Employee Influencers Get Early Look at New Models at Dream Cruise Kick-Off Event

The Woodward Dream Cruise in Metro Detroit is a can’t-miss event for car enthusiasts and the automotive industry, and this year it drew in over a million fans and 40,000 vehicles, from Ford Model Ts to the latest Mustangs. Ford’s Mustang Alley and Bronco Corral showcased vintage, rare and brand-new examples of the iconic brands for the public as thousands of one-of-a-kind cars looped Woodward Avenue. 

Just before the Dream Cruise kicked off, a group of employees known as the Ford Influencers, along with members of the media, had the opportunity to take an in-depth look at the 2026 Mustang FX package, the Ford Bronco Stroppe Edition, the Super Mustang Mach-E, and the Mach-E NASCAR prototype, and spend some time with the vehicles’ subject matter experts. 

“I’ve been part of the Ford Influencers program for a few years and I love to show the world what we’re doing at events like this,” said Peter Schultz, a program engineer for the Mustang Mach-E. 

Schultz, along with other employees from across the company who are passionate about sharing their perspectives and experiences across social media, attended Ford’s exclusive Design and Engineering Day before the official opening of the annual event.

Matthew Corlew, an engineer with the Ford Customer Service Division’s plant vehicle team, says he worked on the service portion of the Mustang GTD, so it was satisfying to see it showcased at the event. 

“Sometimes you can get so caught up in your day-to-day job that you forget how much of an impact the choices you make today will have on these products down the line,” he said. 

Being a Ford Influencer “is just awesome, point blank,” he added. “I get to see very cool cars. Events like this make me feel valued and remind me that I have a pretty fun job.”

Off-Road and Trailer-Tow Attributes Engineer Chelsey Revita seconded that. 

“Most days, I feel like I have the best job in the world,” she said. “I get to drive Mavericks and Bronco Sports in all kinds of conditions across the country to evaluate how they perform off-road and how they tow. I even get to travel to teach customers how to use Ford towing tech.” 

Also, Revita was happy to have a close look at the Bronco Outer Banks Sasquatch model in the Bronco Corral at the Dream Cruise and enjoyed the Bronco Stroppe Edition presentation.

Media and experience Programmer Mikaela Thomas helped organize the Design and Engineering Day gathering and ensured it was an engaging experience. It was her first time at the Woodward Dream Cruise, and she was amazed at the scale and passion of the automotive community. 

“It really showed me the profound influence Ford has had in this world,” she said. “It’s more than just a car show – it’s a massive, living celebration of our history with our customers and enthusiasts.”  

For chassis drive line product development lead Omar Al-Amody, seeing the Pikes Peak and NASCAR Mustang Mach-Es and talking to the engineers who worked on them was a highlight. He says events like this also make him even more proud of the work he’s doing. 

“It’s great to see the customers’ excitement and see a tangible reminder of how my work has contributed to other products,” Al-Amody said. 

Garrett Johnson, a FinSimple product manager for Ford Pro, says he looks forward to events like Design and Engineering Day. As a Ford Influencer, he’s attended a Ranger Raptor pickup reveal in the middle of the woods, a Mustang racetrack ride-along with actor-turned-Ford Performance driver Frankie Muniz, and more. 

“I was already out there creating and posting content about Ford because I love our vehicles, and I love what the company is doing,” he said. “When I was invited to join the Ford Influencers program, it was a perfect fit.” 

Johnson’s favorite part of this event was the Ford Performance Mustangs, especially the NASCAR Mustang Mach-E. 

“The vehicle in itself is really interesting and powerful, but it was cool to talk to the subject matter experts and the guys that went out there for the race. [Nick Kuhajda and Zach Burns].”

Color and materials designer Kristen Keenan was at the event to share details about interior and exterior components of the new 2026 Mustang FX package she helped develop as part of the Vehicle Personalization team. She was excited to showcase the Adriatic Blue paint color and textured leather seats, but all that was easily eclipsed by her moment with the grand marshal of the Dream Cruise parade, Martha Reeves, lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas. Keenan, a self-proclaimed “Motown superfan” was able to chat with Reeves and take a picture with her when she stopped by the Ford area after the parade. 

“I was happy just to see her riding in the back of a ’65 Mustang – I never dreamed I’d be able to actually talk to her,” Keenan said.

Moments like those are what keep Spillman coming back to Ford Influencer events. 

“My dad and I went to LeMans, and we were able to have an amazing insider experience there, which was awesome,” he said. “These events are exciting product-wise, but they also help me build connections across the company. I happened to meet Ted Ryan, Ford’s head archivist, at a past event and chatted with him. So when I met a Mustang GTD customer who needed to know a particular historical paint color, I already had a little connection with Ted and knew he’d be equally dedicated to helping me track down that paint color name when I contacted him. Things like this remind me we’re all working for the same company and have the same goal: helping the customer.”