Source: Ford Motor Company
Ford Super Duty F-Series — The Clear Leader in
Customer Choice
Louisville, KY, September 20,
2000 – Some believe that repetition is dull. Ford Motor Company doesn’t
agree. Today, at its Kentucky Truck Plant, the Company is celebrating a major
milestone – the production of the one-millionth Super Duty F-Series truck to
roll off the assembly line in just two short years.
Since the Super Duty F-Series lineup was redesigned for the 1999 model year,
customer demand has required this production, taking Ford’s sales in the
over-8500-pound GVW truck market from one-third to approximately 40 percent of
total F-Series sales. That makes the Super Duty F-Series the best-selling
truck in its segment – outselling all of the competition combined.
“Our customers recognize that when it comes to tough, hard working trucks,
nothing beats an F-Series,” says Lew Echlin, Super Duty F-Series marketing
manager. “Super Duty has proven itself as the sales leader by offering
customers more choice and capability in its lineup than that offered by any
other competitor. Customers have proven those things matter to them.”
In terms of choice, Ford’s Super Duty F-Series offers customers over one-third
more configurations than the nearest competitor in its class. In terms of
capability, it has the highest payload rating and gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of any pickup on the market, more interior room for occupants in every
seating position and, for the 2001 model year, increased horsepower and torque
on the popular 7.3-liter PowerStroke diesel engine.
“These trucks are intended to work hard,” says Bill Osborne, Ford’s
over-8500-pound GVW truck platform vehicle line director. “When you look at
the proven power, the payload, all of the towing and the long list of
available options, it is clear that the Super Duty F-Series is designed to
make any customers’ toughest jobs easier. It’s the only ‘Built Ford Tough’
truck in its class.”
And since 60 percent of Super Duty customers use their truck for commercial or
work-related purposes, capability is important. Add to that the number of
customers who use their Super Duty trucks for recreational- and personal-use,
and the best-in-class interior room and creature comforts become equally
important.
“We are seeing fast growth – approximately five to six percent every year – in
the personal- and recreational-use arena,” says Echlin. “More and more people
are buying a Super Duty F-Series for towing horse trailers and campers, and
contrary to historical use for trucks of this size, aren’t using it as much
for their livelihoods as they are for their lifestyles. The Super Duty
F-Series gives customers the best of both worlds. It is a workhorse in its
design, making it proven in commercial use, and heavily sought after in
personal use.”
Since 1995, the over-8500-pound GVW truck segment overall has grown
approximately 31 percent. Ford’s Super Duty F-Series sales grew 57 percent
during that same time period.
The Super Duty F-Series lineup, which includes Super Duty F-250 through F-550
are built at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, with supplemental
production at the Cuautitlan Assembly Plant in Mexico. The 2001 models will
be in dealer showrooms later this month.
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