Latest news with #FordMotorCompany
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Impeccably restored Ford Escort kept in same family for 50 years finally sells for staggering 6-figure sum
AN impeccably preserved Ford Escort which was in the same family for nearly 50 years has been sold for a staggering sum. The 1976 Ford Escort Mk II RS 1800 was kept off the road in a barn for most of its life. 4 4 4 The amazing vehicle was purchased in 1977 for an unknown amount but the owner only drove it for ten years. The motor then underwent a restoration and was hidden in a barn for over 35 years. After the owner's recent passing, his widowed wife has put the Ford up for sale at auctioneers Historics, of Iver, Bucks. The exceptionally rare vehicle sparked a bidding war and went under the hammer for a whopping £276,000. His 'pride and joy' was originally registered to the Ford Motor Company and one of just five cars used by Ford as a Press car. There were only 109 examples manufactured all together of the model which enjoyed huge rallying success in the late 70s and early 80s. Its rallying abilities were enhanced by the 1.8-liter Cosworth BDA (Belt Drive A-Type) engine which generated over 240bhp. The lightweight and nimble chassis and suspension of the Mk. II were carried over from its predecessor. Its responsive handling and balance, especially on loose gravel surfaces, made it a driver favourite thanks to its rear-wheel-drive setup. The white car with the small strip of bright and dark blue paint above the wheels has only travelled a total of 24,186 miles, or 500 miles annually on average. Iconic 1965 Ford Racer that starred in Top Gear is so rare only two in the world exist - but could be yours at auction The sought-after Ford has undergone a second revamp before the auction but has to be treated gently due to its low mileage. A Historics spokesperson said: "Beyond its rallying success, the Escort RS1800 Mk II remains a cherished car among enthusiasts and collectors. "Its combination of performance, history, and timeless design continues to captivate fans. "Restored and modified examples are frequently seen in classic car rallies and events, a testament to its enduring legacy. "The car sat in a barn for 35 years with the rebuilt engine sat on a pallet next to the RS1800. "Time had taken its toll and another restoration project was undertaken, with the plan to present the car in the best possible condition. "The registered keeper sadly passed away and the car is now registered in the name of his widow. "It runs beautifully although needs to be treated gently as it has only done less than 50 miles since the rebuild." 4
Zawya
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Ford South Africa accelerates dealer network growth with $51mln investment
Ford's dealer network in South Africa is set to undergo a significant transformation, with partners committing over R900m in upgrades and new projects over the next three years. The investment signals strong confidence in the brand's direction, growth strategy, and relevance in an increasingly competitive automotive landscape. The infrastructure rollout comes at a time when many global automakers are scaling back, yet Ford and its dealer partners are doubling down on customer-focused strategies, updated facilities, and modern service offerings to reinforce its position as a leading volume brand. 'That's not us saying we believe in Ford,' said Neale Hill, president of Ford Motor Company, Africa. 'That's our partners endorsing it – a clear vote of confidence in our direction, our people, and most importantly, our customers.' Dealer projects and infrastructure modernisation Twenty new dealership projects and upgrades are already underway or scheduled for completion this year, contributing to a broader investment pipeline across Ford's Southern African dealer network. The upgrades focus on right-sizing facilities, improving accessibility, enhancing digital readiness, and aligning with global retail design standards. Ford's network spans 118 locations across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Eswatini, and collectively supports over 10,000 direct jobs in South Africa alone. According to Ford, updated dealerships that meet its global retail standards consistently outperform older ones across key customer metrics – supporting both profitability and customer satisfaction. The company says the investment is intended not just to update physical spaces but to align with shifting consumer behaviours, especially as time-conscious, digitally engaged customers expect more streamlined experiences from automotive retailers. Focus on product strength and sales momentum Ford's dealer network plays a pivotal role in delivering the company's growing product line to market. In 2024, the Ranger Double Cab became the first bakkie to win the SA Car of the Year award and remains South Africa's top-selling double cab. The high-performance Ranger Raptor also earned recognition in 2025 as the 'Ultimate Double Cab Bakkie' in the Awards. This product strength has translated into strong local performance: Ford's share of the new vehicle market reached 6.5% in June, up by 0.5 percentage points month-on-month, securing the brand fourth place overall. Ranger sales remain the key driver of this growth – a notable achievement in a market where passenger cars have led most of the recent gains. Evolving the ownership wxperience The dealer investment is supported by a broader push to redefine Ford's customer experience under its Ford Family Promise. The initiative includes tailored finance solutions, aftersales support, and other ownership benefits designed to improve customer satisfaction and retention. 'It's more than a brand initiative – it's a shared commitment between Ford and our dealer partners to put the customer at the centre of everything we do,' said Hill. Ford says this approach is intended to foster long-term loyalty and align with its vision of a premium, globally consistent ownership experience. Outlook: building for the long term Ford South Africa's retail strategy reflects a broader trend toward future-proofing automotive businesses in the face of rising customer expectations and evolving retail formats. 'We are not waiting for the future, we are building it,' Hill concluded. 'With our dealer partners, we're investing where it counts: in people, experience, and the strength of the Ford brand.' All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Telegraph
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Ford Escort belonging to family for 50 years sells for £276k
A Ford Escort which was in the same family for nearly 50 years has sold for a staggering £276,000. The vendor's late husband bought the 1976 Ford Escort Mk II RS 1800 for an undisclosed sum in 1977. He drove it for about 10 years before it underwent a restoration and was kept off the road in a barn. The owner died recently and his widow put the Ford up for sale at auctioneers Historics, of Iver, Buckinghamshire. The car which was his 'pride and joy' was originally registered to the Ford Motor Company and one of just five cars used by Ford as a press car. There were only 109 examples all together manufactured of the model, which enjoyed huge rallying success in the late 70s and early 80s. Enduring legacy The white car with a thin light and dark blue strip on the paintwork above its wheels has done only 24,186 miles – on average, 500 a year. A spokesman for Historics said: 'Beyond its rallying success, the Escort RS1800 Mk II remains a cherished car among enthusiasts and collectors. 'Its combination of performance, history, and timeless design continues to captivate fans. 'Restored and modified examples are frequently seen in classic car rallies and events, a testament to its enduring legacy. 'Out of the 109 cars that were built, there were five Press cars, owned by Ford Motor Company, and this is one of the five Press cars. 'In March 1977, it was purchased by the second owner, who used the car for a number of years and in the late 1980s it was restored. 'The car sat in a barn for 35 years with the rebuilt engine sitting on a pallet next to the RS1800. 'Time had taken its toll, and another restoration project was undertaken, with the plan to present the car in the best possible condition. 'The registered keeper sadly passed away and the car is now registered in the name of his widow. 'It runs beautifully, although it needs to be treated gently as it has only done less than 50 miles since the rebuild.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why Ford's (F) Dividend Makes it a Top Buy Under $20
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is included among the 13 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy Under $20. A Ford truck roaring down a highway, with powerful headlights blazing its way. The company has been aiming to revitalize its well-known brand through its Ford+ growth strategy, introduced a few years ago. This plan brings together vehicles with software and related services while centering the company's focus on three main segments: Ford Blue, which covers traditional gas-powered and hybrid models; Ford Model e, which focuses on electric vehicles; and Ford Pro, which serves the commercial vehicle market. In the first quarter of 2025, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) reported revenue of $40.7 billion, which showed a 5% decline from the same period last year. However, the revenue beat analysts' estimates by $1.6 billion. The company noted that its solid balance sheet, which includes $27 billion in cash and $45 billion in total liquidity, offers the flexibility needed to pursue profitable growth opportunities while also navigating the current conditions in the industry. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)'s cash position also remained stable during the quarter. The company generated an operating cash flow of $3.7 billion, up 2.3% from the prior-year quarter. It is a strong dividend payer and in recent years, it has made multiple special dividend payments. These additional distributions have supported its objective of returning 40% to 50% of its adjusted free cash flow to shareholders each year. Currently, the company offers a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.29%, as of July 21. While we acknowledge the potential of F as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
UPI
a day ago
- Automotive
- UPI
Ford recalls 694,000 Bronco Sport, Escape SUVs due to fire risk
A 2020 Ford Escape SEL AWD "Urban" Edition is on display during the 2019 SEMA Show, at the Las Vegas Convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 5, 2019. On Monday, Ford announced it was recalling all 2020-2022 Ford Escape SUVs and Bronco Sports due to cracked and leaking fuel injectors that could spark engine fires. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo July 21 (UPI) -- Ford is recalling more than 694,000 Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs because of a fire risk. In a recall notice issued Monday, Ford Motor Company said the compact SUVs' fuel injectors could crack and leak, leading to an engine fire. "A cracked fuel injector allows for fuel to leak at a high rate" and increases the risk of fire, according to the recall notice. The recall impacts the 2021-2024 models of Ford's Bronco Sport and the 2020-2022 versions of Ford Escapes, equipped with 1.5-liter engines. Ford recently identified cracked fuel injectors on eight vehicles that suffered under-hood fires. No one was injured. While Ford works on a final remedy, engine control software is being offered "free of charge" to detect fuel leaks and disable the high-pressure fuel pump while lowering engine power. According to the recall notice, Ford tried to fix the issue in November 2022, using the computer software update. In addition to the recall notice, Ford plans to send Bronco Sport and Escape owners a second letter on Aug. 18, to detail a final fix. This latest recall can be referenced by the number 25S76 for owners who contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Earlier this month, Ford recalled 850,000 trucks, SUVs and cars, including the F-150 pickup and S550 Mustang, due to clogging issues with the vehicles' fuel pumps.
