Who Killed the Ford F-100
As gas prices spiraled skyward last year, Ford product planners became more than a little concerned over the long term future of the company cash cow, the F-150 pickup. Although the all-new F-150, then undergoing final testing before launch, was a careful evolution of a highly successful formula, no-one knew whether that meant much anymore.
In May, as the average price of a gallon of gas neared $4.00, the F-150 was knocked off the top of the monthly sales charts for the first time in 17 years, outsold by Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord. That sent a chill through Dearborn: Ford’s product planners knew that for most of the 30-plus years the F-150 had reigned as America’s — the world’s — best selling vehicle, gas had cost $2 a gallon or less. The world had changed. America was changing. Maybe the F-150 would have to change, too.
The solution wasn’t rocket science: develop a pickup truck that was smaller and lighter. The product planners looked at three options — adapting the T6 Ranger pickup being developed by Ford Australia for the world market; engineering a unibody pickup off the Ford Flex’s D4 platform; or engineering a lighter, more fuel efficient truck using as much existing F-150 hardware as possible.
The T6 Ranger was discounted because it was simply too small. A D4-based unibody truck looked costly and time consuming. That left a lighter truck built around the new F-150 hardware.
[source:MotorTrend]
More Excellent Ford Car in www Auto Com:
+ Detroit Auto Show 2009: Ford announces full pricing for 2010 Taurus
+ Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus - Now with undisguised interior!
+ Ford’s new electric van for 2010 will come from Europe
+ First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
+ Ford CEO Mulally Driving to Washington DC in Escape Hybrid
+ Officially Official: 2010 Ford Mustang
+ SEMA 2008: Galpin Scythe Concept makes no excuses
+ 2008 SEMA Motor Show: The return of Ugliest. Mustang. Ever.
+ First Look: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
+ LA Auto Show 2008 Preview: 2010 Ford Fusion to get flex-fuel V6 option
+ First Drive: 2009 Ford F-150
+ 2008 SEMA Motor Show Preview: CGS ReFlex
+ Spy Shots: Ford Taurus ST
+ 2008 SEMA Motor Show Preview: Performance West Group Ford F-350 Striker
+ Steven Millen and his Ford GT ready to run in Dunlop Targa Rally
+ First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST
+ 2010 Ford Fiesta: What it means
+ Paris Motor Show Preview: 2009 Ford Focus RS revealed… again!
+ First Drive: 2009 Ford Fiesta
+ First Test: 2008 Gurney Signature Edition Ford Mustang
+ First Test: 2008 Racecraft 420 S Ford Mustang
+ Track Lap: Ford Mustang FR500S
+ First Drive: 2008 Ford FPV Falcon
+ First Drive: 2009 Ford Flex
More Excellent Articles like
Who Killed the Ford F-100
Pay Attention to Auto Fans
Recent Auto Articles
- One-off SR-71 Mustang sells for $375,000 at EAA AirVenture
- First Test Experience: 2011 Nissan Juke SV
- Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 announced - world’s first diesel full hybrid vehicle
- Nissan Xterra not long for this world
- 2011 Ford Mondeo facelift unveiled in Moscow
- 2011 Nissan Murano unveiled with mild refresh, new SV trim
- Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8
- Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe Shaheen and Baynunah bespoke editions
- Officially Official: Updated 2011 Jeep Wrangler now in production
- Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series by MKB packs over 1000hp
