Gen-12 and Gen-13 F-150s to be Manufactured Concurrently
Consider this: Ford F-Series pickups and F-Series-based SUVs generate more than 90 percent of Ford’s profits worldwide.
Now consider this: Demand for full-size pickups is increasing at a rate three times the rest of the industry. Even with a redesign on the horizon, you’d think the current 12th-generation F-Series pickup was introduced yesterday. As a result, Ford wants to keep the public supplied with trucks, so they have decided to produce the current F-150 next to the new 2015 F-150.
The F-150’s impending redesign will be more involved than usual. Ford is introducing a significant amount of aluminum to the F-150 platform that could cut the truck’s weight by up to 750 lbs. Because more thorough retooling is needed for working with aluminum components, Ford will build both generations concurrently for six months.
While concurrent production is relatively common for volume sellers, by comparison, this year General Motors simultaneously produced the GMT 900 and current-generation Silverado/Sierra for two months.
As we leave the Great Recession behind like “Aunt Edna” in National Lampoon’s Vacation, truck buyers will have more variety, but prepare to mourn the loss of recessionary deep discounts offered on full-size pickups.
Ford hopes to begin 13th-generation F-150 production by July 2014.