Ford Motor Company is considered a pioneer of the automotive industry. King Ranch is considered a pioneer of the American ranching industry. Given Ford's tough truck heritage and King Ranch's tough-work heritage, it shouldn't be surprising that the two have come together to develop the all-new 2001 King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew.

"F-150 and King Ranch are both very strong trailblazers in their fields," said Gene Brown, Ford Division's F-150 marketing manager, "and it made sense for us to partner with them to build this truck as a reminder of the history that we share of getting the job done, no matter what challenges we face."

Ford and King Ranch teamed up when Ford became interested in building a more upscale Western truck. Ford and King Ranch have similar customer bases and "image targets," and both companies have strong working histories. The relationship offers Ford the opportunity to create a limited edition upscale vehicle that will reach a unique group of customers, and it offers King Ranch the opportunity to nationally promote and strengthen the King Ranch name via an association with one of America's strongest brands and the number-one name in trucks, as well as obtain publicity through automotive press.

"We looked at a number of brands in deciding upon a relationship that would make sense for both parties," said Brown. "We are very proud of the F-150 SuperCrew, and feel that King Ranch is the right association for our most upscale product offering." Jack Hunt, King Ranch President commented, "King Ranch is excited about the partnership with Ford on the F-150 SuperCrew. Like Ford trucks, King Ranch is known for quality, toughness and innovation. King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew The King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew the most upscale in the Ford F-150 lineup. It is based on the newly introduced F-150 SuperCrew, the industry's first under-8,500-pound GVW full-size pickup truck with four full-size doors and a full rear passenger compartment. The King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew is aimed at the more affluent truck buyer, one who needs the toughness of a "Built Ford Tough" truck but who has the means to enjoy luxury at the same time.

Unique features of the King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew package include:

• Front and rear King Ranch leather captains chairs & console with embossed King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew logo and two-way headrest
• King Ranch leather covered front console with King Ranch brand
• Rear center console & storage tray
• Unique 17x7.5 10-spoke painted aluminum wheels
• Unique color-keyed tape stripes
• King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew fender brand
• Color-Keyed box rail moldings
• Unique two-tone paint with raised cutline in colors of: Estate Green w/ Arizona Beige two tone; Chestnut w/ Arizona Beige two tone and Charcoal Blue w/ Arizona Beige two tone - all exclusive to the King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew

A unique evolution of the Ford F-150 pickup, the F-150 SuperCrew provides the comfort and interior package of a heavier-duty crew cab truck with the versatility, ride, handling and garageability of the lighter-duty SuperCab pickup. Major attributes of the new F-150 SuperCrew include a cab that is 12 inches longer than the F-150 SuperCab, providing best-in-class rear-seat roominess and four conventional doors for the easiest rear entry and egress of all full-size light pickups available in the U.S.

Other significant F-150 SuperCrew features include an enclosed storage compartment that makes it possible to have an optional 6-disc CD player, a unique 5«-foot box design with steel inner and composite outer panels and the same overall length as the short wheelbase SuperCab model for better maneuverability and garageability than other crew cab models.

An optional power moonroof - a pickup truck first in the under-8500-pound GVW segment, is also available. The rear seating area features a power point, reading lamps, cup holders and door map pockets to increase rear passenger comfort and convenience. An optional audio-video entertainment system with VHS VCR is available to expand entertainment possibilities for rear passengers.

An optional Bed Extender allows more flexibility when transporting large items such as lumber, cinder blocks or firewood. The tubular steel bed extender is a curved cage unit, which attaches to the rear of the pickup bed. With the tailgate lowered, the unit pivots from its stowed position within the box and locks into place extending the load-floor to seven feet. With the tailgate closed the stowed bed extender provides a convenient storage area, keeping smaller items from sliding around the bed while the truck is in motion. The Bed Extender can also be removed, allowing full, unobstructed use of the 51/2-foot box.

Ford History From humble beginnings in a small garage in Detroit, Ford Motor Company was incorporated in 1903 and sold its first Model A.

In 1913, Ford developed the world's first moving assembly line in Highland Park, Mich., realizing Henry Ford's dream of affordable personal transportation. Mass production meant higher volume and lower prices.

Through the subsequent decades came two world wars, a crippling depression, a tide of foreign competition, government regulations and the ever-changing tastes of customers. But through it all, Ford Motor Company survived and thrived, today remaining as one of the most recognized and respected companies in the world.

Ford's F-Series truck lineup, launched in 1948, marked Ford's first all-new post-World War II line of vehicles. Advertised as "Bonus Built" and "Built Stronger to Last Longer," the new trucks were introduced five months before the redesigned 1949-model Ford cars. Farmers, manufacturers and small businesses purchased the majority of trucks in the late 1940s. Toughness and durability have always been mainstays of trucks, and "Bonus Built" was the popular slogan Ford used to tell operators that it added something extra to the redesigned trucks.