Ford invests in Super Duty

Ford says it's gearing up for the release of its new 2017 Super Duty truck range, with the auto giant set to invest $US1.3 billion and create 2000 new jobs at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville where the new line-up will be produced.

The funds injection will see the facility receive a wide range of upgrades, including retooling to build the new Super Duty and an all-new body shop.

Ford says the investment follows on from $US1.5 billion it has already invested in Kentucky and Louisville over the past two years.

"With the introduction of the all-new Ford Super Duty, America's best-selling heavy-duty pick-up, we expect to continue growing our truck leadership," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford President of The Americas.

"Through this investment, we are continuing to show our commitment to Kentucky and the city of Louisville, as well as bringing to customers industry-leading trucks to help them take care of business and earn a living."

Ford says it's produced over five million Super Duty pick-ups at the Kentucky facility since the line, which spans F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 models, was introduced in 1999. Opened in 1969, the 550,000 square metre plant now currently employs nearly 4400 workers.

Unveiled in late September, the 2017 Ford Super Duty range comprises F-250, F-350 and F-450 models in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim grades and Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab body styles.

Three power options will be available, with the existing 6.7-litre V8 diesel engine and 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine complemented by a 6.8-litre V10 petrol engine, while the new steel chassis will be mated with stronger axles and suspension.

Ford is yet to release performance data for the new Super Duty.

Like the latest F-150, the new Super Duty adopts aluminium alloy body panels to save weight and boost payload. The range has received a major technological boost too, with the Super Duty boasting up to seven cameras to aid manoeuvring, LED lighting, adaptive cruise control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, load adaptive steering and Ford's SYNC 3 multimedia unit.

Safety aids include a Blind Spot Information System, lane departure warning and a collision prevention system.

Ford says the new Super Duty will launch with 16 first-in-class features when it goes on sale in the US towards the end of 2016.

While the Super Duty isn't an official import for Australia, models are brought here by conversion specialists such as Performax International and Harrison F-Trucks, which will provide competition for the RAM pick-up models arriving here next year through the recently launched joint venture, American Special Vehicles.