2014 Ford F150 Platinum on 2040-cars

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2016 Ford F-150 gets new Limited model

The average price paid for a full-size pickup this year is $42,429. Ram is right at that mark, with an average price of $42,256, the Chevrolet Silverado is below it, at $38,384, and the Ford F-150 is above, at $46,573. That average transaction price is thirty percent higher than it was six years ago, and that F-150 price is eight percent higher than one year ago. We can thank that escalation for the arrival of the new F-150 Limited, a truck that Ford says responds to the "growing needs of discerning truck customers interested in exclusivity, capability and craftsmanship." Reuters went further, saying customers want "trucks that could substitute for a higher end German sedan." Billed as "the most advanced, luxurious F-150 ever," everything has been thrown at the standard features list. Buyers will get the luxury modifiers we expect from Europeans, like Mojave leather throughout, climate-controlled, massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and fiddleback eucalyptus wood. Driver assistance systems are legion, including a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, a remote tailgate release, and SYNC3. Ford's new Pro Trailer Backup Assist will be an option. As if that won't be enough to tell it from the less luxurious models, the Limited sits on unique 22-inch wheels, the word "Limited" is written on the hood, the VIN is laser engraved in a plaque in the armrest, and the grille, tailgate, and door handles get a satin chrome finish among other changes. Only four exterior colors make the palette: Shadow Black, Magnetic, Blue Jeans and White Platinum Metallic tri-coat. The sole engine offered is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. We've been talking about luxury trucks for years now, and Ford's competition is in the game, too - Chevy has its Silverado High Country, Ram its Laramie Limited. This new F-150 Limited, however, raises all bets. It will go on sale this winter at an as-yet-unknown price, but since the current top-of-the-line Platinum starts at $51,585, we have a feeling that getting a Limited out the door under $60K will be near impossible. Admire the new seduction in the images above, the press release below has more.

Ford nets $5.7B in 2012, $1.6B in fourth quarter

Ford brought in $5.7 billion in net income during 2012, which is around $307 million less than one year prior. Even so, the automaker closed out 2012 with the highest pre-tax profit for a single quarter in nearly 10 years, earning $1.7 billion in the fourth quarter thanks largely to a higher-than-average truck mix in the US. That's a jump of $577 million over 2011. Likewise, that translated into fourth quarter income of $1.6 billion. All told, Ford set a full-year pre-tax profit record in 2012. But that doesn't necessarily mean everything is rosy in the land of the Blue Oval.
Like every other manufacturer, 2012 saw Ford get hammered in the European Union, where a deep economic recession continues to drive down consumer confidence. The automaker lost more than $700 million in Europe, and saw full revenue of $26.6 billion in 2012. That's a decline of $7.2 billion compared to last yea. Ford says the market for new vehicles in Europe has contracted to 13.5 million units, the lowest number in 17 years. You can read the full press release below for more information.

Ford demonstrates Mustang's new Line Lock burnout feature

Been saving your pennies for a 2015 Ford Mustang? Put in a few extra shifts or some overtime? Got a great down payment ready? Well, however much you saved for your new pony car, start saving more - you'll need the extra money to spend on tires.
That's because the Mustang will come with a system called Line Lock, which can lock the front brakes electronically, allowing drivers to perform big, dumb, smoky burnouts without moving so much as an inch. It's sort of like launch control, only the average driver might actually use it.
Now, line locks aren't uncommon, particularly in drag racing. Usually, a flip of the switch locks the front brakes. The Mustang, besides offering the system from the factory which is unique in and of itself, looks a bit more involved.