(from Ford Press Release) Ford
Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Motor Company are celebrating rare
milestones in 2003. Each company is turning 100 years old. They also are
marking the fifth Anniversary of a successful partnership with the
introduction of the 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-Series Super Duty, a
limited-edition truck that more than meets the need for power and
capability with style.
"One of the keys to Ford’s century of success is forging strategic
partnerships that benefit us, our partners and, most importantly, our
customers," said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president. "Ford and
Harley-Davidson have some of the most dedicated customers around, which
is one of the things that makes this alliance so effective."
Now, the two companies are introducing the 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson™
Super Duty. Available as an F-250 or F-350, this limited-edition 4x4
model is the most capable and toughest Ford Harley-Davidson™ truck yet.
"We surveyed a lot of customers and found that many of them were looking
for still more capability and more functionality," Lyons said. "They
especially asked for 4x4, more towing, more power and more hauling
capability."
Built Ford Tough
The 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson™ Super Duty
combines toughness, capability, power and attitude, especially when the
6.0-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine is added. The Power Stroke® diesel
is the "King of Torque," leading the class among over-8,500-pound gross
vehicle weight vehicles with 560 pounds-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm.
The Ford Harley-Davidson™ Super Duty package features unique exterior
colors and styling cues. Available in Black/Competition Orange or
Black/Dark Shadow Gray two-tone versions or Black Monotone, this Built
Ford Tough truck sports 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, a unique engine
decal, chrome exhaust tip and a chrome tubular step bar with unique
HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar and Shield logo insert. In addition, a unique black
grille or grille accent-colored valance on the two-tone,
"Harley-Davidson F-Series Super Duty" Badges on front fender and
tailgate, vanity license plate, chrome front tow-hooks and chrome
tie-down hooks are featured.
On the inside, carpet, door trim inserts and steering wheel are ebony,
floor mats are made of black molded rubber with "Harley-Davidson"
script, and the instrument cluster has a "spun metal" face. Seating is
unique Black Leather Quad Captain Chairs with embossed HARLEY-DAVIDSON
logo or front captain’s chairs and rear bench with embossed
HARLEY-DAVIDSON logo.
Dealers may begin ordering the Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-Series Super Duty
on June 16 with a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $40,690
including destination and delivery charges. Ford plans to make 8,000 of
these limited-edition 2004 models at its Kentucky Truck Plant in
Louisville when production begins this fall.
Power of partnership
"Some concepts just go together," Lyons
said. "Leather and chrome. Freedom and the open road. Trucks and
motorcycles. And for five years now, Harley-Davidson and Ford."
In 1999, Ford and Harley-Davidson forged an alliance to celebrate their
corporate heritage and shared 100th Anniversaries. The alliance was
announced during the famed Daytona Beach Bike Week.
"The fit was a natural," said Joanne Bischmann of Harley-Davidson. "Ford
and Harley-Davidson are among the leaders in our fields, and we each
have extremely loyal customer bases. Plus, there’s a fair amount of
crossover between Ford and Harley-Davidson enthusiasts."
"The logic was that forming a strategic alliance would only strengthen
both our brands, as well as open a range of opportunities to better
serve our customers," Lyons said.
In the first four years of the alliance, the companies have introduced
the 2000 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 SuperCab, 2001 Ford
Harley-Davidson™ SuperCrew, and 2002 and 2003 Supercharged Ford
Harley-Davidson™ F-150 SuperCrew models.
The History
The passion for the products of these two
companies follows a direct line back to their founders.
Henry Ford tinkered for years with ideas and experiments and engines and
parts, determined to develop a horseless carriage that anyone could
afford. Born out of a small garage in Detroit, Ford Motor Company was
incorporated in 1903, and the company’s first product, a Model A, was
assembled and sold. Ford’s dream wouldn’t be fully achieved, however,
until the 1908 introduction of the Model T. Through the introduction of
the moving assembly line and other advances, the Model T price actually
dropped after introduction, and the vehicle sold by the millions to
people who otherwise might be unable to buy a car.
Another Ford milestone was achieved with the 1948 introduction of
F-Series trucks. This indispensable vehicle for millions of homes and
businesses has evolved into an unmatched lineup with a dazzling array of
configurations offering durability and capability packaged to individual
tastes and desires.
Harley-Davidson has similarly humble, family-based beginnings. William
and Arthur Davidson got together with their buddy William S. Harley in
the Davidson’s back yard to work on building a better bicycle. More
specifically, they wanted to take some of the work out of bicycling.
The men crafted a motorcycle and in 1903 formed the Harley-Davidson
Motor Company, writing the name of the new company on the 10- by 15-foot
shed that served as headquarters, workshop and factory. Another Davidson
brother, Walter, joined the partnership. And that first production
motorcycle? It went on to travel more than 100,000 miles for five
owners.
Both companies are celebrating their 100th Anniversaries in 2003 –
Ford’s yearlong celebration climaxes with a five-day extravaganza in
Dearborn, and Harley-Davidson plans to welcome hundreds of thousands of
its enthusiasts to Milwaukee in August. They have done more than survive
through 100 years – they have thrived, persevered and endured to build
two of the world’s most recognized companies.
"Separately, our companies have put a lot of fuel into people’s passion
for driving and the notion that their travel is only limited by how far
their imagination takes them. They’re both legends in their own right,"
said Lyons. "Together, we’ve been building a new legacy of toughness and
capability that benefits and strengthens the identities of not only Ford
and Harley-Davidson, but our customers too."
In addition to trucks, Ford and Harley-Davidson have developed and
marketed a line of co-branded merchandise and vehicle accessories.
