Ford F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the US in 42 years

2024-04-06 22:38:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

For more than 40 years, the Ford company has produced the best-selling vehicle in the United States, and the F-150 model has been the best-selling car for almost 50 years. But what makes the F-150 so sought after? Correspondent of the Voice of America, Dora McCouar, visited the factory of the Ford company in Dearborn, Michigan, where she saw closely the work on the production of the F-150 type vehicle.

Ford Motor Company is proud of the F-150. VOA spoke with Mr. John Emmert, general manager at the Ford company.

"The F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle in the US for 47 years, and the best-selling vehicle of any type for 42 years."

But what is it about this vehicle that has drawn buyers for generations? Vaux Adams just signed a new contract for its second F-150 model vehicle.

"I will keep this model because I just bought a house, I need to move the furniture and work in the garden. I like the interior of the cabin, and it has a big touch screen."

Ford says customer feedback has helped to continually improve the vehicle since it was first produced in 1948.

“We know our customers better than anyone else. We are constantly innovating with the F-150," says manager John Emmert.

The Voice of America spoke with Corey Williams, who manages the production plant of the Ford firm.

"We are dealing with the technology and cabin interior to deliver a luxury vehicle. It makes you forget that this is a heavy-duty vehicle."

About 5,200 workers in 10-hour shifts continue the non-stop production of this vehicle at the Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan. The final stages of the process include checking the engine and assembling the main parts together.

The assembly process is controlled by computers and workers. Humans and robots working together to produce a new vehicle every 53 seconds.

"It takes people to build vehicles. If you look at artificial intelligence and the new technology that is spreading, it is about interaction between man and technology. Each work station has its own computer which serves the operator to guarantee the quality of the work", says Corey Williams, who manages the production plant of the Ford company.

At Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights near Detroit, about half of the vehicles sold are F-150s.

The store's general manager, Jim Elder, drives one.

“It fits my family's lifestyle. Although I don't work in construction, this vehicle helps me do many things around the house, from transporting bicycles to pulling a small trailer. It fulfills the daily needs".

Kevin Joostema has long experience in the automotive industry. He says that the Ford company was the first to produce such a vehicle for the average American and still continues to bring new innovations.

"It's been over a year since Ford launched the electric vehicle. The innovative leadership of this company for over 75 years has made people trust this brand more and appreciate this vehicle."

He and several other critics point to high fuel consumption relative to mileage. But the high sales show that this is not a concern for Americans. Ford says it has produced 41 million F-series vehicles for the U.S. market since the vehicle first debuted 76 years ago. Including almost 760 thousand vehicles of this model only last year./ Voa