After browsing the online inventory of a few dealers in my area, I came across something peculiar. I found that the V10 is almost non-existent in F-250s, F-350s, and even Excursions. The only gas engine I see is obviously the 5.4 Liter V8. Is Ford trying to kill the mighty V10 for 2004? Better yet why would Ford do such a thing?!? Are there any V10 powered trucks on the lot(s) in your area?

 

Given the pressure to reduce fuel consumption across the board, why would they want to keep it? Seriously...

OR they could have a larger, more powerful, more fuel efficient gas engine in the works to compete with Dodge;s new larger HEMI and the upcoming gas engine from GM OR dealer's just don't want them because there is more profit in a diesel.

Hell, just about every Super Duty that comes out of the factory is already sold. Most don't stay on the lot more than 30 days! And over 70% are PSDs!

So, you own a Ford dealership. What do YOU spend your inventory dollars on?

Oh...and the Excursion... Ford's target vehicle for the past 2 years has been the PSD equipped, Limited Excursion. It is the Excursion's (I forget what they reallycall it...) focus vehicle. So, basically...Ford is telling them what they WANT to produce the most of and what the dealer's should buy.

 

Monsta, you make a very valid point! Ford could have a bigger and/or slightly better version of the V10 in the works. But at the same time, (no offense to anyone here) isn't the V10 a smidge more fuel efficient than the 5.4 V8 while still putting out more power? The whole thing about the Powerstroke and it's profitablility is true, but still, the V10 is the gasoline answer to people who don't want a PSD. I still don't see why Ford would do such a terrible thing. If I did own a Ford dealership, I would like to (or have to) cater to every customers needs. But Monsta, it seems you've put me in such a position where I've been able to answer my own question by attempting to rebutt your post. They way I'm seeing this, Ford is saying one thing: "If you want it, order it." Seeing as the majority of PSD trucks that roll off the line in Kentucky are already sold, they probably figured they could do that with the V10. Because back in 2000, 2001, and even 2002 most of the Ford dealerships in my area had more trucks than they knew what to do with. When the time came to move the older models out for the new ones, they almost had to give most of them away and/or sell at a loss. I know this, because thats how I got my X! People ordering would save Ford loads of money becuase they would be making trucks that people already bought. As opposed to them making trucks they would probably have to take a hit on later. Anyone agree or care to rebutt?

 

I noticed the same thing, I went to the dealerships to check out the new f-150s and I started looking at the superduties as well. I went to the 2 largest local dealers and not a single v-10 on the lot. I asked the sales guy at the second dealership and he said they were only special ordering the v-10 because of rising gas costs and lack of consumer interest etc., if they do drop the v10 by 2005 my next truck will be a 2500HD with the 8.1L. Or... I'll find a way to get a 460 in my SD and just keep it for another 5 years. Ford is the only one who would loose if they drop the v-10 out of the lineup.

 

How about....
V10 is converting to 3-valve for '05 so V10 production has been stopped to allow for tooling conversion and V10's are simply low in supply until the '05's are out.

 

The dealer orders the trucks he wants so if he does not sell many V10's then he will not order them. All you need to do is listen to the PSD guy bad mouth the V10 when they never drove them and you know how many people are scared off. When I sold my PSD and bought my V10 even the dealer said gas was going to kill me. When people hear V10 they think poor MPG and Ford has done little to change that. The dealers here will not stock V10's because they can not sell them.
Keep in mind that it does not cost any more for Ford to build a PSD but they can charge $5000 more for it so that is pure profit so why would they try and hype the V10?

 

Thats what I was thinking too. I mean it only makes sense. Something that makes even more sense is what I overheard someone in the service department saying. This may be completely unsubstantiaed, but a rep at the service department was talking to a buddy of his and said:"Yeah, Ford is releasing alot of the newer cars and stuff this summer." He said something to that effect, but I'm hoping by "stuff" he means a new Superduty with a 3v V10. That would explain the serious lack of V10s at the dealership.

daimon1054, you too make a valid point. It is true that people run scared when they hear "V10", but like you said, Ford has done little to change that. If the dealership had unbiased salesmen who would properly explain that the V10 is designed to work and not guzzle gas like a Ferrari, sales would more than likely be up. But when you have salesmen who bad mouth the V10 just to make a bigger profit for the company and themselves, it just doesn't add up. And like you put it, 10 to 1, none of them have never ever driven the V10 or even thought about it. They just went on a bunch of rumors they heard and went along with them. Many of you who end up reading this are V10 owners who love their trucks more than alot of things. I mean, you have 10 roaring cylinders of fury under your right foot, ready to jump at your command, and to be honest, there is nothing like it. I'm sure many of you will agree. I'm also sure that if many of you were to become salesmen designated to sell the mighty V10; by the end of the week they would have to order more. Before you say it, yes, I have driven a V10 powered truck. First it was an Excursion in 2000 and then an F-250 in 2003. The power was unsurpassed for a gas engine. I couldn't believe how fast both vehicles took off when I stomped on it. But like I said, there would be more V10s on the lot if people decided to not believe the salesmen, do a little research before coming to the dealership, and then consider buying one if it met their needs.

 

The nature of dealer stock varies GREATLY from area to area. I have seen place that stock lots of V10s, as well as some places that don't stock any. It depends on the nature of the demand in the individual area.

What is really rare is a V10 6spd!

Bill

 

Who cares?? The dealers around here have a few V10's but they order the 3.73 gears.... Then a bunch of other goodies like back up sensors... I've never seen a truck on a lot that I like. Forget buying off the lot. Order one.

 

The dealership my wife works for only had 1 V10 on the lot the last time I was there, all the rest were 5.4's and PSD's. I asked the sales manager why that was and he said he only orders a couple a year because the gas milage is so bad. "They only get about 8 mpg", he said "compared to around 13 for the v8".

 

I just checked the inventory for a local dealership here on Long Island (Patriot Ford), where I got my '01 V10.

Of the 5 2004 F250's they listed, two were V10's.

Of the 2 2004 F350's they listed, one was a V10, the other a 6.0 diesel.

These are new, on-the-lot vehicles.

When I got my '01, (in June '02), it was the only V10 on the lot. When I asked the sales guy about that, and if it was because the V10 was not popular, he said "Are you kidding? we can't keep them on the lot, that's why they are all gone already".

I believe it's a regional thing, I think it works out that in this area, V10's make more sense to some people who are on the diesel/V10 fence, and dealers recognize that and stock accordingly.

 

Around here, diesel fuel costs more than gasoline and the dealers always keep a few V10 Superduties on their lots.

I bought mine off the lot and there were 3 V10 F250s at that particular dealership when I was shopping. If I remember right they were a good mix of options and trim levels. Of course I don't know what the local sales stats are but I'd bet there are more gas SDs sold here than in most other parts of the country due to the higher diesel fuel cost and the fact that it's stays cold here about 4 to 5 months out of the year.

The salesman at the garage where I bought my F250 owned a 2000 reg cab V10 himself and was pretty honest when he told me to expect anywhere from 10 to 13 mpg on average and to stay away from the 5.4L unless I wanted a 6 speed with 4.10s.

 

My dealer had NO V8 gassers, mostly PSD's and about 10 with V10's when I bought mine in 2000. After walking through his lot yesterday, its now slightly more PSD's than before, and still no V8's gassers and about 6 V10's.

 

Anecdotal information is fine, but right now, you might be seeing V10's left because all the V8's were already bought. Even my own posting above only points out that maybe all the V8's have been bought, and the 3 V8's had options that no one liked. And the 2 V10's were the only ones the dealer ordered in August and they've been sitting in the lot all that time.

We need real statistics. Anyone know anyone in Ford or a dealer?

art k.

 

I just bought my F350 King Ranch V-10. In Northern California V-10's are imposible to find. Out of the 20 dealers I checked(online), I found about 8-10 total. Compare that to about over 10 PSD per dealer. That was for a 4x4 Crew Cab F250 or F350. Then to find one with the right options, goodluck.

My King Ranch had sat at the Dealer for over 4 months. It helped me tho, I got it on sale for $10k under MSRP with rebate.

So I would say the V-10's are not selling. Everrybody I saw where testing out the PSD's.