• With help from Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineering faculty, the New England Motor Press Association awarded the 2015 Ford F-150, with more than 100 patents, the Yankee Cup
• The Yankee Cup is a technology award recognizing an automotive feature, system or vehicle that significantly makes driving safer, more cost efficient or more enjoyable
• From its truck bed to LED lights, new F-150 recognized by judges as tougher, smarter and more capable

The new 2015 F-150 claimed Ford Motor Company’s first-ever Yankee Cup for trucks, a technology award bestowed by the New England Motor Press Association, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, at an annual awards dinner Thursday.

Selected with input from MIT engineering faculty, the New England Motor Press Association’s annual Yankee Cup goes to an automotive feature, system or vehicle that significantly makes driving safer, more cost efficient or more enjoyable.

“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of the team behind the all-new Ford F-150,” said Pete Reyes, F-150 chief engineer. “With the 2015 F-150, Ford is teaching the world how to build a next-generation truck, and the more than 100 patents the F-150 team has filed for technologies prove these Ford engineers and designers are innovative leaders in the automotive industry.”

“When reviewing all the entries for the Yankee Cup, we couldn’t help but notice the F-150 is loaded with innovation,” said Craig Fitzgerald, New England Motor Press Association president. “We all know this vehicle is Built Ford Tough, but now it is both tough and smart – helping to redefine the light-duty pickup for the next generation.”

Ford has filed more than 100 patents on the all-new Ford F-150, making it the most patented truck in company history.

Innovative features include:

• LED side-mirror spotlights allow customers to illuminate the side of the vehicle for tasks ranging from setting up a campsite to changing a tire
• Remote tailgate release automatically lowers the tailgate with the push of a button on the key fob – a pickup truck first
• Ford’s pioneering tailgate step has been completely reengineered so that it fully integrates into the tailgate, making it virtually invisible when not in use. The tailgate drops down into position in one easy motion. The grab handle is now housed inside the tailgate, keeping the inner surface of the tailgate uniformly flat
• BoxLink^™ cargo management system includes lockable die-cast aluminum tie-down cleats. It provides a unique interface to the box for improved flexibility and organization, as well as additional tie-down locations. Segment-first cargo ramps are available that stow on the sides of the box and can be mounted quickly on the tailgate to enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles or mowers

Segment firsts include a 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab and segment-first LED headlights.

Additionally, the new Ford F-150 uses the latest high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys to form the body and cargo box on top of a high-strength steel frame.

The aluminum is heat-treated in an oven using a method developed by Ford engineers that nearly doubles the strength of the metal. A similar approach is used in aerospace applications, but Ford is the first to use and petition to patent this methodology for the auto industry.