Ford has reported record-setting sales of the F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks. These models posted their best second-quarter results since 1997, with an 83% year-over-year gain. For the first half of the year, sales of F-650 and F-750 are up 53%, with growth in many vocational market segments, including:

• Tree service. 

• Towing.

• Beverage distribution.

• Delivery service/freight.

Market share is up, too, with Ford picking up almost five points in the Class 6/7 chassis cab segment for a total share of nearly 20%, according to registration data through April. The F-650 and F-750 has been voted by Work Truck readers as Medium-Duty Truck of the Year twice. [Updated: And once again in 2022!]

Ford credits a focus on expanding its commercial dealer network for its growth. When Ford introduced the all-new F-650 and F-750 in 2015, there were fewer than 100 Ford dealers across the country servicing Ford medium duty trucks. Thanks to an ongoing effort from the Ford sales and service teams, there are now more than 500 Ford dealers servicing medium duty trucks across the U.S., and the number of dealers stocking these trucks is up more than 25 percent year over year.

“By expanding our medium duty network and providing extensive training and support to our dealers, we now have more than 1,000 trained salespeople across the country helping our commercial customers order exactly the right trucks for their applications, which is directly contributing to our record sales,” says Kevin Koester, Ford commercial truck brand manager. “At the same time, our fivefold increase in medium duty servicing dealerships since 2015 gives customers confidence that whether they operate locally, regionally or nationally, they will be able to get service and support quickly. Since time is money for commercial customers, knowing that they can minimize costly downtime and keep their trucks on the job is also helping drive sales.”

The automaker also credits continuous product improvement for the growing success. Ford is the only medium-duty truck manufacturer to offer a choice of gasoline or diesel in its Class 6 and Class 7 trucks. It is also the only manufacturer to build its own powertrains, ensuring they will work seamlessly with all chassis components and vehicle calibrations.

The 2021 F-650 and F-750 will come standard with a modem providing 4G LTE Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices, as well as many new driver assist technologies, including traction control, hill start assist and auto headlamps. Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, electronic stability control, lane departure warning, Driver Alert System and auto high-beam headlamps also will be available.

“We expect the order bank to remain strong well into next year as fleets take advantage of the new technology and new powertrains,” Koester says.

2021 F-650 and F-750 production begins in early January 2020. The new trucks offer a choice of the all-new 7.3-liter V8 gasoline engine or the third generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel. An updated instrument panel includes a new tilting and telescoping steering column, steering wheel and instrument cluster, while new standard AM/FM stereo radio with Bluetooth functionality and USB ports makes getting in the cab and driving the new F-650 or F-750 as familiar as driving a Super Duty pickup.