Ford's aluminum F-Series gets top safety rating

It may be lighter and feature an aluminum body, but Ford's new pickup passed a major test of its ability to protect passengers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the SuperCrew edition of the F-Series a five-star safety rating—the highest safety designation that it awards.

NHTSA conducted crash tests of the SuperCrew edition of the F-Series in February.

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Following a series of collisions, NHTSA awarded the F-Series a five-star rating overall and for front, side-impact and pole crashes. The pick-up was given a four-star rating for rollover crash worthiness.

The previous F-Series, which is heavier and features body panels made of high-strength steel, has a four-star safety rating, according NHTSA.

Ford's 2015 F-150

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Ford hopes these crash tests will further silence critics of the lighter F-series which is built with high-strength aluminum panels. For months, skeptics questioned if the lighter truck would be able to measure up to previous editions.

This year, F-Series sales—which include a mix of the new aluminum versions and the old steel panel editions—are up 2.3 percent.

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