With Its Unbeatable Combination of Top Fuel Efficiency and Capability, Ford F-150 Is Motor Trend’s 2012 Truck of the Year

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The 2012 Ford F-150, which established a new standard for full-size pickups with best-in-class fuel efficiency and capability, today was named Motor Trend’s 2012 Truck of the Year^®.

 

“The 2012 F-150 is a no-compromise solution that can be tailored to fit virtually every customer’s needs, and the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award further reinforces that this is truly the best choice for America’s truck owners,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “We are proud to receive this award and even more pleased that our F-150 customers have additional validation of their top choice.”

 

This is the fourth time the F-150 has won the award – the most awards for any truck since Motor Trend began presenting its Truck of the Year award in 1989. The Ford pickup received the magazine’s prestigious award for previous groundbreaking new models in 1997, 2004 and 2009.

 

Motor Trend editors applauded F-150 because, they said, “F-150s are built to work and felt better the more they were challenged. Ford offers an enormous variety of configurations and designs, making the truck tailorable to just about any need. It’s the combination of advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value, and the performance of intended function that has earned the Ford F-150 the title of Motor Trend’s 2012 Truck of the Year.”

 

With more than a half-million sales through November and a lead of almost 150,000 sales versus the nearest competitor, the Ford F-Series is on track this year to extend its streak of truck leadership to 35 straight years.

 

Helping spark the F-150’s continued success is the powerful and fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® engine, which now accounts for more than 40 percent of F-150 retail sales and is on pace to exceed 100,000 sales in less than a year on the market.

 

More capability, more technology

The 2012 F-150 offers customers plenty of technologies that boost capability, performance, driving enjoyment and fuel efficiency. One such technology is the class-exclusive electric power-assisted steering (EPAS). The system has been carefully tuned with sophisticated speed mapping to deliver accurate responses at high speed while remaining light and manageable in parking maneuvers. Ford is the first manufacturer to widely offer EPAS on full-size pickup trucks. EPAS contributes about a 4 percent fuel-economy benefit compared with conventional hydraulic systems.

 

A 4.2-inch LCD message center that features information related to fuel economy, towing performance and off-roading, SYNC^® AppLink^™ and SiriusXM Travel Link also are among the customer conveniences available.

 

New features for 2012 include:

• 36-gallon fuel tank on 4x4 F-150 EcoBoost-equipped units providing best-in-class 756 miles of driving range
• Two-speed automatic 4x4 system on Lariat, King Ranch, Harley-Davidson and Platinum models for improved all-weather traction
• Hill Start Assist, which helps keep the truck from rolling backward at a stop, making it easier to pull away when on a slope or hill, especially when towing
• Best-in-class payload capability of 3,120 pounds

Fuel-efficient and powerful offerings
All of the changes for the 2012 model year complement a powertrain lineup that debuted in 2011. The powertrain lineup delivers a mix of best-in-class fuel economy, horsepower, torque and capability. Ford is also the first and only manufacturer to equip its entire full-size pickup truck lineup with a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission as standard. Engine highlights include:

 

3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6:

• Best-in-class 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm vs. V6 competitors
• Unsurpassed 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm vs. V6 competitors
• Best-in-class 17 mpg city and best-in-class 23 mpg highway (4x2)
• Best-in-class 6,100 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. V6 competitors

5.0-liter four-valve DOHC Ti-VCT V8:

• Best-in-class 360 horsepower at 5,500 rpm vs. standard V8 competitors
• Best-in-class 380 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm vs. standard V8 competitors
• 21 mpg highway, unsurpassed 15 mpg city (4x2)
• Best-in-class 10,000 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. standard V8 competitors

6.2-liter two-valve SOHC V8:

• Best-in-class 411 horsepower at 5,500 rpm vs. all competitors
• Best-in-class 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm vs. all competitors
• 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway (4x2)
• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors

3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost:

• 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• Best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm vs. premium V8 competitors
• Up to 90 percent peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
• 22 mpg highway, 16 mpg city (4x2)
• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors
• Best-in-class 3,120 pounds payload vs. all competitors

NASCAR DRIVER WILL PROVIDE FEEDBACK OF F-150 SVT RAPTOR

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Greg Biffle is a racer’s racer who will drive anything—anytime, anyplace—and that includes the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R at next week’s Best in the Desert Terrible’s 250 at Primm.

Biffle, who is used to driving his NASCAR Ford Fusion around oval race tracks at close to 200 miles per hour, agreed to drive the F-150 SVT Raptor a couple months ago when Ford engineers were looking for some professional feedback.

“When I think of Raptor the first thing that comes to mind is a proven off-road piece with its finish in the Baja 1000, and I think it’s a long-time overdue, if you want my opinion,” said Biffle, who is participating in the event’s Fun Run on April 16, before heading to Phoenix for Saturday night’s NASCAR event.

“Up to this point, no manufacturer has built a truck like this. People had to do it themselves, so there’s a definite market out there and I’m excited about it. I’ve been paying attention and watching some of the desert testing that they’ve done and I can’t wait.”

A self-professed Ford truck lover, Biffle won his first NASCAR championship in 2000 behind the wheel of an F-150 in what is now known as the Camping World Truck Series. And while he works on a variety of vehicles at his race shop outside of Charlotte, N.C., driving in the desert is something he’s never done until now.

“I really enjoy off-roading. I enjoy riding motorcycles. I enjoy my sand car,” said Biffle, who will be driving the F-150 SVT Raptor R being campaigned by former Ford Rough Riders Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges in all five Best in the Desert races this year.

“I’ve never pre-run Baja or anything like that, and I might do that this year, but I’ve never really been in a specific off-road. I’ve watched the stuff on Speed a lot. It looks fun and it looks exciting to do, so I’d like to mess with it a little bit.

“I think that I would be more of a closed-course guy than wide-open across the desert, not knowing what’s over the next hump,” continued Biffle, who has proven to be proficient in a car as well, having 14 career NASCAR Sprint Cup wins and a NASCAR Nationwide Series championship in 2002. “Just going wide open where you have no idea what’s coming up may not be the thing for me. I don’t even do that on the sand dunes. I get to know my area fairly well when I’m there, and then you can have a lot of fun.

“I think this is going to be somewhat similar. Certainly, it’s going to have some limitations over something like a sand car, but it’s going to do way more than a regular pick-up will do—or anything street legal you want to take off-road,” continued Biffle. “So, it’ll be fun to experience what it’ll be like to drive. I’m looking forward to it.”

Biffle’s personal favorite truck is the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, which is equipped with a super-charger and by his own admission “really goes,” and while he says he’s hooked on the F-Series diesel models as well, the vehicle he’s eyeing for his next purchase is the new 2009 F-150.

“I’ve always loved to not be limited in what I do, and rarely will you find something that you can’t do in a F-Series that you can do in a car. It goes through a drive-thru, fits in a parking garage, typically, and the trucks are so tough it can do everything you need it to do,” said Biffle. “I like the sight line of a truck, I like being able to put anything in it that I want at any time—to be able to pull trailers, just do anything I want to do. And, let’s face it, the trucks drive so well now that a large percentage of American people use the F-150 or F-250 for their primary vehicle—and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

“I love my car, but any day I pick my F-150 over a car.”

2010 FORD HARLEY-DAVIDSON F-150

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The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 edition was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show this week. This multi-award winning vehicle is delivering a new standard of "custom cool," combining the smooth handling and legendary durability of America's best selling truck with the authentic styling of Harley-Davidson, the industry leader in motorcycles. Matt O'Leary, Chief Engineer, explained why Ford decided to build another Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 edition.

CIRCLE BAR RACING TABS BUESCHER TO DRIVE NO. 10 F-150

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Circle Bar Racing recently announced the selection of James Buescher as the driver of the No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 for the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.

With continued sponsorship from Navistar Inc. of the two-truck effort at Circle Bar Racing, Buescher will team with 12-year series veteran Rick Crawford, whose livery changes to the No. 14 International Truck and Engine Ford F-150 for the upcoming season. Leading the No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel team and Buescher in his quest for Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year honors will be veteran crew chief Jamie Jones. Jones, who joined Circle Bar Racing at the end of the 2008 season, brings more than 25 years of racing experience to the organization and will work alongside Kevin Cowboy Starland, who continues his role as crew chief for Crawford.

“I really want to thank the Mitchells for giving me this opportunity to drive the No. 10 Ford for the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, and I’m excited to represent International and its MaxxForce Diesel brand in my rookie season,” said Buescher. “This is the next step for me in my NASCAR career, and to drive for an established organization like Circle Bar Racing is an honor. I look forward to working with Rick Crawford not only as a teammate but as a mentor.”

Just 18 years of age, Buescher has an accomplished racing résumé, winning national championships in everything from Bandoleros to Legend cars to Late Models. In 2007, Buescher became the youngest winner in ARCA Re/Max Series history, taking the checkered flag at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla., at the age of 16. Last year, Buescher competed in six NASCAR Nationwide Series races piloting the No. 32 entry and captured the pole at Memphis Motorsports Park in his final race of the season. In six Nationwide Series races, Buescher posted one top-10 finish (Gateway) and had just one finish outside of the top 20. Buescher also competed in the truck series season finale last year, piloting the No. 15 entry to a 19th-place finish.

As a Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year contender, Buescher will turn to crew chief Jamie Jones for guidance. Jones has had success working with young talent, including Kasey Kahne and Brandon Whitt, who Jones took to victory lane at Memphis Motorsports Park in truck series competition in ‘05.

“I have known Jamie Jones for some time and when I heard he was at Circle Bar Racing, that made the decision that much easier,” said Buescher. “I expect to lean on Jamie’s experience as a crew chief to continue my development as a driver in one of NASCAR’s biggest series. My association with Turner Motorsports and the Turner family has allowed me to get to this level, and I’m thankful for the support they continue to give me. I grew up not far from Texas Motor Speedway, and knowing that it’s the home track for Mr. Mitchell and Circle Bar, that’s going to make those two races at Texas even more exciting.”

A mainstay in the truck series since 1997 with Crawford behind the wheel of its flagship No. 14 Ford, Circle Bar Racing expanded to a two-truck operation in ‘07 and experienced immediate success, posting two top-10 finishes in the final driver point standings. Since its truck series debut in ‘97, the organization has posted five victories and five poles.

“James is a young, talented driver and I’m excited to have him as a teammate at Circle Bar Racing,” said Crawford, winner of the 2003 Daytona 250. “Now that we’ve got our lineup announced, I’m ready to start the 2009 season and head to the high banks of Daytona and show off the new colors of our International Truck and Engine Ford F-150.”

The ‘09 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season commences on Feb. 13, at Daytona International Speedway with the running of 10th annual Daytona 250. Live action can be seen on Speed, the exclusive home of the Camping World Truck Series.

OFF-ROAD RACING TRUCKS READY FOR ACTION

With the 2009 season fast approaching, Ford truck drivers are looking to have another successful year of off-road racing after the rough and tumble 2008 season where Ford was, once again, the dominant manufacturer.

Ford trucks have proven during several decades that there is no better manufacturer when it comes to competing in grueling races that go way beyond the average vehicle wear-and-tear. In fact, Ford trucks have been so dominant in the sport that the Ford F-Series is the leading winner of off-road races and the Ford Ranger is in second place.

“Ford learns a great deal through our off-road racing and grass roots racing programs,” said Cliff Irey, Offroad/Truck Racing Engineer. “To us, ‘Built Ford Tough’ is more than a slogan, it’s a way of life. It’s part of our culture.

“Ford Racing has a few tricks up our off-road racing sleeves for the upcoming year. Be sure to watch for more great results from Ford truck drivers during the 2009 season.”

The Best in the Desert Racing Association will kick off the 2009 off-road racing season this weekend with the Epic Racing Products Parker 250 in Parker, Ariz. Though there aren’t any trucks competing in this weekend’s events, a 2010 Ford Raptor F150 SVT will be on display at the host hotel, the Bluewater Resort and Casino.

Race participants will also have an opportunity to look over the new Raptor at the pre-fun run, where they can sign up for preferential allocation in they wish to purchase one soon.

Throughout the history of off-road racing, Ford has been the vehicle of choice. The people racing Ford trucks far outnumber the people who aren’t. And the people who are driving Fords are walking away with race wins, podiums and championships.

In the Best in the Desert Racing Association, where Ford is the official vehicle, Ford trucks regularly made up at least two-thirds of the entire field at any given race in 2008. Throughout the season, Ford drivers had taken 90 percent of the podium spots in the classes that Ford vehicles competed.

Last season, Ford trucks competed in nine different classes in the Best in the Desert Racing Association and Ford truck drivers won six of the nine championships in those classes.

In the season finale, the Henderson Fabtech Desert Classic, Ford drivers came away with victories in six of the classes and scored eight second-place finishes and four third-place finishes to earn a total of 17 podium appearances at just one event.

In Championship Off Road Racing, a short-course racing series, there were three classes where Ford trucks competed in 2008, and Ford drivers swept championships in all three classes. Carl Renezeder won the Pro 4 class, Rob MacCachren won the Pro 2 class and Marty Hart won the Pro Lite class.

In the World Series of Off-Road Racing, a short course series in the Midwest, Ford earned Manufacturer of the Year honors in 2008.

Female driver Heidi Steele had a tremendous season last year in her Ford Ranger. She ran in a modified compact pickup class category and became the first woman driver to win a Best in the Desert off-road racing truck championship. Steele also became the first woman truck champion in SCORE after taking a second-place class finish in the illustrious Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. She also won the title in Championship Off Road Racing.

Ford’s dominance can be assured in the future as well, evidenced by the recent launch of the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R that was created with off-road racing in mind. Ford sent a Raptor prototype to the famed Baja 1000 to compete in Class 8. The Baja 1,000 is one of the toughest races to complete in the entire world, with only 50 percent of the entrants even finishing the race. The Raptor prototype not only finished the race, completing all 631 miles, but it came in third place in its inaugural race.

2009 FORD F-150 BECOMES AMERICA'S SAFEST FULL-SIZE PICKUP BY EARNING 5-STAR CRASH RATINGS

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• The 2009 Ford F-150 is the only pickup to earn both the government’s top 5-star crash-test ratings and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick award”.
  Ford has more U.S. government 5-star safety-rated vehicles than any other brand and more IIHS “Top Safety Picks” than any other automaker.
  The 2009 Ford F-150 features more standard safety features – including standard Safety Canopy® side curtain air bags, AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) and a patented “K-bag” seat-mounted air bag – than any other half-ton truck.
• The 2009 Ford F-150 powers the F-Series lineup to 32 consecutive years of truck sales leadership and continues picking up awards, including Motor Trend “Truck of the Year™”.
  

DEARBORN, Jan. 7, 2009 – The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 became America’s safest full-size pickup by earning 5-star ratings in both government crash tests, in addition to the “Top Safety Pick” award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and an unmatched list of advanced standard safety features.

The 2009 F-150 – the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the YearTM – recently earned 5-star frontal- and 5-star side-impact crash-test ratings, the highest possible scores in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests.

“The new F-150’s leading 5-star crash ratings and ‘Top Safety Pick’ award further demonstrate Ford’s commitment to safety as we have more top government ratings than any other brand,” said Susan Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “The new 2009 F-150 also offers more advanced safety features as standard equipment than any other half-ton truck, part of our aggressive roll-out of safety for millions of customers.”

The new F-150 led Ford’s F-Series lineup to a 32nd straight year of truck sales leadership in 2008. Ford F-Series finished the year with 50,448 more unit sales than its nearest competitor. In addition, for the 27th year in a row, F-Series is once again America’s best-selling vehicle of any type – car, crossover, SUV, truck or van. Since the all new 2009 F-150 went on sale in October 2008, Ford F-Series has gained market share, increasing from 31 percent of the full-size truck market in the first nine months to 37 percent in the fourth quarter.

“Ford’s F-Series sales have picked up pace since the launch of the new F-150,” said Doug Scott, Ford truck marketing manager. “Purpose-made ‘Built Ford Tough’ trucks helped lay the foundation of this great country and growing F-Series sales will be one of the early indicators of an economic recovery as the country begins rebuilding”

The Toughest Truck
The F-150’s safety leadership is built on the solid structure that underpins the truck’s legendary “Built Ford Tough” durability and capability. The new truck has an all-new hydroformed steel front end – including use of tubular ultra-high-strength lighter weight steel that contributes to its unsurpassed fuel economy in the full-size pickup truck segment.

“The all-new 2009 Ford F-150’s leading crash-safety ratings add to its capability, fuel economy and technological leadership,” said Steve Kozak, Ford’s chief engineer for safety systems. “We achieved top safety ratings and unsurpassed fuel economy at the same time by using high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel in key areas of the new F-150’s structure.”

New to the 2009 F-150 is Ford’s standard Safety Canopy® side-curtain air bag rollover protection system, which helps protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollovers and side-impact crashes. The air bag is designed to stay inflated for several seconds for additional protection in rollover crashes, which often last longer than side-impact crashes.

Ford’s Personal Safety System is made up of a suite of protection technologies, including dual-stage front air bags and occupant weight classification, working together to help protect occupants. Added to this is a Ford first – the new “K-bag,” a front seat dual-chamber side air bag named for its unique shape, which is designed to help protect the rib cage from excessive crash forces during a side impact.

Ford expects the 2009 F-150’s appeal to be even stronger for “core truckers,” who list safety as a top purchase consideration and are a growing part of today’s full size pickup market. According to recent Ford customer research, 83 percent of F-150 buyers consider safety a leading purchase reason – more than buyers of five of the six competitive trucks.

“Our customers buy the F-150 because it is a no-compromise solution which addresses their needs – work or play. So whether they’re towing a construction trailer to the job site or hauling the family and towing a boat to the lake, the 2009 F-150 provides unmatched capability, unsurpassed fuel economy, and unrivaled safety,” Scott said.

Towing Safety and Convenience
The new F-150 has standard safety and towing aid technologies – including Advance Trac® with Roll Stability Control™ (RSC®), a first for the F-150 – that help customers more confidently use the truck’s segment-leading towing and hauling capability. The Ford-exclusive stability control system uses a gyroscopic sensor that uniquely helps detect and prevent both skidding and rollovers.

The system offers as standard integrated Trailer Sway Control technology, which helps determine from the yaw motion of the truck if the trailer is swaying and takes measures to help bring it under control. An available Integrated Trailer Brake Controller technology allows direct operation of the trailer’s electronic brakes with more confidence than typical aftermarket systems.

Tow Haul Mode changes shift points under acceleration, keeping the truck at a higher rpm and further up in the power range to improve the towing experience by avoiding unnecessary shifts in rolling terrain. The technology also prevents the transmission from shifting up in gear when the vehicle crests a hill, and provides downhill brake support that allows the transmission to downshift, letting engine-compression braking slow the vehicle and maintain a steady speed.

FORD F-SERIES TOP TRUCK IN CANADA

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Ford F-Series is Canada's best-selling pickup truck for 43 consecutive years

2008 Highlights:

• Ford F-Series is the best-selling pickup in Canada for a record 43 consecutive years
• Sales of Ford CUVs rose 14% over 2007 sales
• Ford Escape sales increased 4%
• Ford Edge sales rose 14%
• Ford Ranger sales were up 4% last year

December Highlights:

• Ford CUV sales increased 29%
• Ford Focus sales rose 3%
• Ford Escape sales increased 23%, setting a new record for the month
• Ford Edge sales were up 8%, its best December sales ever
• Ford Ranger sales rose 16%

OAKVILLE, Ontario, January 5, 2009 – Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited offers vehicles that are captivating consumers, as proven by Ford F-Series, which set another all-time sales record in 2008 as the best-selling pickup truck in Canada – 43 years running. As a full-line vehicle manufacturer, Ford of Canada also delivers the best-selling lineup of CUVs and SUVs in Canada. Ford crossover utility vehicles registered a sales increase of 13.5 per cent over the previous year's record sales.

The truck leadership sales record was powered, in part, by the fall launch of the all-new 2009 Ford F-150, which recently was named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™ and a finalist for the North American Truck of the Year.

"2008 was a year of challenge and opportunity for Ford of Canada," said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. "However, our new vehicles, fuel-efficient powertrains and our industry-leading lineup of crossovers and SUVs helped our market share grow in the fourth quarter to levels exceeding last year's fourth quarter market share."

"In 2009, our revamped showroom will feature vehicles with great Ford quality, safety and fuel economy such as 2010 Ford Fusion, 2010 Lincoln MKZ, and the all-new built-in-Canada 2010 Lincoln MKT," said Mondragon. "We are very excited about the spring launch of 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, with expected fuel economy of 5.7 L / 100 km, which will make Ford the producer of the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans and SUVs on the planet."

December Results
In December, Ford of Canada's overall sales decreased 5.8 per cent to 14,290 units. Total truck sales were down 5.4 per cent at 11,069 units and total car sales of 3,221 units mark a 6.9 per cent decrease compared to last December.

FORD’S F-SERIES REIGNS AS AMERICA’S BEST-SELLING VEHICLE IN 2008

Image via WikipediaThe beat goes on. For the 32nd year in a row, Ford’s award-winning F-Series is America’s best-selling truck with 2008 sales of 515,513. F-series outsold its nearest truck rival by more than 50,000 units.

In addition, for the 27th year in a row, F-Series is once again America’s best-selling vehicle of any type – car, crossover, SUV, truck or van.

“Our thanks go out to our customers, our dealers and, of course, the Ford employees and supplier partners who design, engineer and manufacture quality, fuel-efficient trucks delivering unmatched capability,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president, Marketing and Communications. “The all-new F-150 affirms what Ford has known for years – that listening to customers provides the best rewards.”

The all-new F-150 recently was named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™, Texas Auto Writers Association Truck of Texas, and is a finalist for the 2009 North American Truck of the Year.

The 2009 F-150, new inside and out, is the new benchmark for full size pickups, appealing to a growing number of core truck customers. During the past five years, the “core trucker” – those who use their truck’s towing and hauling capability for work and play – has grown to 40 percent from 30 percent of the light-duty full-size pickup market.

In the commercial/fleet portion of this core trucker sub-segment, Ford F-Series continues to dominate. The F-150 has 46 percent of the light duty commercial/fleet market; and Super Duty is stronger still with over 57 percent of heavy duty commercial/fleet market.

2009 F-150 improvements include a new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis that delivers even more horsepower, unsurpassed fuel economy and class-leading towing and payload capacity.

From industry-first SYNC to Ford Work Solutions, 2009 F-150 sports an array of smart technologies. 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.

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.

The 2009 Ford F-150 has won the following awards and accolades:

• Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year Award™
• Top honors as “Truck of Texas” as well as “Best Luxury Pickup” for the 2009 F-150 King Ranch from Texas Auto Writers Association
• Finalist 2009 North American Truck of the Year (with 2009 Ford Flex for Car of the Year)
• 2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
• “Best Overall Half-Ton Pickup” from PickupTrucks.com
• “Automotive Excellence” award in the Workhorse Category from Popular Mechanics
• Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year
• Detroit News Truck of the Year
• “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its standard safety technology: Safety Canopy side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
• “Residual Value” award from Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) for retaining the highest percentage of its original price among 2009 full-size light duty pickups at the end of a conventional three-year lease, based on ALG projections
• Motor Trend's Truck Trend Top 5 Trucks from Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for 2009 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty DeWalt Contractor Concept
• “Accessory-Friendly Truck” Design Award from SEMA

2009 Ford F-150 Awards

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• Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year Award™
• 2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
• Top honors as “Truck of Texas” as well as “Best Luxury Pickup” for the 2009 F-150 King Ranch from Texas Auto Writers Association
• “Best Overall Half-Ton Pickup” from PickupTrucks.com
• “Automotive Excellence” award in the Workhorse Category from Popular Mechanics <
• “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its standard safety technology: Safety Canopy side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
• “Residual Value” award from Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) for retaining the highest percentage of its original price among 2009 full-size light duty pickups at the end of a conventional three-year lease, based on ALG projections
• Motor Trend's Truck Trend Top 5 Trucks from Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for 2009 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty DeWalt Contractor Concept
• “Accessory-Friendly Truck” Design Award from SEMA

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.

ALL-NEW 2009 FORD FLEX, 2009 F-150 RECOGNIZED AS MOST ‘ACCESSORY-FRIENDLY’ VEHICLES AT 2008 SEMA SHOW

Image by Ford Motor Company via FlickrThe all-new 2009 Ford Flex and the new 2009 Ford F-150 are the most “accessory-friendly” SUV and truck respectively, according to members of the automotive media who selected winners for this year’s SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Design Awards.

SEMA Design Awards honor vehicles a select group of voters chose as the most inviting and receptive to accessorization in four categories: car, SUV, truck and hybrid. Several unique, customized interpretations of both the Flex and F-150 were on display earlier this month in Las Vegas at the SEMA show, the world’s premier automotive specialty products trade event.

Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com editor-in-chief, says the design of the new Flex lends itself well to aftermarket accessorization.

“The Ford Flex has the kind of interesting exterior styling that encourages modifications, such as Blu-ray entertainment players,” said Brauer. “The wheels play a major role in the Flex’s styling, so changing or upgrading them could play a major role in personalizing the vehicle.”

Flex Marketing Manager Kate Pearce, says she was delighted – but not all that surprised -- to learn that Ford’s newest crossover was the SEMA Design award-winner in the SUV category.

“Before the Flex was even launched, customization shops were playing with the images online to show what they could do with the car,” she said. “That was confirmation of what we already knew, which was that this vehicle would have mass appeal in the customization world.”

The many ways to personalize Flex, a full-size utility with room for up to seven passengers, start at the factory.

“There are a variety of options available, with the colors, series and features you choose,” said Pearce. “For example, you can order a monotone versus a two-tone vehicle, and choose a roof that is either body colored, white suede or brilliant silver.”

Truck Trend Editor Angus MacKenzie says the all-new 2009 F-150 – winner of the SEMA Design Award in the truck category – is practically tailor-made for companies looking to address an exact niche for their specific customer base.

“Anything that can increase or improve the multidimensionality of a truck or SUV gives the owner that much more reason to keep the vehicle,” he said. “There will be big opportunities for those who can give a big personality-changing bang for a truck owner’s buck.”

F-150 has been part of America’s best-selling pickup line for 31 consecutive years. It is also the most accessorized vehicle in the aftermarket. New for 2009, the F-150 offers customers unrivaled capability, unsurpassed fuel economy and a host of smart, game-changing features. Combine that with the numerous add-ons available in the aftermarket, and the possibilities are endless, says Ford Designer Melvin Betancourt.

“Whether it’s adding big tires for off-roading or lowering the truck to give it more of a street performance look, the 2009 F-150 is like a blank canvas that you can do almost anything with,” he said. “It all depends on the personality of the owner.”

FORD’S ICONIC F-150 NAMED ‘2009 BEST REDESIGNED VEHICLE’ FROM KELLEY BLUE BOOK’S KBB.COM

* "The 2009 F-150 is more than a truck – it’s a work system," said Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com in naming the truck its "2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle"
* Accolade offers additional proof that Ford’s success comes from listening to its customers and delivering the capability and fuel economy they require

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 10, 2008 – Editors at Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com today announced that Ford’s all new 2009 F-150 – an American icon with class-leading capability and unsurpassed fuel economy – has earned the title of “2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle.” (http://www.kbb.com/kbb/NewsAndReviews/BestRedesignedVehicleAward.aspx)

“I just really like this truck,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “I think it’s the sheer power of it that’s so impressive. It’s such an important truck in the market; it’s so important to Ford and to the domestic auto industry in general. There are so many variations, and so many innovations. In some ways, the F-150 is more than a truck – it’s a work system.”

The all-new 2009 F-150, new inside and out, is the new benchmark in the full-size pickup segment.

Improvements include a new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis that allows this tough truck to deliver even more horsepower, unsurpassed fuel economy and class-leading towing and payload capacity.

Nerad noted the array of available technology – from the industry-exclusive 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. He also singled out the added conveniences of the Box Side Step and Tailgate Step that helps customers easily gain access to the truck’s pickup box.

“There really is something there for everybody,” Nerad said. “There are so many interior and exterior design changes on this truck, and all of them are stellar.”

The F-150, he said, was chosen after the editors looked at all the redesigned vehicles on the market – cars, CUVs, SUVs and trucks – and winnowed the selections down to a top 10.

The accolade is gratifying, said chief engineer Matt O’Leary, not only for the prestige it carries, but because it also offers an indication of how Ford’s continual interaction with its unparalleled customer base brings results.

“When we set out to redesign the F-150, we said we would leave no stone unturned to ensure that our 31-year leadership on full-size trucks continued for many more years,” O’Leary said. “This recognition is just another indication that our success is founded on listening to the customer better than anyone else and finding innovative solutions to their concerns. That’s not something we take lightly – we live it every day.”

In addition to being named the 2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com since its launch in October, the new 2009 F-150 has won the following awards:


* Top honors as “Truck of Texas” as well as “Best Luxury Pickup” for the 2009 F-150 King Ranch from Texas Auto Writers Association
* “Best Overall Half-Ton Pickup” from PickupTrucks.com
* “Automotive Excellence” award in the Workhorse Category from Popular Mechanics
* “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its standard safety technology: Safety Canopy side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
* “Residual Value” award from Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) for retaining the highest percentage of its original price among 2009 full-size light duty pickups at the end of a conventional three-year lease, based on ALG projections
* Motor Trend's Truck TrendTop 5 Trucks from Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for 2009 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty DeWalt Contractor Concept
* “Accessory-Friendly Truck” Design Award from SEMA

FORD EXTENDS LEAD IN SAFETY RATING TALLY; 2009 FORD F-150 EARNS 'TOP SAFETY PICK' RATING

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

• New 2009 F-150 – the safest, most capable and most fuel-efficient F-150 ever – is the latest Ford vehicle to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick” award.
• Ford extends industry lead in IIHS top picks with 16, compared to Honda’s second-best 13; Ford has more Top Safety Picks and U.S. government five-star safety-rated vehicles than any other automaker.
• F-150 features safety firsts, including standard Safety CanopyTM side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control); patented “K-bag,” a new front seat-mounted air bag that helps improve side-impact protection.

DEARBORN, Nov. 24, 2008 – The new 2009 Ford F-150 is the latest Ford vehicle to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “Top Safety Pick” award. With the award, Ford Motor Company, including Volvo, adds to its leading number of 16 IIHS “Top Safety Pick” ratings, further separating itself from Honda’s second place tally of 13. IIHS awarded the F-150 its highest rating for front and side impact tests and in evaluations of seats and head restraints.

The F-150’s standard offering of Ford’s exclusive AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control) also met a newer requirement that vehicles must offer electronic stability control to earn IIHS’s top rating. Ford has been aggressively implementing this safety technology across its vehicle lineup.

“Earning a ‘Top Safety Pick’ is great news because the Insurance Institute’s tests are some of the most demanding conducted outside of our own laboratories, and customers increasingly rely on them when choosing a new vehicle,” said Susan Cischke, Ford’s senior vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “The Ford F-150 offers the best safety ratings, unsurpassed fuel economy and unmatched capability – three of the top purchase considerations for truck customers today.”

Cischke added that Ford engineered the new F-150 to also earn top ratings in the U.S. government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests to be conducted later this year. Ford has more IIHS Top Safety Picks and government five-star safety-rated vehicles than any other automaker.

The Toughest Truck
The F-150’s legendary toughness contributes not only to its durability and capability but its safety as well. The 2009 F-150 has an all-new hydroformed steel body structure – including industry-first use of tubular ultra-high-strength lighter weight steel that offers top performance and contributes to the F-150’s unsurpassed fuel economy in the full-size pickup truck segment.

Also new in the F-150 this year is Ford’s standard Safety Canopy® side-curtain air bag rollover protection system, which helps protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollovers and side-impact crashes. It is designed to stay inflated for several seconds, as rollover crashes often last longer than side-impact crashes. Added to this is a Ford-first – the new “K-bag,” a front seat dual-chamber side air bag named for its unique shape, which is designed to help protect the rib cage from excessive crash forces during a side impact.

Further adding to the standard safety enhancements is a state-of-the-art passenger seat sensor that specifies the timing and type of air-bag deployment based on the weight of the occupant. Additional sensors in the vehicle – monitoring roll stability control and rollover air bag deployment – have been integrated into one unit, increasing the sensitivity and accuracy of the system.

Ford expects the new truck’s appeal to be even stronger for the “core truckers” who list safety as a top 10 purchase consideration and are a growing part of today’s full size pickup market. According to recent Ford customer research, 83 percent of F-150 buyers consider safety a top purchase reason – more than purchasers of five of the six competitive trucks.

Ford’s fully redesigned pickup delivers, with more safety features than any other Ford truck – period.

“Our customers buy the F-150 because it gets the job done whether for work or play when they’re hauling families and towing boats,” said Doug Scott, Ford truck marketing manager. “Businesses buy safety because it helps keep their trucks on the road, bringing in business. During the weekend, many of the same safety features also help keep families safe.”

Other standard safety features on the vehicle include Advance Trac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®), a first for the F-150. The system, using a gyroscopic sensor, detects and measures over-steer, roll and yaw. Working in conjunction with AdvanceTrac is Trailer Sway Control, which determines from the yaw motion of the truck if the trailer is swaying and takes measures to help bring it under control.
In addition to Trailer Sway Control are a range of towing-related driver-aid features, including:

• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller is factory-installed and allows direct operation of the trailer’s electronic brakes by squeezing the control module on the instrument panel with more confidence than the typical aftermarket system.
• Tow Haul Mode changes shift points under acceleration, keeping the truck at a higher rpm and further up in the power range to improve the towing experience by avoiding unnecessary shifts in rolling terrain. Tow-haul also prevents the transmission from shifting up in gear when the vehicle crests a hill, and it provides downhill brake support that allows the transmission to downshift, letting engine-compression braking slow the vehicle and maintain a steady speed.
• Reverse Camera System activates a small camera below the Ford oval badge in the center of the tailgate when the truck is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle. The video image is displayed in the navigation screen on trucks equipped with that option or in the self-dimming rearview mirror on trucks without the navigation system. The system provides the visibility needed to back up to a trailer and precisely line up the hitch. The screen image includes an industry-first centerline and colored guides giving the driver a better perspective of the vehicle’s center point and periphery.

“All of these ‘driver friendly’ features not only help make this the safest F-150 ever, but they also instill confidence making the 2009 F-150’s best-in-class capability more usable,” said Scott.

The new F-150 also has been recognized as the one and only “Truck of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) – the sixth consecutive year a Ford truck has won top honors – as well as PickupTrucks.com’s Best Overall Half-Ton Pickup.

2009 FORD F-150

America's best-selling pickup, the Ford F-Series, is raising the bar once again – this time with unsurpassed fuel efficiency on the new 2009 F-150, thanks to significant miles per gallon improvement across the entire F-150 lineup.

In addition, Ford is announcing the introduction of the new F-150 SFE "superior fuel economy" edition delivering up to 21 miles per gallon on the highway while still providing 7,500 pounds of towing capability – fuel economy that is unsurpassed in the full-size pickup segment.