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Our Verdict
When it comes to Ford Trucks, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons to make a wise decision. On the positive side, it features the new Ecotorq engine, famous for its powerful performance and fuel efficiency. Its automated transmission modes enhance adaptability in diverse road conditions, and its maneuverability is a standout, perfect for navigating tight spaces.
Inside, Ford Trucks prioritizes comfort and convenience, making long-haul journeys enjoyable. The Ford Trucks Care service ecosystem complements ownership, boosting uptime and satisfaction.
However, a few drawbacks to be mindful of, include subpar fuel efficiency in diesel engines, a high initial cost, and a limited warranty.
Ford Trucks is an ideal choice if you value an aesthetically pleasing interior, comprehensive service support, and automated transmission modes. If fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness are your top priorities, or if you’re looking for electric or hybrid alternatives, explore other options. In the end, Ford Trucks stands out for its commitment to innovation, safety features, and a sustainable future, making it a solid choice if you desire reliable and powerful trucks.
Pros
- Features the new Ecotorq engine, a powerful and efficient diesel engine that delivers high performance and low fuel consumption.
- Offers automated transmission modes for adapting to different road conditions.
- Excels in maneuverability, making it ideal for tight spaces and sharp turns.
- Features an innovative interior that prioritizes comfort and convenience for long-haul journeys.
- Supports with Ford Trucks Care that provides a comprehensive service ecosystem, enhancing uptime and customer satisfaction.
Cons
- Exhibits subpar fuel efficiency, particularly in diesel engines, resulting in higher greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to hybrid engines.
- Has a high initial cost, which can hinder some customers from making purchases.
- Offers a limited warranty, covering only the engine and transmission for two years, which you can extend to three years, leaving customers responsible for repairs to other parts and components.
- Generates a high noise level, potentially causing annoyance and discomfort for the driver.
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Who Ford Trucks Is Best For
Consider Ford trucks if you:
- Value an aesthetic interior and user-friendly features like touchscreen displays and safety systems.
- Seek a truck with a comprehensive service ecosystem and warranty through Ford Trucks Care to reduce ownership costs and enhance satisfaction.
- Want a versatile truck with automated transmission modes for different road conditions.
- Need a powerful and efficient truck with the new Ecotorq engine for high performance and low fuel consumption.
- Prefer a truck with improved maneuverability and steering for easy navigation.
Who Ford Trucks Isn’t Right For
Seek alternatives to Ford trucks if you:
- Explore widely available truck options in the US.
- Prioritize fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness, including gasoline and hybrid engines.
- Consider stylish and modern electric or hybrid trucks from other companies.
What Ford Trucks Offers
Finance
When it comes to money, Ford Trucks helps you with buying, running, and selling your vehicles. Plus, it offers budget-friendly plans that make sure you don’t overspend.
Driving Academy
Learn to drive better to save money at Ford Trucks’ Driving Academy. Its experienced instructors teach you how to drive safely, especially in tricky situations when you work on construction sites or haul dangerous materials.
Connect ruck
Stay updated on your F-MAX vehicle with ConnecTruck. Get easy and swift access to all your vehicle’s information and its status using smart technology—ConnecTruck.
Extended Warranty
Add extra protection to your vehicle—get a 3-year extended warranty (additional 1 year) from its approved dealers. This means you get even more coverage than the standard warranty of 2 years with unlimited mileage
Maintenance Packages
Ford Trucks offers maintenance deals that save you money on keeping your vehicles in good shape. It also shields you from rising parts costs, and you can even get maintenance package discounts.
Ford Trucks Financial Services
Ford Trucks provides financial support for customers of different economic statuses. It offers diverse ways to help you pay for your vehicles. It works with you to find the best plan—lease versus purchase—while you focus on your business.
Accessory & Retrofit
It makes your ride even more comfortable with a bunch of cool and modern features for your F-MAX truck.
Superstructure Solutions
Ford Trucks is your go-to for a long-lasting, tough vehicle for utility jobs. Its local expert engineers build the utility trucks. It also offers a domestic good’s certificate warranty.
Ford Trucks Details
Construction Series
When you need to carry out heavy-duty work in construction, mining, or quarrying operations, use its construction series trucks. Ford’s construction trucks handle the toughest terrains and carry hefty loads with ease. With robust chassis and potent engines, the likes of its 3542D, 3542M, and 4142M models ensure that no job is too demanding.
Tractor Series
Long-haul transportation is easy with its tractor series. It transports goods and materials across vast distances and boasts spacious cabins, efficient engines, and advanced transmission modes. Towing large trailers becomes a seamless task, and you can count on maximum performance and comfort. Its F-MAX, 1842T, and 3548T models lead the way.
Road Series
For urban and intercity transportation of both goods and passengers, its Road Series trucks are the perfect companions. With improved maneuverability, responsive steering, and expert handling, its vehicles adapt without stress to various road conditions and driving modes. It has models like the 2533LR, 2533HR, and 1833DC.
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Where Ford Trucks Stands Out
100% Electric Power Truck
Ford Trucks proudly embraces the future with electric trucks, promoting sustainability through eliminating emissions. This shift towards cleaner energy is not only environmentally responsible but also economically efficient.
Remote Driving Innovation
Ford Trucks is leading the way with its groundbreaking remote driving technology. In the event of unexpected situations during autonomous driving, operators can easily take control from a distance, ensuring safety and control.
Independent Driving Technology
Its “Level 4 Highway Pilot” technology empowers trucks to navigate between logistics hubs, marking a significant step towards a smarter, more efficient transport system.
Adaptive Transmission Modes
Ford’s automated transmission modes adapt to various driving scenarios, optimizing fuel economy, performance, and agility, regardless of the conditions.
Enhanced Safety
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) intervenes when road conditions get challenging, preventing skidding and ensuring a safer journey.
Hydraulic Braking System
With a powerful 600 kW capacity, its optional hydraulic retarder, Intarder, offers reliable braking when descending with a heavy payload, extending the life of service brakes.
Effortless Reverse Parking
Ford Trucks’ “Self-operating Reverse Parking” features simplify the often-tricky task of docking at loading and unloading stations, making it a more easy and efficient process.
Emergency Braking System
In critical moments that require sudden braking, Ford Trucks’ Emergency Braking System steps in swiftly, potentially preventing accidents.
Comprehensive Trip Data
The Trip Computer provides drivers with valuable information, such as gas mileage and travel distance, enhancing trip planning and efficiency.
Axle Load Indicator
It displays the rear axle’s load information to prevent overloading and ensure correct loading, promoting safety and compliance with regulations.
Smart Maintenance
Ford Trucks’ Smart Maintenance feature tells about your vehicle’s oil life, simplifying maintenance scheduling and ensuring optimal performance.
Lane-Departure Warning System
Ford Trucks cares about safety when transporting heavy loads. Its Lane-Departure Warning System acts as another set of vigilant eyes, helping you stay in your lane.
Auxiliary Heater Settings
With the ability to adjust temperature and timer settings using its display screen, Ford Trucks provides additional convenience during short-term parking, using an engine to run the parking heater.
Driver Evaluation
Ford Trucks’ Driver Evaluation system analyzes your driving style and offers advice for improvement. It’s a tool for enhancing driver performance and safety.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) uses temperature and pressure data for each tire to gauge and maintain ideal tire pressure levels to ensure safety and fuel efficiency.
Where Ford Trucks Falls Short
Outdated Infotainment System
One area where Ford Trucks lags is in its infotainment system. This critical feature, responsible for providing you with entertainment, navigation, and connectivity, is not consistently up-to-date across its lineup. Some Ford trucks lack this feature entirely, while others suffer from a noticeable lag in the user interface. In a world where seamless connectivity and entertainment on the road is a standard expectation, Ford’s inconsistent infotainment systems leave drivers and passengers wanting more.
Limited Telematics Services
Effective fleet management and optimization are vital for businesses relying on Ford Trucks. However, Ford’s telematics services fall short of being comprehensive and user-friendly. It does not provide robust monitoring capabilities for fleet performance, fuel consumption, maintenance needs, and vehicle location. Unfortunately, Ford’s “Trucks Live” service, which offers these features, is only available in select markets and often comes with a subscription fee. This limited accessibility poses challenges for your business if you need real-time insights and efficient fleet operations.
Inefficient Software Updates
Maintaining the software health of a vehicle is crucial for ensuring smooth operation and addressing potential issues. Ford Trucks, however, has a less-than-ideal system for software updates. Its updates typically require a visit to authorized dealers or service centers, which can be both expensive and time-consuming for you. In an age where over-the-air updates are becoming the industry norm, Ford’s approach for some of its trucks, especially older trucks, is a bit inconvenient and costly.
How to Apply for Ford Trucks
Find a Dealer
Locate a nearby Ford Trucks dealer using its official website.
Contact the Dealer
Reach out to the dealer, inquire about truck availability and pricing, and request brochures for more details.
Test Drive
Schedule a test drive to experience the truck’s performance and ask any questions you have.
Explore Financing
If necessary, explore Ford Trucks’ financing options, including loans, leases, and insurance.
Finalize the Deal
Sign the contract, complete the paperwork, and make a deposit. Your dealer prepares your truck for delivery and notifies you when it’s ready.
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Alternatives to Ford Trucks
Freightliner
A subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America, Freightliner stands as one of the foremost heavy-duty truck manufacturers. It provides a diverse range of trucks unique to various applications, including the Cascadia, M2 112, 114SD, and 122SD.
Peterbilt
A division under PACCAR, Peterbilt is an iconic brand popular for its trucks. It produces a wide array of vehicles catering to different segments, including the Model 579, Model 389, Model 567, and Model 520. Peterbilt gains accolades for its unique design, top-notch quality, exceptional performance, and continuous innovation.
Kenworth
Another PACCAR division, Kenworth, is a leading manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty trucks. Its lineup boasts a variety of trucks suitable for diverse purposes, such as the T680, W990, T880, and T370. Kenworth has a solid reputation for durability, reliability, efficiency, and driver comfort.
Volvo
Volvo Trucks operates in North America through its subsidiary, Volvo Trucks North America. It offers a comprehensive range of trucks for different markets, including the VNL, VNR, VHD, and VAH series. Volvo Trucks places a strong emphasis on safety, environmental sustainability, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Customer Reviews
On Consumer Affairs, Ford receives 1.9 out of 5 stars. Consumer feedback and expert opinions reveal significant concerns about Ford. It gets criticism for producing vehicles with faulty transmissions, resulting in issues like shuddering and stalling. Lawsuits and investigations arise due to various defects, including dangerous airbags and engine fires.
However, contact Ford Trucks itself to gain firsthand information about its services when you give it a trial or go for a test drive.
Pro Tips
- Compare Models: Compare different Ford truck models to match your needs using the filter tool on the official Ford Trucks website.
- Check Specifications: Review crucial specs like engine power, fuel consumption, and load capacity in online brochures or at Ford Trucks dealers.
- Read Reviews: Seek out customer reviews and experiences on online forums and social media platforms.
- Arrange a Test Drive: Schedule a test drive with a dealer to assess the truck’s performance and ask questions about warranties and maintenance.
- Explore Financing: Consider Ford Trucks’ financing options and check your eligibility online or with a dealer.
- Assess Fuel Efficiency: Keep fuel efficiency and emissions in mind, particularly if opting for diesel engines, and use Eco Mode for optimization.
- Evaluate Reliability: Consider the truck’s reliability, adhere to maintenance schedules, and use quality spare parts.
- Consider Comfort: Explore interior features like touchscreen displays and customizable accessories.
- Review Service and Warranty: Look into Ford Trucks’ warranty services, including warranty extensions and maintenance packages using Ford Trucks Care.
- Compare Value: Compare the price, resale value, and depreciation rates of Ford trucks with other options before you make your decision.
Recap
Ford Trucks Global, a division of Ford Motor Company, produces a range of heavy commercial vehicles, including construction, tractor, and road series trucks. Its trucks feature the powerful Ecotorq engine, versatile automated transmission modes, improved maneuverability, and comfortable interiors.
Ford Trucks Care offers comprehensive services. However, its fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness need improvement in comparison to its electric competitors. Due to its level of reliability and comfort, it is worth considering for specific needs.
