History Of The Ford F-150 Diesel

For many years, the Ford F-150 has been the most popular selling vehicle in the United States. Throughout much of the F-150's life, the workhorse was available with gas and diesel powertrains. The diesel option was first introduced to the F-150 in 1983. By then, the Ford F-150 had become a staple of rural American life. Ford's ability to hold the light-duty market was cemented in our American culture and the dependability of Ford's long-lasting nameplate.

The Impact Of Emissions Control

Heading into the 1990s, regulations from the EPA created a high benchmark for diesel-powered, light-duty trucks. Most manufacturers also found that the cost-benefit analysis of a light-duty diesel offering was just not beneficial for consumers or the manufacturing side of the business. Through the late 90s and the early 2000s, light-duty diesel seemed to be on its way out here in the US. Why then, is the market quickly filling back up with diesel engine offerings? It comes down to a simple answer: Market share. 

The Fight For Market Share

Brands like Ram, Chevrolet, and Jeep developed modern light-duty diesels in the hope of pulling longtime Ford owners away from the brand. Ford did develop the 3.0L Powerstroke Deisel V6 from 2018 - 2021, but with the popularity of their gas-powered EcoBoost Engines, Ford again shut down production of their diesel offerings for the F-150 in late 2021. Suppose you have an older diesel F-150, check out this post on injectors and what can cause them to fail in your Ford diesel.

This fight for market share can also help to explain the developments in tech and comfort we see in many light-duty trucks. Where a truck was once a rough and tumble workhorse, now trucks are moving more towards the SUV market with comfort and styling. This helps to draw in many new customers to these brands, but of course, Ford customers are very loyal to their brand and the F-150 nameplate. If you'd like to dig more into the differences between the F-150 and some competitors, check out this post. That's not to say Ford has fallen behind. Ford understands their market and client base and does its best to cater to these needs. Regardless of your thoughts on diesel, the gas-powered F-150s continue to be the most popular vehicle in America.

Will Ford Make Another Light-Duty Diesel?

While we may have seen the end of the 3.0L Powerstroke V6, you can never be confident saying Ford is done with diesel in light-duty trucks. After all, many of Ford's medium and heavy-duty trucks are powered by the 6.7L Powerstroke engines. But, for now, there are no plans to offer another light-duty diesel for the F-150.

When it comes to your Ford, regardless of gas or diesel-powered, look no further than Blue Springs Ford Parts. We have more than 30 years of experience selling Ford and Lincoln parts. Ford's replacement parts warranty backs all our parts. You can find our offerings on this page, or you can always contact us here.