2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Kansas

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Introduction

Ford F-150 -- First Drive: One hundred years and it comes down to this: a small town, a big state and a truck that must climb a mountain between the expectations that will receive it and the reality of what it is.

This then, is Ford's shimmering hope for better days. The fact that America's maker of vehicles has chosen this vehicle, the new F-150, at this place and time - Texas is at the heart of Ford Truck Country -- says a lot about the company, what it hopes to achieve, and speaks directly to a rebirth that may have a lasting impact on the entire automotive industry.

The new 2004 F-150 is that good. It has to be. Succeed with the F-150, and renew confidence in Ford's product expertise. Fail, and drag down a pipeline full of new vehicles, poised for debut in the next two years. Like the swirling, lazy river that intersects the town of Gruene from the rest of Texas, this truck is the source of Ford's revival, and debuts at a critical time for the company. Just as Texans come to Gruene to drape themselves over patched inner tubes and float away from the stifling heat of summer, the success of this new F-150 is key to Ford's ability to withstand the heat from competitors who sensed that the old champ was vulnerable.

Granted, last year the F-150 accounted for 20% or more of Ford's total sales, and has been the truck segment leader for 26 years. Yet that 26th year was shaky, and the word was out - there was blood in the water. The F-150 was wimpy, slow and all around past its prime. The pressure was on, and competitors such as GM and Dodge began to chip away at Ford's loyal cadre of truck buyers through aggressive discounting and redesigns; there were also ominous noises from Nissan and Toyota about new full-size trucks, built to take a share of the U.S. truck business. Those noises have since turned into the Nissan Titan and the upcoming full-size Toyota Tundra - and they will take a share of the market, just like the Silverado and the Ram. The competition will not wilt at the sight of the new F-150, and will point to issues such as pricing, power and overall design as weaknesses.

Which is like saying that Texas is too big. It's still Texas, home of barbeque, bull-riding and all things western, where a truck has to meet a standard set in mud, highway miles and hauling power. If it works in Texas, it will work everywhere - which is why, according to Ford, they sell an F-Series pickup an average of every minute of every hour of every day. That makes it the perfect place to celebrate the revival of Ford's leading man as the company steps into the next centennial.

And my, what a revival. The 2004 Ford F-150 is loaded with class-leading innovations and a refined attention to detail not often seen in domestic vehicles. From the interior - which will surely have competing designers running for their sketch pads and vendor phone numbers - to the mechanical improvements, subtle design cues and improved torque, the F-150 is poised to continue its run of dominance over the competition.

 

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Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
Service Rd
Bend, OK
http://www.getsavy.com/

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.