Big jobs require Big Trucks. That’s probably why Ford’s previous generation of Heavy-duty pickups, the F-250 and F-350, has been such a huge success. Starting with the 1999 model, Ford built the Super Duty models on a chassis significantly different from the F-150’s. FoMoCo took the opportunity to increase nearly every dimension with the change, including a four-inch wheelbase stretch that translated directly into more interior room.

As expected in this class, there are many combinations of engine, drivetrain, cabin size, and bed length as well as special versions for RVs and commercial applications. The regular cab is offered with a long bed; the extended cab has four doors, the aft two hinged at the rear, with a short or long bed; and the SuperCab, with four full-size, front-hinged doors, also is available with either bed. Within those categories are various trim levels: There are too many combinations to list here, but the XL is base–and we do mean base, with vinyl seats and no standard air-conditioning–while XLT is above that and Lariat is at the top. There’s probably a combination of bed, cabin, and door count to fit any need.

Along with the wide range of choices in layout, you get to pick from a variety of engines. A 235-horsepower, 5.4-liter Triton V-8 is standard, with a 275-horsepower 6.8-liter V-10 as an option. The 7.3-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel makes just 235 horsepower, but has a mammoth 500 pound-feet of torque. For 2000, the 5.4-liter was boosted to 260 horsepower and 350 pound-feet, and in 2001, Ford upped the V-10’s output to 310 horses and 425 pound-feet and the turbodiesel’s to 250 and 505. In 2003, the 7.3-liter Power Stroke’s torque was pumped up again to 525, but by midyear, an all-new 6.0-liter variable-fin turbodiesel arrived, boasting 325 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. Bring on the Sea Ray! Most models could be ordered with a four-speed automatic or a manual–five-speed was standard and six-speed optional until 2002, when the extra ratio was made standard.

Owners have reported a choppy ride, particularly with the 4WD option–which is to be expected in a 3/4- or one-ton truck. There are reports of injection problems on the gasoline engines, notably the idle-air control and EGR valves. Reports also show transmission issues on high-payload diesel versions, so it’s worth carefully checking the service history of any candidate–remember that tow vehicles can lead a hard life, even in a few miles.

Ford Motor Co., the second-biggest U.S. automaker, said it’s offering three-year, no-interest loans on all 2007 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles to start making room at dealerships for next year’s models.

The financing incentives run from today through July 9, spokeswoman Lydia Cisaruk said in an interview. On some models, customers can take cash rebates of $500 to $2,500 instead. The Dearborn, Michigan-based company also is offering an additional $2,007 rebate on 2007 pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

Ford is getting an early start on lot-clearing efforts after a 12 percent drop in its U.S. sales through May, while the industrywide total fell 1.2 percent. Automakers usually begin such offers closer to August, when many of the new models begin to arrive.

“Sometimes you need that shot in the arm,” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst at Global Insight Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. “You need to get some of that inventory out.”

Ford shares rose 33 cents, or 3.6 percent, to $9.61 at 12:49 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have gained 28 percent this year.

The $2,007 rebate for pickups and SUVs doesn’t apply to so- called crossover wagons such as the Edge, Cisaruk said.

Ford’s sales have declined in part because of its plan to sell fewer vehicles to car-rental companies, which get discounts for buying in bulk. Ford in October stopped making the original Taurus sedan, sold almost exclusively for rentals, as it closed a plant in Atlanta. Taurus has since been revived as the new name for the Five Hundred sedan, produced at a Chicago factory.

The company also has been hurt by a 13 percent slide through May in sales of F-Series pickups, which account for about a quarter of Ford’s U.S. total.

GM Offers
General Motors Corp., the largest U.S. automaker, said on June 25 that it would offer no-interest loans of as long as three years, as well as $1,000 discounts on some 2006 and 2007 models. Those offers also run through July 9 and are tied to the July 4 U.S. holiday.

GM had a 3.2 percent U.S. sales decline in the first five months. The Detroit-based automaker reported an unexpected increase of 9.6 percent in car and light-truck sales in May.

GM also is reducing sales to rental-car customers. The automaker had a 2.1 percent increase in sales to individual buyers in the first five months of the year, spokesman John McDonald said in an e-mail. Such sales generally are more profitable than sales to rental-car companies.

Limited Edition Ford F-150 Pickup Truck

The 2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition truck is an FX2 sports truck styled by custom street rod designer Chip Foose. You’ll see the trucks on the street in early 2008, but Ford says it’s only making 500 of them during an initial run, so don’t expect to see them too often.

The truck’s been lowered somewhat and is outfitted with big 22-inch wheels. Special Foose F-150 racing stripes start at the edge of the hood and run the entire length of the vehicle, thin at the front fenders and wider at the tailgate.

Rocker mouldings and horizontal grill bars make the Foose F-150 appear to sit lower than it truly does. The truck’s cab has Chip Foose signature headrests and floor mats, a leather-wrapped center console and a Foose-designed serial plate with VIN and build-sequence numbers.

The Foose Edition F-150 truck has a 450-hp supercharged Triton V8 engine that delivers 500 ft.lbs. of torque, making it the most powerful Ford F-150 since the 2004 Ford SVT Lightning.

Ford F-150 Foose Edition Truck - Show Intro

Foose F-150 Edition on the Show Floor

Ford F-150 Foose Edition Truck - Signature Headrests

F-150 Foose Edition Truck on the Road - Front & Side

Side View of the Foose Edition F-150 Truck

Side View of the Foose Edition F-150 Truck

 Foose F-150 Wheel and Tire

2008 Ford Super Duty Truck Highlights: Ford introduced a new generation of F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks at the 2007 NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan. The trucks are available as either a 4×4 or 4×2 with your choice of three body styles and two bed lengths. There are three Super Duty engine choices, including a new 6.4-liter diesel. You’ll notice quite a few body changes and several new features, including a handy tailgate step, oversized power mirrors that project outwards and a bed extender that folds up for storage along the side of the bed. The new features are a result of Ford’s dialog with truck owners.

2008 Ford Super Duty Cab Choices and Bed Length: The 2008 Ford Super Duty is available in three cab configurations: a Regular cab, a SuperCab with rear seats accessed through rear-opening doors and a more spacious Crew Cab with four full-sized, front opening doors.

Regular Cab trucks are available with an 8-foot bed. SuperCab and Crew Cab trucks can be fitted with either a 6.75 foot bed or the longer 8 foot bed.

2008 Super Duty Engine Choices: The three engines available on the 2008 Super Duty are a 5.4-liter Triton V-8, a 6.4-liter Triton V-10 and a 6.4-liter Power Stroke Diesel V-8. This new diesel engine replaces the 6.0-liter diesel that’s been used in the truck in recent years — an engine that many owners weren’t happy with.

Ford specs list a 6-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed TorqShift automatic transmission, but after looking at the information released by Ford, it isn’t clear which engine and transmission combinations are available.

2008 Super Duty Special Features: One thing I really like about the 2008 Super Duty is the step that drops from the tailgate for easier entry into the bed. There’s even a grab handle that helps you steady yourself while stepping up.

The stowable bed extender is another useful feature. My regular bed extender sits in the garage because it takes up too much space when not in use. The Super Duty’s extender splits in two, and each half folds against the bedside.

Large power mirrors telescope inwards and outwards and even lay flat against the truck when you need to move through tight areas.

New Features for the F-450 Super Duty: The 2008 F-450 is available for the first time with a factory pickup bed. For 2008 Ford is also offering the F-450 as a King Ranch edition, but the F-250 King Ranch is still available. King Ranch trucks are always outfitted with unique leather seats that have saddle-style stitching.

America’s best-selling, most capable full-size pickup now delivers the horsepower to make it one of the most powerful half-ton pickups on the market. The 450 horsepower supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Super Crew 4×2 hits the road this summer.

Born from tremendous customer reaction to the F-150 performance truck concept that was on display at the November 2006 SEMA show, the supercharged F-150 packs the extra power punch that Ford truck enthusiasts have been demanding.

“Ford is the truck leader because we pay attention to what our customers want and move quickly to meet their needs,” said Ben Poore, Ford Truck group marketing manager. “They told us they wanted a performance equipped truck so we worked with Saleen to bring the supercharged Harley-Davidson F-150 to market in rapid fashion.”

The supercharged Harley Davidson F-150 is available in Ebony Black or Dark Amethyst with plenty of gleaming chrome, 22-inch oversized wheels and tires, and a custom scalloped stripe that runs along the beltline that creates a glued-to-the-ground appearance. “Harley-Davidson” script runs along the bedside in three-dimensional chrome letters. Blacked-out headlamps and a unique chrome billet grille give it a distinctive, bold front-end.

Among other highlights:
The SALEEN supercharger option is available through Ford dealers for $6500 MSRP. Base F-150 Harley-Davidson pricing starts at $37,210 MSRP including $925 destination and delivery.

The twin-screw supercharger is the same style as the one in the Shelby GT-500.

A dual-stage water-to-air intercooler increases the supercharger’s efficiency and adds performance by cooling the intake air.

The volume from the exhaust is cranked up into a sustained growl.

An available gauge pod with boost (PSI) and air-charge temperature (ACT) gauges monitors the system’s performance.

The 2007 Harley-Davidson F-150 truck is the ninth model to emerge from a Ford/Harley-Davidson partnership that began in 1999. The co-branding of the two storied 104-year-old companies has proven to be a successful formula with total sales of Ford F-Series Harley-Davidsons of more than 60,000 units.

In an announcement this week by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to change taxi policy toward increasing fuel economy standards, highlights Ford’s leadership in hybrid taxis. The Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid are the only hybrid vehicles that meet the existing New York City taxi requirements and the proposed new fuel economy policy.

In early 2005, San Francisco was the first city to feature gas-electric hybrid-powered taxi cabs. The city chose Ford Escape Hybrid. Later that year, New York City added a small fleet of Escape Hybrid taxis based on the New York City Council decision to pass the Clean Air Taxis Act. In June 2006, Ford embarked on a nationwide tour promoting the advantages of the use of Escape Hybrids for taxi service, and since, Chicago and Austin have also introduced Escape Hybrids into their taxi fleets.

With hundreds of thousands of miles accumulated over the past two years in New York City, there has been an estimated fuel savings of $250,000 for the initial fleet of 18 Escape Hybrid taxis. Now there are 288 Escape Hybrids in taxi service throughout the city, and drivers are reporting that the hybrids are delivering on the durability requirements and fuel-saving advantages that make them a great choice for taxi use.

Ford Escape Hybrid Taxi Facts
Most fuel-Efficient SUV on Earth: EPA rated at 34 miles per gallon in city driving, the front-wheel drive Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on earth, and can provide drivers 500 miles to a tank.

Taxi Drivers Save $30 Per Shift: According to San Francisco cab driver Paul Gillespie, driving an Escape Hybrid saves him up to $30 per shift. Working four shifts a week for a year could equal more than $6,000.

Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) Certified: The Escape Hybrid dramatically reduces smog-forming emissions, as it meets the cleanest emissions standard available for a vehicle that uses fossil fuels - California’s AT-PZEV standard. Over 100,000 miles the Escape Hybrid will conserve approximately 1,666 gallons of gas over a traditional cab, effectively preventing 32,000 pounds of carbon emissions.

Reliability and Durability is Key for Taxi Use: The Escape Hybrid is proving to be remarkably durable, capable of surviving around-the-clock use in one of the most severe driving conditions any vehicle will face. This durability is backed by a standard 8-year / 100,000-mile limited warranty for unique hybrid components, including the battery pack.

Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner Hybrid Have Highest Tax Credits: Because the real world fuel economy of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids increased for the 2008 model year, the Federal income tax credits available now are $3,000 for FWD models (up $400) and $2,200 on 4WD models (up $250). The Ford and Mercury Hybrids now have the highest tax credit of any hybrid - up to $900 more than the closest competitor. For both vehicles, the new EPA-certified fuel economy for FWD models is 34 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, and 29 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for AWD models.

Insurance Discounts for Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner Hybrids: Travelers, one of the largest providers of personal insurance products in the United States, offers hybrid drivers in the states of California, New Jersey, Texas, New York, Maryland, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia and Washington discounts of up to 10 percent on certain coverages. The company estimates their hybrid policy business grew by 200 percent in 2006.

New & Used Ford
New & used Ford trucks can be buy at :-
http://www.automotivebestbuys.com/truck_manufacturers_model.php?make=Ford

Ford trucks & suv’s updates :- Ford news Blog

Ford Motor Company’s U.S. sales in April were 228,623, down 13 percent from a year ago. — New crossovers help Ford increase its share in the industry’s fastest- growing category. — Sales of the Ford Edge crossover were 9,134, and Lincoln MKX sales were 2,901. — Land Rover sales rose 13 percent, as all-new LR2 debuts.”With April behind us, we remain focused on getting the word out about the strength of our new products, and our marketing offensive is moving into high gear,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas. “Customers are responding very positively to our new ‘Ford Challenge’ ads that pit Ford vehicles against the best of the competition, so we’re accelerating our plans.”

Today, Ford begins airing two new F-Series truck ads starring Mike Rowe, creator and star of the Discovery Channel’s hit show “Dirty Jobs.” The ads demonstrate the clear advantages of Ford Tough trucks in safety, strength and capability.

Ford’s internal data show that the Ford Challenge campaign has generated a strong response in product favorability, purchase consideration and sales. Following the start of the successful “Fusion Challenge” ads in January, the Ford Fusion posted double-digit sales increases throughout the first quarter. Strong Crossover Growth Continues

Although April sales for most products were lower than a year ago, new crossover utilities helped Ford increase its share of the industry’s fastest growing category. Ford Edge sales were 9,134, and Lincoln MKX sales were 2,901. In addition, Land Rover introduced its first crossover utility, the LR2, and first month sales were 1,302. Total Ford Motor Company crossover sales were 28 percent higher than a year ago during April.

“The success of our newest products - Ford Fusion, Edge, Lincoln MKX, Ford Super Duty and Ford Expedition - gives us encouragement that we’re creating the products our customers really want, and we’re beginning to stabilize our retail market share,” Fields said.

“Three years ago, 70 percent of new Ford Motor Company vehicles sold in the U.S. were trucks and traditional SUVs. Today, the balance is nearly 50 percent cars and crossovers, and 50 percent trucks and SUVs,” Fields explained. “We will continue to introduce new crossovers and even more small cars in the U.S., as they represent the consumer growth segments going forward.”

The cold snap that chilled much of North America recently was balmy compared to the routine sub-zero temperatures in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. To put the new 2008 Super Duty to the ultimate test, Ford sent a fleet of the new 2008 Super Duty trucks to Prudhoe Bay for evaluation by BP employees in that harsh and remote climate.

BP’s Prudhoe Bay production operation sits at the top of the Alaskan pipeline and is the largest oil field in North America. With temperatures reaching minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the arctic provides a perfect testing ground for Ford’s trucks.

“This is another example of the benefits of the strategic alliance between Ford and BP,” said Christophe Mangin, Corporate Alliance Manager — Business & Product Strategy. “Access to BP’s Prudhoe Bay location provides the harshest conditions possible to prove out the Super Duty. The features, durability, and reliability of the new Super Duty, as well as other Ford vehicles, are why BP chooses Ford for its transportation requirements.”

“BP owns about 750 Ford vehicles here,” said John Rothweiler, BP equipment services coordinator. “Ford is our lifeblood of moving people on Prudhoe Bay.”

Keith Williams, BP GPB EOA pirate facilitator agrees. “Currently, I’m driving the ‘08 Super Duty, and it’s a godsend,” Williams said. “We can eat in the truck, hold meetings in the truck, warm up in the truck, the guys do everything in the truck. It’s not a vehicle, it’s part of the crew.”

By subjecting the Super Duty to Prudhoe Bay’s unforgiving climate, Ford engineers could make sure the trucks perform well in just about any situation. Just the metal and moving parts alone in the trucks undergo extreme stress from the cold. When not in use, the trucks are left running on idle, meaning the engines never get a break.

Since extreme cold weather provides the greatest challenge for diesel engines, the new PowerStroke diesel engines are put to the ultimate test.

“Right now, I’m driving the 2008 Super Duty ultra low-sulfur diesel,” Rothweiler said. “The ‘08 has gotten a lot of attention. The people up here are excited about it. Everybody who sees this truck wants to drive it. The integrated step makes it easy to get in. The ’08s are a workhorse of the field. They provide us with the essentials to get the job done.”

Ford says its new 6.4-liter Power Stroke® diesel delivers 350 horsepower and a whopping 650 lb.-ft. of torque, with excellent low-end torque — including peak torque at only 2,000 rpm — thanks to two-stage turbochargers. It’s the first pickup engine in North America to use a high-precision, common-rail fuel injection system featuring piezo-electric injectors.

BP’s employees, who often tow trailers up to 4,000 pounds, were particularly impressed by Super Duty’s towing features, particularly the telescoping tow mirrors — large, 7-by-8-inch power-adjustable main mirror and a large, 3.75-by-6.37-inch manually adjustable spotter mirror.

The 2008 Super Duty also include the TowCommandTM System, the industry’s first factory-installed and warranted electronic trailer brake controller, and TorqShiftTM transmission with towhaul mode.

“This was a joint venture between BP and Ford,” said Kent Harrison, Supervisor Diesel Integration. “We sent two trucks and although they were an early build level, we learned some things while working with BP’s fleet mechanics. For the most part our Super Duty trucks came through with flying colors.”

In Prudhoe Bay, however, the trucks mean much more than new features and reliable transportation. Trucks are literally a matter of survival.

Said Joe DeMarsh, BP Central Dispatch field superintendent, “This is our family away from home, and we rely on Ford trucks to get us home to our real family safely.”