F-150 receives strong rating from NHTSA

With Southern Nevada's extensive terrain and weather conditions, the need for a sturdy vehicle is so intense that Friendly Ford executives estimate as many as 60 percent of local households own a truck.

Indeed, a truck serves many needs as evidenced by the heavy percentage of the selections being sold at Friendly Ford at 660 N. Decatur Blvd. In fact, the 2016 Ford F-150 rates in the top three of all models of vehicles sold at the dealership.

With a heavy concentration of vehicles in the dealership fleet, the F-150 is the top-selling truck in the dealership. The 2016 model is one of Ford's prize entries into the market touting a five-star overall crash test from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that utilizes 31 safety-related innovations.

With a radical new design and body structure, the 2016 Ford F-150 has a strong performance package that includes the availability of a 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost and a 2.7-liter turbo V-6 EcoBoost for base models and 5-liter V-8 and 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6.

Ford-Built-Tough technology also features a fully boxed frame with eight cross members made up of 78 percent high-strength steel, which is up from 23 percent in the previous generation.

Safety is also accentuated by other factors including an advanced restraint system with dual-stage airbags, curve control in Super Crew models and safety pretensioners that have been added to the belt anchor side that further tighten the lap belt around front seat passengers. The addition keeps front seat passengers more secure in the event of an accident.

Yet another key element with the 2016 Ford F-150 is the standard trailer sway control, a huge factor in a city where towing heavy trailers is a common sight. Add in the standard AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control adds to the package.

Friendly Ford's Internet Manager Taylor Warf is a former medic with a local ambulance company, so he has seen first-hand the importance of safety especially in the streets of Las Vegas.

"The crumple zone of the Ford F-150 absorbs the impact," Warf said. "I have seen first-hand Ford trucks after accidents when the importance of safety is so vital. In fact, what I saw in the streets is yet another reason why I went to work for Friendly Ford. I could have gone to work selling any brand but I chose Ford."

Dealership Internet sales consultant and native Las Vegan Sal Ortiz said the 2016 F-150 comprises a major part of the Internet sales. In fact, he purchased his first truck from Friendly Ford in about 1979.

"This is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week job," said Ortiz. "We have text availability on our website to handle every inquiry. We're in the top 20 in Ford Internet sales in the country and about 70 percent of our Internet hits are about the F-150."

Ortiz owns a 2014 F-150 powered by a 3.5 twin turbo EcoBoost.

"The F-150 is unbelievable and takes me anywhere," said Ortiz, a gold prospector. "It's an animal. The evolution of the truck is amazing."

The Ford F-150 has been the top-selling truck in the country for 38 years.

"The F-150 is Ford tough," Ortiz said. "The number reason for the success is design and reliability throughout the truck. The fact that I have owned four of them is proof how much I believe in the product.

"In fact, that last F-150 I traded had 195,000 miles and it's still running."

Friendly Ford has been situated at the same location since 1970. Further information can be found by visiting www.friendlyfordlv.com or by calling 702-870-7221.