Zac Quinn 
A refresh to the money-printing Ford F-150 pickup truck is on the way for the 2024 model year, and could possibly debut at the 2023 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan in the coming weeks. Normally, it’s the typical stuff: the sheetmetal sees a nip/tuck, the cabin gets something like a bigger infotainment screen, and maybe we see a powertrain update. However, in the case of the 2024 Ford F-150, we’re likely to see a lot more than just that. Based on recent USPTO activity, we could see a new F-150 Lobo trim, as well as a new F-200 nameplate, as well.
Ford F-200: What Could It Mean?
The Ford F-200 trademark is a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. Filed last week, on August 28th, the F-200 name is described as intended for “motor vehicles, namely gasoline and electric automobiles, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles and their structural parts.”
Does it signify a new truck from Ford? Without fully knowing the details, it could be a similar formula to what the automaker is doing with the F-600 Super Duty commercial medium duty truck. Available to fleet operators, the F-600 is a white space vehicle that uniquely offers the maximum GVWR of a DOT Class 6 truck (22,000 pounds), while maintaining the more nimble and compact footprint of the F-550 Super Duty Class 5 truck.
Considering the nomenclature, a Ford F-200 could be a truck that has the GVWR of an F-250 Super Duty, while maintaining the smaller and more nimble footprint of an F-150. Sounds like a fleet operator’s dream to us. With the official news of the F-150 refresh imminent, it’s likely that all of these necessary details will surface soon.
Ford F-150 Lobo: Return Of The ‘Muscle Truck?’
Filed with the USPTO on August 14th, it’s been suggested that the Ford F-150 Lobo will resemble a turn-key “street truck” with a lowered suspension, unique wheels, and other features that play in the opposite end of the off-road oriented Rattler, Tremor and Raptor variants. Moreover, Ford already sells the F-150 in Mexico as the Lobo. “Lobo,” which means “wolf” in Spanish, can also be seen with Ranger Lobo and Maverick Lobo trademarks, suggesting a family of street trucks on the way from Ford Motor Company. The automaker has signaled more interest into the “muscle truck” segment with the debut of the FP700 package back in June 2023, to the joy of everybody here at MC&T. And while the Lightning name is currently being used on an electric F-150, everybody knows that the spiritual successor to the original Lightning needs a growling V8, making the FP700 the true heir to the throne.
A Ford F-150 Lobo is perhaps the perfect trim level for customers to upgrade with the existing Ford Performance supercharger kit, made in partnership with Whipple. With improved suspension, wheels, tires and brakes, giving the street truck some 700 horsepower just feels like the right thing to do.
