New vehicle sales have been humming along this year, in large part due to the renewed popularity of full-size pickups. Nowhere has it been more evident than at Ford, which gets a reminder every 42 seconds.
The company announced today that it has already sold more F-Series trucks this year than it did last year with six weeks left to go. F-Series sales have now exceeded 645,316 trucks: one every 42 seconds, according to Ford.
“If our truck business continues at this rate through the end of the year, we will reach 60,000 F-Series sales for eight straight months, putting us on par with 2006, before the economic downturn,” said Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst, in a release.
Overall new vehicle sales have been robust across most market segments, but Ford and other truckmakers have been producing the right products – trucks with substantially better gas mileage, improved ride and handling and plenty of technological innovations – at the right time.
General Motors introduced its new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models to rave reviews. While not necessarily revolutionary on the exterior, the new vehicles feature significantly improved powertrains that provide substantive increases in mileage ratings as well as a slew of infotainment options to keep everyone happy.
In fact, so much better are the new entries that one – the Silverado – is considered by many to be one of the leaders for the truck half of the North American Car and Truck of the Year award.
(GM readies to take on all comers in truck market. For more, Click Here.)
Not wanting to be outdone, Chrysler introduced its new EcoDiesel-equipped Ram truck that is among the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the segment, but padding along right behind is Nissan, which is expected to introduce a new Titan with a Cummins-built diesel expected to give the new Ram a run for its money.
(Click Here to see the first drive in the Ram EcoDiesel.)
Toyota is also in on the parade of new trucks with an all-new Tundra this year, which is helping the Japanese maker’s truck sales rise. The Tundra is also expected to get a Cummins diesel option in the next year or two.
Ford is not just sitting idly by as the competition rolls out all new vehicles. The Dearborn, Mich.-based maker plans to roll out a new F-Series lineup next year boasting even better mileage from its EcoBoost version as well as across the rest of its engine lineup.
Ford’s current bold truck styling is likely helping their sales considerably.