Ford, GM Unleash New Weapons in Pickup Truck Wars

Ford Motor Co. is adding eight more iterations of its F-150 pickup truck lineup in the 2014 model year to help defend the light-duty truck sales title it has held for three decades against all-new models from General Motors Co.

The latest addition to the portfolio is the F-150 Tremor half-ton sport truck. The Tremor is a short-wheelbase, regular-cab pickup with FX styling and a floor shifter. The truck is powered by a 3.5-liter 365-hp, 420-lb-ft turbocharged V-6.

GM is introducing all-new trucks for 2014, including the recently announced premium trim level Chevrolet Silverado High Country. The $45,000 truck gets a range of upscale appointments and power from a 5.3-liter, 355-hp, 383-lb-ft V-8, or a 6.2-liter 420-hp, 460-lb-ft V-8.

Ford F-series sales surged 21% to 560,000 units this year through September, outselling GM's trucks by 63,000 vehicles, according to Autodata Corp.

Analysts attribute Ford's success in part by heavy discounting. The company will roll out an all-new F-150 a year from now that features extensive use of lightweight aluminum body parts.