FORD F SERIES

New Ford Super Duty F-600 Unveiled

March 6, 2019 by admin

Ford expands its Super Duty line and updates other vans and trucks.

There is a fresh name coming to the Ford Super Duty family, the first new F-Series model we’re seeing in 20 years. The Ford Super Duty F-600 broke cover this week, expanding the automaker’s venerable line of full-size pickup trucks with it.

The 2020 Ford Super Duty F-600 chassis cab is a medium-duty commercial truck with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 22,000 pounds. Ford describes the vehicle as a Class 5 Super Duty package with Class 6 commercial truck capabilities. The new model will be available in mid-2020.

Ford’s premise with the F-600 is to offer a commercial truck that closes the gap between payload and truck size. The new model is the same size as the current medium-duty F-550, but smaller than the F-650. It gains an upgraded driveline and chassis components along with higher-weight-rated tires and wheels to meet the elevated GVWR.

All F-600 models come with a choice of three engines, including Ford’s all-new 7.3-liter gas V8, a 6.2-liter gas V8, or a 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8. Each engine works with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will find both two- and four-wheel drive models.

Ford Commercial Trucks — Ford’s current lineup of commercial trucks begins with the Transit Connect.

Additional Ford Updates

The Super Duty F-600 isn’t the only news from Ford covering its passenger and commercial vehicles. The Ford E-Series continues, a model which traces its history to the early 1960s. The big van is still available, but only in cutaway and stripped chassis models as the Transit has replaced it in other applications.

For 2021, the E-Series receives an updated interior, including a refreshed instrument panel, Bluetooth compatibility, and USB ports. Ford will also make available a pair of engine calibrations for its new 7.3-liter V8 engine, enabling customers to select the best horsepower and torque application for their needs.

Ford Transit: Work Van, Family Wagon or Fleet King

Refreshed Transit Van

As for the Transit, it receives an important refresh for 2020. Two new engines join the product line, including a 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel with available all-wheel drive. The other choice is a new 3.5-liter V6 engine with port fuel and direct injection. Both engines work with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Other Transit changes include now standard pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, post-collision braking, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. A blind-spot information system with trailer coverage and cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a front and rear split-view camera and adjustable speed limiting device are among the available features.

Ford Commercial Vehicles — Clockwise from top left: E-Series, Transit, F-650, Ford Chassis.

An Enhanced Strip Chassis

Other changes coming include an update to Ford’s stripped chassis. The F-53 chassis underpins motor homes and other types of vehicles and will soon feature improved steering, an unto the center of gravity capability on higher GVWR models and improved driving experience. The F-53 and F-59 (commonly used for walk-in vans) will also get a new steering column, instrument cluster, and electrical architecture.

Ford’s additional Super Duty model and update to three other vehicles strengthen its market position. Both GM and Fiat Chrysler also have new medium-duty trucks coming online, therefore the Blue Oval is getting it done to stay out front.

Photos copyright the Ford Motor Company.

America’s Top 10 Selling Vehicles in 2017

January 8, 2018 by admin 1 Comment

New vehicle sales dip slightly in 2017.

Ford F-150 Raptor — America’s top-selling model in Raptor guise.

US passenger vehicle sales fell by 1.8 percent in 2017, the first year-over-year loss in seven years. However, the drop was modest and certainly wasn’t a surprise. In 2017, 17,230,436 new sales were recorded, down from a record 17,550,394 in 2016.

Light trucks, composed of pickup trucks and SUVs, dominated as sales rose by 4.3 percent to 10,897,511 units. On the other hand, car sales continued to fall, dropping 10.9 percent to 6,332,925 units. Clearly, consumer preference is with trucks, which now account for nearly two-thirds of new vehicle sales. The following is our Auto Trends breakdown of the top 10 selling passenger vehicles in America in 2017 with statistics compiled by Good Car Bad Car.

America’s Top 10: 2017 Calendar Year

1. Ford F-Series — For the 41st consecutive year, the F-Series is the best-selling truck and vehicle in America, led by the F-150. Notably, sales climbed by 9.3 percent finishing at 896,764 units sold. Further, add in Canadian and Mexican numbers and total sales topped one million units.

2. Chevrolet Silverado — Ford’s lock on the top spot seems assured for many, many years as Silverado sales finished a distant second at 585,864 units. That’s a difference of more than 310,000 vehicles. Even when accounting for the twin GMC Sierra’s 217,943 units sold, Ford easily makes more full-size pickup trucks than GM. We’ll see a new Silverado and Sierra this year, with a sizable sales increase likely to follow.

2017 Nissan Rogue Sport — Nissan’s Rogue now includes this smaller Rogue Sport model.

3. Ram 1500/2500/3500 — Ram’s full-size pickup truck topped the half-century mark for the first time on 500,723 units sold. Fiat Chrysler’s bestseller hasn’t been updated since 2011, but a new model is on the way and should likely help sales continue to grow in 2018.

4. Toyota RAV4 — Toyota’s best-selling model for the past two decades was the Camry sedan, but in 2017 those sales came in flat despite the release of a new model. Taking the top spot is the compact RAV4 crossover with 407,594 units sold for an increase of 15.7 percent.

5. Nissan Rogue — Hot on the heels of the RAV4 was the Nissan Rogue, registering an even stronger increase based on Rogue and Rogue Sport models. Indeed, for 2017, Nissan sold 403,465 units, reflecting a whopping 22.3-percent increase. Furthermore, this was the first time any Nissan model passed the 400,000 unit sales mark.

6. Toyota Camry — For 2017, the Toyota Camry remains America’s best-selling car with sales of 387,081 units. That’s down just 0.4 percent. Here, much credit must be given to the all-new 2018 model, which narrowed those losses considerably.

The 2018 Toyota Camry marks the start of a new generation.

7. Honda CR-V — Three models account for the majority of Honda sales. For 2017, the CR-V took over the top spot, edging out the Civic by 609 units. On sales of 377,895 units, the CR-V posted a respectable 5.8-percent gain for the year.

8. Honda Civic — The Honda Civic was one of just a few car models registering a year-over-year gain in 2017 with 377,286 units sold. Specifically, the Civic recorded a 2.8-percent sales increase for the year.

9. Toyota Corolla — Sales of the compact Corolla finished at 329,196 units, down 13 percent. The Corolla swapped places with the Civic as sales fell by nearly 50,000 units.

10. Honda Accord — Unlike the Civic, Accord sales fell in 2017 to 322,655, registering a 6.5-percent drop. Like the Camry, the Accord is also new and that fact may help sales stabilize in 2018.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica — Pacifica sales enable Fiat Chrysler to dominate the shrinking minivan segment.

2017 Auto Trends, Looking Ahead to 2018

Other changes of note in 2017 included the continued demise of the once popular minivan segment. Notably, overall sales dropped below 500,000 units as most of the big players registered declines. The Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Pacifica accounted for nearly half of all sales, however. Also, the Nissan Quest exited the market.

Two brands continue to stand out above the pack. Subaru sales pushed the brand ahead of Kia and just behind Hyundai, as the Japanese automaker has seen sales increase for 73 consecutive months. Audi continues to take a bigger chunk of the luxury market, although Mercedes-Benz remains the top-selling premium marque in America. Audi’s sales streak reached 98 consecutive months of month-over-month gains in December.

Looking ahead, we see Jeep sales rebounding in 2018, largely on the strength of new Wrangler and updated Cherokee models. Moreover, if Tesla gets its manufacturing act together, Model 3 production might help overall sales increase by as much as four times what they currently are. Look for additional collaboration between manufacturers this year. We’ll see a new factory open in South Carolina (Volvo) with Toyota-Mazda announcing the location of their much-anticipated manufacturing plant for either Alabama or North Carolina.

America’s 10 Best-Selling Passenger Vehicles

July 5, 2017 by admin 1 Comment

A look at the year-to-date best-sellers through June 2017.

2017 Ford Super Duty — The Ford Super Duty is all-new for 2017 and is a
significant contributor to overall Ford F-Series sales.

The US auto market is slowing down and will most likely finish below 2016’s peak numbers. Still, somewhere between 16.8 and 17 million new passenger vehicles will likely sell as the books close in early January — that’s still an impressive range.

To that end, let’s take a look at America’s current crop of the 10 best-selling cars, trucks, and SUVs, with statistics supplied by GOOD CAR BAD CAR and confirmed by the manufacturers.

1. Ford F Series (429,860) —- Ford’s full-size pickup trucks are right where you expect them to be: on top. Indeed, for four consecutive decades the F-150 and similar models have led the pickup truck sales pack. In many years, this truck has been the best-selling passenger vehicle, bar none. Year-to-date (YTD) sales are up 8.8 percent for a model last redesigned in 2015 (2017 for Super Duty models).

2. Chevrolet Silverado (262,940) —- The Chevy Silverado has long been in second place behind the Ford F-150. However, in some years the Silverado and its GMC Sierra twin outsell Ford, allowing GM to claim the full-size truck crown. This year, sales are down 3.9 percent for a model last overhauled in 2014. A new model is about two years away and it can’t come soon enough as Ram may move ahead of Chevrolet for the first time.

3. Ram Pickup (250,443) -— That the three top selling models in the US market are full-size pickup trucks may surprise some, but given how strong this segment is, the hold these three have isn’t. What is surprising is that Ram sales are up 7 percent, demonstrating that demand for a model redesigned in 2009 and renamed in 2011 continues unabated. A new model is due out in 2019.

4. Nissan Rogue (195,689) -— The biggest gainer this year among the top models is the Nissan Rogue. Now comprised of Rogue and a smaller Rogue Sport model, sales are up a whopping 31.4 percent. Redesigned in 2014, the Nissan Rogue continues to harness insatiable demand for small SUVs and they’re doing it with just one powertrain choice — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

5. Honda CR-V (187,726) —- Honda’s Accord and Civic models have long delivered a 1-2 punch for the automaker, but since CR-V sales began to surge five years ago, it’s now a 1-2-3 hit from Honda. The CR-V is now in the top position, benefiting from a 17.7 percent sales surge YTD. Helping matters is a 2017 overhaul, what makes this model one of the newest in the small SUV segment.

6. Toyota RAV4 (184,766) —- Like Honda, Toyota has also enjoyed a 1-2-3 punch. Like Honda, the compact RAV4 SUV has leaped the Camry and Corolla, and is now Toyota’s top-selling model. Up 11.4 percent YTD, the RAV4 is one of three compact SUVs that may outsell the Camry this year, the perennial best-selling car in America for most of the past two decades.

2018 Toyota RAV4 — An all-new Toyota Camry debuts this summer. Will it be enough for this midsize sedan
to reclaim its top perch once again this year?

7. Toyota Camry (176,897) — Whoa! Toyota Camry sales are down 11.4 percent YTD and that doesn’t bode well for America’s top-selling car. Consumer tastes have shifted and cars are getting hammered. But there is hope — an all-new Camry is in production and some type of rebound is certain to follow. Whether that’ll be enough to close the near 20,000-unit gap between the Camry and the top-selling Rogue is not knowable.

8. Toyota Corolla (176,527) —- The Corolla was last overhauled in 2014. But like the Camry, sales are taking a hit, falling 7.7 percent so far this year. Unlike the Camry, a new model isn’t waiting in the wings. At least not this year.

9. Honda Civic (175,763) —- Honda shook the small car market in 2016 when a larger and more dazzling Civic made its debut. But sales are down 7.4 percent YTD as a once forgiving market reveals a harsh reality: even handsome cars can’t keep up with SUVs.

10. Honda Accord (160,091) — The only car to challenge the Toyota Camry in recent years has been the Honda Accord. Like the Camry, sales are down YTD and to the tune of 5.5 percent. Also, like the Camry, a new model arrives this year, bringing with it the possibility of a sales rebound before the year closes out.

2016 Lexus RX — The Lexus RX is the best-selling luxury vehicle, but it doesn’t crack the
top 50 among all models. (Photo copyright Lexus)

Best of the Rest

The current top 10 may change before the year draws to an end. The Ford Escape occupies eleventh place, just 4,000 units behind the Accord. The twelfth through fifteenth positions include the Nissan Altima, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Equinox, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Of these four, the all-new Equinox has the best chance of moving up as the year winds down.

King of the Pickup Trucks? Why, That Would be GM.

January 7, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

GM sells more pickup trucks in the US than any other manufacturer.

2015 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab.

For the 39th consecutive year, the Ford F-Series was the best selling pickup truck model. For 2015, Ford sold 780,354 units of its full-size truck in the US, once again besting all comers. Ford likes to champion its F-150 model, but the blue oval isn’t the king of all pickup trucks. Instead, that title belongs to GM.

Indeed, GM also had a banner year selling its full-size pickup trucks, but its sales are split between two models: the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Chevrolet registered 600,544 units sold for the Silverado, while GMC sold 224,139 copies of its Sierra. That’s a total of 824,683 full-size trucks, giving GM an edge of 44,329 units over Ford.

GM also sells a pair of midsize trucks in the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. Last year, Chevrolet dealers moved 84,430 copies of the Colorado, while GMC dealers sold 30,077 Canyons. That’s 114,507 midsize pickup trucks Ford doesn’t match as its Ranger was discontinued in 2011.

2015 Ford F-150 SuperCab

GM: King of the Pickup Trucks

Add the 44,329 full-size truck edge for GM to its 114,507 midsize truck sales and GM’s lead widens to 158,836. So, in 2015 GM sold 939,190 pickup trucks to Ford’s 780,354 total and although both are excellent numbers, GM is the indisputable king of pickup trucks.

Ram, like Ford, is another brand that does without a midsize pickup truck. The Ram (formerly Dodge) Dakota was also discontinued in 2011 and there is no replacement pending. Nevertheless, in 2015 Ram sold 451,116 units of its full-size truck, putting it in third-place among pickup truck retailers.

Fourth place belongs to Toyota whose midsize Tacoma pickup truck outsells its full-size Tundra model. In 2015, Toyota sold 179,562 copies of its Tacoma, good for first place in that segment. It also sold 118,880 Tundras, the fifth best selling full-size truck model. Together, the two models accounted for 298,442 Toyota pickup trucks sold last year.

2015 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 4WD Crew Cab

Bringing up the Rear: Nissan Titan

Nissan is another manufacturer where its best selling pickup truck is a midsize model. In 2015, Nissan sold 62,817 copies of its Frontier, finishing behind the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, but ahead of the GMC Canyon. Its nearly invisible full-size Titan model registered only 12,140 units for the entire year, representing less than a week’s worth of sales for Ford.

Titan took the sixth and final place among the large trucks; Nissan’s truck sales totaled 74,957 units for 2015. The good news for Nissan is that an all-new Titan XD and Titan are rolling out this year. A new Frontier model is expected to follow in 2017.

2016 Nissan Titan XD Crew Cab

Upcoming Honda and Hyundai Offerings

One more manufacturer registered truck sales in 2015 and that was Honda. Last year, Honda sold 520 units of its discontinued Ridgeline, a midsize unibody model dropped in 2014. An all-new 2017 Honda Ridgeline debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week.

In the short term, both Toyota and Nissan look to benefit from sales as each brand fields new models. Depending when the Ridgeline appears in Honda showrooms, it will once again register its share of sales, although its overall impact on the market may be minimal.

Hyundai also plans to jump in to the pickup truck market, by offering the Santa Cruz, a model that will compete directly with the Honda Ridgeline. Hyundai is expected to debut a production ready model at a major auto show this year, but we probably won’t see it until 2017. The Santa Cruz is more of a crossover than it is pickup truck, so it won’t be ideal for towing.

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD.

See Also — US Auto Sales Set New Record in 2015

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

US Auto Sales Set New Record in 2015

January 6, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Just six years after US auto sales reached the lowest mark in decades, the market has rebounded to the point where a new sales record was reached. Yesterday, the automakers reported sales for 2015 and when the final tally was accomplished, 17.47 million light-duty passenger vehicles were sold, beating the previous record of 17.40 million units set in 2000.

For the year, industry sales rose by 5.7 percent. At the same time, the market continues to shift away from passenger cars to light trucks, a category composed of pickup trucks and SUVs.

Importantly, every manufacturer posted sales gains for the year, including beleaguered Volkswagen. The Volkswagen Group has seen its sales fall over recent months as the gravity of the company’s diesel scandal weighs in. Still, the German manufacturer managed to post a gain for the year on the strength of its Audi luxury brand. Audi, incidentally, topped 200,000 units sold for the first time.

2015 Audi A3 TDI — Even without diesels, Audi sales rose significantly in 2015.

GM Maintains Its Position

General Motors remains the market leader, although it continues to lose market share. For the year, GM sales rose by 5 percent to 3,082,366 units. Ford also experienced a slight drop in market share as did Toyota and Honda. Sales for Ford and Toyota rose by 5.3 percent, but were up by just 3 percent for Honda.

Among major manufacturers, Fiat Chrysler continued to pace the market, with sales rising by 7.3 percent. Nissan, at 7.1 percent followed.

“FCA US finished 2015 strong with sales up 13 percent and our best December sales since we started business more than 90 years ago,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “For the second straight year, the company has topped 2 million in U.S. sales. FCA US sales have now grown annually for the past six years.”

Chevrolet Silverado sales topped 600,000 units in 2015.

The Best Selling Pickup Truck. But….

As expected, the Ford F-Series remained the best selling pickup truck line in the country with 780,354 trucks sold in 2015. However, GM builds more pickup trucks than Ford. Indeed, GM sold 824,683 Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras. Add in the Chevrolet Colorado (84,430 units) and the GMC Canyon (30,077 units) and GM sold 939,190 pickup trucks in 2015 or nearly 160,000 more trucks than Ford.

“The momentum that the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have carried all year, hits like the Chevrolet Trax and Colorado, and innovative designs like the GMC Canyon and Buick Encore, have had a tremendous positive impact on our sales results,” said Kurt McNeil, GM’s U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “In a record year for the industry, GM gained significant retail market share and we grew our Commercial business by 12 percent.”

Toyota Take Two: Camry and Corolla Excel

Among passenger cars, the Toyota Camry remains the top-seller in the US. Notably, the second best selling car in the US is now the Toyota Corolla notes GoodCarBadCar.net.

Toyota sold 429,355 Camrys last year or just 749 more than in 2014. Corolla sales rose by 7 percent as Honda Accord sales fell by 8.4 percent. The models occupying the fourth and fifth position switched as Honda Civic sales climbed by 2.9 percent and as Nissan Altima sales slipped by 0.7 percent.

The two models achieving the best year-over-year gains were the Chrysler 200 (51.6 percent) and the Ford Mustang (48.1 percent). On the flip side Volkswagen Jetta sales plunged by 18.5 percent while Chevrolet Impala sales declined by 16.7 percent.

2014 BMW 535d — BMW won the luxury crown again in 2015.

Luxury Sales Leader

Not surprisingly, BMW repeated as the top luxury brand in the US, finishing with 405,377 units sold. Mercedes-Benz followed with 380,461 sales. Lexus took third place, finishing the year with 344,601 sales.

With last year now in the bag, car manufacturers are keeping their feet to the pedal with analysts expecting sales to top 18 million units in 2016. Higher consumer financing costs and the usual global uncertainty may weigh in.

Aluminum Comes to the Ford Super Duty

September 24, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

An all-new 2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty at work.

In an absolutely expected move, the Ford Motor Company is dressing the 2017 Ford Super Duty with an aluminum body. Soon, all models bearing the F-Series name will use this lightweight material, with the heavy-duty truck coming in up to 350 pounds lighter than its predecessor.

Ford says that the new truck, to be built at the Kentucky Truck Plant and available late next year, will benefit from an all-new fully boxed frame. That frame will be composed of more than 95 percent high-strength steel with stiffness 24 times greater than the current frame. This change alone will benefit towing and hauling, already two of its strongest suits. Other modifications bring in four-wheel drive components, driveline, axles, and towing hardware, to provide enhanced heavy-duty capabilities.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Two Alloys at Work

Like the 2015 Ford F-150 that started it all, the 2017 Super Duty makes use of high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy, what the manufacturer claims is more dent- and ding-resistant than the present steel body and is also impervious to red rust corrosion.

The two alloys effectively reduce the Ford’s weight, with savings of up to 350 pounds realized. Those savings also extend to the chassis cab as it receives a brand-new, high-strength steel frame with an open C-channel design located behind the cab. The new configuration was designed to facilitate aftermarket upfit and modification.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Super Duty Towing and Visibility Changes

Ford has not provided towing and payload numbers for the new Super Duty. However, the automaker says that it is rolling out “advanced coaching and camera technology,” in a bid to ease both conventional and gooseneck (fifth-wheel towing) for drivers.

Furthermore, the Super Duty receives numerous new features, including some that are not found elsewhere in the heavy-duty segment. For example, LED lighting and adaptive cruise control arrive, features not found in competing trucks from Ram, Chevrolet and GMC.

Also, the new truck receives a center high-mounted stop lamp camera, what increases visibility into the cargo box — especially helpful when connecting for gooseneck towing purposes. At work is a 360-degree camera system, comprised of four digital, high-definition cameras. The system provides a panoramic view of the truck.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Moreover, Ford will include reverse guidance cues and tips to help drivers as they move a trailer in reverse. Lastly, a factory-available trailer camera is now available for the first time and can be attached to the trailer.

Other changes include a standard or available tire pressure monitoring system, adaptive steering, SYNC 3 telecommunications, a Blind Spot Information System, lane departure warning with steering wheel vibrations, and the adaptive cruise control system paired with collision warning and brake support.

In addition, Ford says that various lighting changes are in evidence, including LED side view mirror spotlights, quad-beam LED headlamps and tail lamps, and a new LED cargo lighting system.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Super Duty: Three Engine Choices

Three engine choices return for the 2017 Ford Super Duty. A 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 engine is now paired with a new TorqShift-G transmission, a six-speed automatic gearbox featuring a more robust torque converter arrangement. Also available is a 6.8-liter, V-10 gasoline engine.

The third engine choice is the second-generation, 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel, a Ford-built product. The automaker hasn’t released performance numbers yet, but it is expected to improve upon the current horsepower and torque ratings.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Cabs and Trim Level Choices

The next generation Super Duty will offer three cab choices — regular, SuperCab and Crew Cab. Super Duty shoppers will also have five trim levels to choose from — XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. Prices and performance numbers will be provided closer to this model’s release date.

“Ford Super Duty is the truck America’s hardest-working men and women trust and depend on,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “We are helping these customers build a better world by delivering a new generation of pickups that set new benchmarks in capability, performance and efficiency.”

Super Duty photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.

Hot Wheels: Is Your Car More Likely to be Stolen?

September 10, 2015 by admin 3 Comments

Car theft is on the decline, due to better security, including GPS tracking systems. For owners of older vehicles, those models remain targets, largely for the value of those separate parts.

Car thieves continue to do their work despite a significant increase in security systems and GPS technologies that can help thwart or track stolen vehicles. However, it is the older models that are more routinely stolen either for a lack of security apparatus or due to the value of the parts once the vehicles have been dismembered.

Last week, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released its annual list of the 10 most stolen vehicles in the United States. The yearly “Hot Wheels” report is based on data supplied to the NICB by law enforcement and includes state specific information based on make, model, and model year.

Help Me Honda

By far, the two most purloined vehicles were the Honda Accord (51,290) and the Honda Civic (43,936). These two models routinely finish atop the annual list and nothing changed in 2014, the year the report examines.

A fifth generation Honda Civic. Source: Wikipedia

A pair of pickup trucks finished in third and fourth place, with the full-size Ford pickup (F Series) tallying 28,680 thefts to 23,196 for the competing Chevrolet Silverado. The Toyota Camry (14,605), Dodge (Ram) pickup (11,075), and the Dodge Caravan (10,483) took the next three spots.

The top 10 was rounded out by the Nissan Altima (9,109), Acura Integra (6,902), and the Nissan Maxima (6,586).

State Statistics Released

On a state level, the NICB hot wheels data revealed some startling information. For instance, more than half of all Accords and Civics stolen were hoisted in California. California is by far the most populous state, but it represents just one-eighth of America’s population.

California, like Arizona and Texas, had a disproportionate number of thefts, likely due to cars being taken to Mexico where recovery is nearly impossible.

Theft Trends by State

Although the two Honda models finished on top in many states, Auto Trends dug through the hot wheels data and found some interesting trends in other states.

A circa 1995 Ford F-150. Source Wikipedia.

For example, the Ford F-150 was the top target of thieves in several states, including Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, South Carolina, West Virginia and Texas. The Chevrolet Silverado (and preceding full-size models) were tops in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

In Wisconsin, three Dodge models took the top three hot wheels positions — Caravan, Stratus and Intrepid. One model that hasn’t been produced in well over a decade, the Plymouth Voyager, accounted for 162 thefts. The greatest number of those models stolen were from the 1999 model year.

Hot Wheels: Easy Pickings

Most of the stolen models date to the 1990s with Accords, Camrys and Civics of that era especially desirable to thieves. However, advanced technologies are making it harder for thieves to steal cars, thus the number of newer vehicles stolen has been falling sharply.

2014 Toyota Camry: Hot Wheels

Among more recent models, the 2014 Toyota Camry
is a theft target. Source: Toyota.

Yet, thieves will grab a new car if they can. The NICB also tracked the top 10 2014 model year vehicles and found that 964 Ford F Series pickup trucks were stolen, followed by the Toyota Camry (869), Ford Fusion (819), the Chevrolet Impala (746) and the Nissan Altima (687).

Other 2014 models that were targeted in greater numbers included the Dodge Charger, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, and the Ford Focus. The NICB also included a scooter/moped made by the Taotao Industry Co. with the statistics, as some 592 units were stolen.

NICB: Layers of Protection

As always, the NICB urges Americans to use common sense in a bid to not be added to the hot wheels statistics. This means keeping vehicles locked and never leaving the keys in the ignition. Tracking, warning and immobilizing devices are also useful deterrents. Thieves may work hard to take your vehicle, but they’ll aim for the easiest targets too.

GM Beats Ford in Pickup Truck Sales

July 7, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

The Ford F-Series is the indisputable sales leader by model, but GM has the upper hand in overall pickup sales. Looming changes in the segment, including the dissolution of the “chicken tax” may shake up the market further.

Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck sales.

Chevrolet Silverado sales are outpacing the market in 2015.

It has been nearly four decades since the Ford F-Series assumed leadership in the large pickup truck category. Year after year, the F-Series continues to outsell its chief rival, the Chevrolet Silverado, as well as the Ram 1500/2500/3500, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra, and the Nissan Titan.

But Ford is not the top seller of large pickup trucks, at least not now. Indeed, the combined forces of Chevrolet and GMC have conspired to outsell Ford through the first six months of 2015. Specifically, GM has sold 376,672 Silverados and Sierras through June, while Ford has sold 357,180 F-Series (including F-150, Super Duty, and commercial trucks).

This was supposed to be the year when Ford put some distance between itself and its rivals. An all-new aluminum-bodied pickup truck hit the market and analysts expected that vehicle light weighting would give Ford an unbeatable advantage, one that consumers would embrace.

Instead, Ford is still working on getting its manufacturing plants up to full capacity. As a result, F-Series sales are down 2.4 percent year to date. Meanwhile, Chevrolet Silverado sales are up a robust 14.6 percent and the GMC Sierra is up by 8.2 percent. And that’s for a pair of pickup trucks that have relied on traditional styling to win new customers.

***Please continue reading after the chart***

2015 Pickup Truck Sales -- Jan. - June 2015

The large pickup category only tells part of the story about customer demand for these types of vehicles. While Ford is relying exclusively on the F-Series for pickup truck sales, GM has two brands and four model lines to serve customers.

This time last year, GM began to sell a pair of midsize pickup trucks — the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. Combined, these two models have added 56,592 units to the market. Ford, which discontinued its small Ranger pickup truck in 2011 for the US market, has nothing to offer North American customers. A new unibody and larger Ford Ranger is built and sold overseas, but Ford has no plans to sell it in the largest pickup truck market in the world.

GM’s pickup truck advantage through the first six months of the year exceeds 76,000 units. Prior to the release of its new pickup truck lines and its recent sales surge, Ford outsold GM for several years. Now GM leads Ford in the most profitable category and also battles Toyota and Nissan for midsize truck buyers.

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is all-new for 2015.

The rest of the pickup truck segment shows Toyota is continuing its lead in the midsize segment, even as the Chevrolet Colorado has pushed past the Nissan Frontier. Tacoma sales are up 18.2 percent and that’s especially significant as Toyota readies its next generation model for release this fall.

Ram 1500/2500/3500 and chassis cab sales continue to edge up as do sales for the full-size Toyota Tundra. Nissan will release an all-new Titan pickup truck this fall, in a bid to stoke interest in a product that is woefully outdated and outmatched by the competition. With a 5.0-liter Cummins diesel in the mix, the Titan may surprise some.

Additional Changes Forthcoming?

As buyers continue to flock to pickup trucks, a number of manufacturers find themselves on the outside looking in. Honda is preparing its next generation Ridgeline, a unibody pickup truck that has been marginally successful.

But there is another factor that might bring in additional competitors and that is the coming expiration of the so-called “chicken tax,” what has long placed a 25 percent tariff on imported pickup trucks. Set to expire when two new trade laws kick in, manufacturers such as Mazda, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen that once served the US market might find it easier to return. Furthermore, India’s Mahindra Motors could very well renew its earlier effort to enter the market with models of its own.

Lastly, the repeal of the chicken tax could very well have Ford rethinking its Ranger strategy. With the tax removed, factories in Argentina, South Africa, and Thailand, which are currently tasked with building the global Ranger, could be tapped to supply the North American market. That move would gladden not a few Ranger fans who have since departed to competing brands.

Sales data supplied by the respective manufacturer.

Ford’s Dirt Detection Efforts Benefit From 3D Imaging Technology

August 22, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Innovative dirt detection technology is an auto industry first.

The Ford Motor Company is working to ensure that the vehicle you buy is free of nasty dirt particles. The automaker announced today that it is using dirt detection technology to identify and get rid of dirt particles smaller than a grain, what had previously been left to the human eye to detect and correct.

Dirt Detection Technology

Ford’s dirt detection technology is an industry first, representing a system of high-resolution cameras to produce a 3D model for each tested vehicle. Specifically, a digital imaging system reviews more than 3,000 images taken over just 15 seconds to find dirt particles. Ford internal data reveals an 82 percent improvement in combined paint quality and customer satisfaction metrics for the surface finish within one year of ownership for its affected models.

Thousands of photos taken for this Ford F-150 pickup help detect
minute particles of dirt that can mar a vehicle’s finish.

It is a global initiative that Ford has launched in a bid to improve vehicle qualify. Plants in Spain, Canada and the United States are among those that use or will soon deploy the detection system, freeing workers to handle other tasks.

The model that has most recently benefited from Ford’s dirt fighting efforts is its full-size F-Series pickup truck. Plants in Dearborn, Mich. (F-150) and in Louisville, Ky. (Super Duty), build these trucks, representing Ford’s most popular product line in North America.

Dirt Detection at Work

Ford explains that its new technology “takes microscopic scans of each painted vehicle surface, and then cues final assembly operators to address repairs where necessary.” Human eye examination, though helpful, cannot approach what Ford’s dirt detection system can accomplish.

Varying degrees and angles of light are employed while the system scopes vehicle body paint surfaces to identify dirt in paint and find other irregular paint conditions. The high-resolution images are then “stitched together” to create a full 3D image. Lastly, each image is digitally compared to a perfect computer model. When problems are found, workers step in to polish and buff out imperfections.

An assembly line worker polishes and buffs out
imperfections identified by Ford’s dirt detection system.

You can check out a related YouTube video to see how this technology works.

“This is one of the most exciting integrations of optical science and digital technology in the automotive industry,” said Tom Dougan, project manager, global paint applications at Ford. “By combining innovations in vision technology, processing speed and software, Ford continues to invent new technologies that give our customers better paint quality and surpass competitor offerings.”

Ford Plants and Models

Three Ford manufacturing plants currently use dirt detection technology with three more coming online later this year and two planned for 2014. North American products beyond the F-Series that will benefit from the technology include the Ford Expedition, Escape, Taurus, Explorer, Police Interceptor, Edge, Flex, Mustang and Fusion.

Photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.

Ford F-150: Phil Collareno, Vehicle Line Director, Weighs In

July 22, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

The full-size pickup truck market has been rebounding since sinking to historic lows in 2009. The market is led by the Ford F-150 with models from Chevrolet, GMC, Ram, Toyota and Nissan rounding out the segment.

The Ford Motor Company will debut the next generation F-150 next year, a model that it hopes will help this truck builder retain its top position in the market. Auto Trends interviewed Phil Collareno, Vehicle Line Director for the F-150, to discuss the history of the Ford F-Series, where it is today and what plans the company has for its future.

Auto Trends:

Ford launched the F-Series beginning with the 1948 model year. What defining models have set this truck apart from the pack? For instance, the F-150 Raptor.

Phil Collareno:

There have been many models that have set the F-Series apart. Certain milestones stand out including the following:

1948: F-Series pickups debut: F-1, F-2, F-3

F-150 1975: F-150 introduced

In recent times, there’s been:

1993: Ford F-150 SVT Lightning debuts kicking off what would become the benchmark of high performance sport trucks

2000: Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson: First true premium luxury truck

2001: Ford F-150 King Ranch: Set the benchmark for truck luxury that others have followed. Also was the first light-duty pickup under 8,500 lbs. GVW with four full-size doors

2009: Ford F-150 Platinum introduced a whole new contemporary luxury feel to Ford Trucks

2010: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Continues to set the benchmark among all vehicles as one of the most capable and fun off-road trucks

Auto Trends:

Specifically, what have these “halo” models done for the F-150 brand?

Phil Collareno:

Phil Collareno

Phil Collareno

These models have enhanced the F-150 brand. They’re aspirational trucks, vehicles that our customers choose to reward their hard work while still every bit “Built Ford Tough” and capable of getting the job done.

Auto Trends:

Ford has always offered a variety of engines to power the F-150. Today’s buyers are flocking to the EcoBoost. What engine(s) have had the most impact on F-150 buyers down through the years?

Phil Collareno:

EcoBoost has clearly been adopted by F-150 buyers, who appreciate its excellent combination of torque, towing capability and fuel economy. EcoBoost provides the power of a V-8 with the fuel economy of a V-6. Last year, 43 percent of F-150 buyers chose EcoBoost.   Our standard 3.7-liter V-6 has also done well with customers who appreciate its fuel economy and ability to tow up to 6,700 pounds.   The 6.2-liter V-8 proved itself as the most powerful half-ton truck engine at 411 horsepower and 434 foot-pounds of torque.   Another strong and popular engine in recent years was the 5.4-liter V-8, which was retired after 2010.

Auto Trends:

Given that Ford has led the market since the late 1970s, its position going forward seems assured. Knowing that Ford won’t take its customers for granted, what experiences can Ford give its current owners and future shoppers to persuade them to stick with or move to Ford?

Phil Collareno:

Ford F-150 delivers the segment’s best combination of power, capability, safety and fuel economy. Now in its 65th year, the F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 36 consecutive years, the best-selling vehicle in America for 31 consecutive years and the brand with the most trucks on the road with more than 250,000 miles, as certified by Polk.

The F-150 also boasts leading safety ratings. The F-150’s fully boxed frame, made from high-strength hydroformed steel, provides a backbone built for increased durability and safety. This truck has earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Ford F-150 also features an unrivaled four engine choices, including the advanced 3.5-liter EcoBoost, to help customers find the most fuel-efficient and capable engine to meet their needs. Ford’s patented EcoBoost engine delivers an unmatched combination of best-in-class towing and payload, torque and fuel economy. More than 300,000 EcoBoost engines have been sold for the F-150 and it is now Ford¹s best-selling truck engine.

Auto Trends:

In 2011, Ford scrapped the F-150 engine’s line and introduced four new engines as well as making the six-speed automatic transmission standard across the model line. What did that do for Ford besides increasing sales year over year?

Phil Collareno:

The latest engine lineup met the needs of customers looking for fuel-efficient engines that didn’t require compromise or unreasonable price premiums. The introduction of the EcoBoost engine now gives our customers the best combination of performance and fuel economy with 22 mpg and 11,700 pounds of towing.

Auto Trends:

Specifically, what does Ford have that keeps customers coming back?

Phil Collareno:

Only Ford Trucks are Built Ford Tough. The durability of our trucks keeps customers coming back because they know they can trust their Ford Truck to get the job done. The Ford F-150 also delivers the best-in-class combination of power, capability, safety and fuel economy. The F-150 features an unrivaled four engine choices, including Ford’s patented EcoBoost engine, which delivers an unmatched combination of best-in-class towing, payload, torque and fuel economy.

Auto Trends:

Ford lost some small truck buyers when the Ranger was canceled. Certainly, some buyers moved up to the F-150, but what is the company doing to reach these owners? Will the global Ranger come to America? If not, will Ford offer a short wheelbase F-150 model, perhaps an F-100?

Phil Collareno:

We are investing in and expanding our F-Series lineup for the North American market with new powertrains and improved performance, including fuel efficiency. The compact pickup segment in the U.S. has been declining from almost 8 percent of total industry sales in 1994 to 2 percent of industry sales in 2012. The F-Series works best for customers in North America. The global Ranger works best in markets outside of North America, where we do not sell the F-Series.

Ford Atlas

Auto Trends:

Why is the Ford Atlas important to the company? Given Ford’s position in the market, won’t the next generation F-150 be a slam-dunk for current enthusiasts?

Phil Collareno:

The Ford Atlas Concept showcases the design, capability, fuel efficiency and smart technologies that will define future pickups.

Auto Trends:

Ford Super Duty trucks can be outfitted with a diesel engine. What plans does Ford have to introduce a diesel to the F-150 line?

Phil Collareno:

Diesel engines make the most sense for our commercial truck customers, particularly those with easy access to diesel fuel, established heavy-duty driving routines or long periods of idle time, such as ambulances.

Auto Trends:

Ford and Toyota are collaborating on hybrid technology with the purpose of bringing a hybrid truck to the market. Will we see a Ford F-150 hybrid and if so when? What else can you tell us about this model?

Phil Collareno:

We are absolutely committed to top fuel economy with every new vehicle we introduce. It is too soon to discuss specific future product plans.

Auto Trends:

F-150 buyers choose these trucks for payload, towing and for work reasons. What can Ford do to improve the cabin going forward? Will we see a continued advancement in in-cabin technologies and what limits are there to rolling out these technologies?

Phil Collareno:

We are constantly looking at multiple ways to improve our cars and trucks with innovative technology that improves fuel efficiency and capability. It is premature, however, to discuss specific approaches or solutions that we might use for future products. Our current trucks have innovative technologies designed with truck customers in mind, including a specially designed interface for MyFordTouch and Ford Works Solutions, a suite of truck-exclusive technologies for productivity.

Auto Trends:

What other engineering changes can we expect in future Ford trucks? We know that Ford plans to reduce vehicle weight by making use of carbon fiber, aluminum and other lightweight materials. Will Ford trucks get a 10-speed transmission? Will cylinder deactivation be used? How else will Ford deliver a more efficient truck without compromising on performance?

Phil Collareno:

About Phil Collareno

Phil Collareno has been with the Ford Motor Company since 1979. Besides overseeing product development for the F-150, he does the same for the company’s chassis cabs, large SUVs, vans and heavy-duty products. Collareno has held several positions with Ford in North and South America, and in Europe where he served as the vehicle line director for commercial vehicles. He holds bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan.