Ford F-150 rivals: Let's rumble

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story contained an error in the photo caption on the F-150's highway mpg figure. The correct figure is 26 mpg. 

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. began shipping finished 2015 F-150 pickups to dealers last week as it announced the new aluminum-body truck will get up to 29 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing steel-body F-150.

Ford touted the long-awaited mpg numbers as "the highest EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of any gasoline-powered full-size pickup sold in America" at 19 mpg city/26 highway/22 combined for the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6.

But the Ford numbers fell short of taking the overall mpg title for full-size pickups. The Ram 1500 3.0-liter EcoDiesel still holds that honor with 20 mpg city/28 highway/23 combined.

Ford's two biggest rivals said the 2015 F-150's mpg numbers leave plenty of room for competition in the hotly contested full-size pickup segment.

And Ford executives say the story of the new truck is not just about mpg. The 2015 F-150 can tow up to 1,110 pounds more and haul 530 pounds more than the outgoing F-150. The power-to-weight ratio improves by 5 to 16 percent depending upon the configuration.

"It's clear it's not a singular focus on fuel economy," said Doug Scott, Ford truck marketing manager. "We took the weight savings and reinvested it in capability."

Scott said low fuel prices have no impact on Ford's drive to continue working to get better fuel economy.

"The No. 1 unmet need with truck customers is better fuel economy," whether the price of fuel is $1.20 per gallon or $4 per gallon, he said.

GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said that the EPA numbers Ford reported today "will help keep the segment very competitive." He added that GM's recently launched Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups offer a compelling answer to Ford's improved ratings.

"For someone who is really concerned about fuel economy, the Colorado or Canyon may be a better answer, as they get comparable fuel economy with a purchase price about $10,000 lower," he said.

A spokesman for Chrysler Group's Ram pickup brand issued a statement: "Five years ago, Ram Truck engineers put their heads together with the goal of achieving best-in-class fuel economy. It's now 2014 and we have delivered the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel full-size truck with the highest fuel economy available at 28 mpg."

Ford has invested hundreds of millions to convert two plants to install a new production system to build the aluminum-body F-150. The F series is Ford's best selling vehicle and the perennial light-duty sales champion. Ford says the new truck will be up to 700 pounds lighter than the outgoing F-150.

Ford has not disclosed its investment to develop and manufacture the new truck. But the company has said the cost of converting its Dearborn truck plant to aluminum production was $359 million with an additional $484 million invested to convert nearby stamping and diversified operations.

With the first production line rolling, Ford now turns its attention to the next phase in its efforts to improve fuel economy and hit more stringent corporate average fuel economy targets.

"We have a 10-speed transmission in development with GM," said Raj Nair, Ford global product development chief. Nair declined to comment on timing, but the transmission is expected to arrive near the end of 2016 for the 2017 model year.

Ford also continues work on a hybrid F-150.

"We anticipate sometime this decade we will have a hybrid pickup," Nair said.

"The lightweight platform and conversion to aluminum sets us up very well" to meet fuel economy targets, he said.

Ford listed mpg numbers for the other engines in the F-150 lineup:

• 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6: 17 mpg city/24 highway/20 combined
• 5.0-liter V-8 Ti-VCT: 15 mpg city/22 highway/18 combined
• 3.5-liter V-6 Ti-VCT 18 mpg city/25 highway/20 combined.