Ohio Corn Maze Designed to Look Like the Latest Ford F-150

PEKIN, Ill. –– Illinois might be the king state of cornfields, but it could be hard for any of our famous fall corn mazes to compete with this Ohio corn maze designed to look like the latest Ford F-150.

The seven-acre corn maze, located at Leaders Farms in Napolean, Ohio, was cut in the image of the latest edition of the Ford F-150. It might not be as tough as the half-ton pickup’s aluminum alloy body, but navigating this maze definitely looks like a challenge––it usually takes at least one hour to complete.

“We are a multi-generation Ford-driving family,” said Kristin Leaders of Leaders Farms. “My husband Brad was reading a magazine last winter and saw the new F-150 design and loved it. We thought it would really stand out as the feature of this year’s corn maze.”

But that idea to create a corn maze designed to look like the latest Ford F-150 wasn’t a simple task. Running a corn maze, let alone a farm with 13 goats and 40 cows, is a year-round duty that requires planning, designing, and plenty of maintenance. When it came to creating the image, the Leaders had to use GPS technology to create a well-cut image of the F-150.

Another Ford-themed experience Leaders Farm offers is seeing Big Jack, a pumpkin cannon mounted to the chassis of a restored Ford F-450, launch massive gourds across the farm fields. If getting lost in a Ford-F-150-themed corn maze and seeing squash shells splatter in the distance sounds like a fun time, heading over to Leaders Farms in Ohio could be a worthwhile autumn road trip for the most fanatical Ford families

You can go get lost in the Ford F-150 corn maze, but there’s nothing like actually getting behind the wheel of a new Ford truck. And remember, there are plenty of Go great fall activities to participate in around our used car dealer near East Peoria, IL, too.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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Use These Car Care and Maintenance Tips to Drive Through Fall

PEKIN, Ill. –– The signs of autumn have arrived as warm weather succumbs to cooler temperatures and the leaves begin to turn beautiful colors. While this season is great for relaxing and enjoying activities like cider mills, pumpkin patches, and bonfires, it’s also the perfect time to make sure your vehicle is up-to-date on what should be considered regular auto service. Use these car care maintenance tips to drive through fall and ensure that you’re staring at the colorful foliage this season rather than a seized engine on the side of the road.

Get a Brake Inspection

Brakes should be inspected every 10,000 miles, and seeing as fall is just ahead of winter it makes this season the perfect time to take a look. If you hear high pitched squealing or grinding, or if it’s difficult to stop, bring your vehicle to our factory-trained and certified service technicians and get your brakes inspected before the roads get slick with snow.

Get a Battery Inspection

Seeing as your batter keeps your vehicle running, you’ll want to make sure you have it inspected before the temperatures plummet. When it gets cold, your battery has a harder time kicking into gear. Open your vehicle hood and check for corrosion around the battery terminals. If you see any, or if your engine is struggling to start and if your check engine light is on, bring your vehicle to us and we’ll give it a thorough inspection. We use batteries of the highest quality and can get your vehicle back on the road, healthy for the upcoming colder months.

Check Lamps and Bulbs.

Although fall is a colorful season, the sky that comes with it can be pretty dull. Autumn days can be dark and gray enough to require the use of headlights when you’re driving. Make sure your vehicle’s lamps and bulbs are working and that they’re bright enough. If you have malfunctioning lamps and bulbs, or if they’re too dim, our service techs can fit your vehicle with the correct headlamps, tail lamps, and interior bulbs to make sure the road is always illuminated as bright as it should be on the dreariest fall days.

Get a Cooling System Inspection.

Your engine coolant, also referred to as antifreeze, keeps your engine from overheating in the summer, but it also keeps your vehicle’s radiator fluid from freezing in the winter. Coolant should be checked every 24,000 miles and fll is a great in-between season to have your cooling system inspected to make sure your vehicle has a healthy engine. Our cooling system inspection includes:

• Inspecting overall equipment condition and operation
• Monitoring operating temperatures
• Checking coolant quality and levels
• Checking hoses for damage and leaks

Rotate or Replace Your Tires

You should have your tires rotated every 3,000 to 7,000 miles, which is about every other oil change. Unfortunately, the majority of people are unaware of this, and many others continue to drive on worn tires that should be replaced. Fall is the perfect time to take care of this vital maintenance before winter hits and the roads get icy. If your tires look bald, treadworn, or you feel less traction on the road, we offer these tire services:

• New tire installation
• Tire mounting and balancing
• Tire rotation
• Tire inspection for proper inflation and wear (for both new tires and tire inspections)

We want our customers to be safe on the roads this fall, and the best way to ensure that is for you to use these car care maintenance tips to drive through fall. Stop by our Pekin area dealer for the auto service your vehicle needs to remain a healthy machine. At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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New 2016 Ford F-150 Aluminum Commercials

PEKIN, Ill. – Does it matter what a pickup truck is made of? Of course it does, which is why the new 2016 Ford F-150 aluminum commercials are so important. The three new television spots that will air throughout the 2015 NFL season are Ford's way of turning the tables on competitors who have lately mocked Ford for turning to aluminum alloy in lieu of steel.

The first ad, “Wake-Up Call,” is a call to arms for all pickup drivers, regardless of who you place loyalty with. Ford isn’t afraid to brag about the 2016 F-150’s best-in-class high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body that takes off 700 pounds to increase towing capacity, payload, and fuel-efficiency.

The second ad, “Battle Tested,” gets into just how safe the 2016 F-150 aluminum is, despite what competitors claim, and literally shows that grade of safety by towing a row of custom built 8-foot-tall stars that represent its five-star safety rating form the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration. The F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty pickup to be honored with the highest government safety rating for a pickup, and that means all other trucks are history.

The third ad, “Brainstorm,” focuses on the all-new F-150’s technology, specifically its segment exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist that makes maneuvering your trailer in reverse a cinch.

The new 2016 Ford F-150 aluminum commercials are another way Ford is tackling the negative commentary on its ingenuity, and the Dearborn based automaker has no problem using positive creativity and blatant honesty to express the truths of its F-Series aluminum pickups. Rather than using computer-generated imager, the automaker decided to use live-action and stop-motion animation that creates a feeling of genuineness for viewers, much like the genuine F-150 aluminum pickup.

As a Tremont area used Ford dealer, we’re all about transparency, and we think the new 2016 F-150 aluminum pickup exemplifies that trait through and through. In fact, Ford trucks have held that honesty about them for 67 years overall and for 38 consecutive years as America’s best-selling truck. That’s why we’re all about selling used cars and trucks like the Ford F-150; you can trust these vehicles.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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App Developers Asked to Contribute to Ford SYNC 3

PEKIN, Ill. –– After a robust debut this past summer, Ford Motor Co.’s SYNC 3 communication and entertainment system is set to feel the positive impact of many of the world’s greatest and most technologically inclined minds. Ford is looking beyond the reach of its own innovative scope and is asking app developers to contribute to its SYNC 3 system.

App developers can dip their techie fingers into Ford’s SYNC3 development kit and vehicle data simulator software development kit, which provides them necessary information for development without having to be near a vehicle. These kits and AppLink, which enables smartphone apps with voice-command and shows apps on your SYNC screen, are foundations for developers to build from as they bring new ideas to the system.

By providing access to over a dozen design templates and all-new AppLink application programming interfaces, app developers have been asked to contribute to Ford SYNC3 by utilizing new system capabilities, such as:

• Push notifications sent to the SYNC screen
• Cloud-based voice-activated services for in-app activity
• Real-time information from vehicle sensors that you customize apps with

Ford’s seeking of outside efforts to advance its SYNC 3 system is an industry-first that it began in 2013 when it asked developers to help with previous SYNC systems. Since that time, more than 13,000 developers have registered for Ford’s developer program and over 24,000 software development kits have been downloaded.

It seems the future of automotive technology is in the present for Ford considering the technological capabilities of its vehicles, SYNC 3 being only one aspect. You can see for yourself at our Pekin area Ford dealer, where even our used Fords for sale exhibit advanced technology that has been built upon since.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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Take Control of Your Vehicle With Ford’s Adaptive Steering System

PEKIN, Ill. – Once upon a time, power steering was a new sensation that made driving all the more easier and enjoyable. But now you can truly take control of your vehicle with Ford Motor Co.’s adaptive steering system.

“First and foremost, all Ford Motor Company products have to offer a great driving experience,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “This new steering technology can help make vehicles easy to maneuver and fun to drive.”

The vehicles you know are built with fixed-ratio steering systems that only allow for the steering wheel and front wheels to affect each other directly. The difference that allows you to take control of your vehicle with Ford’s adaptive steering system is in changed communication between your vehicle’s steering components. Instead of your front wheels coinciding with the amount of steering wheel turns you make, the new steering system bases wheel turns off of your speed.

If you’re driving slower it will require more steering wheel turns to move your front wheels in the desired direction. This allows you to maneuver better in tight areas lot parking lots. If you’re driving faster it will require less steering wheel turns to move your front wheels in the desired direction. This provides more stability and control when you’re driving on the highway.

The trick for an adaptive steering system like this is found in the precision-controlled actuator located in the steering wheel. The electric motor and gearing system, designed by Ford and engineers from Germany-based auto supplier TKAG, adds or subtracts from your steering inputs depending on the driving situation, but preserve other functions of a traditional steering system so you’re still in complete control.

Look for Ford’s adaptive steering system with the debut of the 2016 Ford Edge, which will be on our Peoria area Ford dealer lot in no time. Eventually the system will be implemented into all Ford vehicles, giving you more control to avoid collisions or other damaging situations that call for car repair or auto service.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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Access Ford Vehicle Information with MyFord Mobile on Your Smartwatch

PEKIN, Ill. – The technology frenzy continues for Ford Motor Co. as it releases an update that allows you to access vehicle information with MyFord Mobile on your smartwatch. Rather than digging in your pocket and pulling out a smartphone to see what’s up with your Ford electric or hybrid plug-in vehicle, you can now take a peek at the technology on your wrist with the graceful lift of an arm and tilt of the eyes.

The MyFord Mobile app, developed by Ford engineers, provides a few actionable features and sings a litany of detailed information about your electric or hybrid vehicle, including:

• Battery charge level so you can gauge when you need to charge up
• Driving range so you’re aware of your distance capability before you hit the road
• Vehicle location to help you find your parked car in the city or a mammoth mall parking lot
• Vehicle mileage summary so you can improve your lead foot
• Previous trip summary including personal driving score and percentage of EV miles
• Door locking for the times you forget, and unlocking for pure convenience
• Preconditioning your vehicle cabin remotely for cold winter nights or hot summer days

Ford is urging its customers to follow suit as it moves toward greener vehicle technology. The feature that allows you to monitor your previous trip displays your miles per gallon or mpg equivalent, trip miles, and braking and driving efficiency via a graphic of green leaves. The more green leaves shown, the more efficient you drive.

The MyFord Mobile app for smartwatches also includes a new Google Maps feature that allows you to pinch and zoom on the map to locate charging stations for your Ford electric or hybrid vehicle. The app is capable on Android Wear and Apple Watch smartwatch applications, and is designed for new or existing owners of the Ford C-Max Energi, Ford Focus Electric, and Ford Fusion Energi. You can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

If you’re a customer of our Pekin area Ford dealer and an owner of a Ford electric or hybrid vehicle, we recommend downloading the new MyFord Mobile app for your smartwatch. Ford is at the helm of automotive technology, as it always has been, and there’s nothing better than experiencing convenient technological integrations the automaker has spent copious hours developing to enhance your driving experience.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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Why You Should Hit the Brakes if a Deer Runs in Front of Your Car

PEKIN, Ill. – As deer hunting season in Illinois approaches and bucks prepare to come into rut – the mating season between October and December – you’ll notice an increase in deer activity around your area. A herd of does or a 10-point buck grazing in a vast, verdant field is a beautiful sight, but deer are more apt to cross streets and roads during mating season and it can result in unpleasant encounters for drivers.

Many people believe braking for deer increases your risk of injury and vehicle damage because it causes your car’s front bumper to dip. But contrary to popular beliefs, there are reasons why you should hit the brakes if a deer runs in front of your car rather than maintain or increase your speed.

When you brake and hit a deer at a lower speed it mitigates the force of impact. When you hit a deer at full speed your car delivers a greater force of impact, according to MythBusters. The deer will absorb that power and return it your vehicle, causing more damage and potential for injury.

Assuming another driver isn’t tailgating you, the safest way to hit a deer is to brake firmly, keep your hands on the wheel, and collide head-on with the animal. Swerving to avoid a car-deer collision puts you in more danger because you risk hitting another driver, a tree, or landing in a ditch and rolling.

It’s estimated over 1.25 million car-deer collisions occurred in the U.S. between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015, and in the last year the likelihood of hitting a deer in Illinois increased by 6%, according to State Farm. While Illinois is a medium risk state for car-deer collisions, compared to the states surrounding it, the data still speaks to the importance of staying aware on the road during deer hunting season.

It’s important to understand why you should hit the brakes if a deer runs in front of your car, but it's best if you can avoid a car-deer collision. To reduce your chances of a collision during deer season, keep these tips in mind when you’re driving:

• Deer are nocturnal animals. You should stay especially cautious at night because encounters are more likely.
• Use your high beams when you’re driving on a dark road. The larger scope of light will help you spot deer earlier from a distance and give you more time to react.
• If you see one deer, there are likely more nearby. Deer usually travel in groups, so slow down and stay aware.

Illinois is one state fortunate enough to experience autumn's notable beauty, but as with any season hazards tag along with the good things. If you have a run-in with a deer this fall on your way to a Central Illinois cider mill or corn maze, stop in at our Tremont area Ford dealer for your car repair and our team will make your vehicle look like it had never seen a set of antlers.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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Orlando Residents Fear Low-Visibility Driving More Than Anything Else

PEKIN, Ill. – The fears of public speaking, heights, and snakes are ubiquitous in the United States, but if you live in Orlando, Fla., it's likely something else ranks highest on your hierarchy of fears: low-visibility driving.

In Orlando, 69% of residents fear public speaking, 68% heights, and 76% snakes. But compare those statistics to the amount of anxiety engendered by low-visibility driving in the city: 82% of Orlando residents fear low-visibility driving more than anything else.

Despite this unusual juxtaposition of fears, the comparison elucidates the stark truth of how common low-visibility driving is, and Ford Motor Co. wants to change that. The company hopes introducing its Ford Smart Mobility Tour to Orlando will encourage the city to eventually implement safer transportation methods that allay driving related anxiety.

Ford Smart Mobility Tour is Ford’s strategic move into the realm of connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and big data. The company is also developing multimodal transportation that as yet includes a routing app able to integrate with vehicles and electric bikes, an industry Ford recently made a foray into.

Some of Ford’s major mobility innovations include multiple driver-assist technologies like Blind Spot Information System and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The company is also developing semi-autonomous technologies such as a lane-keeping aid and active park assist. These are systems capable of mitigating negative driving habits, lack of awareness on the road, and low-visibility driving for cities like Orlando.

It's the right direction for Ford seeing as almost 7 in 10 Orlando residents say they're more likely to purchase a vehicle that warns them of someone or something in their vehicle’s blind spot, and almost 9 in 10 would be more relaxed driving such a vehicle.

Already, 40% of 2015 Ford F-150 and SUV drivers in Orlando deliberately purchased models equipped with Ford’s Blind Spot Information System, according to Ford. Could it be an implication of what vehicles drivers are leaning towards as we move into the future?

Ford’s study shows Orlando residents fear low-visibility driving more than anything else, but presumably the city isn’t alone. Urban population is thickening, and areas once considered sparsely populated are following becoming denser, too. These environments, combined with an increase in drivers, multiply the potential for low-visibility driving situations, which results in Orlando residents' primary fear.

As a Ford dealer serving Peoria, IL, we share Ford’s concern for our customers, and residents of our area in general. As Ford Smart Mobility materializes to become the most feasible solution available to hazardous driving situations such as low visibility, we’re ready to help our local customers stay safe on the road by providing the best car repair, auto service, and oil changes you’ll find in Central Illinois.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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How to Grill the Perfect Steak This Labor Day

PEKIN, Ill. – Your friend may have a secret steak rub recipe, but you can show them who’s boss when it comes to bringing a steak to the perfect level of tenderness. With a simple trick, you can be the friend who knows better than anyone how to grill the perfect steak this Labor Day. It’s a simple trick you won’t forget, and the secret lies in the palm of your hand.

For a rare steak, you want the meat to feel spongy and a little springy. To understand what a rare steak should feel like, hold your hand open and with your other index finger press the palm under your thumb. That tenderness is what a rare steak should feel like.

You can use this trick to check your steak according to the degree of wellness you or your guests prefer; all you have to do is increase or decrease the firmness of your palm by forming a circle with your fingers and thumb.

To test for medium-rare steaks, make a circle with your index finger and thumb. For medium steaks make a circle with your middle finger and thumb. For medium-well steaks, make a circle with your ring finger and thumb. For well-done steaks make a circle with your pinky and thumb.

Instead of serving undercooked steaks, or using the less elegant method of cutting into the meat to check its color, you now know how to grill the perfect steak this Labor Day using a simple, proven technique. If your friend insists on using their overhyped secret rub, let them. You now wield the bigger steak knife in the battle of grilling.

If you have an eye for steak, which you now do, you probably have an eye for quality vehicles, too. In that case, stop by our Ford dealership serving Peoria, IL, to check out our inventory of used Fords for sale.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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Explore More with the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum

PEKIN, Ill. – Ford Motor Co.’s Explorer has been the best-selling SUV in the U.S. for 25 years, and it’s clear the automaker wants the vehicle to continue its journey.

Now you can explore more with the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum. As a combination of the Explorer Sport and Explorer Limited trim levels, the three-row SUV provides you with more comfort and performance through a number of upgrades.

Comfort

Nirvana leather with micro perforations wraps the Explorer Platinum’s all-new multi-adjustable front seats, as well as the instrument panel, console armrests, quilted door bolster, and upper door trim. The instrument panel consists of a 10-inch digital display accompanied by analog displays. The combined display is a first for Ford.

The rest of the interior – available in the colors Soft Ceramic or an Ebony and Anthracite headliner combo – is just as chic: Aluminum and ash wood appliques ornament the door panels and instrument panel; the heated steering wheel is wood and leather-wrapped; and unique stitching runs throughout the interior.

The Explorer Platinum is the first vehicle to house a 500-watt Sony Audio system with Live Acoustics, which simulates the acoustics of a concert hall, and Clear Phase technology, which prevents sound waves from separating and preserves robust musical tones.

Exterior design elements add to the aura of enhanced comfort. Features include: signature lighting around LED headlamps; a standard dual-panel moonroof; premium silver-painted front and rear skid plates; and 20-inch wheels with bright machined faces and tarnished dark painted pockets. 

Performance

You can explore more with the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum in regards to performance too. The SUV includes performance features like:

• Front and rear cameras with washers
• Enhanced active park assist with perpendicular park assist, park-out assist, and semi-automatic parallel parking
• Lane-keeping system
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Smart-charging USB ports
• Hands-free liftgate
• Active Grille Shutters: Upper and lower fascia openings close at high speeds to reduce wind drag, and open at low speeds to cool the powertrain
• Air curtains that keep airflow close to vehicle body and reduce wind drag

You can feel the surge of power culled from the Explorer Platinum’s sportier half through the 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 that exerts 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm. The SUV is equipped with a 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission that helps it attain an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 28 mpg hwy, making it best-in-class.

Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive

Intelligent four-wheel drive is one of the highlights of the Explorer Platinum, and it comes standard with Terrain Management System. The technology enables the SUV to adjust to road conditions 20 times faster than the blink of an eye.

It regularly monitors wheel speed, throttle position, and steering wheel angle to gauge the status of the vehicle and predict your decisions as the driver. The system effortlessly exchanges torque between the front and rear wheels according to the situation. Additionally, you can shift between terrain management modes – normal, snow, sand, mud, and a fifth setting for steep terrain – by turning a dial on the center console.

It would be easy to further analyze the minute details of the 2016 Explorer Platinum, but we’ll leave exploring those unmentioned aspects to you. Starting September 2015, come test drive the new Explorer Platinum at our Tremont area Ford dealership where we also offer a large inventory of used Fords for sale.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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Ford Ranger Will Return to the US in 2018

PEKIN, Ill. – There’s been a lot of complaining that Ford Motor Co. has the 2016 Ford Ranger in over 180 global markets, excluding the U.S., but Ford finally may have bent its ear to hear the complaints of midsize pickup drivers because the Ford Ranger will return to the U.S. in 2018, according to inside sources aware of Ford’s plans.

Ford is working with the United Auto Workers to build the Ranger at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. but before anything is set in stone the union and then Ford’s board of directors must agree to the contract’s contents.

The last Ranger manufactured in the U.S. rolled off the assembly line in 2011 at the Twin Cities Assembly Plant – now out of commission – in Minnesota. But that didn’t end production of the Ranger, which is now built in South Africa, Argentina, Thailand, and Nigeria.

If you’ve ever wondered why Ford doesn’t just import the Ranger, it’s because of a 25% tariff called the “chicken tax,” which, for Ford to recover the costs of importation, would hike up prices for American buyers. As you can imagine, a midsize truck wouldn’t sell well with a 25% price increase.

Right now Ford and the UAW are discussing whether or not the Ranger would fit in at the Michigan Assembly Plant, which employs 4,500 workers who build the C-Max and Focus. If the contract to build the Ranger in Michigan goes through, production of the C-Max and Focus would be moved to Mexico.

If the Ford Ranger returns to the U.S. in 2018, it would help the automaker clinch a berth in the competition for midsize truck sales. Ford’s competitors have already cleared a space for their products, including the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, and Nissan Frontier. Inserting its Ranger back into the midsize truck segment would also help Ford meet the federal governments rising standards for fuel economy across fleets.

If you were as bummed as us when Ford ended production of the Ranger back in 2011, then news like this should have you out of your seat. We can’t wait to see the Ranger return in 2018, and we’ll always love the old models. Check out our inventory of used cars and trucks at our Morton area used car dealer to see if we have any in stock.

At Velde Ford, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit our dealership, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Blends Best of Both Worlds

PEKIN, Ill. – Sometimes, to reach a new highpoint it’s necessary to venture from one path and take a chance in another direction, and when an automaker like Ford Motor Co. already produces two of the best pickup trucks available, the solution to manufacture a cutting-edge model is simple: Combine.

The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor blends the best of both worlds by combining the most noteworthy building blocks from the 2015 Ford F-150 and Raptor. The result isn’t Frankensteinian at all, but instead makes for a bold, capable pickup that can rip through the toughest trails.

But Ford didn’t just stitch together a slew of components and declare, “Voila!” The 2017 F-150 Raptor spent some serious testing time on the most unforgiving trails in Northern Michigan, where it cut its teeth prevailing over obstructive hills, trench like ruts, and myriad rail nuisances that tend to bring other pickups to a halt.

When we declare the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor blends the best of both worlds, we’re referring to a few functional improvements including extended ground clearance that trumps the first generation Raptor, and also new 3.0-inch FOX Racing Shox with custom internal bypass technology. The increased ground clearance leaves more room between the rigid landscape and the pickup’s chassis, while the new shock absorption technology decreases yet strengthens suspension travel over choppy terrain.

Of course, where would the 2017 F-150 Raptor be in regards to capability were it not equipped with an all-new four-wheel drive, torque-on-demand transfer case? The transfer case spreads power to the front and rear wheels, and fuses notable aspects of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with mechanical-locking four-wheel drive.

If you’re a fanatic of new Ford trucks, get ready to test-drive this monstrous machine in fall 2016, and check out the extensive inventory of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles at our Washington, IL, area used car dealer.

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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Cadillac Capsule Collection Makes Luxury Automotive Fashion Statement

© General Motors

PEKIN, Ill. – The auto industry is transitioning into an era where brands' cultural relevance matters to consumers. With that in mind, every unfamiliar avenue Cadillac speeds down needs to be a rational extension of their luxury image, and creating a line of fashionable menswear was one of the conquerable roads they discovered.

The Cadillac Capsule Collection makes a luxury automotive fashion statement exemplified by 15 fall and winter looks designed for men by rising designers, and styled by famed street style icon Nick Wooster. The collection is the perfect conduit for Cadillac to showcase its luxury design principles in the world of designer men's clothing.

In order for the Cadillac Capsule Collection to make a luxury automotive fashion statement, Cadillac teamed up with some of the fashion industry’s most creative designers from prominent brands such as Cadet, Carlos Campos, David Hart, Ernest Alexander, Gents, J. Lindeberg, Mark McNairy New Amsterdam, PLAC, and Timo Weiland.

Many of the designers have churned out high fashion pieces for the annual New York Men’s Day (NYMD) that showcases pieces from elite designers to celebrate the impact of menswear in American fashion. Cadillac has served as a key sponsor of NYMD since its commencement as a high-end fashion show.

There’s an unfamiliar intrigue that draws excitement over the Cadillac Capsule Collection when you realize the designs fall perfectly in line with Cadillac's luxury vehicle lineup. You can find the Cadillac Capsule Collection exclusively at Gilt.com/CadillacCapsule beginning September 9, 2015. Clothing prices range from $59-2,000, and David Hart, Cadet and Ernest Alexander will have pieces only unobtainable at other retailers. 

Considering how awestruck we are by the Cadillac cars for sale at our Bartonville area Cadillac dealer, we anticipate the Cadillac Capsule Collection will imitate the same modern luxury found in the automaker's vehicles. 

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

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Ford Vehicles Brave the Coldest Climates Without Issue

PEKIN, Ill. – Have you ever run into trouble trying to start your vehicle in the dead of winter? Ford Motor Co. wants to make sure your vehicle functions year-round, regardless of how much snow falls or how cold it gets outside.

All 75 global prototypes of Ford vehicles brave the coldest climates without issue when the automaker brings them to McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to go through bitter temperature testing. The laboratory simulates a range of cold weather climates from 40 to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and Ford vehicles have evinced their durability by pushing through each test.

Many Ford drivers live in isolated, northern lands burdened by winter’s heaviest snows and coldest bite, such as in Alaska and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in Canada. These drivers not only need reliable modes of transportation, but also vehicles that can act as safe havens if the weather gets brutal enough, and it certainly does.

Thanks to a group of engineers who enacted daily modifications to vehicles while they tested at McKinley, Ford vehicles can brave the coldest climates without issue. In impressive display of motivation through trial and error, engineers reworked the F-Series Super Duty’s 6.7L engine until they discovered ceramic gold plugs produce heat faster than metallic plugs. This enables the engine to easily start and continue running in cold temperatures.

While we don’t experience Alaskan or Canadian winters in central Illinois, we definitely feel the temperature plunge at times during the winter. Harsh winter weather can prevent your vehicle from starting, but we’re certain that new Ford vehicles can overcome any temperatures we experience at our Washington, Ill., area used car dealer.

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram