Ford Motor Company (F)’s Hottest F-150 Sets Another Record

Last year Ford introduced a front grille-mounted camera to help off-roaders see when climbing over steep hills, rocks, or whatever they happen to encounter on their journey. It even has a washer function to help the camera clear of mud or dirt, something that should definitely come in handy.

For the 2014 model you can expect high-intensity discharge headlamps to help improve visibility and SYNC with MyFord Touch for added connectivity in today’s Internet fueled world. The connectivity system has an 8-inch center-mounted touch screen with five-way controls mounted on the steering wheel.

According to Ford, it also includes a nice set of standard safety options.

• AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
• Trailer sway control
• Safety Canopy System
• Dual-stage front airbags
• SecuriLock passive Anti-Theft Engine Immobilizer System
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System
• Four-wheel anti-lock brake system

Investing takeaway
This is yet another great story out of the company for Ford investors, but this isn’t a model that is going to move the needle in terms of profitability, and it will probably remain a niche vehicle — only 13,000 Raptors were sold in 2012, compared with nearly 650,000 F-Series trucks overall. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a big deal. Consider that the recent success of the Raptor does two important things.

First, this gives Ford great insights to what consumers want and desire in a more premium truck — knowledge the company will no doubt use as it puts the finishing touches on the next-generation 2015 F-150. Secondly, the success and attention the Raptor has been getting recently helps Ford steal back some of the press that General Motors Company (NYSE:GM)’s all-new Silverado and Sierra were getting over the summer. Both are very important aspects for Ford right now, and investors can rest assured that the company is positioned to deliver an excellent second half of 2013, and a great 2014.

The article Ford’s Hottest F-150 Sets Another Record originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Daniel Miller.

Fool contributor Daniel Miller owns shares of Ford and General Motors. The Motley Fool recommends Ford and General Motors and owns shares of Ford.

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