mrfixit
Chief Chaotic Engineer
You ain't seen NOTHIN', yet!
From bolting in a performance-enhancing supercharger and creating exclusive truck packages, to adding storage systems and building a new XL SuperCrew model, Ford intends to keep building new versions of its trucks, no matter where they are in their life cycle. For 2008, Ford will have 60 variations of its F-Series.
"We haven't done this level of end-of-cycle changes before," said Afaf Farah, a Ford spokeswoman.
Other new features will include an optional factory-installed remote start; standard tachometers on some models; new colors, stone green on all models and mahogany on the King Ranch; and a tire pressure monitoring system on a heavy duty package.
"These are all changes that will obviously be incorporated in the 2009 model, but instead of waiting for the new model, Ford can roll them out now and see how they are received," Hellwig said.
Ford didn't even wait for the 2008 model year to bring back a supercharged pickup.
After showing off an aftermarket version of the pickup at a Las Vegas trade show in November, Ford gave the project the green light. In April, the 450-horsepower 2007 F-150 Harley Davidson edition truck was available.
Another surprise for 2008 models will be the F-150 Lariat Limited package, an extremely sharp-looking truck with special badging, 22-inch aluminum wheels and dark shadow gray headlamps and smoked tail lamps. Ford plans to sell about 5,000 of these high-end pickups.
Ford also will introduce the F-150 XL Super Crew -- a first for F-Series -- a lower priced vehicle with the utility of a larger crew cab.
No pricing was announced Wednesday for 2008 models.
While adding fresh content to the F-150 may help sales, nothing brings back loyal customers like a redesign, said George Pipas, Ford's U.S. sales analysis manager.
When the 2004 F-Series was introduced, sales jumped 11 percent to 940,000 units, something that is typical for popular vehicles coming out with a fresh new look.
"There's always going to be pent up demand, and you'll see that kind of surge," Pipas said. "In this segment, buyers are intensely loyal, and so when a new generation comes out, the people buying it are Ford customers."
From bolting in a performance-enhancing supercharger and creating exclusive truck packages, to adding storage systems and building a new XL SuperCrew model, Ford intends to keep building new versions of its trucks, no matter where they are in their life cycle. For 2008, Ford will have 60 variations of its F-Series.
"We haven't done this level of end-of-cycle changes before," said Afaf Farah, a Ford spokeswoman.
Other new features will include an optional factory-installed remote start; standard tachometers on some models; new colors, stone green on all models and mahogany on the King Ranch; and a tire pressure monitoring system on a heavy duty package.
"These are all changes that will obviously be incorporated in the 2009 model, but instead of waiting for the new model, Ford can roll them out now and see how they are received," Hellwig said.
Ford didn't even wait for the 2008 model year to bring back a supercharged pickup.
After showing off an aftermarket version of the pickup at a Las Vegas trade show in November, Ford gave the project the green light. In April, the 450-horsepower 2007 F-150 Harley Davidson edition truck was available.
Another surprise for 2008 models will be the F-150 Lariat Limited package, an extremely sharp-looking truck with special badging, 22-inch aluminum wheels and dark shadow gray headlamps and smoked tail lamps. Ford plans to sell about 5,000 of these high-end pickups.
Ford also will introduce the F-150 XL Super Crew -- a first for F-Series -- a lower priced vehicle with the utility of a larger crew cab.
No pricing was announced Wednesday for 2008 models.
While adding fresh content to the F-150 may help sales, nothing brings back loyal customers like a redesign, said George Pipas, Ford's U.S. sales analysis manager.
When the 2004 F-Series was introduced, sales jumped 11 percent to 940,000 units, something that is typical for popular vehicles coming out with a fresh new look.
"There's always going to be pent up demand, and you'll see that kind of surge," Pipas said. "In this segment, buyers are intensely loyal, and so when a new generation comes out, the people buying it are Ford customers."
