The pickup, which goes on sale this spring, starts at $28,995, according to a dealer and a source familiar with the program. The 2010 Super Duty 250 starts at $26,850. Both prices include shipping.

The Super Duty will be a key vehicle this year because Ford executives expect the housing market to improve in the second half and commercial-fleet pickup sales to spike. In January, sales of the F series rose 10 percent to 27,630 trucks vs. a year ago.

Ford engineers say the new transmission for its 2011 Super Duty will achieve significant performance and fuel economy improvements over the current five-speed automatic. The diesel engine invoice price starts at $6,503, according to Pickuptrucks.com.

Ford will reveal details on the fuel economy of the pickup closer to launch. Ford declined to comment on the price.