Why Is the Ford F-150 Called Lobo?
Many vehicles on the road are named after animals, such as the Volkswagen Beetle, Volkswagen Tiguan, and the Dodge Viper. The Ford F-150 is among this number. The U.S. name is not all that intriguing, but in Mexico, it’s named after a very tough mammal, which has helped increase sales. Here’s a look at why the F-150 is also known as the Lobo.
What does Lobo mean?
In Mexico, Ford has decided to name the F-150 the Lobo. This translates to ‘wolf.’ In English, it’s timber wolf.
The name is different due to poor sales several years ago, according to Ford Authority. In the early 1990s, the F-150 wasn’t performing well in Mexico. Something had to give if things were going to be turned around, and Ford renamed the F-150 to the Lobo in 1996.
This was done in an effort to appeal to a younger market. The base trim is still known as the F-150, but higher trim levels are called Lobo. There are some places in Europe where the F-150 is also named the Lobo. It’s still the same vehicle as what we get in the U.S. It just has a more pleasing name.
The F-150 name has a much more boring story for its moniker. The ‘F’ is for Ford. As for the number, 150 is a reference to the payload capacity. At least the U.S. trim levels have cool names.
The Lobo has an extensive history in Mexico
The Ford F-150 Lobo has been sold in Mexico for several decades now. The vehicles are mostly older frame models because this seems to bring in more sales.
Some models do not have the Lobo badge, but this is because they are older vehicles. Another reason is that it’s the XL base trim. Ford tends to save the Lobo badge for the higher trim levels, which brings in more money. However, one very popular trim is only recently available in Mexico.
The Ford F-150 Raptor R trim is a new addition
The Raptor has been a trim on the Ford F-150 since 2010. It was an instant hit, and it’s well worth investing money in it for those who can afford the high prices. However, it hasn’t always been available in Mexico.
There have been many trims like the Lobo Platinum Limited, the Lobo Tremor, which was released in 2021, or the Ford Lobo King Ranch, but no Raptor. At least not until recently. Now, people living in Mexico can get the Raptor and the Raptor R.
The Raptor R, which is going to be sold in Mexico, is very similar to the one we’ll be able to purchase here in the U.S. It has the same 5.2-liter supercharged V8, which can churn out 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. Ford paired this with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, the 37-inch tires will help the Raptor power through a wide variety of terrains.
This doesn’t come cheap, of course. In Mexico, it will cost around $2,551,900. When you consider the exchange rate, that’s around $136,073. The U.S. model costs $109,145, so that’s quite a price hike.
Even though it has taken Mexico years to get the Raptor, off-roading fans will most likely welcome its arrival. Still, it remains to be seen how well it will sell, given the expensive price tag.
