Ford begins building all-new F-150 pickup

Ford Motor Company’s first all-new F-150 rolled off the line today at the Ford Rouge Center – marking production of the toughest, smartest, most capable and most efficient F-150 ever.

The company says interest in the new F-150 has steadily grown since the truck was revealed in January at the 2014 North American International Auto Show. More than 225,000 truck enthusiasts have submitted their contact information for updates about the vehicle, and more than 250,000 customers have built and priced their own unique version of the all-new F-150 online – a record through 13 generations of America’s favorite truck. The new model will be in showrooms next month.

“The all-new F-150 continues to advance my great-grandfather’s vision of building vehicles we can be proud of and our customers can depend on,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company.  

Both the historic Ford Rouge Centre and the all-new F-150 are hallmarks of innovation. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, Rouge has represented Henry Ford’s vision for lean, flexible and sustainable manufacturing. The 2015 F-150 – the first mass-produced truck in its class featuring a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body and bed – stands for the future of trucks, and brings the latest in smart technologies and state-of-the-art build processes.

“The all-new F-150 is a showcase of innovation and class-leading capability for truck customers,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO. “It underscores the product excellence and innovation we are delivering in every part of our business as we accelerate our pace of progress toward profitable growth.”

F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series truck lineup. Now in its 66th year, the F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 37 consecutive years and best-selling vehicle in America for 32 consecutive years.

Manufacturing innovations for a new generation of pickup

The all-new F-150 is the most innovative truck in Ford history, featuring breakthrough technologies and features that redefine the light-duty pickup for a new generation.

With a deep understanding of customer needs for a dependable, more capable and more efficient pickup truck, the Ford team designed the advanced manufacturing process to include the latest in materials and in forming and joining technologies.
Ford’s refurbished Dearborn Diversified, Stamping and Tool & Die facilities provide the latest equipment to give the truck its tough body. This includes new press lines to help stamp four different types of high-strength aluminum alloys that reduce cab and cargo box weight while improving durability. New hydroforming lines use pressurized oil to form metal tubes into strong support rails for structural soundness, a new chemical coating system prepares the aluminum for high-strength adhesives, and a new heat treat area bake hardens the alloys, resulting in more robust, durable materials.

Five hundred new robots in the all-new body shop conduct state-of-the-art joining technology that leads to a tougher truck. Smaller, more compact robots install the roof and doors, transfer the vehicle to final assembly, and scan the body to ensure the highest quality standards are met.

The Dearborn Truck Plant paint shop was updated with dirt detection technology and increased robotic paint automation for more durable paint application resulting in best-in-class exterior appearance for the all-new F-150. Other new processes support the addition of new truck features, such as installation of a class-exclusive 360-degree camera with split-view display.  

“The all new Ford F-150 is the true definition of America-made and speaks to the commitment of the hardworking men and women of the UAW,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president and director, National Ford Department. “From the very beginning, our production workers in stamping and assembly, as well as our skilled trades, have been an integral part of this historic transformation."