Ford Upgrades Pickups' Fuel Economy

Ford is getting a 20-percent fuel economy boost in the F-150 by adding two V6 options by 2011.

WWJ's AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert reports that the smallest engine will still put out 300 horsepower.

Truck marketing manager Doug Scott said the improved fuel economy could help Ford take buyers from the competition.

"Fuel economy is the number one unmet need in the segment," Scott said.

"Seventy percent of the full-sized pick up owners said to us that they wanted a lot or some change in terms of improvement in fuel economy," he said.

Ford is also expanding the number of pickups that get its most powerful 6.2 liter V8 engine that puts out 411 horsepower.  Scott also said they'll update their workhorse V8 and expand the availabilty of their big 6.2 liter engine.

"In the 62-year history of F-series this is the most extensive powertrain overhaul ever," Scott said.

Ford said overall the revamping of the F-series engine lineup for 2011 will improve the fuel economy by 20 percent.

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