Ford Trucks Are Already Getting Less Complex With More to Come

By Brett Foote - April 11, 2023

Ford trucks will soon be offered with fewer configurations and options packages, but we still aren’t going back to the old days.

There was a time, not terribly long ago, when Ford trucks were simple machines with few frills. Many of us miss those days, when we didn’t have to worry about learning what the dozens of buttons inside the cabin were for, nor did we have to deal with features like auto start/stop or cylinder deactivation. However, while those things aren’t going anywhere, it seems as if Ford trucks will become less complex in a different way over the coming years – in fact, it has already happened.

When the 2023 Ford Super Duty debuted recently, there was one interesting change present in the lineup that didn’t get much press – only the base, work truck-focused XL trim is available with two-wheel drive, while every other trim level is four-wheel drive only. It’s hard to believe that such a monumental update flew under the radar, and yet, here we are. Regardless, this is one of the first examples of reducing complexity that CEO Jim Farley has talked about for some time now.

While speaking on the automaker’s Q2 2022 earnings call, Farley noted that he believed the Ford Blue lineup – which focuses on the ICE side of the business – was too complex in terms of configurations, options packages, and perhaps even trim levels, which certainly makes sense if at least some of those don’t have the sales volume to back up their existence. Almost immediately, we saw Ford drop multiple options packages and configurations for the 2023 F-150, with the Raptor losing its standard 400A package and the Limited going hybrid only.

As if that wasn’t enough proof that more changes are coming, Jim Baumbick, Ford’s vice president of product development operations and quality recently revealed that the 2024 model year will bring some “dramatic reductions in complexity” according to Ford Authority. For fans of Ford trucks, this is very notable, as the F-150 is set to receive a refresh for the 2024 model year, while the next-generation Ford Ranger is also scheduled to launch in North America, too.

So what can we expect to see moving forward, now that Ford is on a mission to simplify its lineup? We can certainly see fewer option packages being offered, which in some cases will be a good thing, as many models are available in a dizzying array of configurations. But we also wouldn’t be surprised to see the regular cab or even SuperCab pickup start to die off, too. After all, such a move has been rumored for years, and the vast majority of buyers are opting for SuperCrew cabs these days, even though many of us still love a good regular cab.

Thus, there is some potential good and bad that could come from this decision, but it’s also a necessary one. Reducing complexity is a big part of Ford’s goal to cut costs after it posted disappointing 2022 financial results, and it’s one of a few things that Farley will need to oversee as it aims to become more profitable in the coming years while also continuing to shovel massive amounts of money into its EV business.

Photos: Ford