Autoblog

Could the reign of Ford's F-Series atop the sales charts in the U.S. come to an end? Some believe that it could indeed happen, and it's not even another pickup truck that is threatening the Blue Oval's bread-and-butter full-size pickup, it's the Toyota Camry. Let that sink in for a moment... alright, let's continue. The Camry already posted better sales numbers than the Chevy Silverado, the perennial second-best seller to the F-Series, for the month of April. In fact, the Silverado suffered a sales drop of 24.7 percent to 37,231 units while the Camry grabbed 40,016 sales in the same month. Still, even after the Camry's great sales month, the Silverado holds the edge when the entire year-to-date sales numbers are compiled, and the F Series still sits atop the list for now. Consider too that the Ford truck will get a major redesign for the upcoming model year. So, while high gas prices will likely continue to put pressure on full-size pickups, let's not jump to hasty conclusions just yet.

[Sources: Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, the Auto Channel]

click above for more high-res pics of the 2009 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is America's annual best seller, moving more units than anything else since Jimmy Carter was president. It's also one of the most challenged when it comes to cutting through the air, although we know there's worse. If the F-150 is going to clear the hurdle of new CAFE regs, that's going to change: its combined 16.5 mpg won't make it any friends come 2020.

Ford designers, led by North American Design Director Peter Horbury, are already looking at ways to make the next generation F-150 more aerodynamic, despite the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 having just debuted. The problem is, there simply aren't many options for making a difference: the only two components are the giant block of a passenger compartment and the massive drag-creating void of a bed behind it. Ford design did attempt to go a little aero with the front end of the 10th generation 1997-2003 F-150, but that, frankly, wasn't what people expected from an American pickup.

[Source: Auto Week]

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times – it was 2007. Topping the sales figures for the year that almost was are mainly servile vehicles, while the more ostentatious, less useful cars round out the bottom-feeder roster. Family cars at the top and niche cars in the basement doesn't tell the entire story, though.

Yes, there are some cars that you expect would sell in small volumes. Sporty things like the Porsche Boxster, Vette-in-drag Caddy XLR, blob-tacular Lexus SC430, and Audi A8/S8 über-sedan all sold in expected tiny numbers for such specialized machinery. Rounding out the nadir of automotive sales, you'll find nearly every Jaguar model, and some dead-on-the-vine products like the Mazda B-series pickups (Ford Ranger) and Isuzu Ascender (Chevy Trailblazer).

Hit the jump to read more, and see the list

[Source: Motor Authority]

After recent disagreements with engine supplier Navistar, as well as dealing with Super Dutys that perform roman candle impressions, Ford is accelerating development of a new diesel engine for its burliest of pickups. Ford and Navistar played chicken earlier this year over warranty costs for the older 6-liter Powerstroke V8. That engine had a high number of issues that led to Ford covering repair costs. Ford in turn sued Navistar, the engine supplier, and held back payments for the new 6.4-liter Powerstroke in an effort to recoup some of their expense. Navistar decided they'd have none of it, and shut down engine production, slowing Super Duty production until a court order got the engines flowing again.

This acrimony has spurred Ford to come up with an alternative to Navistar engines in one of its most pivotal vehicles. The diesel and its muscle-bound tow rating attract plenty of buyers, and the Super Duty is at the top of the Ford Truck food chain, so problems here look bad. If your work truck doesn't work, you're in trouble. Ford can't afford to lose the profits from the Super Duty, nor can it accept tarnishing the image of the iconic F-Series trucks, so the Dearborn team is on it in the interest of exorcising Navistar powerplants from the engine bay and keeping that customer cash flowing.

[Source: AutoObserver]

If you're taking home a camouflaged new Ford F-350, it's probably best to park it head-in if you wish to avoid prying eyes. Luckily for us, reader Adam Minter happened upon this blue example in his neighborhood. The leopard spots by Krylon aren't enough to hide the fact that the front end look is exactly the same as the the one seen in the Super Duty spy shots we reported on last month. In his email to us, Adam expressed regret because he couldn't get any closer for fear of drawing unwanted attention to himself.

Adam, trust us: you did just fine. Thanks for the shots!

(More photos after the jump)

[Source: Adam Minter]

Football, racing, and country music are the baskets into which Ford is putting their advertising eggs for the new F-series pickups, which has been Ford's bread and butter for the last 30 years.

The campaign blends Ford's new "Bold Moves" campaign and the older (but more entrenched) "Built Ford Tough" concept. Among the messages conveyed by the ads and promotional efforts will be bold design, outstanding capability, unmatched durability and exceptional customer loyalty. The fact that more Ford trucks have reached 250,000 miles than any other brand will be a hot topic.

Begin looking for the ads September 7 at the start of the NFL season, then September 17 with the start of NASCAR's Nextel Cup "Chase for the Cup." Promotion of the truck from a country music angle will start even earlier on August 11 with the kickoff of country music star Toby Keith's "Hookin Up and Hangin' Out" concert tour, during which the F-series Super Duty will be featured prominently on-stage during the concerts. The truck will also get some "face" time in the new movie starring Keith and Kelly Preston, Broken Bridges, opening September 8. A website promoting Toby Keith's relationship with the F-series has been launched at http://www.fordvehicles.com/hangwithtoby/, where visitors can enter a sweepstakes to win a 2007 F-150.

Check out the full release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]