Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - (Page 32) 32 • OCTOBER 27, 2008 Ford’s new F-150 is built for jobs, not jaunts Rick Kranz rkranz@crain.com Ford’s restyled and re-engineered 2009 F-150 pickup is going back to its roots as a work truck. With high fuel prices deflating sales of pickups for personal use, Ford will emphasize best-in-class towing of 11,300 pounds and best-in-class payload capacity of 3,030 pounds in advertising that begins next month. The messages will be directed at tradesmen, contractors, farmers and others whose livelihood requires a big pickup. “We know that those core truckers are people who are dependent on and need capability,” says Doug Scott, Ford brand truck marketing manager. Core buyers represent about 49 percent of Ford’s pickup sales this year, up from 32 percent in 2003. The basics: The F-150’s frame has been re-engineered to boost payload and towing capacity. High-strength steel provides 10 percent more rigidity and cuts 100 pounds of weight. Ford says the frame also helps cut road noise and vibration 5 percent. Ford claims an 8 percent average improvement in fuel economy for all 2009 F-150 models. Part of that increase is due to the addition of a sixspeed automatic transmission, which is available with two V-8 engines. Another contributor is the Superior Fuel Economy package, which targets such areas as axle ratio, tires and aerodynamics. It is available on twowheel-drive XL and XLT models, resulting in 15 mpg city/21 highway. Six airbags are standard, as is stability control, roll stability control and trailer sway control. Much of the sheet metal is new and more aerodynamic, another factor boosting fuel economy. On the inside, Ford reworked the instrument panel, interior trim and seats. Previous F-150 owners complained about the seats. “You were sitting on it rather than sitting in it. That was a major focus,” says Scott. “We spent a lot of time working on comfort and lateral support. Different seat frame, different cushions.” Notable features: The crew cab’s passenger compartment was stretched six inches to create more rear-seat legroom. Engineers created a flat floor Think of it as GPS for tools The 2009 F-150 pickup has help for forgetful tradesmen who lose tools. Each tool can be tagged with a small chip with a small antenna. The radio frequency identification system scans the cargo box and provides a list of missing tools on an in-dash computer monitor. Fifty identification tags are included in the package. Additional tags are $1 each. The option has a sticker price of $1,120, on top of a $1,195 computer package that provides high-speed Internet access. Radio frequency identification also can be used by hunters and fishermen to track gear and by pharmaceutical workers to track expensive samples. The Internet access will help tradesmen with various tasks. “Imagine an electrician needs a wiring diagram,” says Bill Frykman, Ford’s product business development manager. “He will go to a Web site and print it out at a wireless printer in his truck. If he needs to change an invoice, he can log on to his work computer (at his office), print out the new invoice with the job changes (in his pickup) and give it to the customer.” The computer, developed by Magneti Marelli, uses Microsoft Auto software. It will be available this year on the 2009 F150, SuperDuty and Econoline models. — Rick Kranz For 2009, the Ford F-150 returns to its roots as a work truck. Doug Scott, Ford brand truck marketing manager, says, “Capability matters more now than ever.” behind the front seats. When the rear seat is flipped up, large items such as a 52-inch TV can fit on the flat floor. A factory-installed computer with instrument panel display and Internet access is optional (see story at right). Also optional is Ford’s tailgate step, which drops down to ease entry into the cargo box. The step was introduced on the 2008 Super Duty model. What Ford says: “Capability matters more now than ever,” Scott says. Compromises and shortcomings: The regular cab 2004-08 F-150 came standard with two full-sized doors and two smaller access doors, which provided easy access to the cargo area behind the front seat. The access doors are no longer offered on the 2009 regular cab. Nuts and bolts: The first 2009 F-150 pickups started arriving at dealers in September. The F-150 is available in three cab styles, four box options and seven trim levels. The skinny: Full-sized pickups are in a deep recession, as personal-use buyers stay away. Ford did its homework and reworked the truck for its core buyers: tradesmen. c Ford vs. Chevy Ford’s 2009 base model F-150 has a standard V-8 that has more horsepower and torque than the Chevrolet Silverado’s V-6 2009 FORD F-150 4X2 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 4X2 Read a Q&A with Ford brand truck marketing manager Doug Scott autonews.com Wheelbase Length Width Height Base engine Horsepower Torque, lbs.-ft. EPA mpg Transmission Base price* * Includes shipping 126.0 in. 213.1 in. 78.9 in. 74.6 in. 4.6-liter V-8 248 @ 4,750 rpm 294 @ 4,000 rpm 14 city/19 highway 4-speed auto. $21,320 119.0 in. 205.6 in. 79.9 in. 73.8 in. 4.3-liter V-6 195 @ 4,600 rpm 260 @ 2,800 rpm 15 city/20 highway 4-speed auto. $19,550 Feds look at China-made valves on Ford tires Harry Stoffer hstoffer@crain.com WASHINGTON — Federal regulators are investigating Ford Motor Co.’s use of tire valves from China — valves already under scrutiny for failures in the aftermarket. Last week the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary investigation of valves used on as many as 1 million 2007 Ford Motor vehicles. The agency says it has gotten 37 complaints of valve failures. Some owners said loss of air pressure from cracked and leaking valves led to damage severe enough to require tire replacement, according to documents on NHTSA’s Web site. NHTSA said the tire valves were made by Topseal, a parts subsidiary of Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corp. Ford is cooperating with NHTSA, said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood. A separate investigation by Ford showed a low rate of valve cracking and leaking, he added. Last May, NHTSA opened its review of the tire valves’ use in the aftermarket. Last month, the agency upgraded the investigation to a more serious level called engineering analysis. The federal government became aware of the problem after a lawsuit was filed against a Discount Tire Co. store and Dill Air Controls Products LLC. The latter company provided the Topseal valves to retail tire stores and distributors, NHTSA said. Topseal believes a change of chemical suppliers in 2006 led to production of valves with inadequate ozone protection, NHTSA said on its Web site. c http://www.autonews.com http://www.jcowansprotalk.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - October 27, 2008 Chrysler dealers under GM? States would rule Survey: Worried dealers flee GMAC Va. dealers turn to local credit unions Anxiety over Chrysler: Deal or no deal? Ford, GM execs join panels looking at eco-friendly options Big pickups, SUVs gain share Chrysler will cut 4,300 salaried jobs by year end BMW seeks joint vehicle electronics effort Runkle: Give tiny suppliers a chance VW goal: 80% N.A. content for Tenn. plant April Wortham China's BYD plans U.S. hybrids Lucky Icahn lost Lear Mahindra's U.S. launch to get $60 million ad drive Toyota may renew no-interest loans Hesterberg, Thomson will address congress Desperate industry begs feds for help Hyundai dealers want ads to pitch favorable loans Toyota, GM top global r&d spending After Detroit 3 take back design, supplier sitting pretty Germany's Preh supplies F-150 ventilation part Buehler is Volt supplier Freescale: New infotainment chip Are they too big to fail? A goal for GM: Buy back full control of GMAC Tax credit would move domestic cars GMAC loan bonus is a bad idea Take a good look: Toyota is losing its halo What flexibility is and what it isn't Toshiba joins battery battle Personnel Hyundai slows Ala. output of Sonata, Santa Fe Picture this LaNeve: GM marketing budget faces '09 hit Hyundai counts on luxury, hybrid hopes Keogh: Audi belongs with top luxury brands Dealers Court overturns class-action status in Blue Oval suit 2 major lemon-law lawyers lose right to practice in Md. Auctions offer more online for just-in-time dealers Used-truck prices higher in September Lack of used Minis limits certified program Wood trim maker expects to avoid worst of woes VW: U.S. may get Scirocco after all Ford's new F-150 is built for jobs, not jaunts Think of it as GPS for tools Feds look at China-made valves on Ford tires Shareholder value tumbles in 3rd quarter Shareholder value tumbles in 3rd quarter Ford truck marketing exec: Hybrid pickup 'publicity stunt' Survey: Ford Motor reliability improves Chrysler heir: Get back to basics Farley has bright idea to boost auction action Kerkorian speeds away from autos Names familiar? NADA leadership is a family affair Mitsubishi bucks trend on profits New trade debate in the works? Beware the 'vital' deal Automotive News - October 27, 2008 Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - (Page Bellyband1) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - (Page Bellyband2) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Va. dealers turn to local credit unions (Page 1) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Va. dealers turn to local credit unions (Page 2) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Chrysler will cut 4,300 salaried jobs by year end (Page 3) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - VW goal: 80% N.A. content for Tenn. plant April Wortham (Page 4) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - VW goal: 80% N.A. content for Tenn. plant April Wortham (Page 5) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Hesterberg, Thomson will address congress (Page 6) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Hesterberg, Thomson will address congress (Page 7) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Toyota, GM top global r&d spending (Page 8) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Toyota, GM top global r&d spending (Page 9) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Freescale: New infotainment chip (Page 10) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Freescale: New infotainment chip (Page 11) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - GMAC loan bonus is a bad idea (Page 12) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - GMAC loan bonus is a bad idea (Page 13) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - What flexibility is and what it isn't (Page 14) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - What flexibility is and what it isn't (Page 15) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Hyundai slows Ala. output of Sonata, Santa Fe (Page 16) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Picture this (Page 17) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Picture this (Page 18) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Picture this (Page 19) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - LaNeve: GM marketing budget faces '09 hit (Page 20) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Hyundai counts on luxury, hybrid hopes (Page 21) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Keogh: Audi belongs with top luxury brands (Page 22) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Keogh: Audi belongs with top luxury brands (Page 23) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Dealers (Page 24) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - 2 major lemon-law lawyers lose right to practice in Md. (Page 25) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Lack of used Minis limits certified program (Page 26) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Lack of used Minis limits certified program (Page 27) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Lack of used Minis limits certified program (Page 28) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Lack of used Minis limits certified program (Page 29) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Lack of used Minis limits certified program (Page 30) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - VW: U.S. may get Scirocco after all (Page 31) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Feds look at China-made valves on Ford tires (Page 32) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Ford truck marketing exec: Hybrid pickup 'publicity stunt' (Page 33) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Ford truck marketing exec: Hybrid pickup 'publicity stunt' (Page 34) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Survey: Ford Motor reliability improves (Page 35) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Survey: Ford Motor reliability improves (Page 36) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Survey: Ford Motor reliability improves (Page 37) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Beware the 'vital' deal (Page 38) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Beware the 'vital' deal (Page 39) Automotive News - October 27, 2008 - Beware the 'vital' deal (Page 40)
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