New COVID-19 cases are being identified throughout the United States every day. While the virus continues to spread in large cities and sparsely populated areas alike, the medical sector is experiencing some serious strain. Medical professionals are severely lacking the protective medical equipment they need to effectively treat COVID-19 patients. Ford is here to help make sure our healthcare heroes have the materials they need to safely combat this pandemic.
Unfortunately, the more severe cases of Coronavirus leave patients dependent on ventilators to help them breathe. With more ventilators needed and in use than ever before, a nationwide shortage has left patients and healthcare professionals throughout the country in a dangerous situation. A situation resulting in the people who need them most waiting for the supplies they need to effectively fight this virus.
Supplying Vital Medical Supplies to Healthcare Workers
After realizing the full extent of the shortage, Ford decided to begin manufacturing the medical supplies that are most needed until this shortage is resolved. The company is working to produce powered-air purifying respirators, ventilators, and plastic face shields.
Ford is partnering with 3M to produce air-purifying respirators. Additionally, the company is collaborating with General Electric (GE) to produce a simplified version of the ventilators that are in such high demand.
Bill Ford, the executive chairman of Ford, explained that by partnering with multiple industries, they could make a significant difference in the lives of the people most in need, standing on the frontlines of this battle.
Public health officials and state officials across the US have been warning that there is a considerable shortage of personal protective gear for the medical professionals tasked with treating COVID-19 patients. As of last week, Ford, as well as General Motors have shut down their production factories due to the rise in pandemic and revealed that they are planning to manufacture medical supplies instead.
The company said the whole idea started when 3M began working to create powered air-purifying respirators and mechanical devices that can protect the medical professional from catching or transmitting this airborne virus. This device will be manufactured at the Ford factory by using existing materials available to Ford and 3M.
Ford also revealed that it is partnering with GE healthcare to work on a simplified version of GE’s ventilators that will be produced in Ford and GE factories.
Ford is also making face shields for medical professionals, and the first 1000 shields have already been sent to hospitals for testing. Ford believes that it could make around 75,000 face shields by the end of the week and perhaps 100,000 in the following week at the Ford facilities in Michigan.
This move by Ford will hopefully prove to be extremely helpful to the US medical industry, which has been in a constant struggle to overcome a lack of adequate protective gear.
2020 Ford Ranger vs. Chevrolet Colorado
Pickup trucks are the most practical vehicles out there. They are spacious and comfortable to haul your family in comfort while towing a 10,000 lb. trailer. If you are interested in getting a pickup truck, you have two good options in the form of 2020 Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado. To help you select the right pickup truck, we have compared both pickup trucks in all aspects.
Truck Versions and MSRP
Ford offers three versions of its popular Ranger pickup which include XL, the base model, and the XLT and LARIAT. The base model costs around $24,300 while the XLT and LARIAT pricing starts at $28,120 and $32, 290 respectively. The General Motors Company offers 5 versions of the Colorado mid-size truck – Base, WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2. The base model pricing starts at $22,395 while the top model (ZR2) costs around $42,495.
Engine and Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ford Ranger is propelled by a 2.5L EcoBoost engine mated with electronic 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ecoboost pumps 270 hp plus 310 lb-ft of torque and delivers a mileage of 21/26 mpg city/highway.
On the other hand, the Chevy Colorado is moved by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine mated with 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine generates 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. The Chevy Colorado offers a 25mpg highway fuel economy.
Cab Styles and Dimensions
The 2020 Ford Ranger with a wheelbase of 126.8 inches is available in two cab styles: SuperCab and SuperCrew. The SuperCab offers larger cargo box volume (51.8 cu.ft) and the inside length is 72.8 in. The passenger capacity of the SuperCab model is 4 while the SuperCrew model can accommodate 5 passengers.
The 2020 Chevy Colorado has a wheelbase of 128.3 inches and is available in three cab styles- Extended cab, Crew Cab-Short box, and Crew Cab-Long box. The Extended Cab and Crew Cab – Long Box offer a cargo volume of 49.9 cu ft while the Crew Cab – Short box offers a cargo volume of 41.3 cu ft. The inside length and width of the Long box are 74.0” and 57.8” respectively while the length of the Short box is 61.7”.
Interior
The interior of the Ford Ranger is quite spacious. Front Passengers get a headroom of 39.8 inches, shoulder room of 56.6 inches and legroom of 43.1 inches. Other standard features include air-conditioning, glove box with locking facility, 12 V power points for front and rear passengers, and power front and rear windows.
Due to the longer wheelbase, the Chevy Colorado is slightly more spacious. The front passengers get 41.4” headroom, 57.5” Shoulder room, and 45” legroom. Air-conditioning, front bucket seats, Chevrolet entertainment system with a 7-inch diagonal screen, AM/FM Stereo with six speakers’ manual tilt steering column, and floor covering are offered as standard on the base trim.
Safety
The standard safety features in the 2020 Ford Ranger includes front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags for front passengers and safety canopy side curtains. The Ford Ranger also comes with curve control technology, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, child tether anchors, and tire pressure monitoring system.
The 2020 Chevy Colorado also comes with good safety features like dual-stage frontal airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, head curtain airbags, rear vision camera, and teen driver technology.
The 2020 Ford Ranger and the Chevrolet Colorado are built-strong to take on any tough job. Also, both pickup trucks have good passenger-friendly features that make them perfect family vehicles.
The Impact of COVID-19
At Johnson City Ford, the health and safety of every person who walks into our building is paramount. This virus has affected so many here in our community and across the world. We want to send our thoughts and prayers to all of those people and be transparent with what our plan is moving forward so that we can continue serving our loyal customers.
How We Have Responded
Precautionary steps need to be implemented, and they are as follows:
- All high-frequented areas such as lobbies, shuttle vans, restrooms, tables, phones, etc. will be cleaned as much as possible, as often as possible by our talented cleaning staff.
- Effective immediately, more hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed throughout the building to ensure quick and easy access for every customer to wash their hands.
- Our employees have been mandated to stay home if they feel any symptoms at all and we will continue to look for updated information from the WHO and CDC.
How We Can Serve You Online
Luckily, car shopping is easier than ever before with our online services.
Simply visit our website at johnsoncityford.com, purchase the new or used vehicle of your choice, and our team at Johnson City Ford will deliver it right to your driveway, as simple as that.
The same applies to your service needs, like oil changes or new tires, as well. You can schedule an appointment with us at 423-328-1306, and our team will pick up your car and deliver it back to you.
Johnson City Ford thanks every single one of our customers for their continued loyalty and we look forward to continuing to serve you.
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