Since they have dropped the v6 in the F150, it seems as if they are dropping the standard shift as well. Many people around where I live and who I also talk to online are really unhappy about this move.

In my opinion and others have agreed, it feels as if Ford and even other manufacturers are taking away people choices in how they choose to drive.

However, since Ford is the primary producer of the largest, and most popular truck, I feel the need to make a VERY large petition against their move away from stick in light duty trucks. I do intend to get not only people on some of the forums I attend, but the local public and even companies that purchase F150s with the standard shift option.

Mind you, even though I like stick and drive stick, the petition I am making is NOT for me. It is for the PEOPLE of America, who have the choice in what transmission they purchase.

Even though I am pointing more towards the F150, I wish Ford would stick a standard shift option in every single vehicle they sell.

So here is the petition:

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Ford Motor Company
Public Affairs
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126

To whom it may concern:

The citizens of the United States of America, have the right to choose what kind of transmission is offered in the new F150 Light Duty Trucks. By dropping the standard shift option, you will be losing valued customers as other vehicle manufacturers continue to offer a standard shift option in their Light Duty trucks.

I have conducted a petition against Ford Motor Company of Dearborn Michigan with the general public's opinion on keeping the standard shift as a viable option in the new generation F150 Light Duty pickup trucks.

Regards,

The Citizens of the United States of America

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So please, if you agree with me, please speak out! But please, do not be derogatory. If you do not agree, that is fine. Just don't shoot the messenger (me) down, as I'm doing it for the best interest for the people, not just me.

 

Ford only sold 1% of f-150's last year that had the stick shift V-6... not worth it at all to make them anymore.. only 1% sold please...fords done with the stick shift and I agree, waste of money

 

 

Yup got to agree. For 1% it is not worth the trouble of extra parts on the assembly line. Ford is having to give away the manual trucks here because no one wants them. Sorry but you will have about as much luck asking for a 8 track option , it just aint gonna happen.

I agree it sucks to see options leave, but it is really the people to blame. If they sold Ford would sell them, sadly the people have spoken and they dont want to shift a half ton truck. I dont blame you for wanting the option, I am just saying don't expect a change

 

Ford's not going to make manual shift F150 in 2009...it doesn't make sense when these trucks work better with the automatic.

 

while i can respect your sentiment, and i'd consider a manual trans were it offered, i would reconsider the phrasing of the petition...i know you didn't ask for advice, but the 'right to choose' is a little melodramatic and not really the case here...

 

I agree that it is probly a waste of money for them to make it anymore, but if they would have offered it in a 4.6 or a 5.4 then I would have bought one and I am sure alot of people would have too. Who the hell wants a v6 with a stick? Most people dont because if you have a v6 it is most likely a strip used for work and used to cut costs. I dont see the typical motorhead stickshift drivers buying a v6 5 spd. If you want a stick get a f-250.

 

You're truly wasting your time with your petition. It costs Ford money to offer it.

 

The manual is dead in the F150, the closest you might get is possibly an Auto stick feature sometime down the road.

 

They ditched the V6 and a manual transmission for a good reason. Because they both sucked. If anything, with more electronic toys and whatnot, the '09 F150 probably weighs more than an '04-08 did, so why burden it with an inferior engine and/or transmission?

 

Yep

 

I'd be in for three on the tree. J/K

 

This is kinda like the guy that was griping about not being able to get a satellite radio in an XL.

 

If they offered the manual behind a v-8 and in more than just the base model XL, they probably would have sold a lot more than 1%. By ford restricting it's availability, the manual was doomed. They probably planned it that way back when they designed the 04.

 

Everone has a right to there opinion and I have had 5 trucks with a stick, but the new automatics are far better than they were in years past. And like ford said there were only 1% of the trucks sold with this combo so it's just not a money maker for them.