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John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 7-24-2019 Ford has been working hard behind the scenes to develop the world's first mass-produced, mainstream electric pickup truck. That development is now to the point where Ford is ready to start showing off a bit. This week, Ford's chief engineer for the F-150, Linda Zhang, hooked up the test mule to ten double-decker rail cars. She then tugged that train 1,000 feet. To add a bit of drama, she then loaded up 42 F-150s into those rail cars and did it again. Clearly, electric trucks will be tow monsters. Ford is one of the best-positioned automakers to advance its fleet with electric drive. Ford is now a partner with not only Rivian, who is developing a luxury EV pickup, but also with VW. No other automaker has as much to lose by falling behind in the EV transition, and no other automaker seems better positioned to profit from EVs when they are finally ready for the masses. Related Story: Is GM Working On EV Pickups?

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 5-9-2018 A fire at Wangfen Automotive Holding Group’s Meridian Lightweight Technologies plant in Eaton Rapids, Michigan has halted production of the Ford F-150. The plant makes structural components like radiator cradles in the F-150 and Super Duty trucks. It also makes instrument housings. Ford says that its business accounts for roughly a third of the plant’s production output. That leads us to wonder if GM might also be affected. “This is a fluid situation, but we are working closely with our supplier and UAW partners to do everything we can to limit the impact on our production,” said Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president of Ford global operations, said in a statement. “It’s a full team effort and we’re confident that any impacts will be short term. The good news is we have strong inventories of our best-selling F-series pickups and other vehicles, and customers won’t have a problem finding the model they want.” GM says that the company's products may be spared from shutdowns due to shortages. “At this point, there has been no immediate impact to our operations,” confirmed a spokesperson for the carmaker. “Our global supply chain team continues to monitor the situation.” News reports say that the employees recognized the danger. One former employee said, "I'm not surprised it didn't blow up years ago." See video for details. The plant fire also included explosions, which makes it unlikely that a quick return to production will be possible for Meridian. The company specializes in work involving magnesium. Magnesium is flammable and difficult to extinguish once oxidation starts.

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 1-8-2018 Ford announced a sixth engine option for the F-150 line this week. The new engine is a 3.0-liter, V6 “Power Stroke” turbo diesel. The new engine will produce its peak torque of 440 ft-lbs at 1,750 RPM. To make the most of that twist, Ford has mated it to a diesel-specific SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmission which can shift non-sequentially. In other words, it can skip over gears to find the right one for the circumstances. Ford’s aim is to produce the best towing combination in the F-150’s class in terms of efficiency and drivability. “For every truck owner who wants strong fuel economy while they tow and haul, we offer a new 3.0-liter Power Stroke V6 engine that dreams are made of,” said Dave Filipe, vice president global powertrain engineering. “The more you tow and the longer you haul, the more you’ll appreciate its class-leading towing and payload capacity and how efficient it is at the pump.” The new 3-liter Power Stroke diesel has just 250 hp, but will be able to tow up to 11,400 pounds and has a 2,020-pound payload capacity. Ford says this combination makes the new F-150 the best-in-class hauler. Going further, Ford says that this new drivetrain will be the best hauler in the most severe conditions. Rather than an electric cooling fan, Ford has opted for a premium mechanical engine-driven fan plus dual radiator shutters for improved high temperature, high-altitude performance. “We know that competing diesels with electric cooling fans have to dial back on power under extreme heat and altitude, so we decided on a viscous-controlled mechanical fan that has the capacity to move much more air across the radiator and intercooler in extreme conditions,” said David Ives, Ford diesel engine technical specialist. “This gives F-150 Power Stroke owners more power and more passing capability in harsh conditions.” Ford says that in moderate driving and towing conditions, the F-150 engine control system will back off the fan load through a viscous coupler and close the radiator shutters for improved aerodynamic efficiency and reduced parasitic engine loss. Ford’s extensive experience with boosted engines shows in the new engine’s design. With a focus on reducing turbo lag, Ford incorporated a high-efficiency variable-geometry turbocharger. Fuel injection is via a common-rail fuel injection system with a 29,000 pounds per square inch injection calibration. Ford promises smoother, quieter operation and reduced emissions. Borrowing from the new 2.7-liter turbocharged gasoline engine in its trucks, the new Ford V6 diesel uses a compacted-graphite iron block material and has a forged-steel crank. Other features of the new engine include dual fuel filters, a cast-aluminum oil pan, and a two-stage oil pump. Ford says the new 3-liter turbodiesel F-150 can be ordered in either rear-wheel drive or 4X4 in the following configurations starting this month: Retail customers: - 2018 F-150 Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum edition SuperCrew trucks with either a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed configuration, and SuperCab trucks with a 6.5-foot bed configuration. Commercial Fleet Customers: - All F-150 trim levels with SuperCrew 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed configurations and SuperCab trucks with a 6.5 foot bed.

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 11-28-2017 Please don't kill the messenger! Motor Trend has named the Ford F-150 its “Truck of the Year” in the same week U.S. News & World Report Autos chose Ford as the best truck brand. Ford can’t seem to lose a contest these days. These wins come just a few weeks after the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) named the F-150 the Truck of Texas for the second straight year. Nic Phillips, President of TAWA, said of its group’s award, “Ford’s 2018 F-150 Pickup, boosted by its extreme performance 2018 Raptor model along with updated EcoBoost engines and 10-speed transmissions, convinced our journalists to bestow the trophy.” U.S. News said of the F-150, “The Ford F-150 nabbed the Best Truck Brand award for Ford, with the F-150's capability, safety, and high-tech features putting it over the top.” What say you GM-Trucks.com faithful? Will GM’s Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra turn the tide in the 2019 model-year with new updates and designs and do these awards even matter?

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 1-5-2017 The Consumer electronics show has become one of the biggest car shows each year. Like it or not, many people link cars and trucks with electronic gadgets and this show is the one at which automakers try to impress techies with what they have, and what they will have. Part of Ford's deluge of press releases included an announcement that the F-150 will be offered with a hybrid drivetrain option "By 2020..." General Motors has offered the Silverado and Sierra with a hybrid drivetrain off and on since 2004. We even have a member at GM-trucks.com (FiveOFord89) who owns one. Currently, the hybrid trucks from GM are "On", but just in California, and just in very limited numbers (with rear wheel drive only if our memory is right on that point). Kidding around about low-selling products is all well and good, but if the corporate average fuel economy goals and zero emissions mandates hold up over the coming four to eight years, every automaker is going to electrify almost every part of their product line. Energy recapture via light or full hybrid drive is the most proven, and most cost-effective way for automakers to improve fuel economy. Many who follow green car topics have identified pickup trucks as ideal candidates for hybrid drives. Adding torque at startup is something hybrids do well, and every pickup owner loves low-end torque. Trucks also have more room for storage of batteries than do subcompact cars and cars in general. Frankly, hybrid drive trucks are a no-brainer. Aside from the fuel efficiency and torque gains, Ford says the F-150 hybrid will include a mobile generator. Every contractor that has ever worked at my home has had trouble with power from my exterior sockets (which have an inside the home switch). We all know stand-alone power on a jobsite is always welcome. Like all technology, the first use of a new idea is not always its gateway to success. Turbocharged engines have been around for the better part of a century, but in this tester's opinion, Ford and Hyundai were the first to make them work perfectly (lag-free, regular unleaded fuel, real-world usability) in mainstream cars. One thing about Ford this news reporter has noticed is that the company does not kid around when it announces coming fuel economy advantages. Decades ago Ford told the media that it would soon be selling more high mileage "SUVs" than it does gas-guzzlers and the Escape made that a reality. When Ford told the world that its V-6 EcoBoost turbos would replace V8s it was serious and followed through. It will be interesting to see what shape Ford's hybrid F-150 takes in 2020. With 2018 model year vehicles being revealed now, that is just two model years away.

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 8-9-2016 In the month of July, GM's pickup sales simply crushed Ford's. Ford sold a respectable 65,657 F-150 trucks. Since Ford has decided to sit out the dramatic expansion of the midsize truck market, that is the total pickup sales for Ford last month. GM's full size pickups, the Silverado and Sierra beat the F-150 with a combined total of 76,544 units delivered. Add in the Colorado and Canyon's combined total of 12,727 and it is a rout. GM's pickup truck sales topped Ford's by about 36%. Year to date Ford is still ahead by about 30,000 trucks over GM. Do you think GM will top Ford overall by year's end?

Zane Merva Executive Editor, GM-Trucks.com 6/8/16 Chevrolet is taking Ford to task on the strength and durability of the F-150's all-aluminum bed. In a series of videos released by the automaker, the company repeatably demonstrates how the bed of the Ford F-150 turns to swiss-cheese during three side by side demonstrations that compare it to the high-strength steel bed used on the Silverado. Spend a few minutes and watch these three videos in order. Chevy Silverado vs. Ford F-150: Howie Long Compares Truck Beds | Chevrolet Silverado Strong: Steel Bed Outperforms Aluminum Bed - 2016 Silverado | Chevrolet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTm2F4ysQrE Silverado Impact Strength: Engineering Overview and Demonstration Methodology | Chevrolet So, what do you think? Will these types of comparisons help bolster Silverado's image in the future? Will it sway potential buyers? Or is it one giant hint that the steel bed isn't going anywhere in the T1 Platform 2018 Silverado?

Josh and I had a chance to go out and do some back to back to back comparison driving between Project Sierra and a 2011 Ford F-150, equipped with a 5.0L V8. Both vehicles were 2011 models, extended cabs, and featured the "mid-level" V8 engine offered. All in all, a good matchup between the two. We're working on writing up "comparison" article in the next few days. In the meantime, here's our general thoughts. Styling: Sierra is clear winner Chassis: Ford seems tighter but rides MUCH rougher. Tie Powertrain: Ford wins here, no debate. the 5.0L is an amazing engine Interior: GMC wins this round by far. GM's interior are more comfortable and softer. So, what do you think? F-150 vs Silverado/Sierra is a tougher comparison than most imagine.

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 5/2/2016 GM-Trucks.com would like to thank the members who suffered through the prior two videos we posted about the Ford Raptor. In those prior vids, the Raptor tiptoes around a bit and then daintily hikes up its skirt as it slowly passes through a stream (Don't get water above the hubs!). In this new video, the Raptor, which apparently is afraid of water, is in the dessert and seems to be in its element. A fair amount of the video footage is of the Raptor airborne, so maybe it is more bird than fish. Hey that makes sense, Raptor, as in bird of prey. In any case, the video below is pretty flattering to the newest super-truck from Ford. Watch for the paddle shifter part. Very cool.

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 4/27/2016 Ford announced today that is recalling about 202,000 model year '11-'12 Ford F-150, and 2012 Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles because the transmission can suddenly downshift into first gear. Ford says in its recall announcement, "Depending on the speed of the vehicle at the time of the downshift, the driver could experience an abrupt speed reduction that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up. This condition could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash." This is not just a theory, Ford admits that it is aware of three accidents that have reportedly been caused by this malfunction. The exact cause of the problem is related to the output speed sensor on the vehicle’s transmission lead frame. Dealers will inspect the transmission, note and then clear any codes, update the transmission software and also replace the transmission lead frame. Ford is also extending the warranty coverage of that part to 10 years and 150K miles. The transmission related to this recall is the Ford 6R80. This is a six-speed transmission that Ford manufacturers under license. If you have one of the vehicles listed above and want to check to see if your vehicle is included in the recall please click this link.

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 9/30/2015 The UAW is not happy with the contract negotiated by its membership with FCA US (Chrysler). The rank and file may reject it. Today, UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles issued a 5-day strike notice to Ford for its Kansas City F-150 plant according to the Detroit Free Press. Settles was quoted as saying "The company (Ford) has failed to negotiate in good faith at the local level on issues surrounding manpower provisions, the national heat stress program, and skilled trades scheduling amongst others."

Large discounts on large trucks/suv's is nothing new. Not sure if it is worth noting or not? But thinking the supply issue being the cause of losing a little market share has been over done. The dealer lots I go past do not seem to be lacking inventory. Edit: added new link with more detail that the original post. Did not know about a frame shortage. http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/16/ford-offering-10000-incentives-f150/

Zane Merva Executive Editor, GM-Trucks.com 7/6/15 Hot off the 4th of July weekend, Chevrolet is going for broke to let the world know they think Ford F-150's all aluminum body..well.. sucks. Visitors to Chevrolet.com are prompted to watch these three videos, which all seem to make the same point. You've got to be an idiot to buy a truck with an aluminum body. That said, each video goes about it in very unique way. Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIC7Fw1rFF4 So, what do you think? Is highlighting a short term difference a good long term move for Silverado marketing?

John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 6/9/2015 Silverado sales have been through the roof these past few months with many outlets now reporting that the Silverado is "gaining on the Ford F-150." But is it really? The Ford has been constrained due to production changes to the body we all know about. Then there is the huge amount of cash on the dash Chevy is using to lure Silverado buyers. 24/7 Wall Street reports that Silverado customers are being given up to $8,500 off the price of a new Silverado before negotiations even begin. That is easy to believe if you look at the advert Chevy is running right now (above image). Do you think the Silverado is making progress due to its design, or Chevy making full advantage of a lack of F-150s in the marketplace coupled with huge discounts? Or is it all of the above?

By Zane Merva Executive Editor, GM-Trucks.com 12/3/2014 Grabbing the title away from the all new Ford F-150, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado has won the coveted title of Motor Trend's "2015 Truck of the Year". After the magazine's "most comprehensive truck evaluation in history", Motor Trend editors were impressed. The new Chevy Colorado gained universal praise while beating out seven other models among ten total vehicles tested. The vehicles tested for the title were: Chevrolet Colorado WT and Colorado Z71 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Ford F150 2.7L EcoBoost and 3.5L EcoBoost Ford F-450 Ford Transit 350 HR and Transit 150 MR GMC Canyon SLT GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD Also read: Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 concept marks return of legendary moniker Beating out the Ford's all new F-150 is a huge win for Chevrolet, as Truck of the Year winners typically use the award as leverage for marketing to consumers. Plan on seeing the Motor Trend Golden Calipers alongside the Colorado alot this year. How did the Editors of MT make their decision? Chevrolet says testing regimen went down like this: To determine which truck deserved top honors, the MOTOR TREND test team subjected all of the contenders to numerous instrumented and real-world road tests. First up was standard MOTOR TREND testing, which included: 0-60 mph and 1/4-mile acceleration, 60-0 mph braking, and maximum lateral grip - all without payload or trailered loads. A specific payload was then added to each truck and van, and the vehicles were then driven more than 250 miles to the Arizona/Nevada border to evaluate ride quality and loaded fuel economy. The vehicles were driven up and down the famed Davis Dam in Bullhead City, Ariz., for further assessment, including an instrumented test designed to simulate a passing situation while carrying a load. The team then moved to a world-class automotive proving grounds for instrumented acceleration tests with nominal weight trailers. Truck and trailer were also driven through a short handling course to evaluate acceleration, braking, maneuverability and outward visibility. The final phase of evaluation involved a 21-mile road loop through hills of Arizona's Hualapai Mountains. Following the team's intensive evaluation, the trucks were shipped to MOTOR TREND headquarters in El Segundo to undergo proprietary "Real MPG" fuel-economy testing. Using advanced exhaust gas and flow-rate analyzers, Real MPG measures tailpipe emissions every second during a three-hour, 88-mile drive around the Los Angeles area to record accurate real-world fuel economy. Once testing was completed, select MOTOR TREND editors convened to determine which truck would be crowed Truck of the Year. "When it came down to it, after over a week's worth of testing, we sat down, we hashed it all out. All the judges are asked to write down their top 3 picks - and third place was the Ford F-150; second place was Ford Transit, and by unanimous vote was the Chevrolet Colorado" Edward Loh, Editor-In-Chief of Motor Trend Read Motor Trend's Article on the 2015 Colorado here Motor Trend Editor-In-Chief Edward Loh (left) presents General Motors CEO Mary Barra with the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award for the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. Motor Trend makes the announcement Wednesday, December 3, 2014, noting the 2015 Colorado emerged as Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year by a rare unanimous vote. The editors were impressed with Colorado’s clean-sheet design, “right-sized” package, excellent handling, and overall capability. (Photo by Steve Fecht for Chevrolet) Motor Trend Detroit Editor Scott Burgess (l to r) presents the Motor Trend 2015 Truck of the Year award to General Motors Vice President Global Product Programs Doug Parks, Executive Chief Engineer Full and Midsize Truck Jeff Luke, Vehicle Chief Engineer Anita Burke, and Executive Vice President Global Product Development Purchasing and Supply Chain Mark Reuss at a special event Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in Warren, Michigan. (Photo by Steve Fecht for Chevrolet)

http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/02/autos/aluminum-f150/ Before the fanboys start saying "but what happens if you get in an accident" take a closer look at what you got now for a truck if its new. They already use stuff so thin its like tin. Also they have been using some aluminum body parts for years already. They will still use a steel cargo box. I think this is a good idea. GM is stuck on things like AFM oil burners, while Dodge and Ford are thinking outside the box with Twin Turbo's, 1/2 ton diesels, and aluminum bodies.

ALL-NEW FORD F-150 REDEFINES FULL-SIZE TRUCKS AS THE TOUGHEST, SMARTEST, MOST CAPABLE F-150 EVER Tougher: All-new high-strength steel frame, high-strength aluminum-alloy body, more than 10 million miles of testing and Baja 1000-proven 2.7-liter EcoBoost® engine Smarter: 11 new class-exclusive features, including 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and sideview mirror spotlights, and remote tailgate release More capable: Up to 700 pounds less weight plus four engine choices for an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency Ford today introduces the all-new Ford F-150, the reinvention of America’s favorite truck. It is the toughest, smartest and most capable F-150 ever – setting the standard for the future of trucks. The all-new F-150 delivers an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency – from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion, to faster processors that enhance driving performance, to breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions. “F-150 is well-known for being Built Ford Tough. Now, it is both tough and smart,” said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company chief operating officer. “The all-new F-150 redefines the future of trucks, and it is yet another example of our One Ford plan producing vehicles that serve customers with a commitment to the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.” F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series truck lineup, America’s best-selling truck for 37 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 32 years. “We have a unique connection with our customers,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford executive vice president and president of The Americas. “Time and again, F-150 has delivered the tougher, smarter features they want along with the capabilities they need for work or play. We build our trucks to their high standards.” In designing the backbone of the F-150, Ford engineers improved the truck’s signature fully boxed ladder frame. It is all-new with more high-strength steel than ever – making it stronger and lighter. High-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys – already used in aerospace, commercial transportation, energy and many other rugged industries – are used throughout the F-150 body for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance and also saving weight. Overall, up to 700 pounds of weight have been saved, helping the F-150 tow more, haul more, accelerate quicker and stop shorter, and contributing to efficiency. “More than ever before, customers want a truck that is a dependable partner, mobile office and a go-anywhere workshop,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “To meet the needs of our truck customers, we created smart new features and a whole new approach to using advanced materials and engines to improve capability and efficiency.” Even tougher The 2015 Ford F-150 is the strongest and most durable F-150 ever. Before it goes on sale, it will have been torture-tested in labs, at Ford proving grounds and in the hands of some of Ford’s most demanding truck customers for more than 10 million miles. The grueling testing simulated the demands Ford’s customers will subject the truck to throughout its average lifetime. The tests include crisscrossing the country pulling heavy trailers and hefty loads through desert valleys and over high-altitude mountain passes – in temperatures from 20 degrees below zero to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Customers using the F-150 for construction, mining and utilities have tested and helped prove out its high-strength aluminum-alloy cargo box. A disguised new Ford F-150 even raced in the Baja 1000, where it earned the distinction of completing all 883 grueling miles while some other purpose-built race vehicles could not. To perform in these challenging conditions, the frame uses high-strength steel rated up to 70,000 psi – stronger than the steel found in some competitors’ heavy-duty pickup truck frames. Eight through-welded crossmembers provide increased stiffness, while staggered rear outboard shocks provide greater stability. Even smarter Several groundbreaking new productivity features debut in the all-new F-150, including many class-exclusives. They include: 360-degree camera view, using exterior cameras to create a bird’s-eye view of the truck to help the driver park, maneuver in tight spots and navigate down narrow roads and trails Integrated loading ramps, which enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and mowers BoxLink™, which is a combination of metal brackets and custom cleats used to secure a variety of accessories in the cargo box, from ramps to storage bins to bed dividers LED headlamps and taillamps, which provide excellent nighttime visibility Trailer hitch assist, a new rear view camera feature that adds a dynamic line based on steering wheel angle in the display to help customers line up truck and trailer without requiring a spotter or having to get out of the vehicle Smart trailer tow module, using an all-new smart trailer tow wiring harness that helps identify and inform the driver of potential trailer connectivity issues, burned or unlit trailer marker lamps, and brake light and trailer battery faults Remote tailgate, allowing for the tailgate to be locked, unlocked and released with the key fob – eliminating manual locking and increasing convenience and security. The tailgate also is damped, dropping down, hands-free, to a flat position when opened High-wattage power outlets (400 watts, 110 volts) in the cab, allowing drivers to easily charge corded tools, battery chargers or mobile devices on-site or while driving LED spotlights on sideview mirrors, which provide powerful, durable and bright lighting around the truck exterior Latest EcoBoost® technology in an all-new, even more efficient 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine that features extremely high output and lightweight design Next-generation tailgate step, which is now fully integrated inside the tailgate and virtually invisible when not in use Other smart innovations include: New 8-inch LCD productivity screen in the instrument panel, which includes updated truck apps – from fuel economy to towing tips – and the ability to create a customized home screen for customers to access their most frequently used apps in one place LED lighting embedded in the walls of the cargo box, which brightly illuminates the box interior to help customers quickly find tools or other items Rear under-seat storage in F-150 Super and Crew cabs, providing hidden storage for valuables. Two storage bins also are located underneath the rear seats Boxside step, now available for the short 5.5-foot box They join available driver aids, including SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, hill start assist, MyKey®, rear view camera, reverse sensing, trailer brake controller and extendable tailgate step. More capable In addition to helping customers work smarter, F-150 features segment-first technologies that automatically assist drivers. They include: Second-row inflatable safety belts, which work like a traditional belt but include a tubular airbag that inflates in the event of a crash and distributes the force of the impact across a wider area of the passenger’s chest Curve Control, which automatically provides more aggressive four-wheel braking when the truck is going into a corner too fast Adaptive cruise control, allowing drivers to set a cruising speed and use radar technology to monitor traffic ahead and maintain a safe distance between vehicles Lane-Keeping System, which is designed to help avert unintentional drifting of the vehicle outside the intended driving lane by automatically detecting the left- or right-hand road lane markings using a camera mounted between the windshield and interior rearview mirror Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert, which uses radar hidden in the taillamps to detect a vehicle entering a driver’s blind spot while driving or backing up A range of four engines provides more power to meet almost any customer need. A new 2.7-liter EcoBoost with standard Auto Start-Stop and a 3.5-liter V6 engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing join the proven 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine features a lightweight, compact design to deliver the same power as some mid-range V8s. Auto Start-Stop technology helps save fuel. Unlike start-stop solutions in other vehicles, this technology – specially tuned for truck customers – shuts off the engine to save fuel when the vehicle is stopped, except when towing or in four-wheel drive. The engine restarts in milliseconds when the brake is released. Ford F-150 trucks equipped with EcoBoost engines also will benefit from standard Active Grille Shutters. Active Grille Shutters stay open when extra engine cooling is needed, such as during low-speed stop-and-go driving or while working in hot weather. They automatically close to reduce aerodynamic drag at cruising speed. On sale late this year When it goes on sale late this year, the all-new Ford F-150 will continue the tradition of offering the broadest selection of trim levels in the full-size pickup segment. Five primary trims are available: XL, XLT, Lariat, Platinum and King Ranch. Chrome appearance packages are available with XL, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch. Monochromatic sport appearance packages are available with XL, XLT and Lariat. The FX4 off-road package can be added to most four-wheel-drive models, improving trail capability with an electronic locking rear axle, skid plates and off-road-tuned shocks. Both the exterior and interior design of Ford F-150 reflect decades of listening to customers and understanding their occupational and recreational needs. The exterior is characterized by a new shape that suggests capability, with a wider Built Ford Tough stance, prominent wheel arches and chiseled grille. Comfort, utility and refinement define the truck’s interior. Ergonomically optimized seating for the front row positions enhances comfort, while extending legroom for rear passengers. Buttons and controls are optimized so they can be operated while wearing work gloves. Storage options include laptop stowage in the center console, as well as quick storage solutions for cellphones, drinks, pens and business cards. “Once again, the Ford F-150 establishes new standards in durability, capability, technology and efficiency to help F-150 owners be more productive 24/7 – whether for work or weekend fun,” said Nair. The F-150 will continue to be manufactured at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich., and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo.