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Ford Delays New F-150

Consumers shunning big trucks, SUVs

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

June 20, 2008
With big truck and SUV sales falling to record lows as the price of gasoline hits record highs, the Ford Motor Company is postponing the introduction of the redesigned Ford F-150 pick-up by at least two months.

The number-one selling passenger vehicle in America for 26 straight years, the F-150 lost that title in May.

The F-150 fell to fifth place as the Honda Civic took over the top spot to become the first choice among new car consumers. The Toyota Camry is the second most popular choice.

Overall sales of full-sized trucks like the F-150 are 23 percent lower this year than they were by this time last year.

"Our plan all along has been to introduce the new F-150 after our dealers had a chance to sell down inventory of the existing model and with the current slowdown in the marketplace we decided it was prudent to adjust the start of public sale for the new truck by about two months," Mark Fields, Ford's President of The Americas said in a statement.

Ford also plans a deep cut in large SUV production this year as consumers turn away from gas-guzzlers for more fuel efficient cars and trucks.

The financially troubled automaker will reduce third-quarter production by 50,000 vehicles, making 475,000 vehicles, 25 percent fewer than the third quarter of last year.

The company forecasts a drop in all U.S. auto sales as gasoline prices continue to pummel consumers.

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