The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Ford has plans to produce the 2014 Ford F-150 with an aluminum body instead of steel. While the move would give Ford a jump on the new federal fuel economy standards for automaker's fleets, it would likely also please buyers of the Ford F-Series since the weight reduction would greatly improve fuel economy.

The switch to aluminum would result in a weight loss of about 700 pounds or about 15 percent of the overall F-150's weight, said the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed Ford executives. The newspaper also reported, again citing unnamed executives, that the 2014 Ford F-150 would be capable of meeting the fuel economy standards through 2020, which would mean about a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy. Fuel economy on the current F-Series varies depending on how it is equipped, but the 2013 Ford F-150 already boasts a best-in-class 17 city/23 highway mpg on its Ford F-150 4x2 equipped with the 3.7-liter V6 engine.

The aluminum body will only be used on the F-150, according to the newspaper's report, since the heavy-duty versions of the F-Series aren't part of the new fuel economy standards.