Ford at Detroit auto show introduces pickup concept

Ford introduces Atlas, a pickup concept, on Jan. 15, 2013, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. / Carlos Osorio/AP

63 Photos

What's new at the Detroit Auto Show

DETROIT Ford (F) is trying to keep its rivals at bay with a concept that hints at the look of the next F-Series pickup.

The Ford Atlas - unveiled Tuesday at the Detroit auto show - has a chiseled design and a bigger, more elaborate grille.

Ford is emphasizing fuel economy. The Atlas has shutters on the grille and wheels that close automatically, improving aerodynamics. The new truck will also weigh several hundred pounds less and have a more efficient engine.

Ford won't say when the new truck will go on sale, but it's likely to be a 2015 model.

• Ford doubles dividend to 10 cents
  
• Feds to require electric vehicles to make noise
  
• Ford's souped-up dividend could lure new investors
  

But the company wants buyers to know what's coming as competition heats up in the pickup market. General Motors (GM) is bringing out new pickups this spring and the Ram is also newer.

[sjc_1]

http://www.viamotors.com/

[N369RM]

Only reason I opened this article was because of the poorly worded caption as I assumed that someone had already invented the pick-up truck but maybe not and sure enough I was right - somebody had indeed already invented the pick-up truck.

Only worse headlines I read are on AOL where misdirection is an art form there.

[sjc_1]

This won't do much, they should do like Via Motors trucks and go EREV. That doubles the mileage with the same towing capacity.

[twmat311]

Like the Corvette redesign; years and millions (or more) dollars to squeeze 2-3 MPG and a few pounds out of an existing design.

And yes, "if you want MPG get a subcompact" - except everywhere you look, everybody in the US "needs" (with 3.50-4.00/gal gas) a 4 door 4wd pickup. So the designers really should look at the overall impact a little more.