The truck market in the United States

The automotive world is currently in such an interesting situation with a host of new models that transcend common specifications and gender. Gone are the days when a car is a car, a four-wheel drive is something you drive on the farm and on cross-country excursions, and a pickup for those construction periods when you need to load them up with building materials. These days, however, you see white-collar executives driving these vans to work, housewives driving huge oxymoronic SUVs, or sports utility vehicles, on school drives and diesel-powered sports cars. The latest craze, however, is the crossover of vehicles with automakers competing with each other to come up with their respective interpretation of the ultimate machine for everything.

Interestingly though, the mother of all crossover vehicles must be the pickup truck or vans, as they are more commonly known in the United States. This genre of vehicles, found in a niche category when they were first introduced nearly 80 years ago, encompasses the needs for a comfortable vehicle that can function as a workhorse when the need arises. Such is the popularity of these vehicles that there is a healthy market for used pickup trucks, with buyers ranging from farmers and contractors to the common Joe who simply wants something that is versatile for whatever situation he may end up facing.

The advantages of the truck or vans are quite clear, especially when its platform, the back part that is your “trunk” in normal cars, is a flexible cargo area or just a place to hang out. . A certain level of comfort, although not much was the acceptable norm in those days, but the auto industry has grown by leaps and bounds and these days it is quite common for a pickup truck to include similar comfort and handling claims to a truck. automobile in their brochures. In many cases, these are not just marketing hype, as some models exceed the comfort levels of some, admittedly, entry-level ones.

In the United States, the market is dominated by Chevrolet trucks, especially due to its long tradition of producing fine trucks for the masses. The first product ever was the C-series, which appeared in 1924, and it was equipped with only two-wheel drive, unlike its later brother, the K-series, which came with four-wheel drive. Traditionally, all trucks are four-wheel drive, especially since they function primarily as workhorses, ready to tackle all types of terrain and not just the concrete jungle, which many modern trucks are prone to. drive. Functionality precedes form when it comes to trucks and trim levels are basic, to say the least. One thing’s for sure, many of the high-performance pickups have a bomb-proof fit and finish to match the rough and tough look.

American trucks are typically associated with muscle strength due to their enormous engine capabilities. Recently, General Motors, which makes Chevrolet trucks, even introduced a thunderous machine that could outperform all but the most focused sports cars. The popularity of this genre undoubtedly lies in the US market, and where the majority of pickup truck sales are made anyway. For Chevrolet, its strong performance began sometime in the 1980s when they pulled the C / K series off the GMT400 platform. The platform spawned eight different versions ranging from Fleetside Single Cab, Fleetside Extended Cab, Fleetside Crew Cab, and Stepside Single Cab, available in two- and four-wheel drive variants.

Customers also received a practical range of flexibility to customize the truck to their exact needs. In other words, the choice is not limited only to the type of trim: fabric, leather? – for the interior, but the mechanical parts of the vehicle. The C / K line, for example, offers the option of an off-road package with skid plates and custom Bilstein suspension setup. You can also dial in other options: long cab box, two doors instead of four, automatic or manual transmission, naturally aspirated or turbocharged; the list is quite extensive. The engine range also ranges from the paltry six in-line to the gigantic 6.5-liter V8.

Another big favorite among Americans that is rapidly gaining ground in other parts of the world market is Ford trucks. Since the introduction of its first pickup in 1917, Ford Motors has expanded its vehicle range to include a good line of pickup trucks and heavy duty trucks, serving not only the American market, but those elsewhere. Leading its charge on the truck scene is the highly popular F150, which was introduced to the world in 1975. Since then, the model has undergone major changes, yet retains its adorable flexibility, comfort, fine handling, and complete drivability. that has propelled it to the fore. In 1995, it became the world’s best-selling nameplate, surpassing even the Volkswagen Beetle. Ford did not rest on its laurels, introducing a revamped F150 pickup in 2003 that has several features aimed at maintaining its popularity with truck lovers as well as gaining new converts.