Ford Trucks expands its product portfolio

New F-LINE launched

Ford Trucks wants to be the eighth wheel on the wagon, so to speak, i.e. the eighth major truck manufacturer in Europe. This wish seems to be coming true. Following the presentation of the Ford F-Max tractor unit at the IAA 2018 in Hanover, things are looking up across Europe for the Ford Trucks brand, which has been producing trucks in Turkey for 60 years and is now also aiming for international success. The next step forward was the presentation of the new F-LINE product family in Crailsheim near Stuttgart at the beginning of June 2024. Ford Trucks now also offers distribution and construction vehicles as well as medium-duty tractor units. Steve St.Schmidt accepted the invitation to southern Germany and reports on the presentation of the new trucks.

Almost half a century ago, there was already a heavy-duty truck with the Ford emblem on the radiator: the Transcontinental, which was built in the Netherlands from 1975 to 1984 and then in the UK in a total of 8735 units. It consisted almost exclusively of components from suppliers: Cummins engine, Fuller transmission, Rockwell axles and a spacious cab from Berliet. Although the project failed after just nine years, mainly due to a lack of service capacity, the Transcontinental gained a reputation that still resonates today.

Ford offered a truck for European long-distance transportation around 50 years ago: the Transcontinental. Between 1975 and 1984, not even 9000 units were built, then it was discontinued. The two photos are from Ford brochures from 1979.

Trucks under the Ford brand name are now once again on Europe's roads, this time from Turkey. The F-MAX 500 was unveiled at the IAA 2018 in Hanover and promptly received the "International Truck of the Year 2019" award. Ford Trucks announced that it would be offering the heavy-duty tractor unit throughout Europe. Despite initial doubts, success did not fail to materialize. In some countries in Eastern and Southern Europe, the F-MAX is already part of the street scene.

When Ford Trucks presented the new F-LINE series in Crailsheim on June 5, 2024, there were also vehicles from the already familiar F-MAX series on display, such as this tractor unit with a used-look matt black cab.

Even in Germany, which is considered a difficult market to conquer, there are already around 1000 Ford trucks on the road with German license plates. In 2023 alone, there were 423 new registrations, with a market share of 1.2 percent. Ford Trucks has around 400 customers in Germany and the first fleet customers are already swearing by the F-MAX. The prospects for the eighth European truck brand, which nobody had actually been waiting for, are therefore not bad. It will be interesting to see when the target of 30,000 trucks sold per year in Germany will be reached. Ford Trucks is already represented everywhere in Europe, with only Switzerland, the Scandinavian countries and the UK still to be "conquered". These gaps are to be closed by 2029.

And it's not just about heavy tractor units. Three years after the founding of F-Trucks Deutschland GmbH, general importer for Ford Trucks in Crailsheim in the north-east of Baden-Württemberg, a new model series, the F-LINE, was presented there at the beginning of June 2024.

Medium-weight tractor unit from the new F-LINE series: the 2.30-metre-wide cab (measured above the mudguards) is only slightly reminiscent of the predecessor model, the Turkish Ford Cargo.

The new trucks had already seen the light of day at the French commercial vehicle and logistics trade fair Solutrans in Lyon at the end of November 2023 and were now also presented in Germany. The F-LINE series consists of three basic models:


Trucks (road series) 4x2, 6x2 (lift axle) or 6x4
Ford Ecotorq engines (Euro 6)

  • 330 hp - 9 liters - 1400 Nm - 220 kW engine braking power
    9-speed Ecotorq gearbox, optional manual gearbox, rear air suspension
  • 420 hp - 12.7 liters - 2150 Nm - 320 kW engine braking power
    16-speed Ecotorq transmission, optional ZF manual transmission, rear air suspension


Tractor unit 4x2 or 6x4
Ford Ecotorq engine (Euro 6)

  • 450 hp - 12.7 liters - 2300 Nm - 320 kW engine braking power
    16-speed Ecotorq transmission, optional ZF manual transmission


Construction vehicle 4x2, 6x2, 6x4 or 8x4
Ford Ecotorq engines (Euro 6)

  • 330 hp - 9 liters - 1400 Nm - 220 kW engine braking power
    9-speed Ecotorq gearbox, optional manual gearbox
  • 420 hp - 12.7 liters - 2150 Nm - 320 kW engine braking power
    16-speed Ecotorq transmission, optional manual gearbox
  • 450 hp - 12.7 liters - 2500 Nm - 320 kW engine braking power
    16-speed Ecotorq transmission, optional ZF manual transmission


The F-LINE vehicles are available in 17 colors, including six metallic variants.

The most impressive model in the new Ford F-LINE series is the four-axle tipper with Meiller body. The photo was taken after the artificial fog that initially shrouded the vehicle had dissipated, when a black curtain opened to reveal the new model.
Ford F-LINE for local transportation: Journalists and other visitors to the event had the opportunity to take test drives on the grounds in front of the Hangar Event Airport in Crailsheim.

The F-MAX also received an update: new generation 1.5 engine, new Ecotorq transmission with 16 gears, new EHPAS electro-hydraulic steering and new interior. The "F-MAX Select", a limited edition of just 400 units worldwide, was also presented in Crailsheim. This luxury variant is characterized by a special design in the colors black and bronze, which is also continued in the interior.

Limited edition special model: only 400 of the Ford F-MAX Select will be produced worldwide. The black and bronze color scheme continues discreetly in the luxurious interior.

Around 150 journalists, customers and partners were invited to Crailsheim to take a closer look at the new vehicles at Hangar Event Airport. With the new F-LINE series, Ford Trucks is significantly expanding its portfolio and now also covers the distribution vehicle, construction vehicle and medium-duty tractor unit segments. The press release refers to the low fuel consumption of the Ecotorq engine, which has a positive effect on operating costs, as well as to networked vehicle technologies, comprehensive safety functions, a high level of comfort and modern design. "Intelligent driver assistance systems such as the predictive emergency braking system for pedestrians and the intelligent adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go ensure maximum safety and proactively avoid critical situations. Another highlight of the F-LINE is the networked vehicle technology, which integrates every vehicle into a networked fleet via the ConnecTruck system," it says.

The press photo of the four-axle tipper of the F-LINE series was taken just one day before the launch day in Crailsheim. The impressive shot was taken by photographer Marc Bauer from Schrozberg.

At the event, Selim Yazici, Managing Director of Ford Trucks International, explained the growth strategy, which envisages a presence in nine additional countries and 500 service stations by 2026. Alex Kröper and Bernhard Kerscher, Managing Partners of F-Trucks Deutschland GmbH, gave an overview of the almost nationwide network in Germany with 21 dealers and more than 70 service partners. There are already 350 contractual partners across Europe, and three warehouses in Istanbul, Warsaw and Stuttgart are available for the supply of spare parts.

Ford Trucks presented an electric truck at the IAA in Hanover in 2022. It should be ready for series production and go into production in 2026.

Under the motto "Driving Green", Ford Trucks is focusing on emission-free, connected and autonomous technologies and is aiming for emission-free production of its heavy commercial vehicles by 2040. A Ford electric truck was already on display at the IAA 2022 in Hanover, which is scheduled to go into production from 2026. A number of pioneering features are already standard or optional in the new Ford trucks. Here is an overview:


Standard assistance systems on all Ford F-LINE vehicles
 

Turn Assist with Blind Spot Assist
The radar system detects pedestrians and cyclists in the blind spot and warns the driver visually and acoustically.

Front detection
The radar sensor detects pedestrians and cyclists in front of the vehicle and warns the driver visually and acoustically.

Traffic sign recognition
The technology detects speed limits using GPS data and by analyzing traffic signs via the front camera. If the speed limit is exceeded, the system prompts the driver to reduce speed. It also recognizes traffic safety signs and conditions and reacts accordingly.

Lane Keeping Assist
At speeds above 60 kilometers per hour, the system prevents the driver from leaving the lane and gives a visual and audible warning.

Emergency brake signal
From 50 kilometers per hour, the system forces the hazard warning lights to be activated if a vehicle in front brakes unexpectedly.

Drowsiness detection
The system detects the driver's lack of sleep and concentration. From 65 kilometers per hour, movements of the steering wheel and lane changes are detected by a forward-facing camera. Visual and acoustic warnings are triggered.

Tire pressure monitoring system
The sensors of this system are located in the tire valves. If the pressure of a tire falls below a predetermined value, the driver is alerted to this accident risk by visual and acoustic warnings.

Reversing camera
As soon as the driver engages reverse gear, the reversing camera is automatically activated.

Alcolock
An optional device can be installed or retrofitted, which must be blown into before driving off. If the driver is under the influence of alcohol, the ignition lock locks.

Early collision detection (except for construction vehicles)
The system detects a risk of collision using radar and camera sensors. If the driver does not react to an initial warning, the vehicle brakes automatically.


Optional assistance systems
 

Pre-Collision Assist with pedestrian detection
The system uses radar and camera sensors to detect pedestrians in the vehicle's path in good time. It automatically initiates braking if the driver does not react.

Automatic high beam with dipped beam function
If the front camera detects a vehicle in front or an oncoming vehicle, the system automatically switches to low beam.

Cruise control with stop-and-go function
This intelligent adaptive safety system automatically adjusts the speed of the vehicle and maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Radar sensors and cameras analyze the situation. If the vehicle in front comes to a stop, the Ford truck also stops. The journey continues automatically as soon as the vehicle in front starts up again. The system offers effective protection against rear-end collisions by automatically braking and accelerating and keeping the vehicle in its lane.