Ford and Harley-Davidson Unveil Limited Edition 2000 F-150 Pickup Truck

STURGIS, S.D., - Ford Motor Company, in partnership with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, unveiled a limited edition 2000 Harley-Davidson F-150 pickup truck at the 1999 Sturgis Rally & Races, the premier annual motorcycle event that attracts 350,000 motorcyclists from around the world.

The all-black truck, with distinctive Harley-Davidson orange pinstriping and chrome accessories, is a restyled and customized version of the Ford F-150. The F-Series has been America's best-selling pickup truck for the last 22 years and the world's best-selling vehicle in automotive history.

The new truck is the first product developed under a five-year strategic alliance announced earlier this year between two American legends, Ford and Harley.

"The Harley-Davidson F-150 is an exciting truck that has power and presence, symbolizing the 'Authentic American Muscle' tradition of both companies," said Gurminder S. Bedi, vice president, Ford Truck Vehicle Center.

"Many Harley owners also own Ford trucks," noted Bedi. "We believe they'll want to park this truck next to their prized Harley-Davidson motorcycle."

Bedi unveiled the new truck with Jeff Bleustein, Harley-Davidson chairman and chief executive officer.

"This alliance brings together two of the most well-known and admired companies in the world," said Bleustein. "Ford and Harley-Davidson customers alike want a distinctive vehicle that makes a statement about themselves as individuals."

The new Harley-Davidson F-150 is a black monochromatic 4X2 SuperCab pickup with a flareside box topped by a hard shell tonneau cover riding on a 139-inch chassis. It comes equipped with a 260 horsepower 5.4 liter TritonÔ V-8 engine powering massive 20X9-inch five-spoke cast aluminum wheels and P275/45R 20 Goodyear Eagle GTII tires - the first ever 20-inch wheels on a Ford production vehicle.

Inside, the limited edition Harley-Davidson F-150 features the famous look of Harley-Davidson accessories, including a dash ornament, black leather seats and trim, a black leather accessory pouch on the center console and a unique "spun metal" instrument cluster.

The exhaust has been specially tuned to resonate with a sound similar to the distinctive "throaty" note of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, featuring a SVT Lightning-tuned muffler ending in dual chrome 3 1/2-inch "slash cut" exhaust tips.

The strategic alliance between Ford and Harley-Davidson was announced in March 1999 during the world-famous "Bike Week" in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The five-year partnership provides the opportunity for the two companies to jointly develop and market exciting products, like the limited edition Harley-Davidson F-150. The alliance will include celebrations of each company's centennial in 2003.

In addition, the strategic alliance includes Ford technical support and sponsorship of Harley's MBNA Superbike racing program.

The Harley-Davidson F-150 will be manufactured at Ford's Ontario Truck Plant in Oakville, Ontario, and is expected to be in Ford dealer showrooms in spring 2000. Production volume and the manufacturer's suggested retail price will be announced at a later date.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport and sport-touring motorcycles. Eaglemark Financial Services, Inc., provides wholesale and retail financing, insurance and credit card programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers and similar programs for other leisure product manufacturers.