DOWNTOWN FORD BLOG

2023 Maverick Adds Tremor Off-Road Package

The all-new Ford Maverick is an ideal city truck thanks to its size and efficient hybrid engine. But if you want a version of the Maverick that can go off-road and handle just about anything you throw at it, Ford has something for you: the all-new Ford Maverick Tremor™ Off-Road Package.

Ford already offers Tremor packages for the Ranger, F-150, and Super Duty trucks — all providing improved capability, advanced technology, and rugged styling. “Maverick Tremor delivers on this same promise with new functions and features designed for off-roading – all while keeping the truck’s signature size, affordability, and Built Ford Tough durability and capability,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck product marketing and brand manager.

The Maverick Tremor is equipped with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost® engine and an all-wheel-drive system that is new to the truck. This system comes with a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock feature for improved off-road capability. You’ll also be able to switch between five drive modes to customize your on-road or off-road experience.

Along with performance, the Ford Maverick Tremor gets some design updates, too. The Tremor theme includes a unique grille finish; Tremor Orange tow hook accents; and blacked-out logos, headlamps, and tail lamps. You can also opt for the available Tremor Appearance Package for a Carbonized Gray-painted roof and mirror caps.

These are just a few of the exciting details you can expect to see on the new Ford Maverick Tremor Off-Road Package. If you want to learn more, contact our team at Downtown Ford in Toronto!

Best Fall Events and Activities in Downtown Toronto

Whether you’re a Toronto native or plan on visiting soon, there are plenty of fun things to do in the city this fall. Check out some of the exciting events occurring in the next couple of months!

Cheer on a sports team

Depending on when you’re here, you could catch the end of the Toronto Blue Jays’ baseball season and Toronto FC soccer or the start of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey season! While the schedule for the Toronto Six women’s hockey team hasn’t been released yet, the league started in early November last year and the team plays at Canlan Ice Sports – York.

Enjoy the outdoors

If you’d rather head outside, you should try heading out to one of the many apple orchards within and around Toronto. Apple picking is an essential fall event and these locales let you choose your own delicious fruit and often serve a variety of seasonal treats. Take the scenic route on your trip to appreciate the changing colours of the leaves to complete the fall aesthetic.

Toronto Chocolate Festival

The entire month of October is dedicated to the 18th annual Toronto Chocolate Festival. For safety reasons, this year’s event is a bit scaled down, but still just as enjoyable — and delicious. Every Saturday and Sunday in October, you can head to the OMNI King Edward Hotel for Afternoon Tea with chocolates and pastries. The festival’s website also has suggestions for celebrating everything chocolate at home!

What are your fall plans in the city? Let us know the next time you come and see us at Downtown Ford in Toronto, Ontario!

Celebrate the F-150’s 75th Birthday With a Two-Tone Heritage Edition

2023 F-150 Heritage Edition | Toronto, ON — Photo: media.ford.com

Ford is celebrating 75 years of its popular F-Series trucks by introducing the modern yet timeless 2023 F-150 Heritage Edition. This aesthetic package will be available on the XLT series F-150 trucks, with production starting soon.

The appealing special edition of the Ford F-150 comes in one of five two-tone, A-B-A paint combinations that create something of a colour stripe across the body:

Area 51 (gray-blue) body with upper/lower in Agate Black
Atlas Blue body with upper/lower in Agate Black
Avalanche (light, frosty blue) body with an upper/lower in Agate Black
Race Red body with an upper/lower in Carbonize Gray
Antimatter Blue body with an upper/lower in Carbonized Gray

In addition to the attractive exterior colour options, the interior of the Ford F-150 Heritage Edition is outfitted with slate gray and black seats and accents. The seats also come with covers that have unique inserts while the centre console features special embossing.

An exclusive “75 Years” logo adorns the upper center windshield and shows up on the touch-screen display upon start-up of the vehicle.

If you want to know more about the 2023 Ford F-150 Heritage Edition or any of the F-Series trucks in the Ford lineup, feel free to contact our team or visit us at Downtown Ford in Toronto, Ontario.

Save at the Pump with a Summer Getaway Near Toronto

With gas prices as high as they are, a road trip may not be your first consideration for a vacation. But there are plenty of fun getaway locations that are near Toronto. Here are some of our top spots!

Niagara Falls

A natural wonder awaits you on the other side of Lake Ontario. Less than two hours away is Niagara Falls, where water majestically rushes off the cliffs and into the lake. Not only can you appreciate nature while you’re visiting, but you can also enjoy a variety of attractions like “Journey Behind the Falls” and the Niagara SkyWheel. To make things even sweeter, Ontario residents may qualify for an Ontario Staycation tax credit of up to 20% on various accommodation expenses.

Wasaga Beach

To get that summer-in-the-sun feeling, head to Wasaga Beach for your vacation. This beach town is home to the longest freshwater beach in the world as well as various trails for biking, hiking, and walking. If you plan on making it an overnight trip, book your stay at one of the local small hotels or bed and breakfasts well in advance.

Stratford

If you prefer to walk around historic buildings and enjoy a host of cultural events, add Stratford to your vacation list. This moderately sized town just outside of Toronto offers a ton of options for fun. It’s home to various festivals, including Stratford Summer Music and the Stratford Festival, which focuses on theater performances across multiple stages.

Before you head out on your trip, stop by and see us at Downtown Ford in Toronto. We’ll make sure your car is ready for all that awaits you on your summer getaway!

Hidden Gems You’ll Love in Downtown Toronto

When you’re making your way to see us at Downtown Ford, you’ll have plenty of things and places to keep you occupied while your vehicle is being worked on. Downtown Toronto is home to many hidden gems that you’ll want to check out.

The tchotchke house, 37 Bertmount

After the death of her husband, homeowner Shirley Sumaisar began showcasing a collection of dolls and stuffed animals in front of her house on Bertmount Ave. — just 1.7 km from our dealership. The entire area in front of the home is filled with vintage toys and collectibles, and you’re sure to have a good time looking at all kinds of entertaining tchotchkes.

Vog Vault at Fluevog Shoes, 686 Queen West

In the other direction, in the Queen West shopping district, is Fluevog Shoes. While a shoe store may not seem like a hidden gem, it’s what’s inside that makes this place unique. The building in which the shop is located contains an old vault that designers turned into a gravity room, where you can take photos that look like you’re floating upside down or on the side of a wall.

Otto’s Berlin Döner bathrooms, 256 Augusta

What’s so great about a bathroom at a restaurant? Well, inside each of the two single-person restrooms is a large unmarked red button on the wall. When pressed, the bathroom turns into a nightclub, complete with flashing lights and blaring music. The spot was recently popular on TikTok, with many viewers wondering where they could go to have a spontaneous dance break.

Have you been to any of these Toronto hidden gems? Let us know the next time you visit us at Downtown Ford!

New F-150 Lighting Is Optimized for Winter’s Worst

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning | Toronto, ON — US version of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

If you’ve ever doubted the capability of an all-electric truck, Ford is prepared to show you just how durable and adventure-ready the new F-150 Lightning can be. In fact, it took the new Ford truck to the harsh cold of Alaska to put it to the test.

“Alaska provides us the extremely cold temperatures, snow and ice-covered surfaces that we need to push the F-150 Lightning in this type of testing, which is really focused on dialing-in how the truck delivers its power to the ground on slippery surfaces,” said Cameron Dillon, F-150 Lightning powertrain engineer.

The Ford engineers tested the F-150 Lightning in freezing temperatures on various surfaces at a restricted military base. This included conditions like packed and loose snow, complete ice, and a mix of ice and concrete, among others. Doing so allowed engineers to see how responsive, stable, and powerful the electric truck could be in other similar areas — like here in the cold winters of Toronto.

Some of the features and components that help the F-150 Lightning succeed include standard always-on 4×4, quick torque delivery, selectable drive modes, an electronic-locking rear differential, and a low centre of gravity for improved handling.

You can learn more about the all-new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning when you contact our team or visit us at Downtown Ford in Toronto, Ontario.

3 Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in Toronto This Spring

With winter behind us, now is the best time to head outdoors and enjoy all that Toronto has to offer. Our team put together this helpful guide of activities to try and places to see in the city this spring.

Check out the cherry blossoms

One of the most iconic things to do in spring in Toronto is to view the blossoming Sakura trees. While High Park is one of the more popular places to see cherry blossoms, you can find them at other local parks. In fact, Woodbine Park features a tree tunnel along a curved path near the pond, and it’s not too far from Downtown Ford!

Explore local architecture

Toronto has an interesting background and one way you can appreciate the city’s history is by viewing the architecture throughout downtown. The “GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities” mobile app is a great start for doing a walking tour, as it gives you pre-made routes and lets you create your own as well.

Visit Guild Park & Gardens

If you’re willing to travel a little further out of the city, try visiting Guild Park & Gardens in Scarborough. Here you’ll spot various sculptures, art pieces, and beautiful flowers no matter where you look. Built in 1914, the gardens span over 400 acres of land, so you’ll have plenty to see.

These are just a few suggestions on how to spend your time outside in Toronto this spring. If you’ve got more ideas, feel free to let our team at Downtown Ford know!

Once Again, Ford Is Canada’s Best-Selling Auto Brand

Canadians Love Ford

It’s official: Canada loves Ford. For the 13th consecutive year, Ford was named the best-selling auto brand in Canada. Not only that, but Ford is celebrating a handful of other achievements from the past year.

“With all of the challenges that faced Canadians in general, and our industry specifically, one thing remained true through 2021 – consumers continue to trust Ford to deliver the vehicles and services they are looking for more than any other automotive brand,” said Bev Goodman, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd.

Best-Selling Automaker

Along with being the most favored auto brand in Canada, Ford was also the best-selling automaker in the Great White North for the 6th consecutive year. When it comes to heavy-duty vehicles, the F-Series has been the best-selling pickup in Canada for 56 years in a row while the F-Series was the bestselling individual vehicle in Canada for the 12th consecutive year.

Individual vehicle sales were also up last year, including the Escape, Explorer, Ranger, and E-Series. In addition to existing vehicles doing well, Ford introduced a handful of new models. The Bronco, Bronco Sport, Maverick, and Mustang Mach-E combined for more than 21,000 units sold.

Our team at Downtown Ford in Toronto is excited about Ford’s latest success, and we have high hopes that it will continue well into the future.

Bronco, Maverick Win North American Utility and Truck of the Year Awards

The North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year™ (NACTOY) awards occur each year. A jury of 50 professional auto journalists from the U.S. and Canada assess vehicles from various markets to determine the best in each of the three segments. This year, the Ford Bronco and Ford Maverick are winners in the Utility Vehicle and Truck categories, respectively.

Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Americas and International Markets Group, was excited about the success of these two newer vehicles — especially against such strong competition. “But we’re also proud because these awards are well-deserved recognition for the tremendous amount of work, focus and energy our teams have invested in designing, engineering and building exciting vehicles for our customers,” he continued.

A model must show excellence in innovation, design, safety, technology, performance, value, and driver satisfaction to be a NACTOY contender. The exciting Maverick pickup dominated the truck category, outshining another new vehicle in the Hyundai Santa Cruz as well as the luxury Rivian R1T. The adventurous Bronco also bested a luxury vehicle in the Genesis GV70 as well as the electric Hyundai IONIQ 5.

Along with being named a NACTOY winner, the Maverick was recognized by Kelley Blue Book as the 2022 Best New Model and Best Compact Pickup. Meanwhile, Forbes, Autotrader.ca, and more have praised the sporty Bronco.

You can experience both of these award-winning Ford vehicles when you contact our team at Downtown Ford in Toronto, Ontario.

Meet the F-150 Lightning’s Innovative Mega Power Frunk

The all-new Ford F-150 Lightning is incredibly ground-breaking, and one of the more unique features on the electric truck is its Mega Power Frunk. The “frunk,” which is a portmanteau of “front” and “trunk,” is not only advanced, but it is also the largest in the truck industry.

Since most EVs have their batteries stored underneath the vehicle, instead of under the hood, this opens up extra space in the front. Ford took full advantage of this and consulted Ford truck and fleet customers about what they would want with this newly available area. “Since the frunk was a new space, all the truck customers we interacted with got really excited about what it could be and what use they could get out of it in their daily lives,” said Greg Ardisana, Ford design strategy director, passenger vehicles. “We needed to take what they wanted and find a way to deliver on it.”

The Mega Power Frunk offers up to 400 litres of cargo space, which is enough room for two full-size golf bags, and a 400-pound payload capacity. Not only that, but the space is lined with an easy-to-clean rubberized floor with anti-slide properties. But the innovative space goes beyond those capabilities thanks to functional lamps in the frunk hood, four electrical outlets, and two USB chargers.

To learn more about the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning’s Mega Power Frunk, contact our team at Downtown Ford in Toronto, Ontario.