Ford Just Revealed One Detail About Its Carhartt Truck That Shows What Detroit Really Means
Ford and Carhartt just announced they're teaming up on a new truck.
The two Detroit brands are bringing workwear and horsepower together for a 2027 Super Duty special edition.
But Ford designers revealed one inspiration for the truck that captures what this partnership is really about.
Ford Designers Found Inspiration On Detroit Streets
Ford designers visited Carhartt's downtown Detroit store last year to examine how the company's products are built.
They looked at fabrics, stitching patterns, and the functional details that make Carhartt gear last decades on job sites.
Then they walked outside and looked down at the street.
The manhole covers became the inspiration for the truck's custom wheels.
Ford released a teaser image showing wheels with a rugged, industrial design that mirrors the utilitarian patterns found on Detroit's streets.
The wheel design features a two-tone look with openings at the outside edges, capturing the work-first aesthetic both companies built their reputations on.
This isn't some marketing gimmick dreamed up in a boardroom.
Ford's designers literally went to where Carhartt has operated for over a century and looked at what makes Detroit different from anywhere else.
https://twitter.com/jacecraftmiller/status/2011230820913308082
The Partnership Goes Way Beyond Slapping Logos On A Truck
Ford and Carhartt announced a multi-year strategic partnership that includes workforce development, community building, and durable products.
The two companies are opening Detroit ToolBank next month through a nonprofit called ToolBank USA.
The program will provide free tool lending for local organizations and workers to support tradespeople.
Ford and Carhartt are also launching technician uniform programs through Cintas, supplying durable workwear to Ford dealerships across the country.
Ford CEO Jim Farley said both companies are committed to making sure workers have the best equipment and gear available.
The co-branded merchandise and training programs with high schools and community colleges aim to attract more skilled tradespeople.
The companies share deep Detroit roots, with Carhartt supplying clothing to Ford factory workers since the 1920s.
Both are headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.
Ford Has A History Of Successful Brand Collaborations
Ford knows how to do special edition trucks right.
The automaker partnered with Eddie Bauer from 1983 to 2010, creating special editions of the Bronco, Explorer, and Expedition.
That partnership started with the 1984 Bronco II Eddie Bauer and lasted 27 years.
By 1999, Ford had sold one million Eddie Bauer edition vehicles.
The Eddie Bauer editions featured distinctive two-tone paint, premium interiors, and outdoor-themed styling that captured the adventure lifestyle.
Ford ended that partnership in 2010 when Eddie Bauer's brand cachet faded.
Now Ford is betting on Carhartt's workwear DNA to connect with truck buyers.
Carhartt has been making durable work clothing since 1889 and maintains a reputation that Eddie Bauer lost decades ago.
The 2027 Ford Super Duty Carhartt Edition will arrive later this year as a production model.
Ford confirmed designers explored the intersection of heritage workwear and modern truck engineering, with durability and usability guiding every decision.
Chevrolet's Earlier Attempt Fell Short
Chevrolet tried partnering with Carhartt back in 2021 for a Silverado HD special edition.
That truck featured black paint with gold pinstripes and Carhartt-themed interior touches.
But Chevrolet's effort was mostly cosmetic, adding badges and two-tone leather without the deeper partnership Ford is building.
Ford's approach includes community investment, workforce development, and a shared commitment to supporting the skilled trades that both companies depend on.
The manhole cover wheel design tells you everything about the difference.
One company slapped logos on a truck and called it a collaboration.
The other sent designers into Detroit streets to understand what connects their brands to the city that built them both.
Sources:
- Ford Motor Company, "Ford and Carhartt Announce Multi-Year Partnership," Press Release, January 2026.
- The Fast Lane Truck, "2027 Ford Super Duty Carhartt Edition Is Coming Soon," January 13, 2026.
- Ford Muscle, "Ford Teams With Carhartt And Teases A Special Edition Super Duty," January 13, 2026.
- CBS Detroit, "Ford Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Carhartt," January 14, 2026.
- autoevolution, "2021 Chevrolet Silverado Carhartt Edition Price Revealed," November 26, 2020.
- Ford Authority, "Ford Super Duty Carhartt Arrives This Year Thanks To New Collab," January 14, 2026.
