Photos: Building the new aluminum Ford F-150

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Photos: Building the new aluminum Ford F-150

The new Ford F-150 truck is seen at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich.It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is seen at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is seen at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is seen at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is seen at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich.It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is examined at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich.It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Ron Hudgin works on the new Ford F-150 truck at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich.It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is assembled at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is assembled at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich.It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is assembled at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Ron Hudgin measures the roof line of the F-150 truck at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Jennifer Gillesbie works on the frame of the new Ford F-150 truck is assembled at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Clark Barton IV works on the new Ford F-150 truck at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Jennifer Gillesbie works on the frame of the new Ford F-150 truck assembled at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The new Ford F-150 truck is assembled at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Jennifer Gillesbie works on the frame of the new Ford F-150 truck is assembled at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Jamie Winkles works on the brake line on the new Ford F-150 truck at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich. It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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The new Ford F-150 truck is seen at the Rouge Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich.It's the automaker's biggest bet in decades: an aluminum-sided F-150 that could set a new industry standard _ or cost the company its pickup truck crown. It will arrive on U.S. dealer lots next month. Aluminum _ which is lighter than steel but just as strong _ isn't new to the auto industry, but this is the first time it will cover the entire body of such a high-volume vehicle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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