The automaker on Monday confirmed for the first time the name of its small off-road utility and that it was creating an off-road subbrand, something it's been telling dealers for more than a year.

The brands choosing to pull ads from the social media giant are voluntarily giving up a key piece of a digital ad strategy that's even more important as the industry attempts to recover from a dismal second-quarter.

Dave Pericak, the man tasked with reviving the historic off-roader after a 24-year hiatus, has some experience modernizing iconic vehicles. He was chief engineer of the 50th anniversary Mustang.

There's no room for error in launching the redesigned pickup. It will help that Ford's not rebuilding an assembly plant, as it did for last year’s redesigned Explorer.

Ford is striving to maintain its full-size pickup dominance by incorporating — and improving upon — some of the most popular features that rivals have added in unsuccessful bids to dethrone it.

After switching the truck's exterior to aluminum during the last redesign, Ford aims to stay No. 1 by overhauling what's on the inside, offering buyers a bigger touch screen and improved connectivity.

Ford's highly anticipated off-road SUV will now break its cover on July 13. The automaker was adamant the original July 9 date was "purely coincidental."

The feature, Ford's answer to Cadillac's Super Cruise and Tesla's Autopilot, will be available in the third quarter of 2021 on certain '21 model year vehicles, including the Mustang Mach-E.

The automaker will survey 30,000 U.S. employees and another 1,000 in Canada to gauge whether they want to return to the office, remain at home or try a hybrid approach during the final four months of the year. The results will help shape future policy.

The latest iteration of the Mach 1 — back in Ford's lineup for the first time since the 2004 model year and designed to reignite Mustang sales — is outfitted with the 5.0-litre motor found in the Bullitt, the six-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350 and the rear-axle cooling system from the GT500, among other parts.

The Escape PHEV is a key piece to Ford's electrification strategy, which involves a combination of hybrids as well as battery-electric vehicles.

The software uses the vehicle's powertrain and climate control systems to heat the cabin to 56 C or 133 F for 15 minutes, baking potential viruses.

The two employees made it through Ford's temperature scanner and other protocols meant to keep workers safe. It was not immediately clear how Ford became aware they were sick.

The plant shutdowns caused by the coronavirus crisis will push back some of Ford's highly anticipated vehicles, according to product development chief Hau Thai-Tang.

Assembly and component plants will operate on reduced schedules and parts depots will resume full operations on May 11. Roughly 12,000 "location-dependent" white-collar employees are also being called back, Ford said.