Ford loses ground as sales of aluminum F-150 trucks stall

[LTC8K6]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but if I'm going to spend 40-50K I don't want the tech from the last generation. Ford has the XL option or stripped down XLT or Lariat if you aren't concerned about infotainment.

I've used Sync/MFT in a 2013 Escape and 2010/2012 F-150s. It wasn't terrible, but also wasn't very intuitive. The voice commands were pretty bad in both. I've then played around in a 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland with the QNX system. It's a night and day difference. Not enough for me to get a Ram though .

The problem with the Jeep Overland and Summit is paying that much money and getting exactly the same system that's in a Dart.

 

[Torn Mind]

LOL, totally agree. Just ignorance....

I don't say there are not trade-offs, but you get lighter + no rust (aluminum) vs. heavier, rust issues, and cheaper repair with steel. Pros and cons for different applications.

I have seen comments like the one i referenced in a lot of places. Same with comments about how easy it is to crush a soda can, or other crap. Seriously.

I wonder if those people ever flew in an airplane?

Lol indeed. Put non-galvanized steel out for a week in a rainy area and the results won't be pretty either.

 

[PricklyPete]

Well according to this article, the slow down in sales is related to production constraints... not lack of demand.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/10/ford-hurt-2015-f150-production-restraints/

 

[exar333]

Well according to this article, the slow down in sales is related to production constraints... not lack of demand.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/10/ford-hurt-2015-f150-production-restraints/

Good point.

Also, a lot of F150 sales are fleet vehicles too, and production capacity will definitely limit those sales as Ford would prefer to sell limited capacity to consumers with $20k options vs. a fleet stripper.

 

[tamm]

-F150 alu isn`t being produced rapidly enough. Hence right now dealers are faced with a pretty amazing situation. Low volume of 2015s, mid to low volume of 2014s. No need to plunk down discounts in years past when switching complete generations.
-Fleet managers dont want to step yet. Once the F150 ALU has normalized in stock, thats when they start dealing out the big orders which accounts for a massive chunk of F150 sales.
-hybrid isnt the answer yet. Most of the case studies which were done by GM was that the hybrids lacked durability. Fleet managers didnt see the cost benefit of having a heavy and tiresome electric power combined with a huge engine. However don`t think its not on the way. If ford can achieve a higher output 3-4 cylinder (think of the new Volvo 3-4 cylinders wth 400+hp) combined with a more rugged electric option at todays prices then you have the next greatest thing since sliced bread.
-Ram Eco is a great option and returns excellent mileage. however the added cost still doesnt make it a viable alternative for fleets.

 

[LTC8K6]

Our dealer is advertising $16K off 2014 F-150 4X4's...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Our dealer is advertising $16K off 2014 F-150 4X4's...

I'm not surprised. I'm sure they have tons of inventory of the old models.

Best time to buy really. When I bought my Ducati they knocked $3100 off and threw in the first service for free.

 

[JMapleton]

I so don't care about this. We need fewer trucks and stupid useless vehicles on the road anyway, not more of them.

We need smaller trucks. 90% of truck buyers rarely use their big trucks for things small trucks couldn't do. It's just an ego thing, to see who can have the manlier truck, with the most chrome and giant bolts on it. I don't see the trend reversing anytime within the decade as the redneck culture remains strong. Just look at the ridiculous "camouflage" fad that has taken over in the last 10 years.

 

[exar333]

We need smaller trucks. 90% of truck buyers rarely use their big trucks for things small trucks couldn't do. It's just an ego thing, to see who can have the manlier truck, with the most chrome and giant bolts on it. I don't see the trend reversing anytime within the decade as the redneck culture remains strong. Just look at the ridiculous "camouflage" fad that has taken over in the last 10 years.

Definitely this.

IF I was look at truck, it would be a ~15 year old Toyota Tacoma. Great for hauling and compact. I don't need to tow a 35' boat or anything. I honestly think a lot of towing needs are GREATLY exaggerated. I don't need 400hp and the ability to pass other cars while towing, on the insterstate, at 85mph.

 

[JulesMaximus]

We need smaller trucks. 90% of truck buyers rarely use their big trucks for things small trucks couldn't do. It's just an ego thing, to see who can have the manlier truck, with the most chrome and giant bolts on it. I don't see the trend reversing anytime within the decade as the redneck culture remains strong. Just look at the ridiculous "camouflage" fad that has taken over in the last 10 years.

Definitely agree with you there. My neighbor has one of the last Ford Rangers. Great little truck, does everything well. Could even get a small trailer to tow stuff if needed.

 

[exar333]

Definitely agree with you there. My neighbor has one of the last Ford Rangers. Great little truck, does everything well. Could even get a small trailer to tow stuff if needed.

Could you imagine a modern-engineered Ranger, with the 1.6T engine and aluminum body? That would last FOREVER.

 

[ElFenix]

When they hit 40mpg city maybe I'll think about buying one. Of course, by then gas prices will be $8/gallon and cars will get 80mpg.

meh, going to 80 from 40 won't be near as big as going from 20 to 40. you save 2x as much gas going from 20 to 40 as from 40 to 80.

 

[Ramses]

I've been driving 40mpg trucks that last forever the last sixteen or seventeen years. An acquired taste to be sure but they do about what most people do with small trucks well enough. Sold them for ages in Europe and South America. TDI or 1.9TD gives em enough go these days.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yes, going from a 15mpg Pickup/SUV to a 22mpg one saves a lot more fuel than going from a 30mpg car to a 40mpg car does.

At 10K miles per year, the first saves about 212 gallons, the second saves about 83 gallons.

Getting the pickups and SUVs into the 20-25mpg range is going to really reduce the fuel usage in the US, since they continue to be so popular.

 

[LTC8K6]

I've been driving 40mpg trucks that last forever the last sixteen or seventeen years. An acquired taste to be sure but they do about what most people do with small trucks well enough. Sold them for ages in Europe and South America. TDI or 1.9TD gives em enough go these days.

But they pollute like hell compared to a 2015 F-150...

 

[Ramses]

But they pollute like hell compared to a 2015 F-150...

Doesn't have to be a diesel these days, easy to get twice the power in a modern direct injected forced induction motor. The point is I absolutely agree with the small trucks being more than sufficient, and that it's totally possible to have a 40mpg small truck that does 90% of what folks use a truck for is all.
Shame it isn't likely, bigger bigger bigger, cause merika I guess.

 

[LTC8K6]

Doesn't have to be a diesel these days, easy to get twice the power in a modern direct injected forced induction motor. The point is I absolutely agree with the small trucks being more than sufficient, and that it's totally possible to have a 40mpg small truck that does 90% of what folks use a truck for is all.
Shame it isn't likely, bigger bigger bigger, cause merika I guess.

The Ford Ranger was a popular pickup truck. Ford just ignored it, though, and sales fell.

Small pickups were pretty popular not that long ago in the US.

If Ford had kept it updated, it would probably be an even more popular pickup truck.

People could be dropping that new 2.3 liter EB engine in them.

With the Colorado looking good, Ford may well have to answer.

A modern Ranger would probably sell very well, for the reasons other posters have mentioned. It would do everything that most people want a pickup for, and use a lot less fuel doing it.

If you look at the last year for the Ranger in the US, 2011, the 2.3L 5 speed manual was rated 22/24/27.

That's better than the current 6 speed manual 2.5L Colorado at 19/22/26.

 

[Ramses]

Ranger was doing that MPG in the mid 80's too.
That's one of the annoying things, lip-service to MPG but
increase power and lower emissions instead. We could have had a slew of
40-50mpg vehicles, and not just when trying real hard, for a long while now.
But apparently that isn't really what the public has wanted.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yes, going from a 15mpg Pickup/SUV to a 22mpg one saves a lot more fuel than going from a 30mpg car to a 40mpg car does.

At 10K miles per year, the first saves about 212 gallons, the second saves about 83 gallons.

Getting the pickups and SUVs into the 20-25mpg range is going to really reduce the fuel usage in the US, since they continue to be so popular.

And going from a 15mpg truck to a 40mpg car saves over 400 gallons of fuel.

 

[ponyo]

We need smaller trucks. 90% of truck buyers rarely use their big trucks for things small trucks couldn't do. It's just an ego thing, to see who can have the manlier truck, with the most chrome and giant bolts on it. I don't see the trend reversing anytime within the decade as the redneck culture remains strong. Just look at the ridiculous "camouflage" fad that has taken over in the last 10 years.

You can say the same thing about cars. Look how big cars are now. Civics are way bigger than old Accords. New 5 series bigger than the old 7 series. Etc. People want bigger cars and trucks. It sells. These new trucks are big but it has everything under the sun and are extremely comfortable.

I have first gen SR5 Tundra. The new Tacoma is bigger than my old SR5 Tundra. If I was to buy a new truck, I would buy the full-size trucks like the Tundra and the new F150. I could use the extra size and space.

 

[Ramses]

Pretty funny to watch. Tiny econo car is bigger and bigger every generation till it's a big car, then they come up with a new small car name. They seem to accept small cars a lot better in Europe. Smaller roads, less driving, I dunno. Least you can make some argument that a larger truck can haul more or fit more maybe. I guess. Still pretty comical.

 

[heymrdj]

Pretty funny to watch. Tiny econo car is bigger and bigger every generation till it's a big car, then they come up with a new small car name. They seem to accept small cars a lot better in Europe. Smaller roads, less driving, I dunno. Least you can make some argument that a larger truck can haul more or fit more maybe. I guess. Still pretty comical.

The less driving part I think is an important role. I've driven Fits and Yaris's for work, I drive a Fiesta as my daily commuter. All those cars are small to the point of barbaric to drive for long distances. Leg cramps galore, I can't stretch my legs out anywhere, and kneecaps to the steering wheel cowel is the norm.

 

[Ramses]

Newer small cars have less room, it's weird. Safety stuff I guess.
6' and I fit in my notoriously tiny VW pickup like a glove. But I'm skinny, so
that might be part of it.
Even big old cars aren't big compared to new stuff though unless you
hit the absolute land barges from back in the day.

 

[heymrdj]

Newer small cars have less room, it's weird. Safety stuff I guess.
6' and I fit in my notoriously tiny VW pickup like a glove. But I'm skinny, so
that might be part of it.
Even big old cars aren't big compared to new stuff though unless you
hit the absolute land barges from back in the day.

Yeah I'm not exactly skinny. 6'1" 200LBS. I will say I fit perfectly fine in my 2007 Ford Ranger though (regular cab long bed). God I miss that truck...

 

[LTC8K6]

And going from a 15mpg truck to a 40mpg car saves over 400 gallons of fuel.

But they "need" a truck/suv...