Ford ramps up F-150 production ahead of 2009 model changeover
If you ever wanted to put an Ford F-150 in your driveway, this summer may be the best time to make your move. As the new 2009 F-150 nears production, Ford is increasing its plant's output of the 2008 F-150 to ensure enough supply remains during July and August when plant production will be transitioning to the all-new model. The last time Ford took such measures was back in 2003, when it sold the F-150 "Heritage" alongside its replacement. Things have changed, however, as there are now only two plants producing the F-150 (compared to four in 2003), and the economy isn't nearly as strong.
There is a fair amount of risk involved during a model change-over for a vehicle with such high sales and production numbers (Ford sold about 414,000 F-150s in 2007). On one hand, Ford needs to keep dealers from drying out during the production slow-down. On the other, the last thing dealers need is a surplus of 2008 models just as the 2009 models arrive. It is a delicate balancing game between supply and demand.
With production ramping, supplies are already up. As of March 1st, Ford had an inventory of 200,000 F-series pickups (a 96-day supply). Last year at this time, it had 176,200. Inventory isn't the only thing on the rise. In a move that will benefit consumers, financial incentives are skyrocketing. Compared to this time last year, incentives are up by $733 to a whopping $4,514 per truck. Nothing sounds sweeter to consumers than high inventory levels combined with substantial incentives -- if you are in the market for a new F-150, this is music to your ears.
Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150
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[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd, Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brent 7:36PM (3/17/2008)
Who will buy the 09's then?
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Gregg 10:35AM (3/18/2008)
Well, sure the 09 looks an awful lot like the 08, since they took the same body and tweaked it (new front clip, tailights, tailgate, side creases), unlike Dodge which is giving the 09 Ram all new glass and exterior metal.
However, the 09 F150 will have upgraded powertrains, 6 speed transmission, better interior, tougher frame, much roomier crew cab, and things like stability control and side airbags that you cannot get even optionally on the 08. So there are a ton of reasons a person would choose to pay more and get an 09.
JN 7:36PM (3/17/2008)
Some of the larger dealers in my area are selling XL (base trim) F-150s, longbed models, no less, for around $13K, with A/C, V6 and stick. Good deals can be had on "loaded" ones, too. Heck, I even saw an F-450 for $46,995 today ... it was a high-end model, too.
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DanMan 10:25PM (3/17/2008)
Love them stripped down long beds. Got an 04 Heritage Edition myself, standard cab long bed, bench, and rubber floor. A pickup truck as basic as God intended. Leave your leather, plush carpeting, power features, and car-like driving experience for a god damned car!
spw 8:09PM (3/17/2008)
wait, Ford inventory sky rocketing, incentives sky rocketing and thats good? :-).
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Red Star 8:33PM (3/17/2008)
I guess this would be a bad time to trade in my F-150 for Fusion.
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MajorGeek 8:43PM (3/17/2008)
I would buy an 09, why? Because I dont want last years model and frankly, I saw the new 09 at a local show and its beautiful in person. Having owned a Mark LT, the interior seems to have some cues from it as well. One wonders aloud if they are making sure they can be #1 in truck sales as well by offering incentives at a time when truck sales are down.
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AlexP 9:12PM (3/17/2008)
>Having owned a Mark LT
Kill yourself.
Jesse Thoresen 10:33PM (3/17/2008)
Personally I’m holding out for the diesel F150.
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Billy C. 10:21PM (3/17/2008)
The F-150 might be a nice vehicle for those who don't care about gas prices, but only the european vehicles will save ford.
Ford is quickly becoming a european car company that makes money off of americans who havene't figured out where the auto industry is going.
Among those who know, the real question is becoming "Why is Ford still making cars in America?"
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Garp 10:27PM (3/17/2008)
If they sell 414,000 a year, and they have 200,000 in inventory that should be about 180 days supply, not 96.
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Dan 11:41PM (3/17/2008)
They sell 414K F-150s a year, but another ~300K 3/4 and 1 ton Superduty trucks. And that 200K inventory includes both vehicles.
Ford combines these vehicles which share no major parts into the "F-series" so they can advertise that they have the best selling vehicle in the US. Makes about as much sense as calling the Edge, Explorer, Expedition, and Escape sales the "E-Series SUV".
hitek3 11:47PM (3/17/2008)
The Silverado and Ram also do this with their Heavy and Light duty models. It's no different.
EVan 11:46PM (3/17/2008)
Billy C.
You clearly have no idea what you're talking about. More F-series trucks are sold in the USA than any other model by any other automaker anywhere in the world.
Furthermore, the F-150 is not comparable to SUV's and Luxury gas guzzlers and is much more than simply a model for those who don't care about gas prices.
F-150 drivers most likely care more than anyone about gas prices, due to the fact that their owners are often small business owners trying as hard to save a buck here and there as everyone else. Unfortunately for them it's the pallet of bricks or the cattle trailer that couldn't care less about the price of fuel.
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DKB_SATX 3:25AM (3/18/2008)
EVan: I don't think you know as much as you think you do about what YOU are talking about, either. Perhaps it's a regional thing, and I realize I live in pickup heaven, but around here an F150 is one of the family cars. Leather seats, lawyers and accountants and middle managers driving them, big V8 sucking down the Unleaded to take one person to work in an office somewhere.
There certainly are some commercial customers, but more of the work trucks around here are Super Duty types.
gsolman6 12:56AM (3/18/2008)
"Unfortunately for them it's the pallet of bricks or the cattle trailer that couldn't care less about the price of fuel."
See that's the thing in that they (the Europeans) manage to do that same type of work w/o using a two and a half ton, body on frame, gasoline-powered vehicle.
A 25-mpg turbocharged diesel Dodge Sprinter does the same work - in this case plumbing - as my neighbor's 11 mpg Chevy truck. Plus all the precious cargo, in this case copper pipes, is more secure in the former than the latter.
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blake 1:12AM (3/18/2008)
gsolman6: The Sprinter costs quite a bit more than an F-150, and I'm sure it's also quite a bit more than your neighbor's Chevy. I really wish I could afford a Sprinter right now, same mileage as I am getting in my 94 Accord hauling my tools up and down city hills... that would be awesome, but also somewhat unrealistic. I don't think I could really afford a 15,000 dollar truck, yet alone a 35,000 dollar Sprinter.
Mattias 3:38AM (3/18/2008)
At least here in Europe there are many cheaper alternatives to the Sprinter. Currently the smaller version of the large Sevel van (Fiat Ducato) sells for half the price of a Sprinter. OK, those are FWD, but even if you need RWD (there are cases you really need it) you can take the IVECO Daily. If you just need around 1500lbs of payload the smaller Sevel van (Fiat Scudo) might be an option. This van is about as cheap as a Volkswagen Golf -- just to compare price levels.
So, yes, with higher gas prices lots of alternatives show up. We'll see, if some of the manufacturers manage to bring european vans to the US. The Ford transit (open and closed) might be possible, the Nissan Primastar and Interstar could be sold through the Nissan dealer network. IVECO is on the wa back to the states with Mercosur produced trucks, so you might see their robust vans stateside too.
brn 9:04AM (3/18/2008)
This is not a knock against the Sprinter as I'm sure it serves it's purpose, but a 1/2 ton truck is a heck of a lot tougher than a Sprinter. There are plenty of times the Sprinter wouldn't be up to the job.
Michael 6:27AM (3/18/2008)
Rather strap the 2x12x16s on track raks then strap the barn doors half shut .
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