No segment in the vehicle business is as fiercely contested as the highly competitive market for full-size pickup trucks and Ford Motor and General Motors were quick to claim “victory” in the first half of 2022.
Toyota, though, scored points during the first six months by increasing sales a modest 0.4% sales of 44,315 units while sales of GMC and Chevrolet pickups, the Ford F-Series and Ram all fell by double digits during January to June period.
F-Series bringing in buyers
Tundra sells dropped in June, but Ford F-Series sales were up 26.3% over a year ago, representing 37.9% of Ford’s overall sales mix — up from 32% in May. F-Series has been expanding its truck leadership through the first half of the year, outselling its second-place competitor by about 40,000 trucks.
Almost 60% of F-Series retail sales came from previously placed orders and as it continues to turn at record rates. F-Series sales increased by 26.3% in June to 57,673 units. F-Series sales for the first half total 299,345.
Sales of the all-new F-150 Lightning continue to ramp up. In June, Ford sold 1,837 F-150 Lightnings, while more than 75% of people who reserved an F-150 Lightning came from other competitive brands. In the short time F-150 Lightning has been on sale, Ford has sold a total of 2,296 trucks, taking the lead in the segment during the month of June.
GM not sitting idly by
GM extended its leadership in full-size pickup truck retail market share for the 13th consecutive quarter, despite very low inventory, with 203,041 combined total sales of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Its estimated retail market share was 44 percent. The Chevrolet Silverado remains the fastest growing full-size pickup truck in the industry from J.D. Power PIN, with Silverado HD recording its best first half in retail sales since 2007.
For the first half of the year, sales of the Chevrolet Silverado and Silverado totaled 259,516, while GM Sierra and Sierra HD pickup trucks totaled 118,938. Sales the battery electric GMC Hummer EV totaled 272 during the third quarter, GM reported.
Ram and the rest
Stellantis said sales of the Ram pickup fell 22% during the first half of the year to 244,983 units.
Pickup truck sales are the most popular and profitable vehicles sold by Detroit automakers, who have made them the centerpiece of their business.
