Planet-savior Ford F-150 Debuts (without a Peep about the Planet)

nationalreview.com ^ | 10/9/2014 | Henry Payne

[rktman]

Ford unveiled the 2015 Ford F-150 to the media for a first test drive here at the end of September. And not once did the detailed, two-day company presentation mention global warming.

[rktman]

Older article. Apologies if it was already posted. But it still kills rocks in order to be manufactured.

[Olog-hai]

Volcanoes kill rocks too. Ban volcanoes!

[Red Badger]

No kills THIS ROCK!......................

[cripplecreek]

Ford has been way ahead of the curve on this sort of thing without trying to BS us about global warming.

[DaveA37]

I want one!

[Pontiac]

Personally I am not that hot on the use of aluminum body panels.

Here in Ohio the road crews use a lot of salt in the winter for snow and ice melt.

Salt can really do a number on Aluminum.

Ford F series trucks have had plastic engine hoods for over a decade to reduce weight. That may be the way to go.

There are still a lot of Pontiac Fieros on the road with un-rusted body panels to prove the point.

[rktman]

Not to mention dis-similar metals and the galvanic reaction with body panels and fenderwell attach hardware. Just add water and a little salt. Hopefully they’ve used plenty of protective coatings. But there’s always an entry point.

[technically right]

The original Shelby AC Cobras had aluminum body panels. I’d sure take one of those.

[The Cajun]

Not a bad looking truck, wonder how the paint will hold up, in the long run, on aluminum.

"Sticking" paint on aluminum is a tad different from "sticking" it on steel.

[tx_eggman]

Personally I am not that hot on the use of aluminum body panels.

Also not to mention ... get in a fender bender and you're forced to a dealership ... other shops won't have the equipment to repair aluminum, they'll only be able to replace it.

It was with this in mind that I picked up my 2014 F-150 last month.

[SoCal Pubbie]

You don't have to worry about the paint sticking to aluminum. Just the primer:-)

[mbarker12474]

Did they explain the term Eco-Boost?

[norwaypinesavage]

"not once did the detailed, two-day company presentation mention global warming."

Of course not. The F-150 sells to real men, not beltway cocoon metrosexuals.

[norwaypinesavage]

"not once did the detailed, two-day company presentation mention global warming."

Of course not. The F-150 sells to real men, not beltway cocoon metrosexuals.

[central_va]

Gee "entry" level pickups are made of exotic metals and start at 30k, that's progress < /sarc >

But they get 23 MPG. What "savings".

[dangerdoc]

You can just push it back out with your fingers, if that doesn’t work patch it up with Reynold’s Wrap.

[Pontiac]

Not to mention dis-similar metals and the galvanic reaction with body panels

Good point.

The rate of reaction varies depending on the combination of metals.

Since aluminum wheels have been used in combination with carbon steel lug nuts and studs for decades I don’t think it is much of an issue.

But aluminum wheels have a very durable coating on them so are well protected from salt and on the same point bi-metallic contact. However once that plastic coating is compromised they quickly pit (corrode).

[Harold Shea]

That too was the reason I got the `14 F-150 last

month instead of waiting for the aluminum truck.

Only thing I don`t care for is the dash kinda

shows up on the windshield on mine...distracting.

The no gas cap and electric steering suprised me.

[Pontiac]

The original Shelby AC Cobras had aluminum body panels. I’d sure take one of those.

If you ever get one, don’t drive it on Ohio roads from November to May if you value the car.

[nascarnation]

A very ambitious engineering program. I’ve read about all the work they’ve had to do all the way up the supply chain.
Obviously as the #1 seller in the US, it takes big investments all the way from the mines thru the assy plant and body shop.