Overview

What's New
The F-150 received a clean-sheet redesign in 2004. For 2006, a new, limited-edition Harley-Davidson model joins the lineup, and the SuperCrew is now available with a six-and-a-half-foot-long bed. Other F-150 variants receive minor styling and option changes.

Overview
For nearly three decades, Ford's F-Series has been the best-selling pickup in America. According to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM Ford sold 865,404 F-Series Pickups (F-150, F-250, and F-350 combined) in calendar year 2005. That's just 25,000 fewer sales than four of its five competitors-Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, and Chevrolet Avalanche-combined.

As with earlier F-150s, variety is key: buyers can choose from three cabs, three box lengths, two box styles, seven trim levels (XL, STX, XLT, FX-4, Lariat, King Ranch, and Harley-Davidson), three engines (202-hp, 4.2L V-6; 231-hp, 4.6L V-8; and 300-hp, 5.4L V-8), and rear- or four-wheel drive. Payload ratings range from 1,360 pounds to 3,020 pounds, and towing capacity ranges from 2,200 pounds to 9,900 pounds.

The new Harley-Davidson limited edition is easy to spot: monotone black exterior, special 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, chrome grille and exhaust tips, red and blue striping, and unique Harley-Davidson badging. Inside, a black leather-trimmed interior is complemented by gloss-black highlights. Buyers can choose from two- or four-wheel drive, but the only body combination is the SuperCab with 6-foot, 5-inch Styleside box. Ford plans to build approximately 10,000 Harley-Davidson F-150s for the 2006 model year.

The Competition
The Ford F-150 competes in the Large Pickup segment, a class that, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM generated nearly 2.5 million vehicle sales in calendar year 2005, slightly less than 15 percent of total light-vehicle sales for the year. Over the past decade, full-size pickups have matured into more than utilitarian work trucks. Larger cabs with comfortable and well-outfitted interiors have attracted a much larger audience.

According to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM the U.S. Big Three dominated sales in this segment for the 2005 calendar year. The Ford F-150 led the segment with 579,820 sales, the Chevrolet Silverado (light duty) followed with 445,585 sales, and the Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty pickups recorded combined sales of 285,584. Other models in the segment include light- and heavy-duty versions of the Dodge Ram and GMC Sierra, along with the Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, and Chevrolet Avalanche.