DETROIT — Ford is raising the price of its new aluminum-sided pickup truck, but still trying to stay competitive with rivals.

Ford released pricing on the truck Monday. It goes on sale later this year.

The new truck comes in five variants, down from 10 on the current truck. All have aluminum sides, which is more expensive than steel but weighs less and saves fuel.

Fords base XL and XLT models — which make up 70 per cent of sales — will cost $395 more. A fancier King Ranch costs $3,615 more, but includes new standard features like a heated steering wheel.

The base XL will start at $26,615, including destination fees. Thats slightly higher than the Ram pickup but lower than the Chevrolet Silverado.

The design of the F-150 has been developed to fit the needs of the customer. New and improved efficiency features were added to allow this vehicle to have more towing capacity, haul more, accelerate quicker and stop shorter. The trucks fully boxed ladder frame has been engineered with all these features in mind. The truck is made with high-strength steel, making it stronger and lighter. High-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys – already used in aerospace, commercial transportation, energy and many other rugged industries – are used throughout the F-150 body for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance and also saving weight. Overall, up to 700 pounds of weight have been saved.

F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series truck lineup and has been a best seller for the past 37 years.

“We have a unique connection with our customers,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford executive vice president and president of The Americas. “Time and again, F-150 has delivered the tougher, smarter features they want along with the capabilities they need for work or play. We build our trucks to their high standards.”

The most-expensive Platinum version will start at $55,235.

SOURCE Ford