New F-Series Super Duty On Sale Now

Ford began selling the most capable F-Series truck ever - the new 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty - and will begin advertising it heavily on Sunday's Super Bowl XLI broadcast and at NASCAR's Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18

- The new 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty - the boldest, most capable and cleanest F-Series truck ever - hits dealerships this week; 50,000 orders placed even before truck went on sale.

- Customers are buying a heavy mix of high-end models, including the all-new Ford F-450 pickup that boasts 24,500 pounds of towing capacity, nearly 8,000 pounds more than the closest heavy-duty truck competitor.

- The new truck will literally be assembled on hundreds of millions television screens during a 60-second ad just before Super Bowl XLI this Sunday.

- The F-Series Super Duty represents 40 percent of all F-Series sales and launches with lower introductory prices.

This major push is expected to build on the 50,000 2008 F-Series Super Duty orders Ford received before the first trucks were shipped.

The new Super Duty features an available all-new, more powerful 6.4-liter Power Stroke dual-turbo diesel engine; an industry first Ford F-450 pickup with unmatched capability; and numerous class-exclusive, innovative features such as the Tailgate Step and PowerScope Mirrors.

"This will be a Super February for the boldest and most capable F-Series Super Duty ever," says Cisco Codina, Ford group vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service. "The truck market is heating up this year - Ford plans to fortify its 30 years of F-Series truck leadership by bringing the biggest, boldest and most capable truck to this battle."

Customers are buying a heavy mix of high-end models - including the heavy-duty truck segment's first Class 4 pickup, the Ford F-450 - out of the gate. Ford also is selling more diesel-powered Super Duty models - generally 75 percent of Super Duty sales - than projected. This diesel mix demonstrates that Ford truck customers buy F-Series for the most extreme jobs that cannot be handled by any other truck without moving up to commercial-grade vehicles.

Other popular Super Duty models include the upscale Lariat "Tough Luxury" series that brings the striking design and comfort of luxury cars to big work trucks to the first time. This model, which includes the top-of-the-line King Ranch model, is selling at a faster pace than projected.

The new Super Duty also is flying off the lots with innovative, industry-first features such as the TailGate Step that allows easier access to the pickup bed. The industry-first Powerscope power-folding, power-telescoping trailer tow mirrors and stowable bed extender are proving popular.

Charles Howard, the first 2008 F-Series Super Duty customer, loaded up his new Ford F-450 King Ranch with nearly every option. But, the Winchester, Kent. resident bought the truck for its most common purpose, to work on his 80-acre farm.

"This is the best truck I've ever owned and I've had all kinds of them," says Howard. "I will use it to tow hay this time of year. I also will tow cattle and tobacco."

Howard says he's been getting more visitors these days, "People follow me to the story to talk about the new truck."

Howard also confirmed that the 2008 F-Series Super Duty engineering team achieved its goal of making the Ford F-450 handle and ride as well as smaller trucks, even when unloaded.

"This truck drives and rides better than my 2005 F-350, which is like the little brother now since it's the same color King Ranch, too" - Ford.