By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com
The full-size pickup truck market is set to be highly competitive for the 2007 model year. Three of the five full-size trucks on the market are receiving extensive overhauls and all three heavy-duty offerings (Dodge Ram, Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra and Ford F-Series Super Duty) are getting all-new diesel engines.
Ford has long been the leader of the truck market holding the top sales spot for 30 consecutive years. The F-Series’ reign may be in jeopardy.
A lawsuit brought on by Ford against Navistar, which owns International and produces Power Stroke diesel engines for Ford, has led the engine builder to cease shipments of the mighty Power Stroke to Ford’s production facility. As a result, Ford has announced they will be cutting production and shifts at the Super Duty’s plant in Louisville, Ky.
Ford’s lawsuit against Navistar is a result of warranty issues on the previous generation 6.0-liter Power Stroke (that was used from 2002-2006) and pricing issues on the all-new 6.4-liter version installed in the 2008 model F-Series Super Duty. To make up for what it considered being overcharged, Ford’s payments to Navistar were less than the agreed upon price, which led Navistar to halt shipments of the engine.
After Ford announced the shift cuts, an Oakland County, Michigan court stepped in issuing a restraining order for Navistar to continue production and delivery of their engines and for Ford to pay for all the engines it receives - without its self-imposed deductions. It is not clear whether the court order will affect Ford’s plan to cut the shifts, but it does highlight the strain on both manufacturers.
The leader in full-size trucks, sales of the F-Series saw an 11.7 percent drop in sales between 2005 and 2006, and that trend doesn’t seem to be getting any better as January sales fell almost 15 percent for 2007 compared to 2006.
The 2008 Super Duty hit dealer lots in February but the production setbacks may lead to a shortage of the most iconic work truck on the road.