Ford Motor Company (F): What You Should Know In 2015

If you told Detroit’s Big Three they could dominate only one segment out of the entire U.S. market, they would choose the full-sized truck segment — 100% guaranteed. That’s where the money is. And that’s what makes the next two years — when the segment’s market share could be up for grabs — very interesting for Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), and Chrysler Group LLC.

Among those automakers, Ford’s next generation F-150 is going to strike the right balance of fuel efficiency, design/innovation, and raw towing power. That’s why I believe it will be a clear winner against its competition. Sorry to disappoint you loyal General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) and Chrysler Group LLC fans. Here’s a quick breakdown of the details.

Fuel efficiency
All three companies are taking the recent fuel-efficiency trends to heart, and using them well. The Ram 1500 sports the best-in-class miles per gallon, while the Ford EcoBoost engine has won over the American public. GM is fighting with the argument that its trucks require the least cost to own over a lifetime.

The kicker there is that General Motors Company (NYSE:GM)’s new EcoTec V8 option for the 2014 Silverado will be getting only 1 more MPG than the current F-150. That can’t even match this year’s version of the Ram 1500. In contrast, Ford’s next-generation F-150 is expected to use lighter materials to reduce enough weight that it could boost fuel efficiency by as much as 20%. That could be enough to reach CAFE standards out as far as 2025 — an impressive leap ahead.

Innovation
For 65 years, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s F-Series has been a continuous success story, and its model in 2015 will be no different. Its aggressive new look will draw you in as a consumer, and its interior and innovative features will seal the deal. Here’s a glance at the interior and a couple of features to consider.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Atlas concept. Source: Ford.

• It offers a trailer backup assist to park a trailer like a pro.
• It has hidden cargo ramps and integrated tie-downs in the cargo box floor.
• Its tailgate step turns into a cradle to carry longer pieces of cargo.
• It has a high-power outlet in the cargo box to recharge tools.
• It includes lane-keeping and blind-spot information systems.

You get the idea. This truck is fully loaded. Click the link to get the rest of the 65 points of innovation.