Kevin Lieberum, Ford Pro’s commercial truck brand manager, spoke with the Equipment Today team about the state of the industry. Its key takeaways for the new year are the shift towards vehicle electrification and connectivity.
The structural industry is struggling to adapt to conversion technologies and the transition to electrification. One of the key areas of concentration has been the integration of vehicle generation and connectivity to improve power and productivity on job sites. Features like Ford’s Pro Power Onboard have become an integral component of the structural industry. This generation, available in select Ford cars such as the Ford F-150, Super Duty, F-150 Lightning and E-Transit, transforms those cars into mobile power sources. The formula provides other degrees of electrical force: 2. 0 kilowatts (kW), 2. 4 kW, 7. 2 kW and up to 9. 6 kW, forcing equipment on site or acting as cellular generators.
Fleet operators prioritize those functions, such as safety, because of their role in overall ownership control. Pro Power Onboard. . . [Converges] the need for a rugged paint vehicle with the functions of a modern workplace. Demand for such cutting-edge features is expanding as consumers look for cars that are not only transported but actively contribute to a more productive painting environment.
Key pandemic-like supply chain issues have increased, especially in 2023. Not only has the pandemic impacted our business, but it has also caused adjustments in the market and the industry as a whole that are still occurring. Supply chain constraints have forced our company to be smarter by reducing production complexity in our operations while also proceeding to supply our consumers with the Built Ford Tough products they love.
Customers are realizing the immense value of active modems in their vehicles, which effectively transform them into smart, connected vehicles. This shift enables a range of digital capabilities, from remote security to advanced telematics and remote video functionalities. We expect these services to grow in 2024.
For Ford Pro customers, this connected integration takes a practical and highly beneficial form through complimentary services like Ford Pro Telematics Essentials and E-Telematics for electric vehicles (EVs). These services offer fleet optimization software, enhancing the operational efficiency of commercial fleets. The [telematics] platform is specifically designed to support fleet managers in optimizing their operations. It provides instant access to vital vehicle data such as odometer readings, diagnostic trouble codes, recall notifications, and detailed information about engine hours and oil life.
In addition, Ford Pro Telematics and E-Telematics will offer real-time tracking of fleet status, motive force habit and vehicle location, facilitating a comprehensive review of fleet operations and enabling more effective control of resources and maintenance.
One of the standout features is vehicle security. With active modems, customers can unlock advanced security features, ensuring the safety and integrity of their vehicles and the valuable assets they carry. This aspect of connected vehicle technology is becoming increasingly important [because] it allows for real-time monitoring and response to any security concerns.
In 2024, Ford Pro introduces. . . Features for advertising trucks and vans, especially those requiring primary modifications and frame equipment.
A notable example is our Upfit Integration System (UIS), which is currently available on the all-new Super Duty and represents a major leap in digital integration with upfit equipment and the vehicle’s systems. UIS allows aftermarket equipment makers improved access to the Super Duty’s electrical system and signals, seamlessly integrating and operating their hardware into the truck’s digital displays. This system features an interface module that provides a seamless connection to the vehicle’s electrical system and enables conversions to be controlled via the SYNC 4 touchscreen. This innovation is particularly beneficial for customers who depend on body equipment and upfits for their work, like utility cranes or plows, offering enhanced control and efficiency.
In addition to the ISU, another significant advancement is the learning of the device with motive force assist generation, adding the arrival of Intelligent Hitch and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. This feature uses a complex generation of device learning to find the hitch ball, trailer, and hitch at distances up to. . . 20 feet. The formula aligns the hitch with the trailer hitch using the rear camera and turn radars, controlling the truck’s speed, guidance and braking to ensure accuracy. Ultrasonic parking sensors detect any obstacles in the way. of the truck, obtaining better protection during the coupling process. The Pro Trailer Hitch Assist formula, which can be operated at the push of a button while tracking progress on the truck’s giant center display, simplifies what was historically a two-person task into a more manageable one-person task.
These inventions underscore Ford’s commitment to advancing the generation of structural appliances. As we approach 2024, we hope those advancements will only make structural appliances more effective and environmentally friendly, but also safer and easier to use, aligning with the changing desires of the world. industry.
The transition to electrification, alternative fuels, and automation presents demanding situations unique to various structural sectors, and rural spaces face significant barriers. These regions require grid resiliency and infrastructure innovations for electrification, which is lately gaining momentum, mainly in the most densely populated areas. For electrification to be widely adopted, there is a critical need for collaboration between federal, state, and local programs, in collaboration with software companies, to provide the necessary infrastructure.
Ford Motor Company, specifically through our Ford Pro division, is undergoing a step-change towards the visitor experience through increased connectivity and D technology. This evolution is focused on delivering equipment that generates really broad costs for business owners. These include:
These tools collectively contribute to a more efficient, secure and connected fleet management experience, demonstrating Ford Pro’s commitment to driving productivity and customer satisfaction. When construction professionals choose Ford Pro, they’re investing in a comprehensive operational support system, designed to elevate their business efficiency and cater to their … needs in the dynamic field of fleet management.
The two-component infrastructure bill is excellent news for U. S. infrastructure. and for the transition to an emission-free transportation future. Ford is committed to leading the electric vehicle revolution and doing its part by investing tens of millions of dollars in electric cars and making all “electric versions of our most iconic and popular cars. We look forward to continuing to work with our government components to combat climate change, facilitate the movement of other people, and facilitate the movement of American workers and production. “
. . . Many of our advertising consumers will claim up to $7,500 for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles [that] they purchase with no restrictions on battery sourcing or manufacturing.
One of the most demanding situations the industry will face in 2024 will be that fleet managers will have to operate gasoline [or diesel] vehicles and classic electric vehicles in a single fleet. This change necessitates a re-evaluation of fleet control systems to meet the other desires of cars [classic fuel] and electric, adding maintenance, recharging, and overall fleet operations. Ford Pro stands as a comprehensive solution to this challenge, providing a suite of solutions to meet the desires of combined fleets.
Our Ford Pro solutions combine advanced software, charging options, service and financing for commercial vehicles into one integrated platform. This unified approach is designed to assist businesses as they navigate the complexities of adopting connected and electrified vehicles across their operations.
The key to this transition lies in knowledge management about vehicle fitness, EV charging solutions, and vehicle tracking and motive force habit data. Ford Pro offers equipment that maximizes fleet productivity by providing critical data on vehicle fitness and performance. This knowledge is to ensure that fleets run successfully and efficiently, whether they run on fuel or electricity.
In addition, Ford Pro Intelligence solves a common challenge among advertising clients: the lack of a centralized location to access comprehensive data on all cars and services. By providing guidance on topics such as collection responses and depot site design, Ford Pro Intelligence is helping corporations streamline their fleet control processes, ensuring they have the resources and resources they want to manage their mixed fleets well.
Another challenge in 2024 will be ensuring that corporations have the education and education needed for a smooth transition to electric vehicles. As fleets incorporate more electric vehicles, it becomes paramount to understand the complexities of charging infrastructure, vehicle maintenance, and effective fleet operations. Ford Pro’s offerings are designed to ease this transition, giving businesses the equipment they need to manage their fleets well in an increasingly electrified and connected landscape.
Looking ahead to 2024, it is clear that technological advancements, especially in the field of electric cars, are on an accelerated trajectory. This immediate adoption curve signifies a shift in the industry, and it’s imperative that businesses and consumers prepare for it. change. The transition to electric cars is not just a long-term possibility; It is an existing truth that is temporarily developing.