twintornados Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 3 hours ago, Joe771476 said: This is not auto related, but listen to what he says at around marker 8:40: (36) NYC Pfizer Building is Collapsing... Who Screwed Up?" - YouTube Nice catch.....lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 Nice unit! (13) Ford F550 Mini Pumper, Super Singles & Lifted - YouTube 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 Blue Bird To Take Over Ford Commercial Stripped Chassis Development Ford and Blue Bird - an American bus manufacturer - have long enjoyed a fruitful relationship, with the latter utilizing Blue Oval engines for its school buses, while also debuting a new stripped chassis model with Ford V8 power back in early 2025. Now, that relationship is set to expand even further, as Blue Bird has announced that it will assume responsibility for the design, manufacturing, and sales of the next-generation Ford F-53 and F-59 commercial stripped chassis. As part of this deal, Blue Bird will acquire the Detroit Assembly Plant assets of Detroit Chassis LLC, which has been manufacturing the F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis platforms for quite some time now. Production of the next-generation versions of those platforms is expected to begin in early 2028, and Ford will continue to service and support those models at its dealer network in an effort to provide a seamless transition for customers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted August 7 Author Share Posted August 7 1 hour ago, rmc523 said: Blue Bird To Take Over Ford Commercial Stripped Chassis Development Ford and Blue Bird - an American bus manufacturer - have long enjoyed a fruitful relationship, with the latter utilizing Blue Oval engines for its school buses, while also debuting a new stripped chassis model with Ford V8 power back in early 2025. Now, that relationship is set to expand even further, as Blue Bird has announced that it will assume responsibility for the design, manufacturing, and sales of the next-generation Ford F-53 and F-59 commercial stripped chassis. As part of this deal, Blue Bird will acquire the Detroit Assembly Plant assets of Detroit Chassis LLC, which has been manufacturing the F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis platforms for quite some time now. Production of the next-generation versions of those platforms is expected to begin in early 2028, and Ford will continue to service and support those models at its dealer network in an effort to provide a seamless transition for customers. I'd like to see them all under one roof. The first Blue Bird bus was on a Ford chassis. I'd like to see the blue oval logo on ALL Blue Bird buses. Then you'd have the Freightliner/Thomas Bus, the International/IC bus, and the Ford/Blue Bird bus. You'd see the BLUE Ford oval and the BLUE Bird logo! Tell me I'm wrong, but I've said this before: Parents waiting for the bus to bring their children to and from school would see the Ford name and later the blue oval logo on B-series buses. I believe these parents bought Fords for their own vehicles. It formed a trust. The same thing applied to seeing the Ford name/logo on fire apparatus at parades. And think about it. IC and Thomas don't sell cars and pickups! They gain nothing in additional sales of other vehicles. Only Ford would! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 (edited) Interesting development. So it would seem that Blue Bird is taking over Detroit Chassis and will be designing the next generation F-53 and F-59, with Ford continuing to supply the powertrain and service. I believe the current F-53 and F-59 are Ford designed, and Ford contracted their manufacture out to Detroit Chassis. Funny thing, I was expecting the manufacture of the F-53 and F-59 would move to Avon Lake when Ford introduced the 650/750 medium duty line to that plant, as both series of vehicles are straight-frame type and very similar. I believe the contract to have Detroit Chassis build the F-53 and F-59 started when Ford turned KTP over to Super Duty production. Sorry Joe, I don't think you are going to see the Ford 'Blue Oval' on any 'Blue Bird' products as Blue Bird is also taking over sales of the F-53 and F-59 and will likely brand them as such. It's their chassis now, although it will still have a Ford engine. Still, I consider it a win-win for Ford. There's very little profit is stripped chassis, and this gets Ford out of the responsibility for design, manufacture, and sales. The major player in the chassis business is FCCC (Freightliner) and they are a tough competitor with a great product. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260805699829/en/Blue-Bird-Enters-Definitive-Agreement-with-Ford-to-Expand-Commercial-Stripped-Chassis-Operations Edited August 7 by 7Mary3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 4 hours ago, 7Mary3 said: Interesting development. So it would seem that Blue Bird is taking over Detroit Chassis and will be designing the next generation F-53 and F-59, with Ford continuing to supply the powertrain and service. I believe the current F-53 and F-59 are Ford designed, and Ford contracted their manufacture out to Detroit Chassis. Funny thing, I was expecting the manufacture of the F-53 and F-59 would move to Avon Lake when Ford introduced the 650/750 medium duty line to that plant, as both series of vehicles are straight-frame type and very similar. I believe the contract to have Detroit Chassis build the F-53 and F-59 started when Ford turned KTP over to Super Duty production. Sorry Joe, I don't think you are going to see the Ford 'Blue Oval' on any 'Blue Bird' products as Blue Bird is also taking over sales of the F-53 and F-59 and will likely brand them as such. It's their chassis now, although it will still have a Ford engine. Still, I consider it a win-win for Ford. There's very little profit is stripped chassis, and this gets Ford out of the responsibility for design, manufacture, and sales. The major player in the chassis business is FCCC (Freightliner) and they are a tough competitor with a great product. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260805699829/en/Blue-Bird-Enters-Definitive-Agreement-with-Ford-to-Expand-Commercial-Stripped-Chassis-Operations Wonder if F-53/59 chassis will still be available with a galvanized frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 1 hour ago, twintornados said: Wonder if F-53/59 chassis will still be available with a galvanized frame. If they want to sell any to UPS they will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted August 9 Author Share Posted August 9 Continuing the school bus angle, you'll see some old B700's here: (184) Poor-quality welds helped kill Carpenter Body Company - YouTube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 In my daily travels around various towns, I'm seeing more Ford mediums than any other brand. Moving trucks, utility/tree cutting bucket trucks, flatbed tow trucks, liquor delivery, general box delivery. Not Internationals, Freightliners, Hinos............mostly Fords. Is it just here in central CT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorpsychology Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 I'd guess Internationals are probably the most popular class 6-7s in the TwinCities metro by a slim margin, lots of Freightliners. Muni's seem to go for Internationals with a few Fords. Seeing more Paccar class 7 day cab fleets, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 1 hour ago, Motorpsychology said: I'd guess Internationals are probably the most popular class 6-7s in the TwinCities metro by a slim margin, lots of Freightliners. Muni's seem to go for Internationals with a few Fords. Seeing more Paccar class 7 day cab fleets, too. Would say that applies to most muni's in the country.Ford's best numbers I believe are with the business fleets where the truck is in support of the business. Lowest cost and convenience of local dealership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 Around L.A. class 6/7 is mostly Freightliner with International second. Quite a few KW/Pete's, then Hino, Mack and Ford. A few Isuzu FTR/Chevy LCF 6500's, but seems their numbers are increasing. Most of the Hino's and Ford's seem to be older trucks. Still a surprising number of old gasoline fueled GM's. Class 4/5 is dominated by Isuzu/Chevy LCF's. Ford and Ram about tied for second. A few Chevy Silverado mediums. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 Speaking of Bluebird, I found this interesting: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 22 hours ago, 7Mary3 said: Around L.A. class 6/7 is mostly Freightliner with International second. Quite a few KW/Pete's, then Hino, Mack and Ford. A few Isuzu FTR/Chevy LCF 6500's, but seems their numbers are increasing. Most of the Hino's and Ford's seem to be older trucks. Still a surprising number of old gasoline fueled GM's. Class 4/5 is dominated by Isuzu/Chevy LCF's. Ford and Ram about tied for second. A few Chevy Silverado mediums. This is my observation too. Caltrans operate a lot of Ford Class 6 but commercial fleets box trucks are heavily Freightliner. I will add that Class 4/5 box trucks here are heavily Isuzu but Ford dominates the airport shuttles (I live near LAX). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted August 31 Author Share Posted August 31 On 8/30/2026 at 12:55 PM, 7Mary3 said: Speaking of Bluebird, I found this interesting: I'd like to see that someday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GearheadGrrrl Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 A lot of local sales success depend on the dealers- For example, in Minnesota Ford used to sell well because Boyer Ford Trucks offered good service and competitive pricing. In the more rural areas International sold well because they had dealers everywhere. Now it seems Daimler just undercuts everyone else on price and has half the market... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfeg Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 Around NE Ohio, most cities seem to have Freightliner and International in their fleets. I see a few Western Stars also. The only Fords you see are F 350/450 dumps, F250 pickups, and Mavericks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted September 3 Author Share Posted September 3 On 8/30/2026 at 12:55 PM, 7Mary3 said: Speaking of Bluebird, I found this interesting: Looks like they tried to slope the hood as much as possible like the Bluebird Vision nose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 16 hours ago, Joe771476 said: Looks like they tried to slope the hood as much as possible like the Bluebird Vision nose. Looks like the stock 2000-2002 hood to me. It probably appears to be more sloped because of the vertical windshield. Remember that bus chassis is likely a version of the Super Duty F-650 that was briefly built by Ford in Escobedo Mexico before the International-built 'Blue Diamond' F-650's. By the time Bluebird built that prototype in 2002 Ford had likely already decided to have International build the F series mediums. International had bought out AmTran in 2002, renaming it IC Bus so they probably didn't want to supply a bus chassis to a competitor (Bluebird). You can see why that Ford bus chassis never happened. BTW, as I recall Volvo designed the chassis for the Bluebird Vision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Here's some big commercial vehicle news. Remember Iveco is collaborating with Ford Otosan: https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202609046932/tata-motors-launches-bid-for-iveco-group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 6 hours ago, 7Mary3 said: Here's some big commercial vehicle news. Remember Iveco is collaborating with Ford Otosan: https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202609046932/tata-motors-launches-bid-for-iveco-group Time for Otosan to break off that venture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 3 hours ago, Joe771476 said: Time for Otosan to break off that venture. Well does Otosan buy those engines from FPT or produce them under a licensing agreement??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 On 9/3/2026 at 12:39 PM, 7Mary3 said: Looks like the stock 2000-2002 hood to me. It probably appears to be more sloped because of the vertical windshield. Remember that bus chassis is likely a version of the Super Duty F-650 that was briefly built by Ford in Escobedo Mexico before the International-built 'Blue Diamond' F-650's. By the time Bluebird built that prototype in 2002 Ford had likely already decided to have International build the F series mediums. International had bought out AmTran in 2002, renaming it IC Bus so they probably didn't want to supply a bus chassis to a competitor (Bluebird). You can see why that Ford bus chassis never happened. BTW, as I recall Volvo designed the chassis for the Bluebird Vision. I thought when the 650/750 were first built they were in the Ford plant at Cautilan?? Escobedo was the source for the Blue Diamonds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 3 hours ago, Joe771476 said: Time for Otosan to break off that venture. Why, Otosan gets no help from Dearborn regarding heavy trucks or diesel engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 Just now, Bob Rosadini said: I thought when the 650/750 were first built they were in the Ford plant at Cautilan?? Escobedo was the source for the Blue Diamonds. You are right, I forgot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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