"Wow. This was a waste of time.

I ask 'why' Ford should hold back launching a truck that is ready to go for a year, and I'm told, essentially, "because."

And then we've got the usual 'sunshine and roses' gang who have conveniently forgotten that the 'wimpy' 5.4L powers the best tow and payload ratings in the business.

All under the 'we just want the company to do better' banner--always short on specifics, always with the assurance that 'if I approve of what they do, what they do will be successful', in other words, a whole host of tin-pot Nassers."

"As far as 'first impressions', the F150 is celebrating it's 60th anniversary. It's a 'known quantity'. It needs to retain its key strengths which have never included raw power--rather usable power (class leading payload and towing, durability). The idea that a 2009 F150 debuting with standard 6-speed transmissions and (likely) better power, and retaining class leading capabilities will be looked at askance by people that buy and use trucks on a regular basis is somewhat farfetched.

We are not talking about the F150 remaining 'competitive', we are talking about the F150 retaining leadership, and in fact extending its leadership in three core areas of truck-dom: payload, towing, and configurability.

These areas have long been, and will continue to be key strengths of Ford, and as long as Ford continues to deliver them, they will retain their customer base."