The Ford brand will get an aluminum-bodied Super Duty and several new high-performance cars in the coming year. Most of its lineup has been recently updated, and another significant round of redesigns is expected just before the end of the decade.
F-150: If you haven't heard, the F-150 was redesigned for 2015 with an aluminum body that helped the truck drop 700 pounds from the previous generation. After lengthy retooling shutdowns at both plants that make the F-150, inventories are rising and projected to return to normal levels by the end of September. F-series sales volumes have fallen slightly because of the changeover, but transaction prices have soared, contributing to record North American profits in the second quarter. Ford is responding to customer demands for high-end F-150s by reintroducing a $60,000-and-up Limited trim for the 2016 model year. A Raptor high-performance version, unveiled in January, is on tap for 2016.
Also new for 2016 is a sport mode and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system to replace MyFord Touch. The F-150 will get Ford's new 10-speed transmission, developed with General Motors, probably for the 2017 model year.