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Ford F-150 King Ranch celebrates 'history and authenticity' for 2015 [w/video]

Tue, 04 Mar 2014


What's life like on an authentic Texas ranch? We honestly have no idea, having never lived on such a ranch, but we imagine it requires lots of hard work, grit and determination to keep all 825,000 acres – that's larger than the state of Rhode Island – of the King Ranch in Texas under control. Indeed, a total of 350 vehicles, all of which come from Ford, we're told, are currently in use by the ranch. No wonder, then, that the collaboration between Ford and King Ranch has lasted for 15 successful years.

For 2015, in celebration of that 15th anniversary, Ford is debuting three new King Ranch models today at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The most significant is the 2015 F-150 King Ranch, which, naturally, will add unique interior and exterior bits and pieces to the new aluminum-intensive F-Series pickup. Color choices will consist of Caribou, Bronze Fire, Guard and Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat, with a range of two-tones to go along with a monochromatic scheme in Caribou. Inside, a bespoke King Ranch interior will be swathed in Premium Mesa Brown leather.

Joining the F-150 King Ranch on dealership floors later this year will be 2015 King Ranch editions of the Super Duty pickup and Expedition fullsize SUV, all of which will offer similar levels of content. Scroll down for more details and two videos from Ford, and be sure to check out the high-res image gallery above, which was shot by the official State Photographer of Texas, Wyman Meinzer.








Texas State Photographer Wyman Meinzer helps Ford and King Ranch Celebrate Successful 15-year Partnership

• Ford unveils three new King Ranch® Duty and Expedition
• Authentic, 15-year relationship built on common practices, core values and work philosophies shared between Ford Motor Company and the King Ranch
• Wyman Meinzer, official Texas state photographer, captures the essence of the relationship in photos revealed at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo


HOUSTON – March 5, 2014 – The introduction of the new Ford F-150, F-Series Super Duty and Expedition King Ranch® spans 15 years. To mark the 15th anniversary of the relationship, a special photo shoot at the King Ranch was undertaken by Texas State Photographer Wyman Meinzer.

The trio of King Ranch vehicles, together for the first time, and Meinzer's unique collection of photos are making their debut at a special exhibit during the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which runs from March 4-23.

"King Ranch is a legacy. It's one of the best in Texas, if not America," Meinzer said. "These Ford vehicles wear the King Ranch 'Running W' brand because they are proven to be legitimate and authentic, in the heritage of both Ford and the King Ranch."

The three King Ranch edition vehicles, all 2015 models that go on sale later this year, are designed with unique interior and exterior trim, an enhanced level of standard equipment and special wheels, all to reflect the authentic character of the ranch and the premium quality of its products.

Meinzer, who was named State Photographer of Texas by George W. Bush in 1997, was raised as a cowboy on a ranch near Benjamin, Texas, and understands the life of ranching. This experience helped guide his Ford King Ranch photo shoot, making it as authentic as possible.


"King Ranch vehicles are made to kick butt, to get in the brush and dunes and mud holes," Meinzer explained. "We tried to present them in the conditions you'd actually see on a ranch."

More than 4,000 images were taken during the four-day shoot. Visitors to Ford.com will be able to view a gallery of these images that tie the story of the King Ranch to the F-150, F-Series Super Duty and Expedition that bear the ranch's famed "Running W" brand. All three are new for model year 2015.

Aileen Barraza, Ford color and materials designer, has visited the King Ranch many times to get a true sense of what it expresses. "It's a very majestic place that makes you feel at home no matter where you're from," Barraza said. "You can't help but be comfortable right away with genuine luxury that is earned through hard work."

Barraza translates that King Ranch feeling to the Ford vehicles she helps design. "The King Ranch models evoke luxury that is earned," Barraza said. "It's a reward for hard work, which is what has made the ranch so successful."

The new King Ranch exterior colors for 2015 are Caribou, Bronze Fire, Guard and Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat. Caribou will be offered as a monotone; the other colors will have Caribou as an accent color. All King Ranch vehicles now come as either a monotone or two-tone appearance, giving customers additional appearance flexibility. Premium Mesa Brown is the new interior leather, and only available on King Ranch editions.

Ford's relationship with the King Ranch began in 1999, when Ford recognized the King Ranch represented the same philosophies it designs and engineers into its trucks: toughness, authenticity, integrity and quality.

Ford realized the best way to celebrate the partnership was to produce a King Ranch edition of the F-150, beginning with the 2001 model year. The success of that model launched the expansion of King Ranch editions to include Super Duty (model year 2003) and Expedition (model year 2005).

"King Ranch editions aren't merely trim levels," said Robert Underbrink, King Ranch chief executive officer. "They are representations of an authentic American story that parallels that of Ford Motor Company."

The King Ranch was founded in 1853 by Richard King and is located in Kingsville, Texas, approximately 40 miles southwest of Corpus Christi. The ranch's operations in Texas consist of

four divisions that total 825,000 acres (1,289 square miles), making the ranch larger than the state of Rhode Island. King Ranch has additional locations in Florida, New Mexico and South
Carolina and currently runs a fleet of more than 350 Ford vehicles.

The success of Ford's association with the King Ranch is reflected in sales, especially in Texas. Forty percent of all F-Series Super Duty King Ranch editions are sold in Texas.

For more information about King Ranch, visit www.king-ranch.com
For more information about Texas State Photographer, visit www.wymanmeinzer.com

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 181,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

By Jeremy Korzeniewski


See also: Ford unveils all-new 2016 F-650 and F-750 at NTEA, 2015 Ford Focus gets more Aston-y [w/video], How Ford made its 2015 Ford Mustang safer for toupee wearers [w/video].