F150 is Crushing 2014- What’s in line for 2015?
 

Hey guys, wrote an article for my website and thought I would post it here, it interested me, thought it might interest some people here, too :)

As Manufacturers’ Reports will tell you, the 2014 Ford F150 is towering over Chevy and Dodge in year to date sales. Sales are at 46,536, 28,926, and 25,071 vehicles sold, respectively. It’s clear the customer’s choice of the F150 is solid, but how is Ford planning to keep this performance?
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The 2015 F150 is packed full of new technology and gear to make it the best and most complete choice, the following list is a first to be used in a pickup truck.
-2.7L EcoBoost with start-stop technology
-Inflatable rear safety belts
-Smart trailer module to indicate trailer status
-Active park assist
-360 degree camera view
-8 inch productivity/work screen
-LED side view mirror spotlights
-LED headlamps.

Beyond this, the 2015 has stripped almost 700 pounds, while increasing it’s towing and handling capabilities. Military grade aluminum alloy being used in the body, and high strength steel for the frame is the main cause for this drastic weight cut.
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The stance and form of the new truck is following the past tradition of Ford products. The most extreme product gets the most extreme design, like the GT500s styling being worked into later Mustangs, and the Focus RSand ST from overseas emerging in our new models. This is seen in the grille, and body flair of the 2015, seen from past years heavy duty models.

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Unlike Chrysler and Chevrolet, consistently removing visibility and making their designs more submarine like each year, Ford understand what customers need- visibility. When you finish looking around the spacious and ergonomic cabin, you’ll start to notice the amazing visibility. Ford has put driver experience more into the truck, and there is a clear expectation for the new F150 to not only be the best work choice, but the best recreational choice, and the best choice even if just going by appearance. LED lights all around, spot lights, headlights, tail lights, bed lighting, and even including a new puddle light on the tailgate.

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Ford clearly is beyond trying to get sales, and get their customers (first time, and coming back) the very best product they can.

EDIT: Criticism welcome!

I haven't sat in/driven the brand new F150s but a few years ago I did and the visibility compared to my '94 was simply atrocious.

I spend more time in coupes and sedans, but the visibility in GMs and chryslers has become more port hole like than window like. I spent the most time in a Tremor edition, and the other manufacturers only had 2014s, but there is no rumor of big 2015 changes from them.

Nissan actually didn't even bring anything worth while, no trucks at all. I didn't look at the Honda or Toyota trucks, but I don't recall even seeing any- just the six SUVs Toyota has.

Is it just me, or are the front ends of newer trucks getting ridiculously tall?

2.7l Ecoboost with start-stop? Can't wait to see what kind of mileage that'll get. Seems like it would go perfect in a Ranger. :'(

I wonder how much weight they could strip down by removing all of the power this, electric that, etc. Back up cameras are nice, but really? It's not just Ford, they all do it. I need a radio and AC for the kids. Power locks and windows are good too. GPS, 17 speakers, steering wheel heaters, etc; it's a truck! Their purpose is to haul stuff and pull trailers, not to commute to work everyday.

If I am going to spend $30-50k+ on a vehicle, I am going to use it for what it was designed to do. Then again, I'd buy a really used one and save the rest of my money.

gmc's 11,118, gm total 40,044

Hold your horses, what models were used in the comparison? It is saying the f150 is beating chevy and dodge(RAM) in sales but it doesn't state which model is being compared.

Picking and choosing information and throwing numbers in there to back it up are cheap tricks used to fool fools.

Sorry I didn't make it clear, that's a good note. I was specifically referring to the trucks, but that may not be clear to the reader.

Ford F series-46,536
Chevrolet Silverado-28,926
Dodge Ram-25,071

The top selling US Vehicles. Will have to edit the article.

They must be including fleet sales in the f150 sales number. When it comes to ford all I see are explorers, escapes and taurus. In my area Honda Civic would be top, then nissan altima and a f150 white work truck complete with company logo on side and followed by a white e150 van with company logo.

The latest rank I have is:
F series
Silverado series
Ram series
Camry
Corolla/Matrix
Altima
Civic
Fusion
Accord
Escape
CRV
RAV4
Cruze
Elantra
Equinox
Rogue
Grand Cherokee
Prius
Focus
Impala
Malibu
Explorer
Sierra
200
Forester
Edge

No Lex, porsche, bmw?!?!?! No Pilot, highlander, range rover?!?!?

Those were the tops. Report I was accessing gave list and numbers, none of the others mentioned :/

That's what the xl trim is made for. However I don't think they're all that much lighter. My friend's xlt crew cab with a few options weighs in at about 5700 pounds

My 99 F150 stripper was right at 3800 and my Ranger is around 2900.

regards
Mech

5,700 is still up there. That's 3,300 pounds heavier than my Civic...wow, I just put that into perspective for myself!!

But imagine a car, like a Civic, Versa, etc. They are much lighter and those electronic items could make a bit of a difference.

These are both single cabs, correct?

Single Cabs, strippers, but with AC, which I hardly ever use, rubber floor mats. I paid $13.5k for the F150, brand new, used it to build a house and then sold it. The Ranger was $1650.

regards
Mech

A lot of the weight comes from fords massive over engineering. Just look at how massive their frames are. To put the f150 even more into perspective, my 2012 ram crew cab was only about 5300 pounds, 400 less than my friend's truck with the same options. I forget how much chevy/gmc weigh now but a few years ago I think they were around 4400 for the regular cab version.

I think every car would be able to squeak out 1-2 mpg better if companies would use lighter weight materials. My non power passenger seat alone weighs about 40 pounds, and my power driver seat is 60 pounds. 100 pounds just from 2 seats. I don't think it would cost ford that much money(in the grand scheme) to use aluminum for the seat mounts, sliders, and seat frames instead of steel

I honestly have no clue how my 2 door mustang can be a good 1200 pounds heavier than your civic, when they're both similar size. Even a corvette weighs more than your civic

Edit: as far as features go, a '14 base model auto civic weighs 2811 and a ex-l with nav auto weighs 2930 according(no pun intended) to Honda

The original Mustang was a dollar a pound at $2395. Lighter than a Z car. My 37 Ford coupe weighed right at 2500. The new Mirage proves you can build light and strong but most people think a small light car is a death trap. I've driven cars that were legal in the US and weighed barely over 1000 pounds and survived to draw Social Security.

regards
Mech

My 05 weighs in at 24xx...a Civic gained 400 pounds in 9 years!

My 1987 Prelude was wider than my friend's Escape and I always thought that power door locks would have been silly, I could easily reach the passenger door, although I am 6'2". Then I needed to fix the driver's door lock on the Forester and need to do the same with the Civic. Both have power door locks, but the Honda is a coupe, and while thirteen years newer than the Prelude, still narrower, so power locks seem silly. I just do not know if the failures had anything to do with power locks.

I enjoy driving my dad's F150, just not filling the tank! However, that does not have any additional features, and it is so wide that I need to move over to lock or unlock the door, and I need to slide all of the way over to adjust the window.

Why will the Elio have power door "lock?"