Those commercials are pretty stupid! They don't prove anything.

Howie long is an idiot

I do hope that GM does elevate this so called "aluminum verses high strength steel" marketing campaign in nationwide advertising, because it will force Ford to counter with the benefits of using "military grade" aluminum alloy in sheetmetal, and show how strong Ford built this truck and how well engineered this vehicle is.

GM is misleading by presenting these ads trying to make an issue out of strength of steel verses the protection of aluminum, when the Ford truck is not built like a soda can, but was engineered with a high strength, military grade aluminum alloy that is used in the airline industry and the military.and was worked on and researched for years with Alcoa. The program has been worked on for nearly 10 years, and if anyone thinks GM can undermine such an effort with such a silly, misleading marketing effort, then lets go and see where this leads!

So bring on the thinner "high strength steel" verses thicker and heat treated "military grade aluminum alloy" and we will see the benefits the Ford has in lighter weight, and more rust resistant capabilities verses the competition, and then we will see who has the upper hand.

It has been a while since we have had Howie Long bashing brands and a "direct smear" marketing effort earmarked towards one particular brand, but this one should be good. May the better truck win!

@MC

And you think 'military-grade' isn't misleading?

@ JACK How do you know it is ?

It's true, auto body repair shops are scrambling to get "up to speed" on aluminum repair. Until now, they'd just replace aluminum panels, rather than dealing with dent removal, regardless how small the dent was.

Or if the damage was to the aluminum body, they'd decline the job, sending it to specialists of that brand or the dealer. Land Rover and Jaguar for instance.

Except body shops can't afford to turn away F-series business. Not happening. So the learning curve will be painful for everyone involved, including the insurance industry and consumers. But in the end, mastering aluminum and not having to replace aluminum panels with minor damage is something GM will benefit from too. Except the costs of repairing aluminum bodies will normalize eventually.

And when GM goes to full aluminum trucks, they'll place a commercial thanking Ford, right?

But for now, all GM is really saying is they have nothing in the way of innovation to offer Silverado/Sierra buyers other than the Colorado/Canyon option.

When GM goes to Aluminum, can we call them hypocrites?

GM can't remember the last time this worked against them? The "man step" which they criticized, then implemented. Then heated steering wheel. Ram went on about how the Cummins didn't need urea. Probably best not to highlight what your competitors have that you don't. If steel is so much better, why not make the new engine blocks out of steel instead of aluminum?

WOW. Maybe all of that aluminum Ford is using is not such a good idea. I'm glad Ram is sticking with STEEL.

Exclusive: Chrysler's Ram pickup may stick with steel through 2020 - sources

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/21/us-autos-chrysler-trucks-idUSKBN0GL29L20140821

Industry sources familiar with the company's plans said Chrysler is not likely to undertake a full redesign of the Ram before 2021 at the earliest.

G+UTS

G+LORY

RAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Based on the test AMCI ran for us, the repair issue is real. Averaging 8 trucks (4 Silverados, 4 F-150s) with repairs done in LA and Dallas by certified dealer body repair facilities, it took nearly 3 times as long, and cost an average $1,755 more, to fix identical damage on the F-150s.

This gap may close over time. But for someone buying a truck right now, this is something to consider.

If someone wants to re-run our tests, or run similar tests, that would be great -- it would add some more real-world data to the discussion.

34 more days to repair? Where the heck are they taking this thing to get repaired?

What they also don't show is the steel crumpled badly while the aluminum barely dented with an identical impact

AMCI took the F150s to Ford certified aluminum repair facilities in the two largest truck markets in the U.S. -- Dallas and LA. It still took the dealers a long time to get parts. As for how the initial damage looked, that is relevant only if you are happy to drive a dented truck. If not, you have to pay for the repairs.

The commercials must be working! GM truck sales are going up and Ford truck sales are going down.

Ford does the exact same thing. They had propaganda videos about the Tundra's frame design and stated how the F150 frame (that has been shown to bend) was better--funny how the Tundra frame is similar to the frame design used in Ford pickups (HD) intended for work... .

None of the manufacturer's ad or promotional vids are false..... only twisted in their favor.

GM took the bait and has now made a fool of themselves. Like Ford would have really produced a truck as weak as GM portrays the F-150 to be. Give me a break. Maybe GM should invest more time enlarging the back seat in their trucks and finding a better DEF tank location on their HD trucks.

@Greg, your right thats why the gm twin half tons were the fastest selling on the list posted here......oh wait, thats right they weren't the fastest, Ford was.

I agree. Ford sat back, and GM took the bait. Now Ford will do videos directly comparing the thicker alum F-150 panel strength to the flimsy steel Silverado strength. This is going to be good!

http://www.alcoa.com/defense/en/monolithic_hull.asp

Alcoa, a global leader in lightweight, high-performance metals, has produced the world’s largest single-piece forged aluminum hull for combat vehicles to improve troop protection as part of a joint Alcoa-US Army initiative launched last year.

If aluminum hull tanks are good enough for the US army ..............

GM just keeps repeating the same stupid mistakes over and over again. The attack ads they did against the "manstep" and heated steering wheels backfired immensely.

GM was going to beat Ford to the market with an aluminum body BUT bankruptcy killed that plan for them.

Hypocrites.

The whole idea that aluminum in somehow inferior to steel is very amusing to motocross riders. Production motocross bikes started using aluminum frames in 1997. Now 18 years later all the big four manufacturers use aluminum frames in both the 250 and 450 classes.

For most truck customers, price and cost of ownership are very high on the list. That is one of the things all of us have to keep in mind as we choose materials and technologies for future trucks. A cost-no-object pickup could be a pretty wonderful thing. Alas, hardly anyone could afford it.

It is interesting they didn't show the damage to the trucks. The only logical explanation why is that the ford didn't sustain as much damage or at least not any more damage. I guess they shouldn't make humvees and most other military equipment with aluminum bodies anymore? Chevy owners were complaining about dents on their "high strength steel" hoods from falling acorns and even from FINGERS when they closed the hood after checking the oil UNTIL they switched to aluminum hoods. What really matters for repair work is insurance cost, not repair cost, which is currently about the same for a chevy vs. a ford. As for the time it took to repair, that was based on a comparison of only two body shops, and one that probably has no prior experience in repairing aluminum. How often do guys take their trucks in for body work anyways? On my farm over the last twenty years we have only had to take one truck to a body shop one time.

So why is GM always so bent on negative advertising? When Ram came out with the heated steering wheel they had Howie Long pooh-poohing it as being sissy. Now look, GM has a heated steering wheel option. They just plain got caught with their pants down. Again. For years they've used this negative advertising. Could it be because they've long been #2? For, what, almost 40 years now? People with any modicum of intelligence can see through that. Maybe that, in itself, tells the story....

This reminds me of when Samsung teased the iphone about being a wall hugger and now much of their 2015 phones have become wall huggers themselves... Diesels, aluminum and electricity will likely shape the future.

Alot of you guys have the wrong idea about this video. These type's of video's have been made for years. GM is basically defending not going to the aluminum body with their newest body truck by saying the automotive world isn't ready for that yet. At least not the world where your vehicle is often a money maker. Someone has to lead the way and they are letting Ford take the hits for it. Many will buy the Ford for the lightweight body which only brings them down to normal GM truck weight. It is resale where this may come to be a problem if repair costs and time begin to scare people from buying them. Although a bit dinosaurish, but steel bodies and real V8's are what GM is sticking to and it works well for them. GM will switch to the aluminum and turbo crowd in a few years. Their incredible stupidity in not building that 4.5L diesel though I have no respect for.

Just like a Aluminum Airstream RV's. The 2015 Ford F150 won't have any resale value down the road. LOL

Not all aluminum is created equally

The only "military grade aluminum" that I have known about was the Sherman tank used in Vietnam,and it melted like butter when it ran over small land mines,and definitely killed everyone in it when hit with an rpg.Other then aircraft skins,I don't know of any other use for aluminum in the army.I guess the navy has some aluminum ships,but I don't know anything about them.I would like to hear Ford's explanation of exactly what they consider 'military grade aluminum'.

The only "military grade aluminum" that I have known about was the Sherman tank used in Vietnam,and it melted like butter when it ran over small land mines,and definitely killed everyone in it when hit with an rpg.Other then aircraft skins,I don't know of any other use for aluminum in the army.I guess the navy has some aluminum ships,but I don't know anything about them.I would like to hear Ford's explanation of exactly what they consider 'military grade aluminum'.

The only "military grade aluminum" that I have known about was the Sherman tank used in Vietnam,and it melted like butter when it ran over small land mines,and definitely killed everyone in it when hit with an rpg.Other then aircraft skins,I don't know of any other use for aluminum in the army.I guess the navy has some aluminum ships,but I don't know anything about them.I would like to hear Ford's explanation of exactly what they consider 'military grade aluminum'.

The only "military grade aluminum" that I have known about was the Sherman tank used in Vietnam,and it melted like butter when it ran over small land mines,and definitely killed everyone in it when hit with an rpg.Other then aircraft skins,I don't know of any other use for aluminum in the army.I guess the navy has some aluminum ships,but I don't know anything about them.I would like to hear Ford's explanation of exactly what they consider 'military grade aluminum'.

Sorry for the multiple post guys,I don't know what I did.

I laugh when people compare the Ford aluminum, to Aluminum made Airplanes and Military vehicles . How many time are this Airplanes and Military vehicle seen going down the Highways and New York street ?

The HMMWV is aluminum, so is the Bradley IFV, m113 and the Sheridan
Kinda funny about HMMWV considering GM holds the contract for that

I think the Howie Long one was dumb but the other two are being taken worng. I get the feeling from the second video that they are making fun about the hype around aluminum F-150 but it does get lost by the end.

If you think about it the 2015 F150 for all it's 'inovation' isn't really that much 'better' than the GM twins.

1) It has a SLIGHT edge in fuel economy with the 2.7 but even that debatable in real world numbers.

2) The 2.7 was outguned by the 5.3 in 1 of 3 races in a Ford own promotional video and the other 2 races were pretty close.

3) At the entry level the 4.3 seems to be a better engine than the N/A Ford V6.

4) The 3.5 doesn't really out perform the 6.2 in fuel economy or performance.

5) The weight savings was badly need. Rememer the F150 started out 300# over weight and even after the aluminum treatment the high end trucks are still about the same weight as the GM twins.

Yes, the Ford is a good truck but for all the hype what does this 'game changeing' truck really gain you?

This is funny considering that the '06 Silverado that I ignorantly bought brand new was the flimsiest, cheesiest, weakest POS that has ever sat in my driveway. You could look at that truck the wrong way and it would dent. If a bird took a dump on it in mid flight it would dent. What a piece of garbage.

Did GM REALLY just go there? Seriously? I mean, you can go on all day long about why GM trucks are the weakest, most unreliable vehicles ever produced. Did they really just call out another competitor over the strength of their body?

I'm in shock.

This is funny considering that the '06 Silverado that I ignorantly bought brand new was the flimsiest, cheesiest, weakest POS that has ever sat in my driveway. You could look at that truck the wrong way and it would dent. If a bird took a dump on it in mid flight it would dent. What a piece of garbage.

Did GM REALLY just go there? Seriously? I mean, you can go on all day long about why GM trucks are the weakest, most unreliable vehicles ever produced. Did they really just call out another competitor over the strength of their body?

I'm in shock.

So Ford brings a more costly aluminum body that's been described by reviewers as "flimsy." For what? M.P.G? G.M. & Ram both get better M.P.G. with a steel body. Is this innovation?

Wow these commercials are stupid.. Hey GM how about a commercial with the trucks in action? Or are you afraid the Ford will blow your chevy away? I don't blame you...

The way things are going for fiat/ram they'll be lucky to even make a truck by the time those massive recall fines hit em. They'll be making cardboard trucks by then!!

This is the man-step all over again. Why are you doing this GM?

Trucks and cars are different. Trucks have a job to do. They are built to be durable. Cast iron block, steel body, fully boxed frame, heavy duty cooling, trans cooler, power steering cooler, large front grills for air flow. Now because of the government we have aluminum blocks, aluminum bodies, aluminum rims, more plastic, thinner steel, everything is getting less durable and higher cost. All to achieve better MPG. Thank god the EPA doesn't rate H.D trucks. Pretty soon they will be the only real trucks left.

Competition is a good thing but these commercials are kind of stupid. I think most people don't care that the F150 is aluminum or the Silverado is steel. Let's see commercials about things that matter like towing comparisons, MPG, creature comforts, infotainment and style.
I have never owned a F-150 but I have had a Silverado. My Silverado had tons of power and was very comfortable. My only negative would be the perception of the ground clearance. GM needs to make the front number about half the height.
As for the repair costs of aluminum, I ask how many accidents do you plan on having?
I would like to see comparisons such as cost of ownership for 5 to 10 years or up to 150000 miles. I have a Dakota now and that has had so many front end problems. I want a truck that is going to last, steel or aluminum. F150, Silverado, Sierra, Ram, or Tundra.

Each year, what percent of a pickup truck needs major repair? Asking? Most owners never need to get a repair. So that said, some make a big stink or a smaller % of owners that need major repairs.
That said most 2015 & newer owners will be very happy longer term that their trucks didn't rust away like their competition has & will do. So then, why does that make Ford bad??? Not.
Plus on a previous story Gov crash tested on all 2015 showed FORD did as well as Gm trucks. So strength NOT an issue!
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/autos-trucks/2015-ford-f-150-supercrew-earns-nhtsa-5-star-rating/ar-AAb6Qba?ocid=iehp
So why do folks have their undies in a bunch? Long term Ford trucks not all rusted out.

FYI, aluminum panels has been used in many other cars such as Volvos and Jags for years. They survived.

GM is scrambling for anything. The repair issue will only affect a tiny minority of F-150 owners, in a small way. And it won't be an issue once body shops are up to speed on aluminum. Except truck owner don't bother fixing small to moderate damage. Adds character/cred.

GM must be doing something right to be destroying Ford so bad in truck sales.

Ford commercials are so full of gimmicks and are so full of false information its not even funny.

The man step is the dumbest option Ford has ever come up with. They are loose before 1000 miles, they create a huge hump in the tailgate, and they take time to put in place to use.

The GM bumper step is a totally different design. It is stationary, never gets loose, doesn't protrude from the tailgate, and is useable right away.

The new F-150 has so far been a total flop. They are not moving and the Ford lots are over flowing with them.

How come you Ford koolaide drinkers never bring up all the problems with the new F-150? Door alignment, wind noise, paint issues, quality issues, just to name a few.

I like how Ford calls their flimsy Aluminum "Military Grade" thats the biggest lie going right now...

Does any one know what grade of aluminum ford uses?

That should tell the real story.