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Pickups Ford F-Series Full-size pickup sales - F-150 best selling truck, but for how much longer??
550 messages, Last post on Nov 15, 2009 at 7:37 PM
You are in the Ford F-Series Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Class exclusive features galore and you call it cosmetic? The new 2009 Ford F-150’s “smart” features turn the half-ton pickup truck into an even more skillful tool. Industry-exclusive features: SIRIUS Travel Link™ for real-time data on traffic, weather, fuel prices and more Tailgate Step makes access to the bed easier Integrated Box Side Step makes accessing the front of the box easier Easy Fuel™ capless fuel filler system Ford SYNC™ in-car communications system that allows hands-free operation of MP3 and cell phones Class-exclusive features: Trailer Sway Control Integrated Trailer Brake Controller Power running boards Sony premium audio system Most comprehensive safety package on any full-size pickup, including standard AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, standard side curtain air bags, Ford’s Personal Safety System, and a hydro-formed high-strength steel body structure that improves roof strength. 6-inch stretch to SuperCrew features a fully-flat load floor Stowable bed extender Strongest cargo management system The wheel is not reinvented but there is enough new stuff there that I think people will be trading in old ones sooner than they planed. Mark
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Replying to: 1offroader (Jan 27, 2008 11:05 am) Bob
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Replying to: 1offroader (Jan 27, 2008 11:05 am) The half-ton pickup customer is also not the same person from 40 years ago. This is the guy who used to buy full-size LTD and Caprice station wagons - those are not available any longer. He needs a back seat for the family but doesn't really care about an 8-foot bed because it won't fit in the garage. The bed is more appealing than the full-size SUV because he doesn't have to keep it clean. So now we have a selection of crew cab half-tons with beds around 5' 6" or so for these people. The commercial buyers are getting away from half-tons because the manufacturers have "consumerized" them... and a base 250/2500 is no longer a price problem. In today's market, Dodge may have a better focus on what will actually sell, compared to Toyota's number-bragging. If you need to tow 10,000 pounds, do you want a truck that will be at its limits, or are you going to make the safer smarter choice and buy a 3/4 ton that offers a healthy margin above that? kcram - Pickups Host
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Replying to: rsholland (Jan 27, 2008 3:06 pm) |
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Replying to: mschmal (Jan 27, 2008 12:08 pm) Trailer Sway Control Not so fast, Mark... from the 09 Ram press kit: --- Trailer Sway Control System: Reduces trailer sway and improves handling in adverse towing conditions caused by crosswinds and traffic. Software monitors the vehicle’s movement relative to the driver’s intended path, then applies brake pressure to slow the vehicle and increases the pressure on one front wheel to counteract sway induced by the trailer --- If not at the same time, all the manufacturers will have these same features within a year. It's going to come down to design and price for most buyers. kcram - Pickups Host |
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Replying to: kcram (Jan 27, 2008 3:29 pm) Most 1/2-tons today are family vehicle substitutes—that can take on weekend chores when needed. That's why we're seeing so many 1/2-ton crew cab versions. A 1/2-ton crew cab was unheard of a decade ago. Yeah, the new Ram 1500 will probably ride and handle better than other 1/2-tons because of the coil springs. Dodge has stated it will have a payload and towing capabilities of the outgoing models. I see that as a win-win situation. Bob |
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True, crew cabs 1/2 tons are now to haul family. In LALA land, freeways are irregular concrete where several mile sections can be teeth-jarring, chest-pounding rides, followed by smooth asphalt. I've been in crew versions of each of the Big3 products (but more than 5 years back), but no improvement in ride. Perhaps coils will help. Mark, perhaps I was a little harsh on the F-150, but Serious improvements to the F-150 drivetrain are still needed. That would include more power from the 5.4L V8 and a 6 spd automatic. I drove the 5.4L and it sure didn't feel like 300 HP; it was slow. I drove a 4.6L to the CA high desert, and it felt reasonably quick. It turned into a high speed run to get it back to the rental place (85 MPH for 60 miles). Handled with confidence. The F-150 drove much better than the '07 Tundra, & similar to my '00 Tundra (not a Real truck). It can be had with waaaay nicer interior than the '07 Tundra. BUT, I do not want another under-powered truck (did I forget to mention that the '00 Tundra doesn't breathe and power is really lacking). 350 HP and 6 spd is what I want, and I think that's what a lot of people want. A car-savy buddy bought a new Sequoia (no, not an oxymoron). He "ooo's & ahhhs" about the 375 HP and 6 spd. IMHO, Ford needed these things badly to compete. Failing this could really hurt upcoming sales. Hope they can survive this decision. |
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I don't know much about pickup trucks particularly but here's how I imagine the conversation went at the Dodge head office: [management] So... what are we going to do with the Ram? We keep getting ranked last in magazine articles and it ain't gettin' any younger! [accounting] Well if we spend as much on a redesign as Ford and GM, but only sell half the units, we'll just continue to fall behind in profits. [marketing] We need to pull a play out of our history books and make a bold statement. I say we swing for the fences! If we win big the company will be saved. (If not I've got a cousin at Toyota - hehehe.) [consumer research] The new trend these days is recreational trucks. Nobody actually does hauling anymore. If we make it more comfortable maybe we can pull in more new customers than we lose old ones? You know, like the Ridgeline... [engineering] Let's put coil springs on the back. It won't cost any more and its on the bottom of the truck where most people won't notice the change. It'll improve the ride for everyone with an empty bed. [management] Something for nothing, eh? Sounds good to me. Proceed! |
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| The Avalanche and the Caddy Escalade EXT both have coil springs since their inception. Course the only SUV in GMs lineup that still has leafs are the 3/4 ton Burb and Yukon. | |
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