SEMA: What the Aftermarket Thinks About the New F-150 - PickupTrucks.com
If you think the half-ton truck market is brutal, just imagine how much more vicious the aftermarket parts industry is. Hundreds of small and large businesses compete to sell products for pickup trucks that allow owners to work smarter, harder or... However, companies that make storage boxes, bed parts or products that need to fasten to body walls or quarter panels will have to invest in significant research and development. The common theme that came through in all of our discussions was the fact that these companies are used to coming up with creative solutions to keep pace with truckmakers' design and engineering changes, and maintain their competitive advantage. Since this is the norm, the aftermarket companies we spoke with say Ford's shift in materials is no different than other truckmaker changes that affect them. "They all have to do something big to get in line with the government regulations … this is a straight fuel-economy play and if they don't have the engine tech to make it happen, they'll have to do this [use lighter materials] — or maybe they'll... The aerospace industry understood the benefits of going to aluminum long ago, and maybe that's why many in the industry weren't surprised to see this material change come. Source: news.pickuptrucks.com
