Another truck package from Dodge. I didn't catch the whole commercial, so I don't know what it's all about. It does have the Hemi and 20" wheels though. What is the problem with Ford? They're letting the others just have free rein with all the performance and appearance packages. Not so much GM, but Dodge and Nissan are taking away mucho sales from the Blue Oval. It's time the best light truck builder in the world got smarter, and came out with something more to compeat.

 

First they need to make a product which will appeal to the same kinds of buyers which are currently preferring Dodge and Nissan products. In 3/4 and 1 ton trucks Ford is offering comparable products. Not so in half tons. There are many who prefer the Ford for looks, interiors, or build quality, this said I've driven all three trucks and IMO - anyone who chooses the F150 for its tow rating is being duped.

I havent towed with a new F150 but I have with both the Dodge 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 (which had the ThunderRoad package) and the Nissan Titan 2WD my brother just recently bought. Both trucks accelerated with 5K and maintained highway speed easily. Both trucks respond when you stomp on them. The Ford just goes foward - thats the best I can describe it. First Ford would need to use an engine comparable to it's competition's. Second they need a
5 speed automatic transmission.

F150 buyers are looking at overall build quality and niceties, and while these items are also important to Dodge/Nissan buyers - they obviously have a preference for power and performance - neither of which the F150 can offer.

Maybe loading up all three trucks with 10K will make the F150 shine over the competition - who knows? One thing is for sure - most half ton buyers never tow anything anyway and could'int care less - while most guys wanting to tow 10K actually question the sense in buying a big block or V10 gasser and end up going with a diesel. All IMO.

 

Well last I looked The F150 out sold the comperable Dodge, Toyota and Nissan trucks combined. In fact I think the F150 by itself outsells the entire Dodge lineup. I'll get you some numbers when I get of this stupid dialup connection in a few days.

 

I'm not too sure the F150 alone outsells Dodge, Toyota, and Nissan all put together - but I'll wait and see what you have before I say your wrong(I'm not interested in looking it up .) This is'int the point though, the question that was asked - or at least the way in which I took it;

How can Ford recoupe sales lost to Dodge and Nissan? Obviously F150 sales arent the question here, but rather why these particular buyers went with DC or Nissan - and I still believe it's about power and performance.

 

I agree that people making a choice on power and performance only might buy the Dodge or Nissan. I don't think most people buy for this reason though. I'm also not sure very many sales where lost for this reason. Ford is either very close or will break the sales records for its trucks.

Sales are as follows for 891597 for the F-series, 392,508 for the Ram, 75643 for the Titan, 100764 for the Tundra. Ford says the F150 accounts for 60% of its trucks sales so I will apply that to Dodge as well for its Ram 1500 sales. So Ford has sold 534958 F150's outselling the entire Dodge line up. Combine 1/2 ton sales for the 3 referenced is 411912. Again Ford out sells all 3.

Truck sales are up at Ford, Nissan(only could be up) and Toyota and down for GM and Dodge. It is just as easy and maybe more accurate to say Ford, Nissan and Toyota took sales away from GM and Dodge.

 

Megalodon understood exactly what I was getting at. Ford is failing to compeat in the performance segment of the pickup market. In fact, they don't even have anything that even LOOKS like a sport truck. The Lightning and the Harley Davidson models were great trucks, and sold themselves without over advertising them.

 

And the Harley Davidson edition is still being built.

Here is the thing though you don't compete if the market is not there. Money is made on volume. As much as I like the Lightning why build it if you don't sell many a year. There is no money in it, it is for image alone. Ford is trying to remake its car line over to compete better, trucks are selling fine. The whole SVO line is cancelled except the cobra to save money and put it into revamping it cars. I predict when all is said and done we will have a much stronger Ford company and again start to see Ford competing in ever segment.

If you want a sport truck until such time that Ford does bring the lightning back look at the Rousch F150.

 

Sorry, but no, the F150 Harley Davidson is not still being built. Only in SuperDuty F350, with a V-10 or the Powerstroke engines as an option. No supercharger on the V-10 either. The F150 Harley truck with the blown and intercooled 5.4 was nearly as good a sport truck as the Lightning.

 

My mistake. I'll still take long term health of the company over having a sport truck option. That is what my 56 is for.

 

Ford has a truck line that no other manufacturer can touch. From the 4-banger Ranger to the Super Duty line you have plenty to choose from. The F150 doesn't need to outtow the Titan because a F350 with a powerstroke diesel sure will. And where else can you get a compact truck? Not to knock Nissan because they have proven they can build a n exellent truck, but for comparisons sake my '99 Ranger is much more solid of a truck than my '00 Frontier was. You can have your 20 inch wheels, I'll take a built tough Ford truck anyday!

 

Actually dodge truck sales are up over 3% and Ford is down almost 5%. Get your facts strait before you speak:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/lc/lc.ph...rticle_id=8936

 

Maybe you need up to date data. Its impossible to set a all time sales record and have down sales. Check the latest info.

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=19844
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/...e_20041229.htm

Thru November Dodge was down 4.7 percent in truck sales and Chevy down by 2%. Ford was up 1%, Toyota up 9% and Nissan up 100%(duh).

 

Thank you for providing a valid source in your siting. Its amazing that we have such conflicting reports. Both were made in December with yours being more current, but its hard to believe that there would be such a drastic change in numbers in 20 something days, but good source.

 

Of course final numbers will not be out until next month sometime then we will know.

 

2006 Harley F150! Link here: http://media.ford.com/newsroom/featu...?release=19620

-Matt

P.S. They are also making a STX Ranger that looks sweet. Can't find the link though.