The “IT” Truck Is the Ford F-150

For over the last 40 years, the Ford F-150 has continued to dominate as the number one selling truck in America, making our job as your Ford truck dealership a little easier. So why is the Ford F-150 America’s best-selling truck? What does it have that other trucks don’t? Perhaps it’s because drivers want a truck they can take to work but also use to get away on the weekend. Knowing they have the power and innovation of Ford behind them when they need it might have something to do with the truck’s popularity as well.

The Famous F-150

If you’re not familiar with the infamous F-150, then think of the full-size truck as more like a Swiss Army Knife, serving a variety of functions in a wide range of situations. The rugged V8 engine choices give drivers all the power they need, while its off-roading capabilities mean drivers can go where they want when they want.

But the F-150 isn’t all brawn and no brains either. Over the years, Ford has slowly turned the F-150 into a more than convenient workspace. So whether you’re out of the office for a day or your truck is your office, the F-150 is prepared to help you out. With an interior cabin that can function as a portable office and the recent addition of a tailgate workspace, the F-150 makes it easy for drivers to get the job done without the hassle that comes with being in the field. So don’t settle for a less than average truck when you can get the fully functional multi-tool known as the Ford F-150.

But now you’ve encountered a new dilemma: Year? Model? Engine? Which do you choose? Where to start? Well, if you’re going to have a problem, then having too many choices is a good one to have.

Ford’s Most Versatile Machine

The F-150, now in its sixth generation, gives drivers plenty to choose from when it comes to performance and power. Ford first introduced its rugged work-ready trucks in 1917 for $600. By the roaring twenties, Ford had found success within the budding truck market, with more models being sold every year. In 1948 the first generation of the F-series was created. Fast forward to 1975 when Ford introduced the first F-150 full-size pick-up truck to replace its F-100 model. The slogan “Built Ford Tough” was coined soon after. The three-word phrase worked perfectly as a promise to buyers, telling them right off what to expect when they went with the Ford brand and, more specifically, the Ford F-150.

The new high-performance F-150 proved to be a raging success with drivers. By 1977 Ford was once again in the lead when it came to truck sales, with the F-150 outperforming GM’s C/K trucks. From there, Ford continued to adapt their F-series to meet the demands of truck drivers nationwide. As more and more families were buying trucks to use during the week and then get away on the weekends, Ford began offering higher-end models that offered things like AC and power locks in order to appeal to the American family and their active lifestyle.

The F-150 evolved from there into a series of work and luxury trucks, depending on the model. Special editions like the F-150 Harley-Davidson edition saw Ford collaborating with the motorcycle giant to create the ultimate combination of rugged luxury. Today the F-150 family boasts a wide range of models, from the recently introduced Ford Lightning, Ford’s first all-electric truck, to the off-roading beast known as the Raptor.

The versatility of the F-150 is just one of many reasons why truck drivers continue to gravitate towards the machine that offers them all of today’s modern conveniences with a little bit of unrefined grit. The perfect blend of work and play sets the F-150 apart from its competitors, like the Chevy Silverado or the Ram 1500. Drivers looking for a truck that doubles as a vehicle for both work and play know they’ll find what they’re looking for in the F-150.

First, a Work Truck

First and foremost, the F-150 was created and marketed as a solution to the much-needed multipurpose work truck. The F-150 offers a variety of engines to give drivers the power they need. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, when power was less than what it is today, people in need of an extra boost often had to rent a truck with the strength they needed for towing or hauling materials to or from a job site. The F-150 changed all.

Today the F-150 is known for having one of the most efficient V8 engines on the market, making it easy to save on fuel costs without skimping on horsepower. In the most recent 2022 F-150 models, Ford gives drivers a choice of up to six different engines that have all the power and performance you’d want out of a work truck. Everything from the hybrid V6, or 3.5L Powerboost, to the beastly 5.0L V8, which is responsible for helping the F-150 rank number one when it comes to best-in-towing and payload.

The F-150 was created to make use of every inch of space. This includes smart storage and plenty of cargo room. If you find you’re often at the job site more than in the office, then Ford is ready to make your day a little easier. In the last few years, Ford has begun offering certain F-150 trims like the XL, Lariat, or Ranch King, among others, with an interior console workspace.

Simply fold down the shifter, and your work surface folds directly down from the center console. Utilize the fold-down surface to set up a laptop or review paperwork. And with options like max recline seats to help you stretch out after an exhausting day, you can take all the comfort and convenience of your office on the road with you.

When it comes to truck design, Ford thinks outside the box, making sure it uses every square inch of space. This includes the tailgate, that’s received a few upgrades in the last few years to turn it from a simple gate into a multi-functional work surface. The F-150 Power Tailgate makes light work of loading and unloading materials. Drivers can control the gate with their keyfob, allowing them to open or close the tailgate if their hands are full or they are a distance away. A tailgate step makes it safer and more convenient for drivers to not only load or unload their supplies but also reach things that might have slid to the back of the truck bed.

When you find yourself in the middle of a job site with no spare room to work, the F-150 has a built-in solution to your problem. Simply flip open the power tailgate to reveal a clean and ready work surface. The durable surface with a built-in ruler and multiple compartments for phones, pencils, and blueprints, makes it easy to stay organized. Plus, with the textured surface, it’s easy to write, cut, and keep things in place while you work or take a break.

A Truck for the Whole Family

Want to know what else Ford has added to its recipe to create the most popular truck on the road today? It’s not just for the single person on the job. The F-150 has evolved to be one of the best family vehicles out there. Maybe you only need room for yourself and a passenger, or perhaps you need all the space of a SuperCrew Cab that fits up to six. Either way, the F-150 is ready for any adventure, even if it’s a fun weekend of camping with the family.

The F-150 is the perfect do-anything vehicle. The newest models have the available Pro Power Onboard, so if you find yourself in the backwoods and in need of an extra power boost or a lightning storm takes out your home’s power lines, the F-150 is there to back you up and keep your family feeling safe and comfortable. The Pro Power Onboard feature means your truck works like a portable generator that can help keep the lights on or deliver power when you need it the most.

If your favorite way to relax is to get away with your family, the F-150 ultra-durable bed gives drivers plenty of room for bikes and gear, plus the interior space for everyone to ride in comfort the entire way. Nothing gets left behind when it comes to the F-150. Hauling something large like an ATV or a boat for a few days of off-roading fun and fishing? The best-in-class hauling and payload of the F-150 make light work of your heaviest jobs. Plus, with more recent F-150s coming available with a Smart-hitch, Ford has made it easier and safer than ever when it comes to all of your hauling and towing needs.

Unquestionably a Top Truck

So there you have it, a brief overview of why the Ford F-150 is America’s number one selling truck after 40-plus years. Sometimes something comes along that just checks all the right boxes and then some. While most truck companies can try to compete with the F-150, it’ll be tough going.

The full-size work truck is not only long-lasting and durable, but its multi-use design helps it blend and adapt no matter where it goes. So whether your life is about work, play, or somewhere in between, there’s an F-150 out there for you. Talk to the professionals here at Kate Faupel Ford and experience for yourself why the F-150 is right for you.

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