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Ford Steps Up Innovation in Super Duty Review

October 2006
Filed under: FORD Car News | FORD Headlines
With nearly 30 consecutive years of sales leadership in full-size pickups, Ford knows a thing or two about what truck customers want. The latest example is a new Tailgate Step, available on the 2008 F-Series Super Duty. The industry-first feature allows customers easier access to pickup beds with a simple-to-use step that stores neatly into the tailgate.

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"If you go to any job site and see how people get up and into the back of the truck, hopping into the bed or climbing up on a rear tire, you say, 'There has got to be a better way,'" explained Ben Poore, Ford Truck marketing manager. "That's the genius behind the Tailgate Step, looking at the market and solving the need with an intuitive feature."

When not in use, the step housed in the tailgate, is virtually invisible. In the stowed position, the lower step becomes the center of the top rail of the tailgate.

Using the innovative new feature is simple: Lower the tailgate and pull the bottom step straight out so that it drops down into the step position.

A grab handle folds up and out of the tailgate to provide extra support. The step is made of high-strength steel and has been tested up to 1,000 pounds. The handle supports up to 300 pounds.

The whole redesign of the Super Duty is something I’m very proud of, and in fact, the Tailgate Step was one of my favorite components to work on. It gave our engineers and the design team a chance to be very creative, and we knew that it was something our customers would really appreciate, said Pete Reyes, Super Duty chief nameplate engineer.

"I really like the rear step, which no one else has. I think that is a real positive for Super Duty," said Harry Adams, owner of Johnson Brothers Ford in Temple, Texas.

David Gutman, Ford Lincoln Mercury marketing manager, Great Lakes Region, says dealers he has talked to are equally excited about the Tailgate Step.

"They say that it is innovations like this (step) that truly make Ford a leader in trucks and they are glad to see that we are making the moves needed to stay a leader," said Gutman. "This particular innovation seems to stand out as making a statement that Ford has raised the bar to a new level."

Another available Super Duty feature attracting attention is the new stowable bed extender. It works like other extenders to either allow more storage space to the end of the bed or, when set inside the tailgate, create a small enclosed section for cargo.

Unlike other bed extenders, however, this one separates into two pieces that fold and snap securely to the sides of the bed. This allows full space and functionality of the bed when the extender is not needed.

"I've driven trucks where I tried to work with (a bed extender), and I just could not get it to fold. I finally gave up on it," said Martha Hindes, contributing editor, Road and Travel Magazine. "(Ford's bed extender) is a really good idea."

Super Duty's stowable bed extender is made of strong, blow-molded polypropylene, is impact and corrosion resistant and can withstand up to 1,000 pounds of static pressure.

The new 2008 F-Series Super Duty is expected to begin arriving at Ford dealerships early next year.


Source: Ford Motor Company

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