LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ford Motor Company introduced the 2006 Ford LCF (Low Cab Forward) at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Company officials called the new LCF Ford’s response to customer demands for a differentiated alternative in the growing tilt cab segment.

“The low cab forward segment is one of the fastest-growing niches in the commercial truck industry, with sales up almost 50 percent in the last decade,” said Joe Castelli, Ford Division Commercial Truck director. “With the ‘Built Ford Tough’ heritage, the Ford LCF is designed to answer an unmet customer need with a viable, new alternative in what for Ford is a highly incremental segment.”

Built in and for North America, the Ford LCF offers maneuverability and a segment-exclusive V-6 diesel engine, said Castelli. The LCF also has frame in a U.S. industry standard 34-inch width and a range of configurations for vocational conversion compatibility.

The new trucks go into production early next year as 2006 models, said Castelli. Class 4 and 5 configurations, with GVWRs of 16,000, 17,999 and 19,500 pounds, may be ordered later this year.

Among its key features, the Ford LCF has:

* Maneuverability with tight turning diameters
* A V-6 diesel engine. With 200 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque, the Power Stroke 4.5L V-6 diesel is paired with Ford’s TorqShift five-speed electronic automatic transmission.
* A Ford Super Duty chassis, with frame cross-members joined by Huck bolts. In Resisting Bending Moment (RBM), a key strength metric, the frame has an RBM of 461K.
* A U.S. industry standard frame width of 34 inches, plus Axle-to-Frame (AF) choices compatible with the chassis cab — the Ford F-350 to F-550 Super Duty.
* With four AF choices, five Cab-to-Axle (CA) options and five wheelbase lengths, the range of Ford LCF configurations fits many vocational second-unit bodies, including multi-length van and dump truck units, along with stake trucks, tow trucks and utility vehicles.
* A choice of fuel tank capacities. Depending on wheelbase and configuration, choices include the standard 40-gallon tank located rear of the axle and between the frame rails, an optional 35-gallon side-mounted tank or dual side tanks with a capacity of 70 gallons.

For more information visit http://media.ford.com