Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 with 11 associate investors. By 1919, the organization could reincorporate itself with Ford, his wife, and his son, acquiring full ownership rights. Their heirs and the Ford Foundation were the only stockholders until 1956, when the company first offered common stock.
With over 100 years of experience, including credit for producing the first modern assembly line, Ford continues making cars, trucks, tractors, and more. During the COVID-19 year, they build respirators.
Ford’s most popular vehicle is the F-150. They were first introduced to the American market in 1948. It was the first to use a dedicated truck-based platform instead of one on a car chassis. The original had several design cues that came from the company’s first truck, the Model TT, in 1917.
Edsel Ford served as president from 1919 to 1943. Henry Ford took over that role until turning it over to his grandson in 1945. That move would set the stage for what would become one of the world’s most popular vehicles.
Here’s Why Ford Calls Their F150 “Lobo” in Mexico
The Ford F-150 is the all-time best-selling truck in the United States for over 30 consecutive years. It wasn’t receiving the same recognition in Mexico. After declining sales throughout most of the 1990s, the automaker changed the name to Lobo to attract younger customers.
When you compare the most valuable automotive assets produced in the United States, the Ford F-Series is at or near the top of the list each year. It has been the best-selling pickup truck in American since 1977.
The Ford F-150 has also been the highest-selling vehicle in the United States since 1981. It is also the top vehicle in Canada.
The sales history in Mexico has been a different story. Ford averages about 1,000 units sold per month with the F-Series, which is dramatically lower than domestically. It’s still the top model from the automaker in the country, topping the Ford Ranger by about 200 trucks per month.
Since Ford wants to push the up-trim levels, everything for the F-150 XLT and higher carries the Lobo designation in Mexico. “Lobo” is “Wolf” when translated to English.
Even though sales have been down in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 economy and microchip shortages, Ford hopes that the new Lobo Tremor F-150 will make a big splash south of the border.
What Is the Story Behind Ford’s Marketing Processes in Mexico?
During the 1990s, Ford struggled to have their best-selling F-150 make an impact south of the border. After looking at their various options to turn their efforts profitable, the company decided to rebrand the trucks for the Mexican market only.
Ford’s leadership team decided that renaming the pickup to Lobo would help it appeal to more young Mexican truck shoppers. The idea was that customers would want to purchase it more by giving the truck a more masculine name.
If you buy an F-150 XL in Mexico today, it doesn’t carry the Lobo name. You need to buy an XLT or higher. Except for the badging, it is rather challenging to notice the differences between the different trucks.
There are a few changes worth noting, especially if you’re thinking about buying a new or used Ford truck from the Mexican market.
| SuperCrew Design: | • What Americans and Canadians call the SuperCrew F-150 is considered a Double Cab in Mexico. • Only two engines are available with the Lobo variation: a 5L Coyote V& or a 3.5L EcoBoost V6. |
| Fuel Choices: | • When you purchase a Ford Lobo F-150 in Mexico, you can only buy the standard gasoline-based engine. • Although negotiations are continuing for hybrid and diesel selections, they are not entirely accessible. |
| Transmission Options: | • One of the best perks of buying the Lobo version of the F-150 is that even the upper trims offer a manual transmission option. • You can also go with a ten-speed automatic if you prefer. |
| Safety Features: | • The Lobo F-150s that Ford sells in Mexico are often copies or minor modifications of the older models that were distributed to dealerships across the United States in previous years. |
| Name Differences: | • Let’s face it: is it cooler to own a Ford F-150 or a Ford Lobo Raptor? • Most people would choose the second if the judgment were made based on the name alone. |
The bed options for the Ford Lobo trucks are essentially the same as they are in the United States. Customers can choose from a short or long bed, along with the regular or double cab.
Even the drivetrain lineup is similar when comparing the Lobo to the U.S. version of the Ford F-150. The smallest option is the 3.5L V6 turbocharged engine, delivering 375 HP with 470 ft-lb of torque.
You can get that engine on the Platinum or Lariat models of the Ford Lobo F-150. You cannot get the 3.3L option available through American dealerships.
If you choose the XLT trim while shopping in Mexico, you can grab Ford’s V8 engine that offers 395 HP, but 70 less ft-lb of torque. Even with those differences, these two pickups are some of the most powerful trucks you can find for sale in the country.
Ford Motor Company in the 21st Century
What would become known as the Great Recession started in 2007. It would last until 2009 for most of the world, fueled by defaults and financial problems in the subprime lending industry. These issues caused many large companies to look at bankruptcy or alternative funding methods to survive.
In December 2008, the Bush administration announced a financial rescue plan for the country’s three largest automakers: Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford. The goal of this government funding was to prevent the entire collapse of the American auto industry.
The Ford Motor Company was the only one of the “Big Three” that had enough funds to continue operations without tapping into government relief. Chrysler and General Motors both filed for bankruptcy while Ford positioned itself for an increased market share and better sales in 2009.
Although Ford had a few strong years, by 2018, the company had completely divested itself of most subsidiaries. That’s when they announced that all passenger cards would get phased out except for the Focus Active and the Mustang.
By turning to pickups, crossovers, and SUVs, Ford was gambling on its reputation with the F-150. Although the company looks very different today than it did in the past, the reorganization and expansion is putting the brand on solid ground.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Ford F-150?
Although the sales records for the Ford F-150 are impressive, it is still necessary to proceed with caution when shopping for a new or used truck. That’s why it is important to review these potential positives and negatives when looking at the Lobo or another version to meet your needs.
| List of the Pros of Owning a Ford F-150 | List of the Cons of Owning a Ford F-150 |
| • The F-150 offers some incredible versatility without being pricey. • Depending on the model selected, drivers can haul over 3,000 pounds or tow up to 10,000 pounds with their vehicle. • If you purchase the SuperCrew or Double Cab body style, the F-150 supports up to five passengers. • The drivetrain for this pickup is impressive, with some of the special editions sold in the United States topping 450 HP and 500 foot-pounds of torque with a supercharged 5.4L V8 engine. • Later versions of the Ford F-150 come with a six-speed automatic transmission to make the towing process easier to manage. • The Infotainment system found in Ford vehicles is one of the best out there today. • The SYNC 4 now comes with a 12-inch screen, voice recognition technology, and a 4G LTE hotspot. • Outside of Mexico, you’ll get several driver-assist features, including active parking and a lane-keeping system. | • The fuel economy ratings for Ford F-150 pickups are not relatively high. • When you have a bigger engine that hauls or tows a lot of weight, the mpg goes down significantly. • Sizing for the Ford F-150 can make it challenging for some drivers to navigate streets or parking lots. • The Lobo doesn’t have a hybrid. When you buy one in the American market, the transition could be better. Their first attempt was in 2020. • Although the interior of a Ford F-150 is functional, it isn’t as luxurious as some of the truck’s competitors. • Purchasing the higher trim options for the F-150 puts the cost of this truck in the same category as a luxury passenger vehicle. • If you are buying the Lobo, you won’t have access to Ford’s impressive safety features found in other sales markets. |
◼️ How Much Towing Power Do You Need?
Even though the F-Series is relatively new to the hybrid scene, you can still get an impressive truck that delivers some massive stats.
You can get a full-hybrid model with a 3.6L PowerBoost V6 that works with a 47 HP electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. This design results in a total of 430 HP while offering a stunning 570 foot-pounds of torque.
The hybrid F-150 powertrain is rated to tow up to 12,700 pounds.
If you purchase the SuperCab or SuperCrew, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with the max trailer tow package delivers up to 14,000 pounds of towing capacity.
The minimum towing capacity of the latest F-150 models with a Class IV trailer hitch is 2.5 tons (5,000 pounds). It has a 3.3L V6 base engine, two-wheel drive, and a 3.55 axle ratio.
All these designs start with a 5.5-foot cargo bed, although some models go up to eight feet.
In total, Ford provides six different engine choices for the F-150, and it comes paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission in the United States. If you want a manual, the Lobo is an excellent choice to consider
◼️ Does Ford Have an Electric F-150 Pickup Truck?
Ford seems to be using the lessons learned with the Lobo to create interest in their EV version of the F-150 by giving it a unique name.
The all-electric Ford F-150 truck is called “Lightning.”
This truck sets a new standard for what is possible in horsepower and foot-pounds of torque, with the latter delivering 775 to make it the most of any in F-150 history. Drivers will be delighted in the 563 HP engine that offers a 10,000-pound towing capacity or a payload limit of 2,000 pounds.
The Lightning delivers dual in-board motors with a standard 4×4 design, allowing drivers to take on rough terrain with relative ease. It uses the strongest steel ever put into an F-150 frame, has military-grade aluminum alloy for the body, and an independent rear suspension for added comfort.
The entry-level model for the F-150 Lightning is expected to retail for just under $40,000 before state and federal tax credits or sales tax. If you step up to the XLT model, the MSRP rises to almost $53,000.
It’s quicker than the Lobo Raptor, has a front-style trunk for extra capacity, and offers enough energy to “run your house for three days.”
Ford plans to build the Lighting in the Rouge factory, which is the one where Henry Ford changed the way we all think about automobiles.
What Is the Price of a Ford Lobo Pickup Truck?
The cheapest option in the 2019 model year for the Ford Lobo was the XLT trim. You’d receive a V8 engine with a regular can and 2WD with this option, priced at 625,000 pesos. At the current monetary exchange rate, that price puts the truck at roughly $31,000, equivalent to the entry-level American F-150.
Mexican shoppers could swap the 2WD for a 4WD model for an extra 45,000 pesos. If you went to the Platinum for the Ford Lobo, you’d end up paying 950,000 pesos for the truck.
Buyers must purchase the platinum trim to get the dual moonroof for this vehicle.
Only time will tell if the marketing swap from the 1990s will continue working. It does sound cooler to say that you own a Lobo than an F-150.