I was at my local Ford store just yesterday having a look at the EcoBoost F-150s. When I told the salesman badgering me that I was also actively shopping the RAM EcoDiesel he brought me back to his office and photocopied some sales literature that came straight from head office. It was almost a training document of sorts, it compares the EcoDiesel and EcoBoost across several parameters, I thought I might share with you guys some of the creative ways Ford is teaching their salesmen to skew the discussion.
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Claim 1 Torque:
RAMs Website indicates the 3.0L EcoDiesel is the industrys only light duty diesel with 240 horsepower and unsurpassed horsepower in class of 420 lb-ft. How does the F-150s EcoBoost stack up?
F150 Facts: No other competitor offers vehicles in the Clas 1 light duty diesel pickup class so of course RAM has best in class torque. In the more populated light duty pickup class the F150 Ecoboost matches the ED's torque with 125 more horsepower.
My Take: Selling by size, might work on the uninformed. However I suspect if you're shopping diesel you're already more knowledgeable than most pickup shoppers.
Claim 2 Capability:
RAM claims that the EcoDiesel will "move you to new levels of tremendous capability". We beg to differ.
F150 Facts: RAM EcoDiesel is rated to tow 9200 lbs, while the F150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost can tow 11,300 lbs when equipped with the Max Trailer To Package or Heavy Duty Payload Package. Thats a massive 2,100 lbs more.
My Take: We've seen the work that goes into goosing the F150s payload and towing capabilities. We've also seen the EcoDiesel is more than comfortable when loaded to 110% of GVWR.
Claim 3 Low Cost of Ownership:
RAM claims that the new EcoDiesel engine is truly the best of many worlds, offering easy maintenance and low cost of ownership. Which engine, the RAM 3.0L or the Ford 3.5L Ecoboost makes the most sense when looking at both fuel and vehicle costs?
F150 Facts: RAM charges $2,800 premium for the EcoDiesel engine package compared to their HEMI. In fuel savings RAM claims an annual amount of $557 over an EcoBoost F150. In other words RAM is proposing a solution that will require roughly 7.5 years or 91,962 miles before seeing a return.
Given that diesel fuel can also be more expensive it would seem the EcoBoost F150 makes the most financial sense for both vehicle and fuel costs.
My Take: Ford conveniently omits that their own EcoBoost carries a $1,095 premium over the Coyote V8. They also conveniently forgot that the Ecoboost is EPA rated for 17 MPG (4WD) combined vs the ED's 22 MPG combined (4WD) not to mention the outstanding mileage we've seen these EcoDiesels pull down under load.
If you want the truth Fords little exercise in coercive marketing has done the opposite of its intention, pushed me further into the arms of the Ecodiesel. They're clutching at straws....
Claim 1 Torque:
RAMs Website indicates the 3.0L EcoDiesel is the industrys only light duty diesel with 240 horsepower and unsurpassed horsepower in class of 420 lb-ft. How does the F-150s EcoBoost stack up?
F150 Facts: No other competitor offers vehicles in the Clas 1 light duty diesel pickup class so of course RAM has best in class torque. In the more populated light duty pickup class the F150 Ecoboost matches the ED's torque with 125 more horsepower.
My Take: Selling by size, might work on the uninformed. However I suspect if you're shopping diesel you're already more knowledgeable than most pickup shoppers.
Claim 2 Capability:
RAM claims that the EcoDiesel will "move you to new levels of tremendous capability". We beg to differ.
F150 Facts: RAM EcoDiesel is rated to tow 9200 lbs, while the F150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost can tow 11,300 lbs when equipped with the Max Trailer To Package or Heavy Duty Payload Package. Thats a massive 2,100 lbs more.
My Take: We've seen the work that goes into goosing the F150s payload and towing capabilities. We've also seen the EcoDiesel is more than comfortable when loaded to 110% of GVWR.
Claim 3 Low Cost of Ownership:
RAM claims that the new EcoDiesel engine is truly the best of many worlds, offering easy maintenance and low cost of ownership. Which engine, the RAM 3.0L or the Ford 3.5L Ecoboost makes the most sense when looking at both fuel and vehicle costs?
F150 Facts: RAM charges $2,800 premium for the EcoDiesel engine package compared to their HEMI. In fuel savings RAM claims an annual amount of $557 over an EcoBoost F150. In other words RAM is proposing a solution that will require roughly 7.5 years or 91,962 miles before seeing a return.
Given that diesel fuel can also be more expensive it would seem the EcoBoost F150 makes the most financial sense for both vehicle and fuel costs.
My Take: Ford conveniently omits that their own EcoBoost carries a $1,095 premium over the Coyote V8. They also conveniently forgot that the Ecoboost is EPA rated for 17 MPG (4WD) combined vs the ED's 22 MPG combined (4WD) not to mention the outstanding mileage we've seen these EcoDiesels pull down under load.
If you want the truth Fords little exercise in coercive marketing has done the opposite of its intention, pushed me further into the arms of the Ecodiesel. They're clutching at straws....
