Calling it Ford’s “most capable truck ever,” Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company’s President and CEO, described the 2009 Ford F-150 as a proud example of Ford’s strategy of listening to its customers. “We talked to them, engineered a solution, and tested it to make sure it’s built Ford tough,” Mulally said.
Country music star Toby Keith, Professional Bull Rider Justin Mc Bride, NASCAR’s Rick Crawford and Monster Jam’s Linsey Weenk joined Mark Fields, Ford’s President, The Americas, onstage at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to announce the 2009 F150 series, touting its customizability and options. The F-150 has three cab styles, four box options, and seven unique trim levels, making 35 unique configurations to meet the widest range of customer needs. The F-150 is “new all around” and now includes Platinum series. The F-150 is one of six major launches in 2008 for Ford.
“The Ford F-150 is an American icon, said Fields, “Ford is the truck leader, and F-150 customers expect and demand the best truck on the market.” More than 1,000 Ford engineers, designers, and researchers worked together to develop the new 2009 F-150, drawing on feedback and research from Ford’s customer base. Ford did not announce the 2009 F-150’s towing or payload capacity, opening up the question to the journalists covering the Auto Show to guess it. The winner will be announced later this year. The prize: the first test drive.
The 2009 Ford F150 will be available in the fall of 2008.
See the videos on the F-150’s construction, engineering, and design.
Watch the full 25 minute Ford Press Conference.
Loading ...
'09 F-150. Good job, there, removing the tire jack from under the rear seat, making for more usable space.
Major points for updating the tranny to 6 speeds like the Expedition and the Toyota Tundra. With proper rear-end gearing, you get the best of both worlds--good low-end pulling capability, combined with low RPM highway cruising. Bringing the taligate step over from the SuperDuty is another plus. But where is that smaller PowerStroke Diesel that we have been hearing about for several years? Why does Ford have to wait for one of the other brands to beat them to market? The 4.5L has been in use in the LCF trucks for a while--what's the holdup? And it should be biodiesel compatible! I like the longer cabin for the SuperCrews, which will hopefully allow space underneath for the 35.7 gallon optional fuel tank, without having to get the 6.5' bed. Good marks also for the freshened rear end styling, including the new tallights. BUT--and I saved the worst for last--what is up with that grotesque frontend
"styling"? The '04-'08 had a clean-looking front end, and I had hoped that in the interest of aerodynamic efficiency, it would be taken to the next level, with an even sleeker look--not to mention the fact that the raised hoodline will reduce visibility over the front-end, especially for negotiating in tight quarters. Has anyone seen the newer heavy-duty trucks ("big rigs"/"18 wheelers")? They are all being designed now with an eye toward maximizing aerodynamic efficiency, which translates into fuel efficiency--where is that ithoughtful design to be found on light-duty trucks these days--and why not? Don't even get me started on the "boxy" abomination of a front end on the newer SupeDutys! It looks like the product of a committee of first graders--the earlier ones--'99-'04 or so looked pretty decent. It's also too bad that the Forest Green/Pueblo Gold 2-tone paint won't be available on the new Lariot. All in all I'd say "winner" IF that ugly front end could be put out of its misery before shipping to dealers!
My wife wants the dog to ride on the bench front seat. Look at it this way, yuo send your kids off to college and they move out. Then the dog is acquired to replace the kids... All old methane gas clouds will agree.