Ford will reintroduce the Bronco on O.J. Simpson's birthday
The newest addition to the Ford line of trucks and SUVs is actually a familiar one, the Bronco.
The Bronco is making a comeback after being off the market since the mid ‘90s.
In a ironic turn, Ford announced that it will debut the Bronco on July 9 — the birthday of O.J. Simpson, who was both a Hall of Fame running back and convicted felon found civilly responsible for two deaths.
According to CNN, the 2021 model was originally slated for a spring release but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last weekend, Ford announced the new release date.
“07/09/20. The Wild Returns. #FordBronco,” the Ford Motor company tweeted.
07/09/20. The Wild Returns. #FordBronco #BuiltWild pic.twitter.com/KQSPQrtdu7
— Ford Motor Company (@Ford) June 13, 2020
“That date just so happens to be the birthday of O.J. Simpson, the former football legend who sparked one of the most-watched events in TV history by leading police in a two-hour chase in, of course, the iconic, white Ford Bronco,” CNN reported.
Ford told CNN the timing was “purely coincidental” and that the release “was supposed to take place in April, but due to Covid-19, we had to shut down all our factories,” according to a spokesman for Ford.
“The rescheduled date was following the July 4 holiday. It’s purely coincidental. Not intentional,” he said, adding that the company didn’t realize the release date was Simpson’s birthday until after the announcement.
Simpson was forever linked with the Bronco when he was a passenger while former teammate Al Cowlings drove during a slow-police chase through Southern California that 95 million people tuned in to watch on June 17, 1994. The chase remains one of the most-watched TV news events of all time, according to People Magazine.
Simpson was being sought by police who suspected him of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. He later surrendered.
Simpson was acquitted of the two murder counts, but later was found to be responsible for their deaths in a civil trial. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages to the victims’ families.
Simpson later spent nearly a decade in prison for an armed robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas. He was released in 2017.
Simpson will turn 73 on July 9.
Ford said the release will still go on as scheduled, despite the negative attention, CNN reported.
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