QUINCY, Mass., March 3 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Production changes to the newest batch of Super Duty pickups have restored best-in-class towing to Ford’s popular workhorse trucks. Super Duty trucks, such as the 2011 F-350 and F-450 models available at Greater Boston Ford dealer Quirk Ford, manufactured after mid-February will carry a maximum towing capacity of 17,500 pounds, beating two-wheel drive Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra models by 1,000 pounds. Four-wheel drive Super Duty trucks beat the competition in towing by 500 pounds.
The production changes, which include a higher-strength steel frame and an improved hitch, add 1,500 more pounds of towing capacity compared with earlier 2010 Super Duty models, an increase of more than 9%. Both two-wheel and four-wheel drive F-350 models carry the 17,500-pound tow rating. Massachusetts Ford buyers who need the extra towing capacity will find it in 2011 F-350 and F-450 models equipped with the 6.7-liter V-8 turbocharged diesel engine.
“When you’re talking about work trucks, capacity is everything,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of Quirk Ford. “Our Massachusetts Ford customers know that an extra 500 pounds of towing could be the difference between making one trip or two for supplies. When you’re on the clock, saving that second trip means more productivity and less travel. That’s something that any business owner wants to have.”
The 2011 F-250 has also received an upgrade, which allows both two-wheel and four-wheel drive models to tow up to 14,000 pounds, a full 1,000 pounds more than Chevy and Dodge competitors.
The upgrades to the 2011 Super Duty models come even as Ford leads all truck makers in customer satisfaction. A 2010 Global Quality Research Survey conducted by RDA Group found that Super Duty owners had an overall quality satisfaction rating of 83%, 6 points higher than Dodge and 10 points higher than Chevrolet. The Super Duty also registered almost 50% of total heavy-duty truck sales according to research from R.L. Polk, which is Ford’s highest share of the market since 2001.
That combination of quality and power has led to a series of awards that should help 2011 models retain more of their value in years to come. “Popular Mechanics” named the 2011 Super Duty trucks their Best Workhorse, and both Automotive Leasing Group and “Kelley Blue Book” awarded the F-Series Super Duty the highest residual value in the full-size truck class.
“Not only will a Super Duty let business owners get more work done now, it will give them more down the road when they’re ready to trade it in toward a new truck,” Quirk said. “There’s a reason why the Super Duty has almost half of the heavy-duty truck market; these models inspire customer loyalty with their exceptional value and capability.”
About Quirk Ford:
Quirk Ford, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is the largest Ford dealer by sales volume in New England and a winner of The President’s Award for customer satisfaction six years in a row. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and Escape Hybrid models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery, Quincy, MA.
