The main target of criticism was the key feature of the new F-150 — aluminum body panels. Most American workshops simply do not have the necessary equipment to work with this material. As skeptics claim, this will make post-accident repairs cost huge sums, and in some situations even insurance payouts will not cover the expenses.
Claims about high-tech EcoBoost engines seem less justified: the benefit from reduced fuel consumption achieved through new solutions clearly outweighs the costs of their maintenance. It is the comprehensive set of measures to lighten the structure and increase the output of power units that provided the new Ford F-150 with impressive driving performance and fuel efficiency.
How justified the critics' concerns are will become clear over time. According to their calculations, out of 30 thousand independent American service stations specializing in bodywork, less than 10% are equipped with aluminum equipment. At the same time, the growing demand for such repairs will force private services to purchase special equipment, because the share of aluminum in modern cars is constantly increasing.
More information about the new Ford F-150 — in the article "The most popular pickup in America arrived in Detroit".
