Monday July 28, 2014

Ford Motor is boosting the base prices of the 2015 F-150 pickup by $395 on low-level models, and by as much as $3,515 on top versions.

The new trucks use aluminum body panels to save about 700 pounds as a way to boost fuel economy — a treasured attribute in notoriously thirsty big pickups — and to boost towing and payload ratings.

But aluminum construction is more expensive than steel, and there has been considerable speculation about how much more Ford would charge.

Ford's moves aren't trivial. F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle of any kind in the U.S. for decades, and among the most profitable. Anything that sends truck buyers to the competition will hurt earnings.

At the same time that it's raising base prices, Ford is trimming the price of the popular 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 option, and says every version of the redesigned truck will have an array of new standard features that are worth more than the price increase — including massaging seats on the high-end Platinum version.

Dealers can start ordering the 2015 trucks today. They go into production in the third quarter and on sale in the fourth quarter.

The much-higher price increases on the premium versions should give Ford's fourth-quarter earnings a boost, because the loaded models are the ones early buyers are likely to choose.

"They'll want the higher-end trucks. That's been the history," says Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager. "That's where the most new tech is found, so we expect the same rich mix at launch as we have seen in the past."

He says all trim levels and engines will be launched at once, but there will be a short delay before all cab configurations — regular, extended and crew-cab — will be available on all models with all drivetrains.

The extra standard features range from information screen and telescoping steering column in the XL starter model to heated rear seats, big info screen and the "multi-contour" massaging front seats in the Platinum truck, and include a variety of safety-related and convenience features.

Ford guarantees better mileage because the aluminum panels and other changes cut weight. But Ford says it won't give mileage ratings until later.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 that's the F-150's most popular engine — picked by about 45% of F-150 buyers — will be a $1,995 option, down $100 from $2,095 now, Ford says.

The models and their new prices:

•XL base work truck, $26,615 (including shipping fee of $1,195, unchanged from 2014), up $395. Its standard configuration is as a regular cab with rear-wheel drive and 6.5-foot-long cargo bed.

•XLT, best-selling trim level, $31,890, up $395. The standard configuration also is regular cab, rear-drive, 6.5-foot bed.

•Lariat, first of the premium versions, $39,880, up $895. Its standard setup is extended cab, rear-drive, 6.5-foot bed.

Ford says those three models make up 85% of F-150 sales. Prices will be higher for four-wheel drive and different cabs and bed lengths.

•King Ranch, $49,460, up $3,515.

•Platinum, $52,155, up $3,055.

Those two top models are crew-cab models with rear-drive. Four-wheel drive will be more expensive.

Starting prices for the Chevrolet Silverado, which is the F-150's main rival, range from $27,670 for the base work truck with regular cab and rear-wheel drive to $46,700 for the High Country crew-cab, rear drive.

link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...ney-topstories

 

From an inflation perspective: XL and XLT are cheaper, Lariat is about the same, and the King Ranch/Platinum are way more. XL mid should be close to XLT base. It looks like the Platinum will top out around $65k! Nice find.

 

And now Ford my have priced me back into the Mid Level Lariat......

 

I'd probably go XL now... ridiculous. No more than XLT. Who can afford those stupid prices.

 

That's great news for you...you can get the 2.7L!

 

Hence why I will probably hold onto my '05 till she falls apart. By then I should have my Bronco done anyway. Are STX and FX4 gone now?

 

XL mid should be close to the XLT price so it won't make a difference - unless you are ok with roll up (edit) windows. Did you expect the price to be lower from last year? In fact, XL and XLT are cheaper from a certain point of view.

 

Prices are too high as it is. How they expect the average person to be able to afford one of these is beyond me. I was looking at the 2014's awhile back. A decently optioned STX supercab was almost as much as what I paid for my house. FX4 was easily the same cost or more. That is down right insane.

 

Agreed. My '04 is soon to be a nice weather vehicle. Idk when I'll ever buy a new truck. Going to be buying a new car this fall for gas mileage. If I ever need to tow I'd get an older Dodge with the 5.9 24v Cummins or SuperDuty. I stay up on the new stuff just in case, but I doubt you'll ever see me in a new truck unless I somehow became loaded and could afford fuel to always drive a 3/4 ton.

 

It's called inflation. My parents built a house 40 years ago for $19k. We are currently building a new home and we have over $19k just in concrete alone!

Sadly, salaries haven't kept up with inflation the last 10 years.

 

That’s a lot less of an increase than what I thought was going to happen on an all new truck. The way people and critics of the aluminum body were talking prices were going up $2,000.00+ on XL!

Very fair increases on XL, XLT, Lariat and bigger increases on KR and Platinum because they have all of the new gizmos standard, massaging seats, etc. Just $395 on XLT increase to the base sounds like a bargain. Basically you’re getting a bunch of new stuff for $395 on XL/XLT and $895 on Lariat and the aluminum body, new frame and new design for free.

I double checked the prices on the build and price site.

2014 Silverado Steel body
VS
2015 F-150 All Aluminum body

14 Silverado
WT $26,670 (base model - with destination its $1000 less than what USA Today quoted, but the F-150 is still cheaper!)
----------------------------------
15 F-150
XL $26,615 (base model)

14 Silverado
LT $32,225. (mid range)
----------------------------------
15 F-150
XLT $31,890 (mid range)

Where are all of the critics now that said the new body was going to cost too much and should have stuck with steel like old GM? You better come up with a new argument.

 

What does the FX4 fall under? The Lariat?

 

You can add the FX4 (off road) package to any trim level now. These are the trim levels:

XL
XLT
Lariat
King Ranch
Platinum

 

Yep, FX4 is a stand alone option, which it should have been all along. There was too much similarity between an FX4 and a lariat with off-road.

What sucks is the loss of the STX with dιcor. That was a good option package, and it seems you would have to make something similar ala carte from the XL.

 

More pricing info from PUTC:

•To go from the standard 3.5-liter V-6 to the turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 will add just $495 to the bottom line.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/07...015-f-150.html

That's a deal! I know some people were saying the 2.7 EB was going to cost even more than the 3.5 EB.

The biggest price jump comes for the King Ranch, with a surprising $3,615 increase to the truck's base price. Ford spokesman Mike Levine says that this represents $4,500 worth of additional content.

Telescoping steering wheel is standard now starting on XL. More at the link above!

PS The piece de resistance......
F-150 2.7L EcoBoost is $495. over the base.

Ram 3.0L EcoDiesel is $4,500. over the base.