Most of the talk was about the new diesel, but Ford is also introducing a new 6.2 litre gas engine that is all new as well, and most likely the first engine in decades to be designed as a truck engine from the start. This engine is to haul Ford ahead of the competition on power and lessen fuel consumption, which has always been a weak point with Ford trucks, for those customers who want to have a gasoline engine.
On the political side, engineers who bring a new truck to market put their careers on the line. No one wants to be part of the team that causes F series to drop out of first place. Ford, in these tough economic times cannot afford to make a mistake and have sale languish. Everyone’s reputation is on the line, this truck must be a success and it must do so at or near MSRP for profitability to continue.
Consumers, who have choices in the market place, took part in surveys the told Ford what the news truck must have. First and foremost, the truck must be a “work truck”, it must also be comfortable enough to be in for hours at a time and it must meet the needs of recreational consumers. Sometimes, it is the same truck that must do all three jobs.
At Agribition, I talked with a small farmer (he farms about 4,000 acres by himself). He summed up the feeling of the crowd pretty well. The talk of options and versatility are great, but these are people who remain skeptical until they prove it for themselves. Ford now has to get the Super Duty into the showrooms and out onto the roads, to prove itself in the real world. When that happens, it will be a success for both consumers and Ford.
photo:Ford
On the political side, engineers who bring a new truck to market put their careers on the line. No one wants to be part of the team that causes F series to drop out of first place. Ford, in these tough economic times cannot afford to make a mistake and have sale languish. Everyone’s reputation is on the line, this truck must be a success and it must do so at or near MSRP for profitability to continue.
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| 2011 Ford Super Duty |
Consumers, who have choices in the market place, took part in surveys the told Ford what the news truck must have. First and foremost, the truck must be a “work truck”, it must also be comfortable enough to be in for hours at a time and it must meet the needs of recreational consumers. Sometimes, it is the same truck that must do all three jobs.
At Agribition, I talked with a small farmer (he farms about 4,000 acres by himself). He summed up the feeling of the crowd pretty well. The talk of options and versatility are great, but these are people who remain skeptical until they prove it for themselves. Ford now has to get the Super Duty into the showrooms and out onto the roads, to prove itself in the real world. When that happens, it will be a success for both consumers and Ford.
photo:Ford
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