Ford teams up with Harley for newly inspired truck

DEARBORN, Mich. - People who like riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles are likely to have an affinity toward a Ford truck. That's the thinking at Ford Motor Co. at least, as it furthers its collaboration with the motorcycle maker with the introduction of a new F-150 truck.

The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150, set to be unveiled this week at the Chicago Auto Show, blends the stylings of the popular motorcycle brand with Ford's top-selling truck. It's the 14th truck the two companies have designed together.

The vehicle is a niche for Ford, which has sold 74,000 co-branded trucks since the partnership began in 2000. Ford executives acknowledge that, while sales of luxury vehicles have fallen off during the recession, "image buyers" remain.

"Image buyers buy based on what the product represents," said Matt O'Leary, chief engineer for Ford, during a preview of the truck last week. "We have a very loyal following."

The F-150 comes decked out with a bolder front grille, two-tone leather seats, and 22-inch performance tires. The deep red and black leather seats were designed to resemble a Harley-Davidson biker jacket, Ford said.

The 2010 Harley F-150 is the first Harley-Davidson edition vehicle built off the 2009 Ford F-150 platform. It is equipped with a 5.4-liter, three-valve engine.

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