Ford Dealer News: BlueCruise Towing Updates, New Ford Custom Garage Package, and F-150 Price Changes

By Tim Bartz, Ford Video Guy For Ford Maverick enthusiasts, the pursuit of enhanced street performance and an aggressive stance has led directly to the highly anticipated SV300T package. After months of speculation regarding exactly what it takes to turn a standard Maverick into a track-inspired powerhouse, the official specifications and pricing have finally been released. As central Kansas’s premier source for Ford news, Long McArthur Ford in Salina is breaking down exactly what this package includes, which models qualify, and the true cost of the upgrade. Compatibility: Who Can Build an SV300T? The SV300T is not a one-size-fits-all upgrade. Because the Air Design body components are specifically molded to the updated styling, this package is exclusively compatible with 2025 or newer Ford Mavericks. Furthermore, the foundation of your build matters. To equip the SV300T package on an incoming 2027 order, you must start with one of the following configurations: XLT EcoBoost All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Lobo (AWD) Note: This kit is not compatible with front-wheel drive or Hybrid powertrains. While the 2027 XLT AWD comes standard with the FX4 off-road package, buyers should strongly consider adding the optional 4K Tow Package. Doing so equips the truck with upgraded cooling fans, which perfectly complement the heavy-duty intercooler included in the SV300T kit. The Hardware: Performance and Aesthetics The SV300T is a comprehensive overhaul designed to optimize both handling and curb appeal. Performance Upgrades Suspension: Maverick Lobo-spec lowering springs, performance shock system, stabilizer bar, and upgraded bushings. Powertrain: A high-capacity intercooler and a specialized turbo upgrade kit complete with custom calibration. Exhaust: A black-finished 2.0L Sport Borla exhaust system for an aggressive engine note. Optional: Buyers can separately add a heavy-duty brake kit featuring larger rotors and two-piston calipers. Appearance Components Wheels & Tires: 20x8-inch wheels available in Black or Bronze, equipped with matching center caps, black lug nuts, and a recalibrated Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Body Styling: A precision-engineered Air Design front chin splitter. Accents: Custom hood and side graphics, alongside tailgate lettering in either Black or Bronze. The SV300T Price Tag Transforming a Maverick into an SV300T requires a premium investment. When ordered directly from the factory and routed through Penske for complete installation (which covers all parts, labor, and the new tires), the SV300T package costs $15,595. To put that in perspective, a well-equipped 2027 XLT AWD starts around $32,000 to $33,000. Adding the SV300T package pushes the total vehicle cost to the $50,000 threshold. It is an undeniable leap in performance and exclusivity, but buyers will need to weigh that cost against factory performance trims. The price for the SV300T kit for the 2027 Ford Maverick Lobo has not been revealed yet. It should be lower since it will not include the Maverick Lobo-spec lowering springs, performance shock system, stabilizer bar, and upgraded bushings. Those features are already include in the Lobo. As well as the front chin splitter is not available on the Lobo because of the factory lower fascia. We will keep you updated on the price for the Lobo and when ordering will be available for the package on a 2027 Ford Maverick. Tim Bartz has worked for Long McArthur Ford since 2001. He is considered an expert when it comes to Ford product information and news.

By: Tim Bartz, Ford Video Guy If you’ve been keeping a close eye on the latest lineup of Ford’s off-road vehicles, you might have noticed a rather controversial trend making a comeback: the steel wheel. Whether you're looking to order a 2027 Bronco Sport or a full-size 2026 Ford Bronco, it seems like Ford is leaning heavily into "steelies" for their standard trims and black appearance packages. But why the sudden shift, and what does this mean for buyers? Let’s break down exactly what’s happening with Ford's wheel choices, what you need to look out for when placing your 2027 orders, and how dealerships are handling the steel wheel resurgence. The 2027 Bronco Sport: Decontenting the Big Bend Let's start with the Bronco Sport. For the 2026 model year, the popular Big Bend trim came standard with a sharp-looking alloy wheel. However, for 2027, Ford has shaken up the lineup. Ford had the base trim when it launched but removed the trims in the last couple years, making the Big Bend the entry-level trim. But there's a catch: it now rolls out of the factory on standard steel wheels. The alloy wheels you might be expecting are now an "optional" upgrade. **Buyer Beware:** If you are ordering a 2027 Bronco Sport Big Bend and you don't want steel wheels, you must remember to explicitly check that optional wheel box on your build sheet. If a vehicle gets scheduled without it, dealerships can sometimes go into the system and add the option before production, but it's best to get it right from the start! The Steel Wheel Trend on the Full-Size Ford Bronco The push for steelies doesn't stop at the Bronco Sport; we are seeing it across the full-size Ford Bronco lineup as well. The Base Bronco: It's no secret that Base Broncos come standard with steel wheels. Many buyers actually prefer this (more on that later), but it sets a precedent for the trim levels above it. The Black Appearance Package: Available on the Big Bend and Outer Banks trims, this package is a fantastic value. It features sleek graphics, a black-painted Badlands-style grille (repurposed from the original Wildtrak), and aggressive 32-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires. The downside? It comes mounted on standard steel wheels. The Freewheeling Edition: Even the highly stylized, retro-themed Freewheeling Edition comes equipped with black steel wheels if you opt out of the Sasquatch package. Ford has actually tried this before. When the Black Diamond trim was first introduced, it featured standard steel wheels. Ford quickly realized that the market wasn't thrilled, and within a couple of years, they swapped the standard wheel to a premium five-spoke matte black alloy. Will history repeat itself? Dealership Upgrades: Getting the Look You Actually Want The reality on the dealership lot is clear: appearance sells. Vehicles outfitted with steel wheels—whether it’s a Maverick XL or a Bronco Big Bend with the Black Appearance Package—tend to sit on the lot longer. Customers simply prefer a better wheel. To give buyers what they want, dealerships often take matters into their own hands. A popular swap? Ford Ranger Raptor wheels. Because the Ranger Raptor shares the same wheel bolt pattern as the Bronco, dealers frequently source these wheels, or high-quality gloss black aftermarket options, and mount them directly to the factory tires. It instantly elevates the vehicle's curb appeal without sacrificing the quality of the rubber. The Silver Lining: The Perfect Blank Canvas It isn't all bad news. For a specific type of buyer, factory steel wheels are exactly what they want. The Base Bronco, with its standard steelies, serves as the ultimate blank canvas. A massive segment of the off-road community wants to purchase the most affordable trim possible so they can completely customize their wheel, tire, and suspension setup exactly the way they want it. Why pay extra for factory alloys if you're just going to rip them off and install custom beadlocks on day one? Are You Team Steel Wheels? With the 2027 order banks expected to open up shortly, buyers have a decision to make. Are you going to embrace the rugged, utilitarian look of the steel wheels, or are you upgrading to alloys the second you get the chance? Let us know your thoughts! Do you think Ford should bring back alloy wheels for packages like the Black Appearance Package? Drop a comment below and join the discussion. Tim Bartz has worked for Long McArthur Ford since 2001. He is considered an expert when it comes to Ford product information and news.