B&O PLAY Customizable Sound System

PEKIN, Ill., – Ford Motor Company is excited to announce their newest partnership; one that will bring a high quality sound experience to customers beginning in 2017. Ford and HARMAN will be collaborating to bring users the B&O PLAY customizable sound system.

Ford knows that car buyers are becoming increasingly influenced by audio brands. Drivers don’t just want a good car with a reliable engine, they want an entertainment experience as well. For Americans who spend a large portion of their lives commuting to work, a comfortable in-car experience is an important factor when considering a new vehicle. One-third of new car buyers say that the audio brand provided by their next vehicle would have an impact on their purchase, according to an Ipsos study in 2016.

In addition to providing a state of the art driving experience, Ford places an emphasis on the types of emotional connections people often feel with music and songs. Through these connections, Ford and Harmon feel their partnership demonstrates their shared commitments to quality, freedom, and innovative design.



The B&O PLAY system in new Ford vehicles will offer a customized audio system for users with personalized speaker placement and calibration. This means that high quality sound will be maintained in any driving condition!

Velde Ford Pekin knows that entertainment, including music and sound quality, is becoming increasingly important to buyers. The introduction of the B&O PLAY customizable sound system next year will provide continuing improvement to Ford’s line of technologies. To see what your Ford is capable of right now, check out our Ford SYNC Technology pages!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Tailgate Recipes for Football Season

PEKIN, Ill., – Football season is upon us! Tailgate parties are about to start popping up left and right! We think snacks are the best part of any party. Scratching your head about what to bring? Don't just grab a boring bag of chips! Check out our favorite tailgate recipes for football season!

1. Broccoli Rabe Grinders

These veggie sandwiches are the perfect snack to keep one hand free for cheering!

2. Popcorn Toffee Bars

Sweet, crunchy, and easy to make! These are the perfect tailgate dessert!

3. Spicy Pigs in a Blanket

The ultimate party food, these pigs in a blanket take it up a notch with their spicy flavor!

4. Chili Verde

Vegetarian-friendly chili will have everyone coming back for seconds! Soup is the perfect way to stay warm on a cool game day!

5. Chicken Wings

Need we say more? You can't have a tailgate without chicken wings! 

6. Mini Meatball Sandwiches

Who wouldn't love a perfect, bite-sized sandwich! Plus they're adorable! 

7. Touchdown Turnovers

Chocolatey, flaky, and simple to make! These turnovers are to die for!

8. Jalapeño Poppers

This classic appetizer is super cheesy and perfectly spicy! 

9. Buffalo Chicken Roll-ups

Finger food that's packed with flavor is the best tailgate snack, in our opinion.

10. Spinach Mushroom Dip

We can't forget about the spinach dip! No party would ever be complete without the dip!

We hope our tailgate recipes for football season give you some creative ideas to take to your next party! While you're busy cheering on your favorite team this fall, don't forget your car needs love too! The weather will be getting cold soon, so make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape to get you to and from the games! Schedule an appointment at Velde Ford on our website, or take a look at our routine maintenance and service FAQ pages for some useful tips and tricks! 

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Limited-Edition Dallas Cowboys F-150

PEKIN, Ill., – Ford Motor Company is excited to announce the release of 400 Limited-Edition Dallas Cowboys F-150s. Texas is the United State’s largest truck market, with Ford F-Series trucks being the best selling models. Features of the new pickup include:

• Cowboys edition star badging on front doors and tailgate
• Blue-white-blue rocker panel to represent Cowboy’s helmet stripe
• 20-inch chrome wheels with star center caps
• Cargo bed mat with Cowboys star logo
• Laser-etched chrome foot plates with Cowboys word mark on front doors
• Cowboys logo stitched floor mats
• “1 of 400” Cowboys edition interior badge, featuring Jerry Jones autograph

The release of the Limited Edition Dallas Cowboys F-150 accompanies the opening of the Ford Center at The Star. This state-of-the-art training facility provides a 12,000-seat indoor stadium and corporate headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys in Frisco, Texas. Athletes in the Frisco Independent School District will also utilize the stadium.

The arrival of the Limited-Edition Dallas Cowboys F-150 demonstrates a long relationship between Ford Motor Company and its commitment to bettering American athletic programs, including youth athletics. Ford has had ties with the Dallas team for more than 20 years, and is excited to offer fans the opportunity to purchase this top-of-the-line vehicle! To get behind the wheel of a Ford F-150, stop by Velde Ford Pekin to test drive one for yourself! If you're not convinced that every other truck is history, check out our F-150 info page!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Ford Motor Company Global Caring Month

PEKIN, Ill., – This September, Ford Motor Company will participate in Global Caring Month. As a part of the month’s community service projects, the Thailand Clean Water Community Project will be put into action as the winner of the Bill Ford Better World Challenge for a $200,000 grant.

Chanthaburi, a town that maintains a school and serves 3,300 residents, will have its water system rebuilt by a group of Ford volunteers. They plan to repair water storage tanks and install purifiers to give the people of the town access to fresh clean water. They will also install new sinks and restroom fixtures and the new water system will help irrigate crops and gardens.

In addition to the Thailand Clean Water Community Project, 20,000 Ford volunteers will complete hundreds of projects all over the world. Some of these projects include:

Renovating a school in Angola
Repairing a nursery, daycare, and library for children in Brazil
Assisting a food bank in Columbia
Improving and modernizing a mental health facility in the United Kingdom
Renovating a home for senior citizens in India

These are just few of the many global projects that will be completed this month. They will continue to contribute to the more than 1 million hours of community service that has been performed by Ford Volunteer Corps since 2005 when the program began. As well as service projects, Ford Fund will also be increasing its financial contributions during Global Caring Month.

Ford Motor Company Global Caring Month provides necessary relief to those in need all over the world. For more information about Ford Volunteer Corps and ways to get involved, visit www.volunteer.ford.com. Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a 2 year lease on a 2017 Ford Escape from Velde Ford Pekin! As part of our 60th Anniversary Celebration, we want to do something fun for our community! You can enter online!

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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5 Locations to Visit on Labor Day Weekend

PEKIN, Ill., – It’s almost time to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. For most, Labor Day represents the coming of fall weather, the start of school, and one last chance to hang out at the lake. This Labor Day, take advantage of the nice weather and your last chance for a summer getaway and try planning a short trip to one of these 5 locations to visit on Labor Day weekend.

Starved Rock State Park

Just about 70 miles northeast of Pekin, is Starved Rock State Park. Packed with beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife, this park is the perfect weekend destination. You can rent paddle boats on the Illinois River and take guided hikes along the park trails.

Evanston, Illinois

If you’re up for a little further excursion and you’d like to get your feet wet in Lake Michigan, make the 180-mile trek just north of Chicago. In Evanston you’ll find beaches, lighthouses, and B&Bs for a leisurely weekend getaway.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

About a 3-hour drive north of Pekin you’ll find Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Spend the weekend lounging on the beach or shopping and eating in town. You can take a boat tour or walk along the Geneva Lake Shore Path!

Apple River Canyon, Illinois

This state park lies just 7 miles outside of the better-known town of Galena. It offers beautiful hiking trails and tons of wildlife. If you like to fish, this is the place to visit! This quiet refuge will provide some R&R this Labor Day weekend.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Go for a bike ride or a hike through the 29,000 acres of open prairie in Midewin. If you’re interested in gardening or flowers you can visit the Seed Nursery. This unique location is a fun Labor Day destination, just 120 miles northeast of Pekin.

If you’re wondering what to do with your day off this holiday, take a trip to one of these 5 locations to visit on Labor Day weekend! If you're looking for more Illinois travel ideas, check out our Pinterest! We have tons of travel destinations on our Illinois and Travel boards! When you get home, be sure to enter to win a 2 year lease on a 2017 Ford Escape during Velde’s 60th Anniversary Celebration! Take all the adventures you can imagine in Ford’s compact crossover!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Hold on to Summer a Little Longer with Velde Ford

PEKIN, Ill.,– Unfortunately, summer is on its last leg here in Pekin. We’re disappointed to see the warm weather fading away, but we want to help you hold on to summer a little longer with this list from Velde Ford. Take advantage of the warm temperatures while they’re still around and savor every bit of free time you have left!

Have a cook out

You don’t have to throw a party, just use the weather to your advantage and cook on the grill before it’s too cold outside! Cook hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and whatever other summery food you can think of before they go out of season!

Go swimming

Get one last swim in before Labor Day rolls around! Head to the beach or a friend’s pool while the weather still permits and soak up as much sun as possible! You could even combine your cook out with a pool party to kill two birds with one stone.

Eat ice cream

The weather is no excuse not to eat ice cream, but what is better than a huge ice cream cone in the August heat? Use the end of the summer as an excuse to indulge in your favorite flavor!

Go to lunch and sit outside

When fall starts to bring cooler temperatures, your favorite restaurant will shut down the patio! Go sit outside and enjoy your favorite meal while the weather is still permitting!

Read a book

We all have that bucket list book we never got to! You meant to pick it up all summer and somehow it’s still just sitting on your nightstand, unopened. Use what little free time is left, relax, and read all day long!

We don’t mean to be a bummer, but the warm weather is on its way out, and fall will soon replace it. Hold on to summer a little longer with Velde Ford by doing a few more summery activities before it’s time to pull out your sweaters. Keep in mind, our 60th Anniversary Celebration is quickly approaching! Don’t miss your chance to win a 2 year lease on a 2017 Ford Escape! Enter online!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Ford GT in Production for Two More Years

PEKIN, Ill., – Ford has announced that the new Ford GT will be in production for two more years! This is exciting news for fans and applicants, as it gives more potential customers the chance to purchase Ford’s carbon fiber supercar.

The third production year will support applicants who were wait listed. Deferred applicants and others who may have missed the application window will be able to renew or submit their applications in production year four. By continuing GT production, Ford hopes to satisfy their “most loyal Ford ambassadors.”

The Ford GT boasts many performance features that make it desirable to collectors and super-fans. Features include:

• 3.5L EcoBoost V6 Engine
• 600+ horsepower
• Carbon-fiber, lightweight body
• Rear Wing to enhance airflow
• Buttress to reduce drag
• Carbon-ceramic brakes

The exciting news that the Ford GT will be in production for two more years, comes in time to support the decision made by Ford Performance to continue using the Ford GT in IMSA and World Endurance Championship series races. Are you a sports car super-fan? You can learn more about the Ford GT online, or schedule a test drive of a Ford Mustang at Velde Ford Pekin!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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