New Ford F150

[Diamondpilot]

And in the meantime, while GM knocks the aluminum trucks compared to their "steel" trucks, they are working like crazy to get their aluminum truck to market!

Nothing's changed. GM knocked Ford for having a step in the bed. Now they have one. They have always followed. Not saying GM is a bad product but they are always a few steps behind Ford and the imports.


Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

That's not accurate. There have been past discussions on the cost of training and facilities for aluminum repair not to mention the materials and the differences in how they are repaired. If aluminum panels didn't cost more to produce or repair there would be no reason for steel panels as everybody would use aluminum.

I Called and got a quote on a F150, Silverado, and Ram 1/2 crew cab 4x4 truck. All 3 top of the line trucks. The Ford was the cheapest to insure. The GM was the most. This was about 6 months ago using my agent, my area, my driving record. These were all 2015 trucks.

There are more factors than just cost of body panels. Maybe the brand X truck has more "totals" due to frame bending in relative small accidents. Maybe brand Y has more front end component damage due to the Rad getting pushed back into the motor doing damage to things like AC compressor, Alternator, ect. Maybe F150 airbags are $800 while the competition is $2500. Maybe the accident rate on a brand is higher due to the driver demographic?

Who know?

Chris

 

[Red Horse]

That's not accurate. There have been past discussions on the cost of training and facilities for aluminum repair not to mention the materials and the differences in how they are repaired.

If aluminum panels didn't cost more to produce or repair there would be no reason for steel panels as everybody would use aluminum.

As for cost of training/new facilities,that is a one time cost as shops enter the "aluminum age"-in time IMO those costs are amortized out of the equation.

As for the prior choice of aluminum vs. steel IMO it was not so much the cost to produce or repair but rather the aluminum spec itself as well as the manufacturing process. twenty years ago I'm sure the metal working process was a far cry from what it is today-be it stamping, welding, or use of adhesives which for sure I would bet did not exist 20 yrs. ago. And for sure our tax dollars for military vehicles I would bet paid for a lot of that new aluminum technology.

Check the box, yes or no. Is GM working like mad on an aluminum truck? Better yet, is EVERYONE working to get weight out of vehicles????

 

[MikePA]

And in the meantime, while GM knocks the aluminum trucks compared to their "steel" trucks, they are working like crazy to get their aluminum truck to market!

All manufacturers;

1. Praise the advantages of what they sell.
2. Criticize what they don't sell.

This isn't new, shouldn't surprise anyone and, frankly, is hardly noteworthy.

 

[Red Horse]

All manufacturers;

1. Praise the advantages of what they sell.
2. Criticize what they don't sell.

This isn't new, shouldn't surprise anyone and, frankly, is hardly noteworthy.

No argument-to a degree-would you criticize something you yourself will soon be marketing???
Short sighted IMO. Also I'm of the school that negative selling has its risks.

 

[JMER817]

Nothing's changed. GM knocked Ford for having a step in the bed. Now they have one. They have always followed. Not saying GM is a bad product but they are always a few steps behind Ford and the imports. Chris

Really? Ford finally got rid of that crap twin I Beam front suspension and basically copied the GM front end, hi beam light switch from floor to steering column, shift on the fly 4x4, opposite side rear axle shock location, a true locking rear diff not a shuttering limited slip, I could go on with GM firsts. I grew up on Fords and now buy GM. Both make good vehicles. I'm no longer brand loyal, I go with the best bang for my buck anymore. They aren't loyal to me so I'm not to them.

 

[MikePA]

No argument-to a degree-would you criticize something you yourself will soon be marketing???
Short sighted IMO. Also I'm of the school that negative selling has its risks.

Only the advertising and sales departments know how effective this type of advertising is.

 

[Btown]

Nice looking trucks for sure;I thing I just read that the repair cost is 26% higher for the aluminum bodied trucks.I am a GM guy for sure;we didn't have a Ford dealer in the area for many years and the one we have now is one of those sell but can't fix-it dealers. Our area is mainly GM,then Ram(Dodge),Toyoda then Ford.

Look how much a 2014 tail light cost compared to the LED 2015 tail light. Same with the 2015 LED headlight assembly. This is where the vast majority of the 26% difference is. It's not in the aluminum repair. They took a 2014 and a 2015 and did offset rear crash test using the other so both have the same damage. Most of the difference in price was the headlight and tail light. All some people do is just look at the whole bill and claim aluminum is soooo much more to repair. If the 2014 had LED head and tail lights it would almost be a wash.

 

[aczlan]

Look how much a 2014 tail light cost compared to the LED 2015 tail light. Same with the 2015 LED headlight assembly. This is where the vast majority of the 26% difference is. It's not in the aluminum repair. They took a 2014 and a 2015 and did offset rear crash test using the other so both have the same damage. Most of the difference in price was the headlight and tail light. All some people do is just look at the whole bill and claim aluminum is soooo much more to repair. If the 2014 had LED head and tail lights it would almost be a wash.

Especially if the truck has the "Lane Departure" feature which adds a LOT to the cost of a taillight (has radar in the taillight IIRC).

Aaron Z