Ford Trucks and SUVs

In recent years SUVs and truck sales saw an uptick, as people especially those with families, turned to these types of vehicles as a stylish way to transport their children and goods. Those who do not wish to drive mini-vans have found that crew and extended cab trucks as well as SUVs are a roomy alternative to the family wagon. Ford Motor Company is one of the auto makers that reaped the benefits of high sales for quite a few years.

History

Ford has been making trucks for decades, having begun manufacturing them in the early 1900s. Ford also began manufacturing SUVs, with one of the first being the Ford Bronco, in 1965. The Bronco was manufactured in an effort to compete with the CJ-5, which had been manufactured by the company that made Jeep.

Function

It used to be that only people who worked on farms or owned ranches were the ones who bought trucks. However, that is no longer true of modern truck owners. It is, however, true that most people who work on farms and own ranches still drive trucks because they are practical, but city dwellers have also discovered that driving a truck is no longer strictly for blue collar workers or cowboys. Ford makes a truck model called the Lariat, which allows owners all the bells and whistles of a luxury vehicle, with the function of a truck. The Lariat features leather seats, a multiple-disc changer radio, sunroof and power windows and seats. The Lariat also has a full bench seat in the extended or crew cab that holds three passengers comfortably. There are many Ford SUV models that also feature leather interior, sunroofs and multiple-disc changer radios, as well. One example is the Ford Excursion.

Truck Types

The most popular model of full-size Ford trucks by far is the F-Series. In particular, the F-150 has been one of the best selling trucks for Ford for the past 31 years. The F-150 features either a regular cab, extended cab or crew cab and comes in either a 4x2 or 4x4 model. The regular cab can fit three passengers, while the super cab and the super crew models can fit six. Price ranges from $21,565 for the regular cab to $40,910 for the platinum model. In addition, Ford also makes a model called the Ranger, which is a small truck with a seating capacity of 2-5. Ranger prices start at $16,395. Also in the F-Series are the F-250 Super Duty, starting at $25,285 and the F-350 Super Duty starting at $26,005.

SUV Types

Though a smaller version of the Ford Bronco hit the scene in the 1980s and became wildly popular, the Bronco is now a thing of the past. Ford now has a different line of SUVs on the market, aimed at making the driving experience more luxurious and enjoyable. The Ford Escape has replaced the Bronco as Ford's small SUV. The Escape starts at $20,435 and seats up to five people. The Escape also comes in a hybrid model, for environmentally-conscious SUV owners. The Ford Explorer is a bigger SUV that can seat seven and has a price range of $28,470 to $35,550. The Ford Expedition is the largest of the SUVs and seats eight, with a price range of $34,150 to $46,905. All of these SUVs are capable of towing, however, the tow weight depends on the vehicle. Ford used to produce a model called the Excursion, which was even bigger than the Expedition, however, it stopped production of that particular model a few years back.

Considerations

Trucks and SUVs are not for everyone. Those who are environmentally conscious might want to consider a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle. However, if you are searching for a hybrid, then you might want to give Ford a chance. The company does produce a hybrid SUV that may be ideal for someone seeking a smaller SUV.

Resources

• Ford website for more information