Ford took a bit of a gamble when they stuck their EcoBoost V6 into the powerful Ford F-150. Experts predicted that buyers would still favor the 5.0-liter V8, but as sales of the F-150 topped 100,000 this year, nearly half of all models featured the EcoBoost engine. The number sounds more impressive still when you take into account that the more fuel-efficient engine option came with an additional $895 price tag.

This wasn't the only chance they took with pickup trucks in 2011. Ford also ended production of the smaller, more fuel-efficient Ranger, in an effort to steer people towards the F-150. That, too, paid off, with more people than ever buying F-150s. There's more news on the powerful engine front, too: the overall buy-rate for V6 engines this year clocks in at over 50-percent of Ford's total sales.

What does this mean? Well, in terms of the market as a whole, we'll probably see more automakers adopting more fuel-efficient powertrains over higher-powered options. As it stands, many manufacturers are working with more rigid fuel standards, to increase the average mpg ratings of their entire lineup. And consumers seem to be accepting these changes, particularly as automakers get better at producing these types of engines.

That said, be sure to stay tuned with Danny Zeck Ford for more on this and other Ford news and updates. Or stop in and take any of the fuel-efficient Ford F-150 or Ford Ranger pickups for a test drive. Questions? Contact us via our website, and a member of our team will get right back to you.