Renown for its ruggedness, durability, gritty performance, and dependability, the 2007 Ford F-150 upheld its reputation among fleet industry professionals as it brought home Fleet Truck of the Year honors for the second straight year. Sponsored by Automotive Fleet and Business Fleet magazines, this year’s annual Fleet Truck of the Year competition featured 38 domestic and import-badged 2007-MY light trucks. Qualified fleet buyers voted online via the magazines’ websites.

“The F-150 is the best-selling under-8,500-lb. GVW pickup in both the commercial and government sectors,” said John Ruppert, general manager, commercial and government operations, Ford. “Since it was introduced as all-new in 2004, we’ve been able to improve on an already industry-best product.”

The F-150’s Pillars of Innovation

The best-selling pickup for 29 years, the F-150 has won numerous accolades, including North American, Texas, and Motor Trend Truck of the Year, and was recognized by J.D. Power & Associates as the highest-ranked light-duty full-sized pickup in initial quality.

“The question isn’t how the F-150 can continue to lead the industry among our competitors; it’s how they can compete with the F-150 and its added value, content, and capabilities,” said Ruppert. “Quality, durability, and reliability are, and will continue to be, the F-150’s pillars of innovation.”

Packing a Punch

Available in five series — XL, XLT, STX, FX4, and Lariat — the F-150 offers a variety of body configurations, including three cab choices (Regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew), three box lengths (5.5, 6.5, and 8 feet), and two box styles. The 6.5-foot bed was added to the SuperCrew during the 2006-MY. All versions are standard-equipped with tailgate assist.

The SuperCab and SuperCrew feature two rows of seating and four doors for easy access, while the 4x2 XLT version of both cabs offers the new FX2 Sport Package as an option.

The 2007 F-150 is powered by either a 4.2L V-6 202-horsepower or 4.6L Triton V-8 248-horsepower engine in both 4x2 and 4x4 capacities. The F-150 also offers a 5.4L three-valve Triton V-8 300-horsepower engine with variable cam timing and electronic throttle control, also available as an E-85 option. The V-6 has either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, while the V-8 is equipped with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission.

Promoting Passenger Safety

Hydroformed front frame rails designed to collapse on impact helped the F-150 earn the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Five-Star rating for driver and right-front passenger frontal crash rating.

“The reasons we selected the F-150 as our primary pickup 20 years ago are the same today,” said Robin Robinson, key supplier manager for Federal Way, Wash.-based Weyerhauser Co. — a forest products company with 2,500 total vehicles, of which 1,000 are F-150s.

“In addition to providing the best overall lowest total cost of ownership — including acquisition, resale, maintenance, and fuel — the F-150 has an excellent safety rating, which is an employee concern,” said Robinson.

Torque-based electronic throttle control uses driver input from the accelerator pedal to actively modulate torque at the drive wheels. The technology produces seamless engine response, improved fuel economy, and enhanced vehicle systems integration.

Four-wheel vented-disc anti-lock brakes and a tire-pressure monitoring system are offered as standard, while Traction Assist can be ordered on 4x2 V-8 models. A new DVD-based navigation radio with in-dash screen is also available.

F-150 Gets the Job Done

Known for its durability and ability to handle diverse road conditions, the F-150 has always been a popular fleet truck, providing best-in-class towing at up to 10,500 lbs., with a maximum payload capacity of 3,050 lbs.

“Our pickups are used primarily off-highway over rough terrain, sometimes on very crude logging roads, carrying equipment and crews into the woods,” said Robinson. “The F-150 continues to perform well under all conditions and we can run in excess of 125,000 miles before replacement, which is at about every five years.”

During a time when gasoline prices are constantly fluctuating, the F-150 maintains a competitive fuel economy, achieving up to 15/20-mpg city/highway, depending on engine and drivetrain.

“Our employee satisfaction survey results show the F-150 continues to be the favorite among our crews, citing among other features, structural integrity, comfort, and its large size,” said Robinson.