quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
F150 is still the best selling vehicle in America. Every time someone comes out with a new full-sized truck there are people that say Ford is going to lose their sales lead. Hasn’t happened yet.

Just to be clear, I never said that. I'm suggesting that RAM will continue t gain ground while Ford sales volumes either stay flat or decline slightly. Ford will continue to be able to claim number one truck in the land for some time, but if they don't step up their game at some point and revise the truck in some meaningful way, they may eventually lose their marketing slogan.

What's disappointing is that we never hear about how good the F250 is when compared to the RAM and GM. I really love that truck, and I've driven it and its competition.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
F150 is still the best selling vehicle in America. Every time someone comes out with a new full-sized truck there are people that say Ford is going to lose their sales lead. Hasn’t happened yet.

Just to be clear, I never said that. I'm suggesting that RAM will continue t gain ground while Ford sales volumes either stay flat or decline slightly. Ford will continue to be able to claim number one truck in the land for some time, but if they don't step up their game at some point and revise the truck in some meaningful way, they may eventually lose their marketing slogan.

What's disappointing is that we never hear about how good the F250 is when compared to the RAM and GM. I really love that truck, and I've driven it and its competition.

The F-250 lost a lot of loyal customers to Dodge and Chevy after the customers got soured when Ford had that POS 6.0 liter diesel.

quote:

Originally posted by Killer Instincts:
I like it particularly for the hybrid engine option. I swear, I'm the only person in the world that wants a hybrid pickup. Does everyone just hate power and fuel economy? Or is it just resistance to change? I don't get it.

How about "Not everybody is an early adopter of new technology".

When these hybrid half-ton trucks are proven to be able to tow the same load AND travel the same distance (or more) AND for the same purchase price as the equivalent model with a conventional engine, I might be interested. But I haven't seen any any advertisements indicating this is currently true (but maybe I've just missed them).

Do hybrid batteries generally last as long as a standard pickup truck motor lasts? Will the trade-in/resale value be the same or better for a hybrid truck when it's time to get another? Are comprehensive insurance rates the same for hybrids? These are ancillary issues that I'm not seeing anybody discuss in the context of the long-term overall cost of hybrid ownership.

quote:

Originally posted by Tailhook 84:

quote:

Originally posted by Killer Instincts:
I like it particularly for the hybrid engine option. I swear, I'm the only person in the world that wants a hybrid pickup. Does everyone just hate power and fuel economy? Or is it just resistance to change? I don't get it.

How about "Not everybody is an early adopter of new technology".

When these hybrid half-ton trucks are proven to be able to tow the same load AND travel the same distance (or more) AND for the same purchase price as the equivalent model with a conventional engine, I might be interested. But I haven't seen any any advertisements indicating this is currently true (but maybe I've just missed them).

Do hybrid batteries generally last as long as a standard pickup truck motor lasts? Will the trade-in/resale value be the same or better for a hybrid truck when it's time to get another? Are comprehensive insurance rates the same for hybrids? These are ancillary issues that I'm not seeing anybody discuss in the context of the long-term overall cost of hybrid ownership.

That's reasonable. While I wouldn't say that hybrid technology is exactly "new" I guess I can see having some reservations.

Personally, I go through trucks like most people change socks, so longevity isn't a huge concern to me. My MO is to drive something 40-60k and sell it.

I'd also be willing to bet that the hybrid will be more expensive but have both a greater range AND towing capacity than the standard 3.5 Eco. I bet it also picks up some serious acceleration with the electric motors. Not to mention slightly improved fuel economy.

ETA: as for resale, who knows, but since F150s already have absurd resale values (particularly with the high output motors) I can't imagine this will be any different. I'm also wondering how the electric assist would impact the life of the turbos - relying less on boost has to be good for their lifespan, no? Too bad they won't throw their naturally aspirated 5.0 V8 in there with the hybrid option... I'd buy one.

quote:

Originally posted by Killer Instincts:
That's reasonable. While I wouldn't say that hybrid technology is exactly "new" I guess I can see having some reservations.

Ford has had enough trouble just trying to turn out new vehicles with conventional drivetrains without suffering a continual flow of recalls. Add a new drivetrain that's half hybrid and my bet the first iteration of these will spend more time in service bays than on the road.

quote:

I'd also be willing to bet that the hybrid will be more expensive but have both a greater range AND towing capacity than the standard 3.5 Eco.

I'll take that action. More expensive...absolutely. More range and towing capacity...Highly doubtful. My bet, you'll find about the same range and towing just on less fuel (hopefully). Will that be enough to motivate a majority of buyers away from conventional drivetrains...Doubtful.

quote:

ETA: as for resale, who knows, but since F150s already have absurd resale values (particularly with the high output motors) I can't imagine this will be any different.

Resale will be solely driven off of how good or bad the hybrid drivetrain turns out to be. We'll all have to play wait and see on that one.