May 6, 1999 – Ford Responds to Market Demand
FORD RESPONDS TO MARKET DEMAND BY INCREASING FOUR
DOOR SUPERCAB PRODUCTION AND ANNOUNCING NAME FOR NEWEST TRUCK
INNOVATION
- F-Series SuperCab mix increased to 80 percent of production.
- Ranger four-door SuperCab mix raised to 60 percent .
- All new 2001 Ford pickup to be called F-150 SuperCrew.
- Ford sets truck sales record for 12th month in
a row.
DEARBORN, Mich., May 6, 1999 – Ford Division, the only truck brand
to offer a full line of four-door pickup trucks, today announced
plans to increase the production mix of both the four-door F-Series
SuperCab and Ranger four-door SuperCab as consumer demand for
the versatility of more doors increases.
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Ford also revealed plans to call its all-new four-door, full-size pickup the F-150 SuperCrew. The innovative new truck, which will be the first of its kind when it goes on sale next year, was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January. |
"Pickup truck customers are clearly signaling what they want,"
said Al Giombetti, Ford Division truck group brand manager. "Our
four-door SuperCabs have gone from an industry innovation to a
customer expectation. We’re responding today by increasing our
four-door mix and preparing for tomorrow with another industry
first, the all-new F-150 SuperCrew.
"No other truck brand in the world offers a full range of
choice for four-door convenience, beginning with the compact
Ford Ranger, through the F-Series lineup, to the over 8,500-pound
GVW F-Series SuperDuty," added Giombetti.
Increased four-door Ranger and F-Series production mix
Presently, close to 70 percent of the under 8,500-pound F-Series
trucks produced by Ford are SuperCab models, which have four-doors
as standard equipment. Beginning immediately, Ford is increasing
SuperCab mix to nearly 80 percent in response to higher than anticipated
dealer orders.
Similarly, Ford is increasing the mix of Ranger four-door SuperCabs
from 30 percent to
60 percent of production. The fourth door on Ranger SuperCab is
a $695 option.
"The compact pickup market is clearly going four doors, following
the F-Series lead," said Giombetti. "The consumer preference
is reflected in Ford Ranger sales, which rose
26 percent in April, making it the fourth best-selling vehicle
in the U.S. this year."
In the hottest truck market ever, Ford remains the best-selling
truck brand in the industry, a position held for 13 years in a
row. In 1999, Ford truck sales have increased 17 percent, with
12 consecutive months of new sales records.
Ford dealers welcomed the news. Ford Dealer Council Chairman,
Ron Boyer said, "We are excited that Ford is responding so
quickly to our customers’ needs and providing dealers with in-demand
vehicles."
F-150 SuperCrew
The Ford F-150 SuperCrew will be the first under 8,500-pound gross
vehicle weight full-size pickup in the industry offering the room
and capability of a full-size SUV (like the Ford Expedition) and
the functionality of a pickup.
Today, roughly 80 percent of customers are asking for the popular
four-door F-Series SuperCab model for carrying cargo and for occasional
rear-passenger use. Consumers indicated a desire for a larger
rear cabin to accommodate up to six adult passengers – without
sacrificing the capability of the pickup box. Hence, the introduction
of the SuperCrew.
"The SuperCrew name reflects both the vehicle image and changes
that are taking place in the truck industry," Giombetti said.
"The ‘crew’ today can just as easily be a work crew or Mom
and Dad and their crew."
The F-150 SuperCrew models will be built at the Kansas City Assembly
Plant in Missouri.
In calendar year 1998, F-Series sales reached 836,629 – the most
sales for any car or truck since 1978. F-Series has been the
best-selling vehicle, car or truck, for the past 17 years. The
F-150 SuperCrew extends the range even further.
Ford Division, the largest automotive marketing and sales division
in the world, is home of the top-selling U.S brand for the past
12 consecutive years with 1998 combined Ford car and truck sales
of 3.3 million. Celebrating its 50th anniversary,
Ford Division is home to 11 product lines, including: the Ford
F-Series pickup, the number one selling vehicle in the world;
the Ford Ranger, the top-selling compact pickup; and the Explorer
and Expedition, the top-selling compact and full-size SUVs in
the industry.
