New York: US automaker Ford rolled out a deluxe version of its F-150 aluminum-bodied pickup truck Tuesday, betting on high-end touches as it ramps up production of its most popular vehicle.
Dubbed the F-150 Limited, the light-duty truck is loaded with gadgets, including a 360-degree camera, massaging front seats and luxury interior and exterior design touches.
"The F-150 Limited sets a new bar for what discerning customers should expect in a high-end truck," said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development, in a statement.
The F-150 Limited extends the current five-model F-150 portfolio, whose top-end is the Platinum, with a base price of $51,585.
The 2016 Limited will go on sale in the winter, Ford said, without giving any price details.
Pickup trucks and crossover sport utility vehicles are enjoying a renaissance in the United States as consumers take advantage of a sharp drop in gasoline prices and low interest rates on auto loans. Ford`s main truck rivals in the US market are General Motors`s Chevrolet Silverado and FCA US`s (Chrysler) RAM.
The F-150 is Ford`s best-selling vehicle and accounts for almost half its earnings.
In June, the F-150 was selling twice as fast than the industry average for half-ton pickups, Ford reported earlier this month.
Ford, the second-largest US automaker after GM, has been ramping up production of the brand-new version of the pickup, built with an aluminum-alloy body that provides greater fuel efficiency.
But in recent months Ford has encountered production delays and was forced to recall certain 2015 model F-150s in May to fix a steering problem.
Shares in Ford fell 0.5 percent to $14.50 in morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange.