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Ford appears to have finally found the right gear with its F-150 pickup, otherwise known as the moneymaker.

Ford Motor Co. posted a 44% surge in second-quarter profit, exceeding analysts' estimates thanks to consumers paying big money for fully loaded versions of the new aluminum-body150 pickup.

Ford is updating its commercial Transit Connect van for the 2016 model year with standard flex-fuel capability for some models.

Ford sold more vans last month than it has in any April in almost 30 years, and U.S. van sales by unit have more than doubled in the past five years, according to data from Edmunds.com.

INDIANAPOLIS — Ford Motor Co. introduced a redesigned lineup of medium-duty trucks here that includes dedicated tractor models in two weight classes, and an updated telematics suite.

When Ford Motor Co. unleashes an ad blitz for its new F-150 during college football bowl games Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, it will emphasize how much the aluminum-bodied pickup can haul and tow. There will be no mention of fuel-economy gains that Ford says are one of the truck’s key attributes.