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Proud owner of an F-150 here.

I'm not sure if this has anything to do with Ford's decision, but when they redesigned the F-150 for the 2004 model year (I think it was 2004) one of the characteristics of the newer version was that it was substantially heavier than the previous one. I wonder if they've simply determined that the F-150 has a "weight problem" and they're acting accordingly.

"DEMOCRATS like to portray themselves as defenders of science, but their pursuit of a “green” environmental agenda often involves goals that defy the laws of physics. Take the fuel-economy standards the Obama administration pushed through in 2011. Those regulations require the U.S. vehicle fleet to average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
Even with advances in engineering, that goal is daunting. The power required to move something as massive as an American vehicle (full-size trucks weigh between 7,500 and 12,000 pounds) at high speeds necessitates burning a little fuel.
Consider this: Many 2012 model motorcycles don't get 54.5 miles per gallon, according to www.totalmotorcycle.com. Even if they did, we doubt many families are willing to have mom and dad double up on a motorcycle and ride flying down the Interstate with junior riding the handlebars just to satisfy liberal notions of environmental progress.

This leaves auto manufacturers in a quandary. In response, Ford is trying to develop an F-150 truck with a largely aluminum body. "

Fuel-economy standards will pinch consumers (Replacing Steel with Aluminum to Comply w/Cafe EPA Std. Oklahoman ^ | August 2, 2012 | Oklahoman Editorial

Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2012 5:42:32 PM by Red Steel