How Ford Fights the EcoDiesel: Fact and Fiction

4940 Views 7 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Haulin, Aug 27, 2014

ValVale

Discussion Starter · Aug 15, 2014

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.

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....

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

Tim

· #2 · Aug 15, 2014

Sure they don't have a 1/2 ton that compares so whats left but to somehow put down the ED in comparison to Fords EB.

I would have grilled him on item 1, torque argument, and then by citing Calculus theory by stating areas under the torque curves, is a measure of work-energy and the difference of these areas is the lack of pulling capability of the ecoboost.

Save

10%More

· #3 · Aug 15, 2014

WOW that's informative. You spent some time putting this together and I sure hope others can appreciate the thoughts.

Sure know I appreciate your time and effort with the analysis.

Save

mattyj724

· #4 · Aug 15, 2014

So what it has more HorsePower. Too bad Horsepower is a made up number designed to compare torqe's pulling power to an actual horse. TQ is what really matters here and i think the ED stomps it.

Save

Cummins06TD

· #5 · Aug 16, 2014

Think I've also read that the EcoBoost requires premium fuel when towing. Boost pressure and load on a gas engine requires pretty high octane fuel. It was nice of ford to leave that little tid bit of info out as well! I've heard of a few people destroying the little EB engine towing with regular gas. I'll take my ED anyday and know I can pull what I want when I want without having to make more stops for fuel that is more expensive than diesel.

Save

Haulin

· #6 · Aug 16, 2014

Cummins06TD said:
Think I've also read that the EcoBoost requires premium fuel when towing. Boost pressure and load on a gas engine requires pretty high octane fuel. It was nice of ford to leave that little tid bit of info out as well! I've heard of a few people destroying the little EB engine towing with regular gas. I'll take my ED anyday and know I can pull what I want when I want without having to make more stops for fuel that is more expensive than diesel.

Yeah it's funny how they left that part out, yet it's one of the bigger factors to when someone wants to choose a truck and if cost of fuel is an issue, they will most certainty give the Ram 1500 ED a look

Save

norfla71

· #7 · Aug 27, 2014 (Edited)

Two more items to add to the list:

1. Option both trucks out with top of the line trim; the Ford is about $5,000 more than the Ram, before options. For that kind of scratch you can get the ED and air suspension, with cash left for a lot of fuel, plus more standard equipment than Ford. There are, of course, some differences in the trucks concerning work related items, and I wish others would follow suit. The Ford has the EB standard, along with 22's and HID's.
2. To a lesser degree, filling up the ED while towing a TT is much less of a PITA, due to having more pump options and not being tied down to a automotive fuel island. I've been stuck behind way too many gas hog motor homes and gas tow rigs blocking the fuel island.

Save

Haulin

· #8 · Aug 27, 2014

norfla71 said:
Two more items to add to the list:

1. Option both trucks out with top of the line trim; the Ford is about $5,000 more than the Ram, before options. For that kind of scratch you can get the ED and air suspension, with cash left for a lot of fuel, plus more standard equipment than Ford. There are, of course, some differences in the trucks concerning work related items, and I wish others would follow suit. The Ford has the EB standard, along with 22's and HID's.
2. To a lesser degree, filling up the ED while towing a TT is much less of a PITA, due to having more pump options and not being tied down to a automotive fuel island. I've been stuck behind way too many gas hog motor homes and gas tow rigs blocking the fuel island.

#1 is a good point, something i hope people trying to decide between the two are seeing and factoring into their buying decision.

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month