Ford Motor
Company on December 18 began production of a new F-Series Super Duty that will
be the company’s most capable and refined pickup ever when it goes on sale early
in the new year.
The new Super
Duty – which represents 40 percent of Ford’s annual F-Series volume – features
the cleanest and quietest Power Stroke Diesel engine ever, a new exterior and
interior design, as well as such innovations as an industry-first TailGate Step
that allows easy access to the pickup bed.
The company's
Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville received a $65 million investment for a new
trim line to assemble the 2008 Super Duty truck’s new “tough luxury” interior.
The trim line includes a doors-off process, in which the doors are removed from
the body after being painted. This makes it easier to install seats and
instrument panels.
“The new
Super Duty doesn’t just raise the bar for heavy duty pickups, it changes the
game,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the
“Every aspect
of the new line of Super Duty trucks – including capability, design and feature
innovations – is the result of spending a great deal of time listening to our
customers. There’s no other family of trucks like this,” Fields said.
Offered in
three cab styles – Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab – and with two bed
lengths, the new Super Duty features a bold look inside and out, as well as a
new, more powerful Power Stroke Diesel engine. The 6.4-liter diesel delivers 350
horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 foot/pounds of torque, starting at 2,000 rpm.
The engine
utilizes Ford’s Clean Diesel Technology, which includes a high-pressure,
common-rail fuel system, piezoelectric fuel injectors and an advanced diesel
particulate filter system. Together, they deliver strong performance while
reducing particulate output by more than 90 percent and posting emissions
numbers on par with gasoline engines.
The new Super
Duty also features a long list of innovative features not found on other trucks.
Among them is an integrated Tailgate Step, stowable bed extender and PowerScope
power-fold, power-telescoping trailer-tow side mirrors for towing. In addition,
Ford’s TowCommand System features an integrated trailer brake controller, and
the TorqShift transmission improves towing performance.
New this year
is an F-450 model that adds capability for customers who demand the most. It
combines the right axle, right powertrain and right suspension to manage the
loads of pulling a heavier trailer – while maintaining a refined, comfortable
ride. The new F-450 offers industry-leading towing capacity in excess of 24,000
pounds and maximum payload of more than 6,000 pounds.
“We applaud
the men and women of our Kentucky Truck Plant,” Fields said. “The launch is
going so well we're a week ahead of schedule.”
Kentucky
Truck Plant manager Todd Bryant credits a dedicated and experienced work force
with the successful installation and launch of the new Super Duty line-up.
“This truck
is a crown jewel in the Ford lineup, and all of us at Kentucky Truck Plant are
proud to be the ones to build it,” said Bryant.
Kentucky
Truck Plant opened in 1969 and is exclusively responsible for building the Super
Duty line, which includes the F-250 to F-550. The 4.6-million-square-foot
facility houses approximately 24 miles of conveyor belts and employs 5,154
people. The plant can assemble 75 vehicles an hour. Since production began in
1969, the plant has produced more than 5 million trucks of various types.
The new Super Duty already is receiving accolades. Last month, the vehicle took top honors as the 2006 “Texas Truck of the Year” awarded by the Texas Auto Writers Association. It was also recognized as “Best Designed Pick-Up” and “Best Use of Technology Pick-Up.”
