new 2020 F-Series Super Duty pickup.

“Super Duty customers have demanding and diverse needs – from towing heavy trailers to repairing critical infrastructure,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford president, North America. “Productivity is their lifeblood and their truck is their biggest tool. Our new Super Duty has more power, more payload and towing capability and better technology than ever to help these customers build a better world.”

New F-Series Super Duty improvements include new gas and diesel engines, an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, chassis upgrades, exterior and interior design updates, and smart advanced technology that raises the bar again in towing, payload and connectivity.

“With the addition of the 7.3-liter V8, upgrades to our 6.7-liter and the debut of an all-new 10-speed transmission, we are delivering the strongest, most capable Super Duty powertrain offerings yet,” said Mike Pruitt, Ford Super Duty chief engineer.

Ford is making its all-new 10-speed TorqShift automatic transmission available across all three Super Duty engine offerings for the new 2020 model. This TorqShift features a wider gear ratio span than the 6-speed and is designed for the harshest towing conditions.

The heavy-duty transmission continues to offer class-exclusive live-drive power takeoff, which allows the operator to engage industrial equipment and accessories, such as snowplows, with the truck in motion. This electronically controlled transmission has selectable drive modes that include normal, tow/haul, eco, slippery, and deep sand and snow. The entire unit is so cleverly engineered that – even with four extra gears – it fits in the same space as the 6-speed and weighs only 3.5 pounds more.

For 2020, class-exclusive new Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes negotiating even the largest trailers into the tightest of spaces easier than ever before. With hands off the steering wheel, drivers use the Pro Trailer Backup Assist knob to easily steer the trailer via the reverse camera. The truck’s Trailer Reverse Guidance system shows trailer angle and direction, and provides steering suggestions to most efficiently direct a trailer backward. Both systems are built to accommodate all trailer styles, including fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers.

Because today’s work is a 24/7 proposition, staying connected is essential. Every new 2020 Super Duty includes FordPass ConnectTM embedded 4G LTE modem with Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices, keeping crews in communication no matter where the job might take them.

Super Duty’s LED headlamps have a new look with improved performance, while high series trucks feature continuous signature lighting. An improved front bumper and air dam optimize cooling and make using utility hooks easier. A freshened tailgate design, revised taillamps and new rear bumper convey bolder Built Ford Tough style.

Read the full article by visiting 2020SuperDuty.Ford.com.

The 2020 Ford Super Duty: Arriving at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids This Fall

West Michigan truck fans – if the 2020 Ford Super Duty is the F-Series you’ve been dreaming of, stop by Borgman Ford today and chat with our friendly and courteous sales staff. While the release date for the new truck is still several months out, we’d be happy to go over some of the upcoming features and give you a call when pre-orders open up. Contact Us today to get started, or shop 2019 Ford Super Duty trucks here!

Borgman Ford has been providing Grand Rapids and West Michigan shoppers with high-quality Ford Vehicles since 1960. Our dealership has an established reputation in the community for providing excellent customer service and affordable prices, with none of the usual Smoke & Mirrors around your trade-in. Read more about our commitment to fair and honest dealings on our Red Coat Traditions page, or visit us for a test drive and experience it for yourself. We hope to see you soon!

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If you’re thinking it’s time to upgrade your wheels before your next road trip, stop in and see the versatile New 2019 Ford Escape at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids! No matter if you’re going for a big grocery run or adventuring through the rolling terrain of West Michigan, this flexible and dependable Ford SUV is up for the task. Every inch of the 2019 Ford Escape has been designed around the busy adventurer.

In this post, we’ve highlighted some key features to show just how versatile this Ford Utility is, and what options are before you to make it truly yours. Take a quick look in the sections below and visit Borgman Ford today to experience what it has to offer.

2019 Ford Escape Engine & Powertrain

Trekking around is made easier with a multitude of safety and convenience running both front-and-center and behind the scenes. These include features like available Intelligent 4WD, which will keep an eye on wheel-slip from road conditions and automatically re-distribute power between the front and rear wheels to compensate. Available Curve Vectoring & Torque Control will monitor the forces on your vehicle while making turns – manipulating the throttle, brakes, and torque distribution to make sure your 2019 Ford Escape hugs the inside of turns and stays firmly planted to the road.

Trekking around is made easier with a multitude of safety and convenience running both front-and-center and behind the scenes. These include features like available Intelligent 4WD, which will keep an eye on wheel-slip from road conditions and automatically re-distribute power between the front and rear wheels to compensate. Available Curve Vectoring & Torque Control will monitor the forces on your vehicle while making turns – manipulating the throttle, brakes, and torque distribution to make sure your 2019 Ford Escape hugs the inside of turns and stays firmly planted to the road.

The 2019 Ford Escape’s impressive three-engine lineup offers customizability for the types of adventures you expect to embark upon:

• 2.5L I-4 Engine with Intake Variable Cam Timing. Sometimes, there’s just no replacement for displacement, and this is a great all-around no-frills engine that gets the job done.
• 1.5L EcoBoost Turbocharged Engine. This versatile engine balances performance with efficiency to save you fuel while cruising and giving you bursts of power when you need it.
• 2.0L EcoBoost Engine with Twin-Scroll technology. This is the top-tier engine in the 2019 Ford Escape lineup, boasting 245 horsepower (plenty for its size) and incredibly fast torque delivery. Twin-Scroll technology offers a unique advantage over a standard twin turbo setup, as they alternate their pulse energy to give you the same power much smoother and quicker. This engine option also accepts the Class II Tow Package and can haul up to 3,500 pounds with this equipment.

2019 Ford Escape Interior Features & Cargo Space

Every good captain on an adventure needs a co-pilot, and Ford SYNC 3 available on the 2019 Ford Escape fits the bill perfectly. Now integrated with Amazon Alexa, using your voice to access features is easier than ever. Ask for directions, play music, and more.

Also available is the built-in 4G LTE WiFi Hotspot, keeping you and your passengers better-connected while out exploring West Michigan. This also enables FordPass, opening up a host of connectivity features.

Any passengers looking up from their screens will be treated to the amazing scenery surrounding us through the available Panoramic Vista Moonroof – unless of course all of your adventure gear is mounted to the sturdy roof rails! Speaking of gear, the 2019 Ford Escape has 34 cubic feet of cargo area in the back, expanding to 68 cubic feet with the 60/40 rear-folding seats flipped down. If you frequently find yourself loading up your SUV with your hands full, with the Intelligent Access Key in your pocket a simple wave of your foot is all that’s needed to open the rear liftgate.

2019 Ford Escape Convenience & Safety

In the 2019 Ford Escape, as with the rest of the New Ford Lineup, they’ve struck a delicate balance between including a suite of driver-assist features that are helpful, intuitive, and will not distract you from driving. These convenience features (some standard and others with optional packages) include but are not limited to:

• Standard Backup Camera & Optional Reverse Sensing System: While in reverse, the screen of your Ford SYNC system switches to show a real-time view of what’s behind your vehicle, with handy curve guides to help visualize your turning radius based on input from your steering wheel. The Reverse Sensing System helps further dial-in your parking by making a series of sounds that get faster and faster while approaching an obstruction.
• BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert: Using RADAR to detect moving vehicles around you, the Blind-Spot Information System will alert you to vehicles in your blind spot by illuminating an icon on your side mirrors, and will even flash if you’re about to back out into unseen cross traffic.
• Adaptive Cruise Control: This feature behaves like normal cruise control, except that you set a speed and following distance to the vehicle in front of you, and the system will automatically maintain both variables.
• Forward Collision Warning with Brake Support: Whether you’re using this feature with the Adaptive Cruise Control or not, the Forward Collision Warning will alert you to an obstruction in front of you and if necessary, attempt to stop the vehicle automatically. It’s no substitute for paying attention to the road, but it’s an incredibly helpful extra set of eyes.
• Lane-Keeping System: Should you accidentally drift into the other lane, the lane-keeping system (when activated) will either vibrate the steering wheel, steer the vehicle back, or both.

There’s More to Explore on the New 2019 Ford Escape at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

If you’re gearing up for your next round of adventures in West Michigan, visit the Borgman Ford showroom in Grand Rapids today and check out the New 2019 Ford Escape. While we covered many of the more popular ones here, there’s still a wealth of exterior and interior features and options to explore, and our staff will be happy to give you the grand tour.

If you want to be sure that the 2019 Ford Escape is the right SUV for your needs, ask us about our Day Trader Program and extend your test drive to a full day. Upon your return to the showroom, our staff will gladly answer any questions you may have about the vehicle, but will never pressure you into a sale. Check out our current lineup of New Ford Escape SUVs here and come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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With the West Michigan winter weather’s ups and downs this season, we’re going to be seeing more and more potholes spring up around Grand Rapids. While drivers can learn to spot them and move around them, sometimes it just isn’t safe to do, or they’re hidden beneath puddles. Striking one of these isn’t subtle, and hitting enough of them will do damage to your wheels and suspension. Between this and the salt spread on the roads, winter can take its toll on your vehicle.

Hit a Pot Hole? Here’s What To Watch For:

Hopefully spring is right around the corner, and the Borgman Service Center can help you get your vehicle ready for the warmer weather. Our highly-trained staff will inspect your vehicle for suspension damage, check your fluid levels, replace your ice-damaged wiper blades, align your wheels, and inspect your vehicle top to bottom for other winter-related concerns. In this Borgman How To, we’ll cover some easy things you can do yourself to scrub the salt from your vehicle inside and out, and explain how to tell if you need to bring it in for more than a checkup. Potholes are formed when water seeps down between the cracks in the pavement and washes away the soil beneath. When the water re-freezes, it expands and breaks up the pavements making pits. Since there has been a lot of this going on this season, you’re bound to see a few of them while out driving in West Michigan. While making sure your tires are properly inflated and your suspension is aligned can help protect your vehicle if you hit one, it’s still best to avoid them if at all possible.

There are a few components they get the worst of it when you hit a big one or at high speeds, and those are your tires, wheels, and suspension. The sharp edges of a pothole can strike the tire at angles they’re not designed for, causing sidewall breaches or separating the treads. Rims can become dented and let air out if the tires aren’t fully inflated, and suspension components can become bent or misaligned.

Spotting the first two issues is pretty straight-forward: if the tire doesn’t go flat you’ll be able to see a dent in the rim by crouching down to look. Be sure to check both sides very carefully, and sometimes it helps to move the vehicle a little bit to rotate the wheel. When in doubt, Contact the Borgman Service Center as soon as possible for an expert inspection.

How To Remove Salt and Winter Buildup From Your Vehicle Body

Catching suspension damage is a little more nuanced, as sometimes it manifests itself gradually. Symptoms of damaged or misaligned suspension include uneven tire wear, squeaking or clunking while turning, a rougher ride, or just “something feeling off” about the steering. These issues can lead to even bigger, costlier issues if left ignored, so if you suspect something isn’t right Schedule an Appointment right away. Salt, and compounds like it are torturous to vehicles, but they’re necessary to keep motorways free of ice in the winter time. Unfortunately the treated water works its way into the underside of your vehicle and promotes rust. Frequent car washes guard against this, but what they can’t do is remove contaminants from the paint job itself. Little bits of dirt and gunk work their way into tiny scratches in the clear coat and will eat away at it until they’re removed. Once the weather warms up, this is something you can do yourself.

How To Lift Salt Stains From The Interior Carpeting

After washing the car, use a detailing clay kit on every inch of the body work to pull this stuff out before buffing and shining. Spray an area with clay lubricant and rub the clay back and forth across this spot to pull the contaminants out. Once you stop feeling resistance, that spot is clean. Rework the clay and move on to the next spot. Follow the directions on the box carefully, as you’ll also need to seal the paint when you’re done with a good waxing. Unfortunately those of us with black carpeting in our vehicles notice it first, but the salt water we track in with our shoes will dry, leaving unsightly salt stains behind. These aren’t easy to remove, but it’s not impossible to do yourself. All you need is some white vinegar, a scrub brush, a spray bottle, and some water. Remove the carpet floor mats from the vehicle first, as there may very well be stains below them too. Spray the affected areas with the vinegar/water mixture and gently brush the stain. Blot the area with a dry towel to pull the salty water out, repeating as necessary. Remember not to scrub too hard as you’ll damage your carpet.

Wipers, Fluids, and Other Components That Need To Be Inspected

Vinegar works really well here but if you’re put-off by the smell, there are a number of different carpet cleaners in the automotive section of the supermarket. Follow the directions on the can, but they usually involve spraying foam onto the area, loosening the stain with a brush, and vacuuming up the residue when it dries. It often takes about 2-3 times to get it out, but your mileage may vary. If you’d like to permanently skip the floor mat step of this yearly ritual, visit Borgman and ask about all-weather floor mats for your vehicle. Windshield wipers are usually the first thing you’ll notice need replacing in early spring. They’ll streak, squeak, and if the winter ice has really done them in, they’ll split and crack. Don’t wait for more rain or sleet to let you know it’s time for new ones, and visit the Borgman Service Center for a fresh set. Having us replace them ensures you’re getting the exact size your vehicle needs, and they’ll be replaced with high-quality Motorcraft wipers.

While you’re here, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have our technicians check all of your fluid levels, change your oil if it’s getting to be about that time, and inspect all of your belts and hoses for cracks or signs of wear. After our inspection is complete, we’ll give you a full run-down of the condition of your vehicle, including the tires, brakes, battery health, possible leaks, and more. Check out our latest Service Coupons, Schedule Your Appointment Online, and come see why We’re the Best in the West!

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West Michigan’s extreme winter weather hasn’t put a damper on this year’s Michigan International Auto Show at DeVos Place. Borgman was impressed by the turnout, and loved chatting with enthusiasts and casual shoppers about the latest and greatest additions to the Ford lineup! With Grand Rapids Public Schools being closed for the week, kids of all ages and their families crowded the venue to check out cool cars like the 2019 Mustang GT Convertible or go for a “spin” on the Ford Forza Simulator.

Below, we’ve rounded up a few of the New Ford Cars, Trucks, and SUVs you can see on display at the auto show, and if you’d like to test drive them please drop by for a visit anytime! Our staff will be more than happy to help you.

The All-New 2020 Ford Explorer

Taking center stage at Ford’s sprawling display was the prototype of the upcoming 2020 Ford Explorer SUV, due out in mid to late summer this year. This latest version is clad in a stunning, newly-redesigned exterior and bears an overwhelming number of new or updated features. Under the hood, the 3.0L turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 engine promises this will be the most powerful Ford Explorer to date, and holds numerous improvements to the Terrain Management System as well.

Visitors peered into the cabin of the new model at the impressive 10.1″ portrait-mounted touch screen on the center console as well as the high-quality fit and finish of the upholstery and accents. The All-New 2020 Ford Explorer is here, be on the lookout for the new model this summer at Borgman Ford.

Below are more exciting models you can see at the 2019 Michigan International Auto Show at DeVos Place this weekend:

The All-New 2019 Ford Ranger Pickup

Complete with its own scenic display, the gleaming-white 2019 Ford Ranger sat a just few paces away with another gray model close by. The return of the Ford Ranger has been hotly anticipated by West Michigan truck fans, and many took the opportunity to get in and look around the cabin.

The New 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat

On the more premium end of the Ford F-Series is the 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat. Featuring a sleek chrome grille, leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated 10-way power-adjustable front seats, and an 8″ LCD productivity screen makes this the perfect truck for work or play in West Michigan.

The New 2019 Ford F-150 STX

This 2019 Ford F-150 donning the STX appearance package comes complete with a sporty black mesh grille, machined aluminum wheels, a number of interior upgrades, and SYNC® 3. This package also includes body-color bumpers, privacy glass and STX badging.

The New 2019 Ford Mustang

The legendary Ford Mustang has been a fan favorite for decades, and you can see two of them on display here. Sit behing the wheel of the 2019 Mustang Convertible or the 2019 Mustang Coupe and visit us to experience the raw power of their 5.0L V8 and the smooth shifts of the 10-speed automatic transmission – faster than a manual!

The New 2019 Ford Edge ST

This is the first Ford SUV built by Ford Performance, producing 335 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque – all thanks to the powerful 2.7L V6 turbocharged EcoBoost® engine under the hood. The 2019 Ford Edge ST also features a host of driver-assist features like wireless charging, Intelligent AWD, and more.

Check Out The Rest of the Impressive 2019 Ford Lineup

Other Fun Exhibits with Fords at the Michigan International Auto Show

About the Michigan International Auto Show

There are plenty more Fords to explore at the Michigan International Auto Show, and if you see something you like, check out our Online Inventory and reserve your test drive at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids today! Our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff are here to help you find the right Ford Vehicle for your needs and budget. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have, but will never pressure you into a sale. Read about our dealership history and “Red Coat” traditions here and come see why we’re the Best in the West! If you make it downtown to the show, there are other fun Ford models to check out on the concourse too! Uniformed officers from the Kent County Sherrif’s Office stood near a Ford Explorer Interceptor Utility, answering questions about the vehicle with kids and grownups alike! This 1957 Ford Custom 300 was built specifically by Ford Motor Company for the needs of the police fleet. Referred to as a “Police Interceptor,” it was equipped with a 312 cu. in. 300 hp supercharged engine, and included non-standard seat belts as part of the police safety package. Visit the Gilmore Car Museum website here. This fully electric-powered Ranger pickup was actually only offered as a lease to fleets and Ford employees and only about 1,400 were ever produced. It was donated to the Gilmore Car Museum by a Ford Design Team member involved with EV project. Visit the Gilmore Car Museum website here. Built by firetruck builder HME Ahrens-Fox, this Ford F-550 features a 4×4 chassis with a GVWR of 19,500 lbs and a 300-HP engine producing 660 lbs ft-lbs of torque. Read more about them here. See the finest traveling displays with new vehicles – including sedans, vans, SUV’s, trucks, hybrids and sports cars. Not only is the Auto Show the BEST place to shop and compare options for every day vehicles, it is also the first opportunity for West Michigan residents to see many of the most recently released or “soon to be released” models! Presented by the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association. Visit Showspan.com/MAS/ for more information.See the Ford Lineup at the 2019 Michigan International Auto Show

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This year, the 2019 West Michigan winter weather arrived late and is certainly making up for lost time. During the extensive snowfall, road conditions have gone from slippery to outright dangerous. This is made since the temperatures have been too low for salt to have any effect on the roads. We sincerely hope everyone is driving safe out in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, but if your vehicle is damaged this winter in an accident we’re here to help.

Borgman Collision Will Work With Your Insurance Company

Choose Borgman Collision For Winter Auto Accident Repair in Grand Rapids & West Michigan

The Borgman Collision Center is Grand Rapids & West Michigan’s one stop shop for every collision repair need. No matter what make of vehicle you drive, our experienced team of professionals will work with your insurance company and restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition. What sets us apart is our dedication to ensuring the customer has a good experience every step of the way, even though the circumstances of their visit are less than ideal. Despite what you might think (or what might be implied,) by Michigan law you have the right to choose your own collision repair center. Insurance companies prefer to send your vehicle to one of their partner shops in the area. It’s not always true, but this can often mean corners will be cut before and during the repair process to save on costs. For example, lower-quality parts may be used and inspections might not be done thoroughly. Rest assured, Borgman Collision will negotiate with your insurer on your behalf and ensure the highest-quality parts available are used, and your vehicle is carefully inspected for hidden damage that may have occurred. We work for you, the customer, not the insurance companies and we promise to keep your best interests in the forefront. Here are some reasons to choose us to restore your vehicle should it become damaged this winter:

• Work with all insurance companies
• Service all makes and models
• Lifetime warranty on workmanship for as long as you’re the owner of the vehicle
• We have Factory-trained and certified technicians
• I-CAR Platinum certified technicians
• I-CAR Gold certified shop for over 12 years
• Certified to repair the All-new aluminum Ford F-150
• We use as many factory OEM parts as possible
• Available pick-up and delivery service
• Free loaner vehicles
• Se Habla Español

If your vehicle is damaged in an accident this winter season, the Borgman Collision Center in Grand Rapids will handle all the details so that you don’t have to! Give us a call at 616-249-8857 or visit our Collision Repair Center Page for more information.

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Borgman Ford would like to share an exciting bit of news with Ford fans in West Michigan: Ford has become the first automaker to use Gravity Sketch, a virtual reality design tool which will help them craft the next generation of Ford Vehicles.

Ford is making big investments into streamlining their design process, and this latest development is currently being tried out at five different Ford facilities. What this tool has allowed Ford Designers to do is essentially skip the 2D drawing process altogether and begin “sculpting” the vehicle in mid-air. This is made possible by employing controllers and a VR headset, with the Gravity Sketch software rendering the designer’s movements like brushstrokes.

Ford Collaborates With Gravity Sketch To Explore New Tool For Designing Vehicles To Meet Customers’ Needs

The benefits of this are that the design cycle is drastically easier, shortened and the designers can build the mockup around a human figure, literally putting the customer at the center of the vehicle design process. This article from the Official Ford Media Center tells more; here are some excerpts: From a desk at the Ford Design Studio, a designer enters a virtual room and begins a 3D sketch. He is designing a virtual car around himself and adjusting the attributes to best suit him – the driver. This work is part of Ford’s latest exploration of a new process that places the customer at the center of design and can help reduce the time it takes to create a vehicle.

Ford is the first automaker to work with Gravity Sketch – a 3D virtual reality tool that enables designers to create more human-centric vehicle design. Designers trade in their sketchpads for a headset and controllers to become immersed in virtual reality, imitating gestural interactions through motion tracking that replicates sketching with pen and paper.

Michael Smith, Ford design manager, says seeing all angles of a vehicle as it is being drawn truly unleashes creativity and fosters development of human-centric design from start to finish.

Test Drive a New Ford Today at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com. Borgman Ford is your home in West Michigan for expertly-designed New Ford vehicles. For decades, what has set Borgman apart is our commitment to customer satisfaction, transparency, and our fair-and-square deals. Throughout the entire process, our team will work to ensure that you find the right vehicle for your lifestyle, tastes, and budget. If you want to be absolutely sure you’ll love one of the many New Ford Vehicles on our lot, ask about our Day Trader Program and swap vehicles with us for a day.

Stop by anytime for a visit. We’re the Best in the West and will not be undersold!

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DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, January 31st – February 3rd, 2019

The 21st Annual Michigan International Auto Show begins this weekend, and Borgman Ford can’t wait to show you all of the exciting new features of the 2019 Ford lineup! Come and see us at the DeVos Place in Downtown Grand Rapids on Thursday, January 31st from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and we’ll give you the grand tour of all of the New Fords on display.

The majority of the New 2019 Ford Lineup will be there, including the mighty 2019 Ford F-150, the powerful 2019 Ford Mustang, selections from the capable Ford SUV Lineup including the 2019 Ford Explorer, and much more. If you have any questions about the Ford Vehicles you see on display, our team will be there on Thursday and will be happy to answer them.

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First 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 Auctioned For $1.1 Million To Help Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Cure Kids With Diabetes

Borgman Ford is pleased to share that the first 2020 Shelby GT500 Mustang has been auctioned for aiding juvenile diabetes research. At the time of the final bid, the New Shelby raised over a million dollars to help find a cure. The recently-unveiled 2020 Shelby GT500 is the most powerful production car Ford has ever built, boasting over 700 horsepower and a quarter-mile time of about 11 seconds. While the GT500 has traditionally been more of a drag racer, this model carries some recent innovations that allow it to negotiate turns at higher speeds – making it a monster on the track as well. In addition, this model is also street-legal and is sure to turn some heads. Ford just published an article about their most recent contribution in the fight against Type I Diabetes, and we’ve included an excerpt below. Visit the Official Ford Media Center to read the full post, or head over to JDRF.com to learn more about the cause. The very first model of the most powerful factory Mustang ever was auctioned tonight for $1.1 million as it goes for the famed muscle car’s biggest win ever – trying to help researchers cure children with type 1 diabetes. Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, was the winning bidder.

This highly anticipated, 700-plus-horsepower 2020 Shelby GT500 – VIN 001 – was auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale with all proceeds going to help JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research, find a cure.

“The chance to become the owner of the first 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 cars is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, global operations. “More importantly, being involved in helping to raise much needed funds and awareness for JDRF is a big win for everyone.”

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com. About Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Borgman Ford has always been a family owned and operated company serving West Michigan. Since we opened our doors in 1960 and every day since we operate on the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. That’s why we’re proud to represent Ford, a company heavily invested in creative, philanthropic efforts. If you’re searching for a New Ford or Pre-Owned Vehicle in West Michigan, visit us any time to see our selection. Our staff will make sure all of your questions are answered, but will never pressure you into a sale. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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