A Great Pickup Line: Ford Delivers Best Fuel Economy, Best Power, Best Capability and Best Value

DEARBORN, Mich., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• 2011 Ford F-150 and Ranger cited by the EPA as most fuel-efficient trucks

• From small to extra large, Ford pickups – Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty – each deliver an unbeatable combination of outstanding value, capability and now fuel economy

• Ford's two new V6 truck engines are a hit with customers, going from zero percent of sales mix to more than 35 percent of total sales in just four months. 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost™ is the fastest-turning truck in the entire Ford F-Series lineup

Buyers looking for the unbeatable combination of fuel economy, capability, power and value in pickups can find it all in Ford's comprehensive truck range – Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty.

The Environmental Protection Agency's 2011 list of Most and Least Fuel Efficient Trucks cited two Ford pickups, Ranger and F-150 with the 3.7-liter V6, as the most fuel efficient in their segments. That gives Ford a clean sweep of best pickup truck fuel economy numbers from smallest to largest.

The 2011 Super Duty's new 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbocharged diesel, though not rated by the EPA, is the class leader in fuel economy, based on independent testing against General Motors and Ram diesel pickups.

The 2011 Power Stroke engine and its six-speed automatic transmission deliver a 20 percent fuel economy gain over the 2010 model, along with best-in-class horsepower and torque. No other diesel pickup engine delivers 400 horsepower and 800 lb.-ft. of torque.

According to the EPA, the 2011 F-150 with the all-new 3.7-liter V6 engine is the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid full-size pickup with a combined city and highway rating of 19 mpg, while Ranger leads the compact segment with 24 mpg.

"The No. 1 unmet need for full-size pickup truck owners has been fuel economy. With the recent hike in gas prices, this need is even stronger," said Doug Scott, Truck Group marketing manager. "The good news is the 2011 Ford F-150 has best-in-class fuel economy, best-in-class capability and power, and more powertrain choices to suit customers' different needs."

According to AAA, prices for regular unleaded gasoline average $3.55 a gallon nationally, making fuel economy a growing concern each day.

Fuel efficiency is a key reason people are increasingly considering Ford cars and trucks. Ford is No. 1 on new-car shoppers' consideration lists, according to the latest Market Intelligence Brand Watch™ study from Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.

The 2011 Ford F-150 with the 3.7-liter V6 represents a no-compromise, best-in-class overall value proposition compared to the competition's most fuel-efficient gasoline offerings.

Comparisons between 2011 models with two-wheel drive

"The numbers speak for themselves," said Scott. "Similar to the rest of the Ford F-Series lineup, the 2011 Ford F-150 with the 3.7-liter V6 is the 'and' solution, providing best-in-class capability, performance and fuel economy. Competitive full-size pickups force consumers to sacrifice one need for another. To gain better fuel economy, for example, they have to give up performance, capability and/or affordability.

"Chevrolet's hybrid matches the 23 mpg on the highway from our 3.7-liter V6, but the Chevrolet hybrid's suggested retail price is nearly $16,000 more than ours."

That Ford F-Series commitment to providing capability, performance and fuel economy carries through the entire all-new powertrain lineup for the 2011 F-150, which also includes new 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engines as well as the first application of Ford's award-winning EcoBoost™ technology in a truck.

Core truckers embrace new F-150 with EcoBoost

The 2011 Ford F-150 equipped with the 365-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo engine and six-speed automatic transmission achieves 22 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg in the city. No other truck with comparable horsepower can match the F-150 EcoBoost in highway or city fuel economy.

The one-two-three punch of Ford Motor Company's EcoBoost technology – capability, performance and fuel economy – opens a new era for committed truckers.

"The 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine is a shining example of the uncompromising nature of Ford's EcoBoost technology: more power and better fuel economy," said Scott. "What's important for truck customers is that this all-new engine delivers best-in-class capability where it matters most: towing and hauling. Now they're getting great fuel economy, too."

Comparisons between 2011 models with two-wheel drive; Chevrolet Silverado XFE is rated at 7,000 pounds maximum towing and 15/22 mpg city/highway fuel economy (18 mpg combined)

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine produces best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque, helping enable best-in-class maximum towing of 11,300 pounds and maximum payload of 3,060 pounds, all with unsurpassed fuel economy.

The 3.7-liter V6 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost account for a combined 35 percent of the sales mix for the 2011 F-150, and the 2011 F-150 EcoBoost is the fastest-turning truck in the entire F-Series lineup.

New 5.0-liter V8 also a strong package

For customers desiring a traditional V8 engine, the new 5.0-liter V8 for the 2011 F-150 delivers an unbeatable combination of capability, power and fuel economy as well.

Comparisons between 2011 models with two-wheel drive

2011 Super Duty has more power, most towing and best fuel economy

Launched in spring 2010, the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty has best-in-class fuel economy with both the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel and 6.2-liter V8 gas engines. The diesel has 20 percent better fuel economy while the gas has 15 percent better fuel economy compared with the outgoing products.

The Power Stroke is rated at best-in-class 800 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 horsepower and the Super Duty is the undisputed tow leader with 24,400 pounds of best-in-class fifth-wheel towing.

The reliable Ford Ranger continues to outpace the competition with EPA ratings of 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, which is 3 mpg and 2 mpg, respectively, better than its nearest competitor.

The class-leading fuel economy of Ford's pickups is part of the company's broader corporate strategy to lead or be among the leaders in fuel economy in every segment in which it competes.

Ford offers six-speed transmissions in nearly all its North American lineup of Ford and Lincoln brand luxury vehicles. Ford is the only automaker with 12 sales segment fuel economy leaders, and four vehicles EPA-certified at 40 mpg or higher.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company