Ford Gives F-150 Additional Standard Safety Tech

For customers eager to get their hands on an F-150 and can’t wait for the arrival of the 2021 model, going for its 2020 sibling isn’t such a bad idea.

According to a report published by The Car Connection, Ford is giving the 2020 F-150 additional standard equipment and safety technology.

Previously, F-150 buyers looking for a truck equipped with automatic emergency braking didn’t have much choice but to get a Lariat trim or higher. But a spokesperson for Ford confirmed that the company is now making the tech available on all trim levels of the truck. This is in addition to an earlier announcement confirming that active safety tech will also be added to the base F-150 XL.

The decision will see Ford become the first American automaker to make the technology standard equipment on light-duty trucks. However, for the trucks’ Super Duty edition, automatic emergency braking will remain optional for the base model and standard on the higher trims.

Earlier this year, Ford was cited by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for the significant increase in the number of models equipped with automatic emergency braking in its lineup. Ford was one of the two carmakers (the other being Hyundai) that were given a “most improved” recognition by the agency.

At present, 65% of Ford’s vehicles come with the technology while 78% of Hyundai vehicles do. This is expected to increase as more automakers do the same to their models after signing a voluntary deal in 2016 to make AEB standard on vehicles by 2022.

Among the automakers that signed the agreement are Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Volvo, BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Tesla.

By 2025, the said deal will expand to medium-duty trucks.