All-New Ford F-150 Receives Prestigious Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year Award™

Image via WikipediaThe all-new Ford F-150, America’s best-selling full-size pickup delivering class-leading capability and unsurpassed fuel economy, today was named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™.

“The new F-150 is a thorough, thoughtful upgrade of a highly successful formula,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief, Motor Trend. “The 2009 model improves on the core attributes that have made the F-150 a best seller for decades, ensuring it will remain a strong player in the segment despite the challenging economic environment.”

The 2009 F-150, new inside and out, is the new benchmark in its segment, appealing to a growing number of core truck customers. Improvements include a new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis that delivers even more horsepower, unsurpassed fuel economy and class-leading towing and payload capacity.

To earn the Motor Trend award, F-150 bested its competitors in a series of rigorous tests evaluating the vehicle’s engineering, technology, design, safety, dynamics, performance, build quality and value.

“Motor Trend editors used our truck the way our customers do – by putting it through extremely tough tests,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development.

“This award is so meaningful to us because it means so much to our customers,” he added. “Motor Trend Truck of the Year is one of the most recognized automotive awards by consumers, and Ford is extremely proud to receive it.”

The 2009 award marks the third consecutive time an all-new F-150 garnered the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award. The pickup received the magazine’s prestigious award for two previous ground-breaking new models in 2004 and 1997.

“Motor Trend’s awards throughout the years are a validation of what has been the key to our success: listening to customers, anticipating their needs and providing them with innovative solutions and features before they ask for them,” said Matt O’Leary, F-150 chief engineer. “Our goal with each redesign is to top the last one, and we’re doing that with the 2009 F-150.”

F-Series is on track in 2008 to extend its streak of truck leadership to 32 straight years as well as being America’s best-selling vehicle -- car, crossover; SUV, truck, or van – for the past 27 years.

The new 2009 F-150 sports an array of smart technologies – from industry-first SYNC to Ford Work Solutions. SYNC provides hands-free, in-car communication. Ford Work Solutions is an innovative suite of options including an in-dash computer with Internet access, Tool Link to track tools, Crew Chief technology to dispatch workers and reduce vehicle operating costs and Cable Lock to improve security of tools and equipment.

F-150 also features conveniences such as the Box Side Step and Tailgate Step that help customers easily gain access to the truck’s pickup box.

During the past five years, the “core trucker” – those who use their truck’s towing and hauling capability for work and leisure – has grown to 40 percent from 30 percent of the light-duty full-size pickup market. Ford dominates this expanding sub-segment.

The new F-150 delivers class-leading towing capability of 11,300 pounds and hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds – a combination no other competitor can match.

For 2009, F-150 also has improved its fuel economy by an average of 8 percent across the entire lineup, thanks to a wide range of engineering enhancements.

The fuel economy gains reach as high as 12 percent versus the prior model year on F-150 models equipped with the high-volume three-valve, 5.4-liter V-8 engine. Plus, the F-150’s SFE package – which is available on highest-volume XL and XLT series – delivers unsurpassed fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.

The new 2009 F-150 is built at Ford’s Dearborn (Mich.) Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant.