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Designated Driver: March/ April 2007 Edition


Shifting gears a bit, front-axle capability is critical for many of the commercial and special vehicle modifications our customers are making. The heavy-duty Super Duty continues to be built around a solid front axle that can change with or enable these extreme demands. One example is snowplows. They, like trailers, have become bigger and more efficient, and we're trying to keep up better than anyone. In 1995, our front axle rating was 4800 pounds. Now we offer a range of front axles, with maximum ratings from 5200 pounds all the way up to 7000 pounds, to help get any job done.

No-compromise powertrains is another big trend in towing. Customers need diesels for torque, and they always want more power, while demanding that these engines be quieter and quicker off the line. We aimed to deliver on all these demands at the same time with the 2008 Super Duty's new 350-horsepower, 6.4-liter clean-diesel engine that delivers 650 pound-feet of torque.

Diesel and non-diesel customers alike also are happy to know that the black soot has been eliminated, with emission levels approaching traditional gasoline engines. New clean-diesel engines from Ford and our competitors will eliminate all the long-held and outdated perceptions that diesels are noisy, slow, and dirty. Pickup trucks, leading the clean-diesel charge, likely will be the catalyst for the technology to reach even more trucks, SUVs, and cars.

These are a couple trends we see in the truck market. But we'll be out there, watching you to stay on top of the next big shifts. I look forward to hearing from you about any truck topic--from the new Super Duty to your favorite towing story.


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