ALL-NEW FORD F-150 EARNS TRUCK OF TEXAS TITLE AT TAWA TEXAS TRUCK RODEO; FORD HONORED WITH FIVE ADDITIONAL AWARDS

October 13, 2014 by Ford

◾The 2015 Ford F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever, is named Truck of Texas, the most prestigious award presented by the Texas Auto Writers Association at its annual Truck Rodeo

◾All-new 2015 Ford Transit awarded Commercial Vehicle of Texas

◾In the heart of the country's largest truck market, Ford Motor Company also ropes in Truck Line of Texas, in recognition of the breadth, features, capability and durability of America's best-selling truck lineup

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 13, 2014 – Ford trucks earned top honors at the 2014 Texas Auto Writers Association Truck Rodeo, with the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 being named Truck of Texas – the most prestigious award.

'TAWA members represent the voice of truck buyers in Texas, America's largest truck market,' said Mike Marrs, president of TAWA. 'After exhaustively testing 75 vehicles from 18 brands, the all-new Ford F-150 is our clear choice for Truck of Texas.'

Including this win, 9 of the last twelve Truck of Texas honorees have been Ford F-Series Trucks.

In designing the backbone of the all-new F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever, Ford engineers improved its signature, fully boxed ladder frame. The frame is all-new, with more high-strength steel than ever – making it stronger and lighter. High-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy – already in use in aerospace, commercial transportation, energy and other rugged industries – is used throughout the F-150 body for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance while saving up to 700 pounds of weight.

The new F-150 is the most fuel-efficient F-150 ever, thanks to the dramatic improvements in weight and advanced engine technology. Every model, every engine and every customer benefits from this weight savings. This means the 2015 F-150 can tow up to 1,100 more pounds, haul up to 530 more pounds and will have better fuel economy ratings than the current F-150 lineup, projected to be in the range of at least 5 percent and as much as 20 percent higher than current models, depending on the model. (EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings are not yet available and will likely be announced in November.)

'TAWA members are among the first to experience the all-new F-150's breakthrough innovations and best-in-class capabilities, features that will help our hardworking customers improve their productivity,' said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. 'It is an honor to again be named Truck of Texas. We are committed to continuously improving America's favorite trucks.'

Evaluations at TAWA Truck Rodeo are just the latest testing the all-new F-150 has undergone. When it arrives in showrooms later this year, the 2015 F-150 will have endured the equivalent of more than 10 million miles of torture testing to ensure it meets or exceeds Built Ford Tough standards.

In addition to an all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost® engine, the new F-150 offers customers a complete lineup of powertrains to allow them to tailor the truck to best meet their needs. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine returns, an all-new normally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 debuts and there is an improved 5.0-liter V8.

F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series lineup. Now in its 66th year, F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 37 consecutive years and the best-selling vehicle in America for 32 consecutive years.

Also taking home TAWA honors is the 2015 Ford Transit, named Commercial Vehicle of Texas.

The all-new Transit replaces America's best-selling van for 35 years, Ford E-Series. Transit offers a maximum cargo capacity of up to 487 cubic feet – 75 percent more than the largest E-Series. When equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, the van delivers as much as 46 percent better fuel efficiency than E-Series with the 6.8-liter V10 premium engine, along with more payload. Transit equipped with the standard 3.7-liter V6 has up to 19 percent better fuel efficiency than E-Series with its standard 4.6-liter V8 engine.

'Transit delivers it all – better fuel economy, more capability, the largest number of technology choices, and the most innovative and diversified offering of configurations in a full-size van,' said Hinrichs. 'We're honored TAWA members also have recognized Transit as a game changer for our hardworking commercial vehicle customers.'

Here's the full list of Ford vehicles winning top honors in their categories at TAWA Truck Rodeo:

◾Truck of Texas: 2015 Ford F-150

◾Truck Line of Texas: Ford Motor Company

◾Luxury Pickup Truck of Texas: 2015 Ford F-150 Platinum

◾Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas: 2015 Ford F-150 King Ranch

◾Commercial Vehicle of Texas: 2015 Ford Transit

◾Best Technology Feature: 2015 Ford F-150 high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy

Photo credit: Ford
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