Go Further With Ford Trend Conference 2014
Disclosure: Ford flew us out to Detroit to attend this conference and provided hotel, food, transportation and more.
As a former Ford technician and service writer turned blogger, being invited to the 2014 Go Further with Ford Trend Conference was especially meaningful. Meeting the “upper echelon” is something that I had always dreamed of and I never would have thought in a million years I would set foot in Dearborn much less be allowed to take pictures! Detroit is changing for the better and Ford along with it. I am just glad to have been invited along for the ride! Ford has truly taken me farther than I had ever imagined!
I can remember like it was yesterday riding my bicycle down Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur GA and strutting into Carey Paul Ford (Now Loganville Ford) to inquire about a job. I didn’t have any experience and was turned down but I was determined to get in the automotive industry and become a Ford technician. I took a job at a local quick lube and after I had been there for a year or so I went back, and back, and back again. I relentlessly pursued the service manager (Brad Correll) until I was finally given a shot. Brad built my confidence like no man I had ever met in my life and I worked harder for that man than anyone since. He even helped me to get my first vehicle (a Ford Ranger RIP) and was something like a father figure to me.
Who would have thought a man with such a humble heritage such as myself would eventually make it up to Dearborn where Fords are born and be given the opportunity to write about it? Not me that’s for sure! Certainly not Brad.
Anyways, back to the conference… The sessions were highly informative and entertaining and the food was great but it was the behind the scenes activities that stole the show for me. Being given the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes was truly an honor. The tour through the Product Development Center, The Ford Test Track, and the tour through the Dearborn Truck Plant were absolutely amazing experiences.
And the after parties… Let’s just say there “aint no after party like a Ford after party!” If you’re ever invited be sure to pay attention to who all is in attendance. You never know just who you might be rubbing shoulders with!
At the Ford Product Development Center for “Inside the Oval” we were given a tour and a behind-the-scenes look at quality control. In the squeak rattle test area robot arms jounce and jostle every part. No squeak goes unheard!
At the Ford Test Track we not only were given the opportunity to test drive Fords we also took a lap with a robot driver! How cool is that? The technical innovations at Ford Motor Company never cease to amaze me!
During the Dearborn Truck Plant Tour and F-150 experience we were shown the largest green roof in the world!
We were also allowed to take pictures INSIDE the facility! While we were there more trucks were assembled than I would have ever thought possible!
After winning a raffle I earned a ride in a 2015 F-150 which I think is the best one yet! Not only is the lift gate fully automatic but there are spotlights in the side view mirrors!
If the older F-150’s only had 360 cameras Brad probably wouldn’t have had to pay for so many scratched vehicles… This feature is perfect for young people new to driving.
Ford is truly an innovative company and under the direction of Mark Fields I have nothing but positive expectations for the future of Ford!
Thank you Zippy and thank you Ford for having me out!
Sounds like a great tour. I have had many Fords and loved them all.