“Most Rugged Truck” in 2009 Brand Image Award by Kelley Blue Book.
2009 North American Truck of the Year
America’s safest full-size pickup with 5-star frontal and 5-star side-impact crash-test ratings, the highest possible scores, in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests.
Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year Award™
Top honors as “Truck of Texas” as well as “Best Luxury Pickup” for the 2009 F-150 King Ranch from Texas Auto Writers Association
Playboy’s 2009 Best Pickup
2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
“Best Overall Half-Ton Pickup” from PickupTrucks.com
“Automotive Excellence” award in the Workhorse Category from Popular Mechanics
Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year
Detroit News Truck of the Year
“Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its standard safety technology: Safety Canopy side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
“Residual Value” award from Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) for retaining the highest percentage of its original price among 2009 full-size light duty pickups at the end of a conventional three-year lease, based on ALG projections
Motor Trend's Truck Trend Top 5 Trucks from Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for 2009 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty DeWalt Contractor Concept
2009 Consumer Guide “Best Buy” in large pickup truck category
“Accessory-Friendly Truck” Design Award from SEMA
F-Series is best selling vehicle in America for 27 consecutive years; best-selling truck for 32 consecutive years
The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 is named North American Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)
The North American Truck of the Year award recognizes vehicles based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Fifty automotive journalists in the United States and Canada vote for the vehicles, which must be "all-new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model to qualify for the award.
The 2009 F-150 is new inside and out. The Ford truck team adopted a holistic, 360-degree approach to revamping the vehicle – from its segment-first features to the tough new exterior highlighted by a dramatic three-bar grille and more spacious, flexible and refined interior, to the unparalleled choice of cab styles and trim levels.
The prestigious award comes hot on the heels of the 2009 F-150 being named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™ and the "Truck of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association in addition to a number of other awards and accolades.
Quotes
"Winning 2009 North America Truck of the Year honors is a special distinction because it acknowledges the team's efforts to push harder and deliver even more for customers – including quality, safety leadership, unsurpassed fuel economy and smart features aimed at further improving their productivity. Ultimately, though, this award is a nod to true truck customers, who have inspired us to deliver America's favorite pickup for 32 straight years."
- Mark Fields, Ford's President of The Americas
All-new Ford F-150 receives prestigious Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year Award™
The 2009 F-150 bests its competitors in a series of rigorous tests that evaluated the pickup’s engineering, technology, design, safety, dynamics, performance, build quality and value.
This marks the third consecutive time an all-new F-150 has received the Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award. Previously, the 2004 and 1997 redesigned Ford F-150 models received the magazine’s prestigious award.
“The new F-150 is a thorough, thoughtful upgrade of a highly successful formula. The 2009 model improves on the core attributes that have made the F-150 a best seller for decades, ensuring it will remain a strong player in the segment despite the challenging economic environment.”
- Angus MacKenzie, Editor-in-Chief, Motor Trend
“Motor Trend’s awards over the years are a validation of what has been the key to our success: listening to customers, anticipating their needs and providing them with innovative solutions and features before they ask for them. Our goal with each redesign is to top the last one, and we’re doing that with the 2009 F150.”
- Matt O’Leary, F-150 Chief Engineer
“Motor Trend editors used our truck the way our customers do – by putting it through extremely tough tests. This award is so meaningful to us because it means so much to our customers. Motor Trend Truck of the Year is one of the most recognized automotive awards by consumers, and Ford is extremely proud to receive it.”
- Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
Powered by the F-150 5.4-liter Triton V-8 three-valve engine, which delivers 320 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft of torque, the new 2010 SVT Raptor can take on the most challenging off-road adventures. However, with its broad power and torque bands, the 2010 SVT Raptor is just at home on the everyday commute. The high-performance truck features a wider track and race-bred suspension, as well as advanced safety systems like AdvanceTrac® with RSC (Roll Stability Control™) that detects and measures oversteer and yaw, and Hill Descent Control which allows Raptor to traverse steep declines with minimal driver input. Raptor also has an Off-Road mode that allows for a high level of performance in dirt and snow.
Here are just a few of the noticeable differences between the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the conventional F-150:
A distinctive grille with the Ford name carved into it
Front bumper with openings that highlight Raptor's suspension, vented hood, front fascia and fenders, functional hood extractors
Fender extractors with ‘SVT’ bored out
Specially tuned Fox Racing Shox suspension with internal-bypass technology exclusive to Raptor
A seven-inch wider track allowing over 11" of front and 12" of rear suspension travel, with distinctive marker lamps integrated into the front and back ends
Ford Engineering and Design Achieve Breakthroughs in Smart Technologies
As one of its key pillars, Ford’s entire lineup has been benefiting from its advancements in smart technologies. These include:
SYNC® System – Standard on many models, Ford’s exclusive voice-activated, seamlessly integrated mobile phone and digital music system allows drivers to place and answer calls as well as play individual songs or complete playlists without their hands ever leaving the wheel.
SIRIUS® Travel Link™ – The next-generation navigation system offers real-time updates on movie times, gas prices, weather, traffic and other on-the-road conveniences.
SYNC® 911 Assist™ – This helpful feature quickly connects vehicle occupants to a local 911 emergency operator to get help automatically if the air bag deploys.
Ford Work Solutions™ – Ford’s suite of industry-exclusive options for F-Series trucks and commercial E-Series vans enables business owners to be more productive and successful. The onboard computer, which runs Microsoft Windows for automotive, lets business owners create spreadsheets, invoices and estimates right from the cab. Developed in conjunction with DeWalt, Tool Link™ uses Radio Frequency ID to track tools and equipment in the bed so nothing gets left behind. Crew Chief™, through Ford’s partnership with Garmin, lets a foreman track crews wherever they are, ensuring the right team gets to the right job efficiently.
Blind Spot Mirror – An industry-first innovation, the Blind Spot Mirror replaces traditional side view mirrors and features an integrated convex spotter mirror that provides an optimized view of the driver’s blind spot. The mirror is standard equipment on the 2009 Ford Edge.
Ford F-150 is at the top of Cars.com list of top American-made vehicles.
The Ford F-150 is as all-American as it gets according to a recent report by Cars.com. When the site released its semiannual American-Made Index – which ranks vehicles based on the percentage of parts made domestically, location of vehicle assembly and how popular each car is with U.S. buyers – the F-150 came out on top for the fifth time in a row. This may be of key interest to business-use customers who rely on trucks for work and have a desire to champion U.S.-based industry by making sure those trucks are American-made.
Another reason for the F-150’s popularity is its long-term dependability. In a recent initial quality comparison [the first-quarter 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System study conducted by RDA Group for Ford], the F-150 performed better than the Toyota Tundra in many categories of customer satisfaction and Things Gone Wrong (TGW). For instance, out of every 1,000 owners of 3-months-in-service vehicles, 168 reported TGW with their Tundra’s automatic transmission shift, while 74 reported TGW with the F-150 in the same category. F-150 customers said they were more satisfied with the overall transmission operation than Tundra owners: 84% to 78%.
Two other Ford vehicles join the F-150 on the American-Made Index: Ford Escape was ranked 7th, up from 9th, and Ford Explorer Sport Trac was ranked 10th in its debut to the list.
Quotes:
“There’s a core group of buyers out there who need a truck and want a truck for their job, or a combination of personal use and their job, and I think the truck we’ve got coming [the 2009 Ford F-150] hits the sweet spot.”
Mark Fields, Ford President of The Americas
“There’s still a very robust, very large group of people that need a truck, even at $4 or $4.50 a gallon.”
Jim Farley, Ford Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Connectivity Solutions Go Beyond Music and Phone Calls
Industry-exclusive Ford SYNC™ is a fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system that works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players. Beginning later this year, SYNC will also provide accident assistance through '911 Assist,' and will be able to send customers Vehicle Health Reports on key systems to help them plan routine service appointments and alert them to critical systems issues.
One might expect this technology to be available only on luxury vehicles, but Ford SYNC will be offered on nearly every Ford and Mercury vehicle and will be standard on Lincoln vehicles in 2008. The 2009 models being added to the SYNC play list include the all-new Ford Flex and F-150; the 2009 Ford Escape, Escape Hybrid and 2009 Ford Expedition. SYNC will be standard equipment on the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS when it launches this summer.
SYNC is Ford's platform for smarter, easily upgradeable in-car connectivity. Already, Ford is moving beyond the music and the mobile phone to master technologies that will also connect customers with the real-time information and services that they want and value while on the road.
SIRIUS Travel Link is a suite of data services that links drivers to traffic and weather information, fuel prices at nearby stations and the most up-to-date sports and entertainment news – along with a 23,000-song personal jukebox. Broadcast through SIRIUS's existing satellite and repeater infrastructure, the exclusive Travel Link feature launches in conjunction with Ford's next-generation navigation system. Watch for it first on the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS this summer.
The new 2009 F-150 and F-Series Super Duty become true mobile offices with the Ford Work Solutions suite of technological tools for the working professional and commercial driver. In addition to hands-free mobile phone connectivity and voice-activated navigation, Work Solutions allows customers to monitor on-truck tool inventories, access and print documents and review engineering drawings from inside the cab.
The EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System eliminates the gas tank screw cap for more simple fuel fill ups. No more gas odor on hands or gloves, or the unwanted amber dash light because the gas cap wasn't screwed on tightly enough.
In addition to eliminating these hassles, EasyFuel helps reduce evaporative emissions that create smog and contribute to global warming. Spring-loaded tabs pull back a flap in the filler neck when the pump nozzle is inserted. When fueling is complete, and the nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.
EasyFuel™ was introduced on the 2008 Ford Explorer. It will be standard equipment on the new Ford F-150, Flex and Lincoln MKS in 2009. The system will be offered on the entire Ford, Lincoln and Mercury product line by 2010.
Customers get up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content at their fingertips.
SIRIUS Travel Link™ technology provides customers with a valuable tool that can be used daily to get just-in-time details about traffic, current weather conditions, gasoline prices, movie theater details and sports updates. The system will be available on several 2009 models including Ford Flex, F-150, and Lincoln MKS.
Specifically, Travel Link delivers:
Fuel Prices – Customers can pinpoint and organize fuel options from over 120,000 gas stations alphabetically, by distance or by price.
Movies - With Travel Link, Ford owners can access film times, theater locations, ratings and run length details from over 4,500 movie theaters.
Sports - NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, NCAAF, NCAAB, and golf scores and schedules are now at customers’ fingertips. Drivers and passengers can customize Travel Link to provide info from selected teams.
Traffic Data – Now drivers can avoid traffic jams with SIRIUS Travel Link’s instant access to real-time traffic speed and flow data with accident and incident updates.
Weather - SIRIUS Travel Link allows Ford customers to stay on top of invaluable weather information including current conditions, five-day forecasts, coast-to-coast weather data and detailed storm cell information, hurricane and tropical storm tracking, local wind speeds, and even ski resort conditions.
The award-winning SYNC in-car communication system is now available to select Navigator customers.
Ford has just released its first dealer-installed SYNC kit that is fully functional, completely seamless and upgradeable to support SYNC features and functions. The installation time is quick, taking under two hours, and at under $550 dollars, the retrofit kit is highly affordable.
Owners of select 2008 Navigator or Navigator L models can get the Ford SYNC retrofit kit installed in vehicles equipped with the Elite Package that includes the voice-activated navigation radio and rear seat DVD. Vehicles must also have been built after December 4, 2007.
There is no need for an add-on HMI or microphone to operate SYNC as the system uses the existing steering wheel button controls and voice-activation functionality connected to the navigation system.
Committed to continually improving in-car connectivity, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle owners that have either factory- or dealer-installed SYNC will be able to upgrade the system's software and access future features and functions. Two new features that will be introduced later in 2009 include:
911 Assist – This free-of-charge accident assistance feature can place a call to a local 911 operator should the air bag deploy. The driver must have a cell phone that is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC.
Vehicle Health Report (VHR) – Customers can stay on top of all vehicle maintenance with a simple voice request at any time. Vehicle owners first set up their personal preferences at the SYNC Web site (www.syncmyride.com).
These types of ongoing innovations have ensured that Ford SYNC is on track to reach 1 million sales in 2009. This summer Ford SYNC will be available to the all-new Ford Flex, F-150 and Lincoln MKS. The 2009 model year Lincoln Navigator, which will launch later this year, will come factory-equipped with SYNC as a standard feature.
Instead of outsourcing seat design, the automotive industry norm, Ford created a dedicated seat engineering team within its Body Engineering division. Three Ford engineers – Qin Pan, Joanna Rakowska and Michael Medoro – spent months working with sophisticated virtual technology to design in-house vehicle seating that maximized both comfort and quality.
For the Ford Flex, the objective was to reflect the quiet luxury of the interior by reducing seat vibration. Using real-world road surface data, the Ford engineers could design mass dampers to counter a variety of road surfaces far earlier than ever before in the development stage.
While the new in-house seating technology has immediate benefits for Flex customers, soon the acquired learning building the F-Family Seats will be applied to a range of Ford vehicles from the Ford Focus to the new Ford F-150.
Ford F-150 offers more options than any other full-size truck on the market.
To redesign the 2009 F-150, the Ford engineering team worked with its customer base to determine the needs and wants of today’s truck buyer. The 2009 F-150 gives Ford owners more choice and more options than before – with the ability to create 35 separate configurations – all delivered with Ford quality.
Customers can customize their F-150 with a choice of three cabs. In addition to the regular cab and SuperCab options, the 2009 F-150 offers a SuperCrew cab that features a class-leading 56.7 cubic feet of space behind the front seats and more usable space due to a six-inch stretch that improves rear seat legroom and cargo capacity.
With four pickup box options, customers can pick from the following: Box Sidestep – With a weight capacity of 500 lbs., the Box Sidestep option makes loading and unloading cargo much easier. Tailgate Step – Tucked away in the tailgate, the hidden step stays out of sight until needed. It includes a flip-up grab bar for easy access to the bed and its content. Stowable Bed Extender – Durable and corrosion resistant, this strong extender helps owners maximize their box space. When not in use, it splits in the middle, folds and stows. Cargo Management System – The basic system, which comes with two siderails, delivers 600 lbs.-per cleat strength (two cleats per rail maximum).
Grille treatments give each trim level in the series a distinct look. There are seven trim levels – XL, STX, FX4, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. In addition to the satin chrome grille with fine egg crate mesh set into the three horizontal chrome bars, the Platinum model also sports satin chrome appliqué at the back of the truck.
When it comes to powertrain, the Ford F-150 has three engine options, all of which feature Ford-tested V-8 engines. F-150 customers can opt for:
A 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton V-8,
A 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8,
Or a 4.6-liter, 2-valve V-8.
Fully compliant with LEVII, all three engines meet California’s Tier 2 Bin 4 tailpipe and evaporative emissions regulations.
New Tools Helps Ford Flex and Ford F-150 Launch in Quality
The 2009 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Ford F-150 are among the first Ford vehicles to fully utilize a series of virtual manufacturing tools and processes designed to catch possible build concerns by simulating automotive performance.
During the prototype builds, the program teams were able to reduce more than 80 percent of potential manufacturing concerns by running more than 10,000 advanced digital pre-assembly engineering checks on the Flex and the F-150. In addition, engineers were able to reduce design and production tooling issues by 50 percent.
Virtual manufacturing enables Ford to cut production expenditures by reducing the number of prototypes, material waste and cost of tooling. For consumers it translates into more durable vehicles with less repair costs.
Ford Adds 2009 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and E-Series Full-Size Van to E-85 FFV Lineup
Ford is adding three additional vehicles to its E-85 flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) line-up for the 2009 model year: Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator full size sport utility vehicles, and Ford E-Series full size van and wagon. (E-85 FFVs are designed to run on any mixture of gasoline and ethanol, with up to 85% ethanol by volume.)
The Ford E-Series will be the first 8,500 lb.+ full-size van to provide E-85 capability, and the first full-size van to offer two V-8 engine alternatives with E-85 capability – a 4.6-liter and a 5.4-liter engine. The E-85 E-Series, redesigned last year for even greater functionality, has been America's best-selling full-size van for 28 years.
These latest vehicles extend Ford’s E-85 flexible-fuel lineup to seven; the other models include Ford F-150, Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis. Beginning with the 2008 model year, Ford began offering the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and taxi package with E-85 capability. Government agencies that include 2009 model year Expedition, Navigator or E-Series on their annual Department of Energy plan can receive credits toward Energy Policy ACT (EPACT) mandates.
Ford achieved 50-state certification for all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury 2008 flexible-fuel passenger car models, which means they meet emissions rules set by the federal government and California. Ford has already placed more than two million flexible-fuel vehicles on the road, and has pledged to make half of its production volume capable of running on alternative fuels by 2012, provided the necessary fuel and infrastructure are in place.
While on a job site a Peterbuilt Semi became stuck in the mud. The driver asked me if I could pull him out of the mud because he didnt want to have to call a Semi recovery vehicle. I hooked up to the Semi with a doubled \"snatch strap\" and I put the truck in 4 wheel drive and took off. I pulled the Semi out with literally no resistance.. Job well done Ford!!
in feb of 2007 I bought a 1995 Ford Ranger XLT, It had 241 000 Miles on it, I had been a previous Chevy S10
Owner. I want to say this is by far the best truck I have ever had. Right now she has 257000 miles on the original engine. She has never given me a major problem. I still get 26MPG Highway, she has only failed to start once time and that was because I left the lights on and killed the battery. This truck means alot to me because I bought it from the Adoption agency that handled my son\'s adoption. I nicknamed her \" black betty\" after the Bad Company song. I also turned her into a ha
They’ve been around awhile – a snippet of advice here, an old adage there. They’re the guidelines that are supposed to help keep cars running in top condition. Problem is, most of them aren’t based in fact – or they’re just plain outdated.
Ford Police Interceptor Concept: Ford, the market leader in the law enforcement vehicle segment, reveals details on its next-generation, purpose-built Police Interceptor that will exceed the durability, safety, performance and fuel economy of the outgoing Ford Crown Victoria.
@NickMcLaren You'll take delivery sometime between May and Sept--timing depends on when you order at the dealer. ^EA #2010/03/11
Love this! RT @SvenskaSpark I already love everything about my Fiesta, and it's not even here yet! I feel like I'm expecting a car baby. ^EA #2010/03/11
