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Supercharged Ford FX2 Sport Truck

Ford’s Accessorized FX2 Truck Introduced at the 2006 SEMA Show

The F-150 FX2 Sport truck was one of many Ford cars and trucks shown at the 2006 SEMA show in Las Vegas. I talked with Mark Birnhart, Ford’s Truck Marketing Strategy Manager, Vehicle Personalization, about the truck. He’s a real nice guy and spent some time pointing out details about the truck and explaining the concept behind it.

Ford’s goal was to create a customized looking truck that was built using factory parts and accessories that are already available. They wanted power and a bold presence — but not a way-out concept truck; it had to be something a new owner could create.

Before the design team went to work on the truck, they considered consumer trends and even asked automotive journalists for their input during an event in Texas. They decided to base the FX2 Sport truck on the existing FX2–a popular two-wheel drive version of the F-150 truck.

The original FX2 package already has a monotone look, with color matched bumpers, front lower air dam and mirror covers and a flat “billet style” grille.

To create the FX2 Sport truck, Ford designer Joe Siler and his team added loads of accessories:

• A supercharger that increases the truck’s hp from about 300 to about 450
• Ceramic coated headers to extend header life and cut down on heat in the engine compartment–for better performance
• Ford’s sport exhaust for better exhaust flow–another performance enhancer
• Wheels from Ford’s existing accessories
• A fiberglass bed cover
• A bedliner
• A double stripe that fades along its length to almost match the color of the truck
• A remote starter
• Hands-free cell phone connection
• DVD monitors in the back of both headrests

Now that the truck is out and about Ford will listen to opinions about it, but it sounds like the company achieved its objectives. The truck gave Ford an opportunity to test out its accessory line to discover whether or not it was broad enough to create a fully decked-out truck.

They have a truck to show the public and their dealers, one that says you can do the same thing with our accessories. Mark projected that it would probably take 3-4 days to install identical accessories on a new truck. By doing it before delivery the customization would become part of the financed price, not something you’d have to pay for as a lump sum afterwards.