DEARBORN, June 18, 2007 - In the highly competitive truck market facing tough economic conditions, the 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty is off to a good start. Especially the high-end, most capable models that some dealers say are "flying" off their lots.
The strong launch has boosted F-Series to a 25,000-truck lead over the Chevrolet Silverado as Ford trucks build on an unprecedented winning streak of 30 straight years as America's favorite pickups. While the F-150 is the sales leader in the lineup, the Super Duty more than holds its own.
"In April, F-Series Super Duty sales accounted for about 43 percent of F-Series sales," said George Pipas, Ford manager of Sales Analysis. "In May it was approximately 38 percent. The historical average is 40 percent."
While the Ford F-250 is the top seller for the first quarter of 2007, the all-new Ford F-450 has passed company expectations. Indeed the brawny F-450 is averaging less than 15 days on dealer lots while some competitive trucks sit for more than 100 days.
Special models of the 2008 F-Series Super Duty are doing particularly well. At the end of April, Lariat sales were up 30 percent driven by King Ranch Lariat versions that were up an amazing 53 percent during the same period in 2006.
All of this good news for Ford since the 2008 Super Duty is one of the company's key launches for the year. In another sense, however, it's not news at all.
"Ford has maintained its truck leadership by concentrating on what's important to the consumer," said Ben Poore, Ford Truck marketing manager. "We always try to raise the bar in capability, power, innovation, refinement and style. With the new F-Series Super Duty, we have produced the most bold and capable truck ever."
Ford promotes unique models such as F-Series Super Duty Lariat King Ranch at events that appeal to audiences that revere partner brands. For example, the company promotes King Ranch models at Built Ford Tough Series Professional Bull Rider events across the country.
Ford also leverages these events to closely monitor how their customers actually use their vehicles to help design future trucks to match customer needs. For example, approximately 90 percent of Super Duty customers tow and even more haul with their trucks. So, Ford offers the only purpose-built heavy-duty truck platform for the 2008 F-Series Super Duty, helping it easily lead its class in towing and hauling capabilities.
The 2008 Super Duty achieves a maximum 24,500 pounds of towing capacity - 8,000 pounds more than the nearest competitor - with payload increased to 6,120 pounds.
The 2008 Super Duty's increased capabilities are due to the new F-450 with its own unique chassis. Its combination of axle, powertrain and suspension enables greater towing capacity while offering a comfortable ride, and greater maneuverability and turning radius.
Industry exclusive PowerScope integrated power-folding and power-telescoping mirrors also help towers handle loads with more ease and convenience. The large mirrors extend outward up to 2.75 inches and feature a power-adjustable main mirror with a manually adjusted spotter mirror. The mirrors provide greater visibility when parking and towing, for example, and since they are operated from inside the cab, make manual adjustments from outside the cab unnecessary.
Another 2008 F-Series Super Duty feature that resulted from this attention to customer needs is an industry-first Tailgate Step. This fully-integrated step system easily deploys from the top of the tailgate when flat to make getting into and out of the bed easy and convenient. The truck's bed also is more flexible with the industry's first stowable bed extender. It is the only bed extender that separates into two pieces that fold and snap securely to the sides of the bed, allowing full space and functionality of the bed when the extender is not needed. The design allows use of the bed without removing the extenders.
Ford is not letting up as it will add new models, features and options to the 2008 F-Series Super Duty this fall. A new rear video camera parking aid system and a Ford F-350 with the Ford F-450's more capable and more maneuverable front suspension will help customers better navigate tight spots. The rear camera also benefits truck customers by making it easier to line up truck's rear hitch receiver with trailers, an all-important job for the 90 percent of F-Series Super Duty customers who tow.
Ford also will add 10 new chassis cab models to expand the F-Series Super Duty's widest, most capable lineup of work trucks for commercial customers.
So far, Ford has gone the extra mile to create a working truck that matches its customer's needs and so far customers have responded.
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2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty Trucks Hit the Sweet Spot
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3 comments:
Hmmm, even with raising gas prices, do you think it will sell as well? I'm waiting for the next gen of diesels!
Have you checked out Truckin Truck Ride of the month?
Thanks for the post!
Ford have gone through some difficult times when it was bought by General Motors. now they are sorting out. it's a good thing new model sells well. besides, they get a good deal of profit from sales all over the world
The good thing is that even though there is still this increasing fuel price problems, the technology of cars and trucks are also improving. I just hope that soon, there would be some really awesome Ford truck that will run on nice alternatives. But, being on regular fuel will still be good, as long as it is Ford.
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