The New 2018 Ford EcoSport: Coming Soon to Borgman Ford in West Michigan!

Very soon, drivers in West Michigan that want to go small and live large in 2018 will be able to drive home a New Ford EcoSport from Borgman! Ford’s newest addition to their growing SUV lineup is packed with features from two capable engines, Intelligent 4WD, onboard WiFi Hotspot, and more! Explore a few of the New 2018 Ford EcoSport’s features below, or visit our showroom when it arrives to take one out for a test drive!

2018 Ford EcoSport Engines & Driveline

The 2018 Ford EcoBoost will come available with two capable engines: a standard 1.0L EcoBoost Turbocharged engine, and a naturally-aspirated direct-injected 2.0L TiVCT engine, which is paired with Ford Intelligent Four-Wheel drive system. Both engines feature Auto Start-Stop Technology to help you save fuel too!

What’s Inside The 2018 Ford EcoSport

The interior of the 2018 Ford EcoSport is a surprising treat, with available amenities which include an 8″ Touch Screen, remote start via your smartphone and FordPass, a built-in WiFi Hotspot, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and more! There’s plenty of leg room in the rear seats for your passengers, and the rear cargo hatch offers plenty of space for whatever you’ll need on your adventures around West Michigan. Have more cargo than passengers? The 60/40 rear seats fold flat for even more space!

There’s More To Explore at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids

Anxious to test drive the New 2018 Ford EcoSport? We don’t blame you, and the good news is that the wait is almost over! Keep an eye on our New 2018 Ford EcoSport inventory and head on over to take one for a spin when they arrive. If you want to go small and live large in West Michigan your way, talk to one of our experienced and friendly sales associates and we’ll order the exact Ford EcoSport you want! Come see why Borgman is the Best in the West!

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Ford Transits From Borgman Help Volunteers Work More Efficiently

Contrary to popular belief, gifts aren’t always delivered for Christmas morning by a team of reindeer pulling a sleigh. In the case of the Marine Toys For Tots organization in Grand Rapids, MI, those gifts will need to be picked up from drop-off points all over Kent County, sorted, then given for children in need throughout West Michigan – all before Christmas.

This is a monumental task, and Borgman sought to help make the job easier by loaning two Ford Transit Vans to the local Marine Corps Reserve Unit and volunteers for making toy pickup runs. I met up with Pete and Ben, two volunteers for Toys For Tots, and they invited me to follow along as they made their pickup run in a new Ford Transit-250.

We trekked across town to the Toys For Tots distribution center – an unassuming warehouse where donated toys are sorted and re-distributed. When we arrived, one of the guys remarked how quickly the van heated up despite being so large – a blessing on a cold, rainy morning like this. They were also excited about the sheer size of the cargo bay, which was tall enough for me to stand upright inside of it and lined with slip-resistant flooring – another thing I was grateful for given today’s weather.

A Peek Inside The Toys For Tots Warehouse

Soon after, we’d be back on the road and filling the spacious van with toy donations, but first, I was invited into the warehouse to see the “North Pole” of the Toys For Tots operation. This is also where I met Rich, who has been a volunteer at Toys For Tots for many years after his friend asked him to come lend a hand.

“I said I’d help out just this one year, and that was 27 years ago!”

Rich tells me that this facility serves Kent County, but will also help neighboring Montcalm and Ionia Counties where donations may be fewer. He says that while the primary focus is on serving the community in which the toys are donated, he believes that spreading holiday cheer shouldn’t stop on county borders and that every child deserves something to open on Christmas morning. Soon, this warehouse will be full of toys from donation points all over the city, and when it empties again, thousands of spirits will be made brighter.

Our Experience Picking Up Toys In The Ford Transit-250 Van

But, this warehouse isn’t going to fill up by itself. As Pete and Ben climbed back into the Transit-250, it was time to start the pick-up run. After a 15-minute drive on the expressway, we arrived at our first stop outside of town and got to work loading up the van.

It was heartwarming seeing the number of toys people brought in for the cause, even in small local shops like the one pictured to the left. We visited a number of different businesses, ranging from restaurants, retail outlets, antique stores, offices, and even an education center to collect donations.

After bagging up the toys at each site to make them easier to transport and protect them from the rain, I turned back to look at the Transit’s cargo bay. By then, it wasn’t even close to full – and that’s good news! This means Pete and Ben could visit more places than they normally could before going back to the warehouse, and that saves a significant amount of both time and fuel – both of which are crucial to nonprofits and businesses.

How’d The Ford Transit Handle “Santa Sleigh” Duty?

Before I parted ways with Pete and Ben, we talked for a moment about their thoughts on the Transit-250. They both loved the spacious cargo bay and roomy cabin, the smooth ride quality, and that there was much less road noise than they’d expect from a van of this size. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 also gave them responsive, on-demand torque when they needed it, such as when merging out onto a busy road or climbing a steep driveway. Being able to stand upright in the cargo bay is a huge plus, as is the side-loading or rear cargo doors – as we were never sure which side we’d be able to use when making stops.

If you’d like to see these features and more on the New Ford Transit yourself, you can Contact Borgman Commercial and schedule a demo, or check out our inventory online!

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids: Thanking All Volunteers!

First, we’d like to thank everyone who visited us or your usual donation site and gave toys this year! All donations, both big and small, do add up and make a big difference to children in need across West Michigan. We’d also like to thank all of the volunteers and Marines who put in the work and make Toys For Tots possible year after year. If you’d like to learn more, or want to get involved, visit The Grand Rapids Toys For Tots Website today!

For more information on the Ford Transit Vans, or other Ford Commercial Vehicles, please feel free to Contact Us!

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Dedicated Volunteer Work of Ford Employees Helps Communities Across The Globe

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is pleased to share that Ford employees have contributed to more than 1,700 volunteer projects in 2017. We’re tremendously proud of the hard work they have been doing throughout the year, whether it’s building homes, providing clean water for the developing world, aiding disaster relief efforts, and more.

An article recently published by Ford highlights some accomplishments of Ford volunteers throughout the year. It also explains some of the steps Ford is taking to grow their volunteer corp and do more good work year over year. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Ford Employees Are Leading The Way To A Better World, Energizing Ford’s Impact On Making People’s Lives Better

From disaster relief contributions to community service projects, Ford Motor Company employees around the world went beyond their daily jobs in 2017 to leave a positive impact where they live and work.

In total, the Ford Volunteer Corps filled 36,488 volunteer opportunities in more than 1,700 community service projects during 2017 – an increase of more than 3,000 participants and 200-plus projects from last year. Ford employees installed clean water systems, built homes, renovated shelters and schools and fed the hungry in 40 countries, working more than 237,000 hours for people in their cities, towns and villages. The time donated by Ford volunteers is the equivalent of a financial investment of $5.72 million.

Ford volunteers put their engineering know-how to work for children facing mobility challenges by making modifications to toy trucks that help the kids move about with their friends who can run and walk. Ford employees created music playlists for dementia patients, hoping to stimulate happy memories and connect them with deep-rooted feelings of peace and joy. And Ford volunteers helped vacant city lots spring back to life with flower and vegetables gardens that benefit entire neighborhoods.

“Our employees are the heart and soul of this company,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “Their energy, creativity and dedication to making people’s lives better is what makes Ford truly special.”

Ford employees also contributed to disaster relief efforts following hurricanes, floods and wildfires in 2017. As Ford and Ford Fund contributed vehicles and financial aid to disaster relief teams in Texas, Florida and Mexico, Ford employees and dealers reached into their own pockets to personally donate more than $500,000 to help people get back on their feet in the wake of this year’s devastating wave of natural disasters. Ford volunteers also stepped up to assist families with cleanup and held collection drives for essential items identified by local non-profits.

 You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Borgman Ford has been serving Grand Rapids and West Michigan with quality Ford vehicles since 1960. As a family-owned business, now in our third generation, we are extremely proud to represent a Ford – a company that shares our values of community. Ford’s efforts here in Michigan, across the country, and all over the world are working to make the future a little bit brighter, and we’re glad to be a part of it. To learn more about Ford’s volunteer programs, visit Volunteer.Ford.com.

If you want to help us bring smiles to children in need this holiday season, please bring new and unwrapped toys to our dealership in Grand Rapids for our Toys For Tots Toy Drive. It will only take a moment of your time, but it can change the life of a child forever.

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Learn How To Recover From Different Skids, Retrain Your Pedal Foot, and More!

The winter weather has arrived in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, and it looks like it’s staying for the season. While it’s undeniably beautiful to look at, snow and ice can make driving hazardous, especially with the influx of cars on the road during the holiday shopping and travel season. In the interest of making sure everyone arrives at their destinations safely, Borgman has put together a few advanced tips for winter driving, which include a quick hit on some vehicle physics plus 4 types of skids and how to recover from them. To further sharpen your winter driving skills, keep on reading!

One thing we have to say is that this article is merely a guide, and will not apply to every situation. If you perform these maneuvers, you do so on your own volition.

A Quick Note About Vehicle Physics:

Just like anything else, you and your vehicle are bound by the natural laws of physics. You utilize and compensate for them every time you drive, perhaps without realizing it. The trouble with winter driving is that most of your ability to control your vehicle all hinges on friction, which there is much less of to work with! Here are some of the physical forces acting on your vehicle, and how they relate to driving:

• Inertia & Momentum: Think of a shopping cart that’s full of groceries. It’s much heavier than an empty cart, so it’s harder to start and stop. Momentum, put simply, is a resistance to changes in speed. Inertia (a property of objects) and your velocity both add up to your momentum, so the weight of your vehicle and the speed you’re going will both influence your ability to stop. Increase either, and you’ll need more distance and more braking (force) to slow down.
• Centripetal/Centrifugal Force: This is what you experience when taking a turn too fast. Everything in the car flies opposite way you’re turning. This is due to Newtonian Physics: everything wants to stay in motion, and their inertia and momentum keep them moving in the direction they were going – regardless of what your car is doing. What these forces basically mean is that Objects moving on a curved path will be forced away from the center of the
• Friction: This is where the rubber hits the road, so to speak. Friction can be described as a resistance to motion between two surfaces. Your tires maintain friction with the road to help you start, stop, and turn. With snow and ice comes less friction, therefore you’ll need more surface (distance) to overcome your vehicle’s forward motion.

Learn What Your Vehicle Does When It Loses Traction – Safely

Every vehicle is different, and those differences will affect how it handles in low traction. Your wheelbase, driveline, curb weight, power, and center of mass will all play a part, and the best thing you can do according to NHTSA.gov is to experiment in an empty, snowy parking lot. This gives you a chance to see how your vehicle behaves when it loses grip, and familiarize yourself with any onboard countermeasures, such as Ford’s Intelligent 4-Wheel Drive. This will also give you a good idea of how much space your vehicle needs to stop – relative to its speed – in a controlled, safe environment.

“Stomp and steer!” Remember that Anti-Lock Brakes do not help you stop faster, they let you keep steering while braking. If you feel the brake pedal vibrating, or hear a weird noise, that’s just the ABS pump doing its thing. Stay focused on your destination, not your obstacle and don’t make any sudden movements.

Three of the most common causes of accidents when driving on ice are the Forward Skid, the Oversteer Skid, and the Understeer Skid. These situations can almost always be prevented by taking it slow in ice and snow, but here’s how you could mitigate them if you find yourself in them:

The Forward Skid

Uh oh. The car in front of you that kept gingerly tapping their brakes? Well, they’re actually stopping now, and you’ve got to do something quick.

• Don’t Panic: You hit the brake pedal hard and as soon as you see this happen. Your wheels, ABS or no, don’t have enough friction to overcome your forward momentum and you slide into their rear bumper.
• Do This: First, learn to spot nervous drivers like the one above and give them a bit more space than usual. If you need to stop suddenly, during your parking lot tour you may find that you can actually brake pretty hard in slippery conditions as long as you do so smoothly! If you have Anti-Lock Brakes, give them a smooth, firm press and hold. If you don’t have ABS, pump the brakes. Check your blind spots to find a safe way around them if you won’t be able to stop in time.

The Understeer Skid

There’s your turn, and you’re coming in a little too fast.

• What Happens: Too little too late. You hit the brake pedal as normal and start turning the wheel – except you’re not turning. Your front tires are turned but have lost traction and you’re plowing diagonally across the road. Centripetal force is pushing you out away from your turn because you have too much forward momentum.
• How To Save It:  If you turned the wheel and you’re not turning, the problem is in the pedals. Release the gas and gently apply the brake. This will transfer weight from the back of the car to the front – where you need the grip. Palm, don’t clench the wheel. Now, focus on where you want the car to go, and not what you’re trying to avoid. Once your nose is lined up, gently press the gas to pull your car forward towards where you want to go, being mindful that this will shift weight back to the rear wheels.

The Oversteer Skid

There’s your turn, and you’re coming in a little too fast. You hit the brakes…

• What Happens: Too much too late. You hit the brake pedal hard and start turning the wheel. Now, your vehicle’s weight has shifted to the nose and your rear wheels have completely lost traction. You start doing a “donut.”
• How To Save It:  Again, the problem is in the pedals. Release the brake and focus on where you want the car to go. Once your nose is lined up, gently press the gas to shift the weight back to the rear wheels and pull your vehicle toward where you’re looking. You’re not out of the woods yet though, because oversteer often leads to…

Fishtailing

A Counterskid or “Fishtailing” usually happens when drivers correct late, overcorrect, and then repeat until they’re in a ditch – or worse. Your rear end swings back and forth, picking up speed with each pass. Needless to say, they’re dangerous and the best possible thing you can do is keep your cool and focus on where you want the vehicle to go.

• What Happens: The back of the car is sliding all over the place because the rear wheels have no traction!
• How To Save It:  Lock your eyes on the middle of your lane. Keep both hands on the wheel at 9 and 3 and gently press the gas. If you focus on a spot while driving, your hands will work the wheel to get you there if you let them. Gently pressing the gas will shift weight towards the back of the vehicle and help the rear tires maintain grip while pulling the car forward.

The Key To Safe Driving in West Michigan Weather

Borgman Ford put this article together because we want everyone to be safe while driving – especially during one of Grand Rapids’ infamous snowstorms. The wisest of Winter Warriors out there, whether they’re driving a powerful Ford F-150, and agile Ford Focus know that the best way to avoid the situations we described above is to slow down and give themselves enough space. Understanding the physical forces acting on your vehicle and how to recover from common skids is important, but avoiding them altogether is best. For more winter driving tips, visit NHTSA.gov.

If your tires aren’t gripping as well as they used to, take a look at our current Service Specials and contact the Borgman Ford Service Center for a great deal on a new set. If the winter has gotten you into a spill, we can repair your vehicle to pre-accident condition! Visit the Borgman Collision Center and we will prepare the estimate, negotiate with the insurance company so you can relax. Stay safe out there, and enjoy the West Michigan Winter!

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Borgman Ford Proud To Offer Eco-Friendly Options for West Michigan Public Safety Organizations

Borgman Ford is proud to offer quality Ford Vehicles to drivers in West Michigan, and we pride ourselves on our selection of eco-friendly cars, SUVs, and Trucks. Saving money on fuel isn’t the only benefit of choosing from the Ford EcoBoost, Hybrid, or Energi lineup; drivers also help keep West Michigan beautiful by reducing or eliminating emissions.

Because public safety officials such as fire chiefs and detectives spend a considerable amount of their day driving around, Ford has added a New Plug-In Hybrid sedan to their municipal offerings. This gives organizations a way to cut down on fuel costs, and preserve the air quality of the communities they serve. This is a first-ever for Ford’s public service lineup, and will be available for pre-order very soon! You can get more details via an article from the Official Ford Media Center below:

Ford Launches Its First Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle For Police And Government Customers

Earlier this year, Ford revealed the world’s first-ever pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicle. Today, the company is giving law enforcement an even more efficient option with the reveal of a plug-in hybrid vehicle capable of driving up to 21 miles without a drop of gas.

The Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan, the first plug-in hybrid police vehicle from Ford, is designed for police and fire chiefs, detectives, and other government personnel whose jobs don’t require a pursuit-rated vehicle.

“This is the first Ford police vehicle that can potentially get through an entire shift using no gasoline whatsoever,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. “Anyone can plug this in to any wall outlet to run gas- and emissions-free on battery-only operation.”

The vehicle’s 3.3-kilowatt onboard charger allows agencies to fully charge the 7.6-kilowatt-hour battery in just 2.5 hours on a 240-volt, level-two charger. But Ford is confident most agencies won’t need anything more than a regular 120-volt wall outlet to recharge. The lithium-ion battery can move the vehicle up to 21 miles on a single charge and up to 85 mph on battery power alone. Once the battery runs down, the vehicle is powered by its gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant – with a range surpassing 500 miles – eliminating any concerns of range anxiety typically associated with battery-only electrics.

Customers will be able to order the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan in December with sales starting next summer.

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.Com.

Fuel-Efficient Ford Vehicles For Sale at Borgman Ford

Borgman Ford is your home for high-quality and fuel-efficient Ford vehicles in Grand Rapids and West Michigan. If you’re looking to cut down on your fuel usage and emissions, visit our showroom today and check out our full lineup of Ford EcoBoost Cars, Trucks, and SUVs, or go a step further and browse our Hybrid and Electric options.

If you are a purchaser for a West Michigan Public Safety Organization and would like to learn more about the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan, please feel free to Contact Our Ford Commercial Vehicle Center. Our highly knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford is pleased to announce to our truck fans in West Michigan that Motor Trend has named the New Ford F-150 as 2018 Truck of the Year! This is the 5th time the F-150 has earned the honor, and it compliments the Ford Super Duty’s win from last year.

Every year, Motor Trend editors review several trucks from many different manufacturers. After spending quality time with the 2018 F-150 XL, Lariat, Platinum, and Raptor, the decision was unanimous. The F-150 would take home the crown this year, thanks to superior design, engineering, safety features, value, efficiency, and performance. Check out some excerpts from Ford’s victory announcement below!

New F-150 Named 2018 Motor Trend Truck Of The Year; Ford First With Full Truck Line Back-To-Back Wins

Ford, America’s truck leader for 40 straight years, has bested all competitors to earn 2018 Motor Trend Truck of the Year honors for the new Ford F-150. This is the fifth win for F-150, and this award follows the all-new Ford Super Duty capturing the award in 2017.

“Back-to-back wins for F-150 and Super Duty reflect what we’re also seeing and hearing from customers as we celebrate 40 straight years as America’s favorite and best-selling trucks,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president and president, North America. “The Ford Truck team stretched further than ever to deliver our toughest, most capable and smartest trucks.”

“This year’s competition was fierce, but the vote was unanimous,” said Ed Loh, Motor Trend editor in chief. ”The newly redesigned 2018 F-150 exceeded our expectations in every category – powertrain, performance, technology and overall execution.”

The Ford F-150 line went up against the latest competitive truck offerings in a program that combined empirical and real-world testing to find the truck that best met the award’s key criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, safety, value, efficiency and performance of intended function. Motor Trend editors put to the test four vehicles from the Ford pickup lineup: the 2018 F-150 XL with the all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine, F-150 Lariat with the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost®, F-150 Platinum with an enhanced 5.0-liter V8, and the high-performance off-road F-150 Raptor.

Judges cited overall towing capability, advanced technology functionality and powertrain performance among their favorite F-150 attributes. They also noted exemplary on- and off-road driving performance, best-in-class fuel economy and innovative cab design as F-150 strengths.

You can read the full press release by visiting Media.Ford.com.

Borgman Ford is West Michigan’s Proud Home of Ford’s Award-Winning F-Series Trucks

If you’re looking for a truck that tows more, hauls more, burns less, and works smarter than all the rest, visit Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids and browse our selection of New Ford F-150 Trucks! Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you have about the New Ford F-150’s engines, features, sizes, or anything else you’d like to know – so ask away!

Take a look at our New Ford F-150 Inventory and stop by to test drive your favorite. We will never pressure you into a sale, and pride ourselves on our customer service. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford wishes you and yours a safe and happy holiday. Whether you’ll be spending your time with loved ones in the greater Grand Rapids area, or taking your family on a road trip, please take care on the roads. AAA projects 50.9 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving, a 3.3 percent increase over last year. The 2017 holiday weekend will see the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005 with 1.6 million more people taking to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways compared with last year.
Nobody wants to hear this, but holiday travel, combined with holiday drinking, will result in hundreds of deaths and injuries this holiday season.

Over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend alone, the National Safety Council estimates 433 deaths and 52,300 injuries requiring medical attention may occur because of car crashes. But the annual projection isn’t meant to scare you off, the nonprofit group says. It’s meant to remind you to take good care on the road and remember, we’re all in this together.

Red Cross Holiday Safety Tips:

1. Make sure your car is in good condition for a road trip.

2. Pack an emergency preparedness kit and supplies in the trunk.

3. Share travel plans with a family member or friend.

4. Check the weather along your route and plan for travel around any storms that may be coming.

5. Be well rested and alert.

6. Buckle up, slow down, and don’t drive impaired.

7. Follow the rules of the road and use caution in work zones.

8. Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.

9. Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.

10. If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

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Borgman Ford is playing Santa’s sleigh-helper for the 2017 Toys for Tots Drive. Area Marine Corps Reserve volunteers will be touring the town to collect toys to brighten the life of a child this Christmas in two Ford Transit Vans loaned to the cause. Each year, the US Marine Corps teams up with various businesses and organizations to provide toy drop-off locations for those wishing to make a donation. The Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Corps League and civilian volunteers collect all toy donations and distribute them to needy families in the area.

“The Transit Cargo Van is a very capable Dasher or Comet ” said Tod Tobin, Commercial Account manager in Borgman’s Fleet department. “Pick any reindeer who’s a reliable performer with some zip and you have the soul-twin of the Transit Van.”

Ford’s best selling delivery workhorse will be making the rounds at Grand Rapids area businesses this year throughout the balance of November until the final pickup December 20th.

“We challenge every business to do what they can to collect toys for this great cause. Sign up and brighten the life of a child,” said Matt Borgman, General Manager of the dealership.

Borgman Ford will be calling on its own customers to fill a few van loads of toys this season. Drop-offs begin today, with a $10 Off Oil Change coupon for the first 250 donors.

MAKE A DONATION:
Stop by the dealership at 3150 28th Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI any time before Dec. 10th with your unwrapped toy(s). The average age for children receiving toys is 14 years and younger. Please note that Toys For Tots will not accept realistic looking weapon toys and gifts with food.

REGISTER TO RECEIVE TOYS:
To register as a Toys For Tots recipient, contact a Marine Corps representative.

FOR COMPANIES – BECOME A TOY DROP OFF LOCATION
The deadline to register to become a drop off location is Nov. 26. Follow this link to sign up: https://grand-rapids-mi.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/local-toy-drop-form.aspx

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Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids Applauds Ford For Investing In Their Employees’ Well-Being

Borgman Ford is continually impressed with the advances Ford is making in their current and future generations of vehicles. However, this latest trial-run of new technology isn’t going into the vehicles themselves but helping to support the workers who make them. With the help of Ekso Bionics in California, Ford is outfitting some of their assembly line workers with an advanced, non-powered exoskeleton to better support their upper body while performing tasks above their head.

In this latest article from the Official Ford Media Center, Ford tells more about the new technology, how it helps its workers both on and off the clock, as well as plans to expand their use to other parts of the globe. Here are some excerpts from the article:

Ford Pilots New Exoskeleton Technology To Help Lessen Chance Of Worker Fatigue, Injury

Putting dishes on a high shelf or changing an overhead lightbulb occasionally might not be difficult, but could you imagine performing either of these tasks 4,600 times per day? How about 1 million times a year?

These are the approximate number of times some Ford assembly line workers lift their arms during overhead work tasks. At this rate, the possibility of fatigue or injury on the body increases significantly. But a new upper body exoskeletal tool – the result of a partnership between Ford and California-based Ekso Bionics – helps lessen the chance of injury.

“My job entails working over my head, so when I get home my back, neck and shoulders usually hurt,” said Paul Collins, an assembly line worker at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. “Since I started using the vest, I’m not as sore, and I have more energy to play with my grandsons when I get home.”

Called EksoVest, the wearable technology elevates and supports a worker’s arms while performing overhead tasks. It can be fitted to support workers ranging from 5 feet tall to 6 feet 4 inches tall, and provides adjustable lift assistance of five pounds to 15 pounds per arm. It’s comfortable to wear because it’s lightweight, it isn’t bulky, and it allows workers to move their arms freely.

Designed and built for dynamic, real-world environments like factories, construction sites and distribution centers, the non-powered vest offers protection and support against fatigue and injury by reducing the stress and strain of high-frequency, long-duration activities that can take a toll on the body over time.

With support from the United Automobile Workers and Ford, EksoVest is being piloted in two U.S. plants, with plans to test in other regions, including Europe and South America.

Continue reading at Media.Ford.com.

Borgman Ford: Your Home For Quality Ford Vehicles in Grand Rapids & West Michigan

We at Borgman Ford are proud to offer Ford vehicles to drivers in West Michigan, not just because of their quality, but also because of Ford’s dedication to their employees. We hold the same values at Borgman Ford, both to our employees and to every customer who walks through our doors. We invite you to browse our full lineup of New Ford Vehicles online, stop by to test drive your favorites and experience the Borgman difference. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or ask one of our friendly sales associates. We hope to see you soon!

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West Michigan Drivers Reap Benefits of Renewable Research & Testing

At Borgman Ford, we’re always interested in the latest news regarding new technology in the auto industry, especially when its focus is to improve the experience of West Michigan drivers. Over the years, Ford has been making a big push to minimize their impact on the environment, all the while making a better product for their customers. Some of this is done directly, through reducing their water usage and manufacturing waste, while other efforts are a bit more unconventional.

For example, take the driver’s seat in a Ford Vehicle. Years and years ago, using petroleum-based foam padding was the industry standard, and because oil was so cheap, there wasn’t much of an incentive to research and develop an eco-friendly alternative. Also, when the seat was worn out or the vehicle was retired, all of those non-renewable materials end up where you’d expect – a junkyard or a landfill.

Over the past 10 years, Ford has been developing and advocating for the use of renewable materials throughout their vehicles, with recycled soybean foam at the forefront. Since the first appearance of soybean-based foam in the seats of the 2008 Mustang, it’s been a key material used in the seat cushions, seat backs and headrests of every Ford vehicle built in North America.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=A2b0ORpJUCs

Renewable Materials Can & Do Replace Petroleum-Based Ones

Making sure these new and renewable materials outperform their petroleum-based counterparts is another key part of the issue. People in West Michigan and the world over choose Ford because of the quality and reliability of their product, and if renewable but otherwise sub-par seating is a part of that product, they’ve been done a disservice.

Just bringing the idea to market in the first place was a challenge. During the initial testing, none of the foams met the rigorous requirements of automotive seating. Early trials failed to meet durability standards for seat cushions, which need to rebound for the equivalent of 15 years. Apart from that, the early foams smelled absolutely terrible. Needless to say, a lot of work went into resolving these issues before bringing soybean-based foam to market.

After the foam was reformulated to meet or exceed automotive standards, and that awful smell was removed, it was rolled out all over North America. Since that time, over 18.5 million vehicles have been produced with renewable soybean-based foam, preventing more than 228 million pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. You can read the full story about Ford’s research into soybeans on Medium.com.

Experience Ford’s Renewable Foam Seating at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids

If you’re curious about what the soybean-based foam feels like, we invite you to stop by the Borgman Ford showroom and take any of our New Ford Vehicles out for a test drive! Our friendly staff will be happy to help you and answer any questions you may have about the 2018 Ford Lineup. Please feel free to browse our New Ford Inventory, and if you see a new Ford car, truck, or SUV you’d like to try, click the red ‘Schedule Test Drive” button to get started! We hope to see you soon!

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