There is no denying that Americans have a long term love affair with trucks. What started out as a need in the early 1900s has evolved into a modern day love story, and it’s no surprise that Ford is at the heart of the narrative.
At the turn of the 19th century, 95 percent of Americans lived on farms and relied on one horse wagons for trade, transportation and farm work. By the turn of the 20th century, only about a third of families still lived on farms and many owned two horse wagons. The revolutionary change came in 1925 when work horses were replaced by the first factory built pickup: the Model T Ford. This new invention drastically altered everyday life by making long-distance trips more practical, heavier workloads possible, and longer work days an option due to headlights.
In World War II, trucks gave the American army a clear advantage. Other countries discouraged entrepreneurial ideas like the pickup, and our roadways and fuel infrastructures were much more advanced thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of the truck. Individuals and businesses alike relied on trucks for convenient transportation, and when Congress passed the luxury tax on new cars in 1991, trucks were exempt because of their value to the economy. This luxury tax exemption spurred truck manufacturers to begin adding luxury options to trucks, and the American people fell deeper in love.
In 2001, Ford introduced the half-ton F150 four door pickup; it was love at first sight. Sedans no longer had the edge in luxury or interior space, and by that time owning a truck had become a status symbol. The Ford F150 still holds the title of the best-selling, most popular pickup model in American history, proving that love can indeed stand the test of time.
All-new 2021 F-150 Lariat in Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.
The completely redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 has been named the North American Truck of the Year, along with many other accolades including ‘Best Buy Award’ by Kelley Blue Book, Green Truck of the Year by Green Car Journal and Top Rated Truck by Edmunds.com.
Works Cited
Huffman, John Pearley. “Why Do Americans Love Pickup Trucks? Ask The Drive.” The Drive, The Drive, 20 Jan. 2016, www.thedrive.com/article/1751/.
Miller, Marty. “King of the Road: Breaking Down the Popularity of Pickup Trucks.” Experian.com, 30 Aug. 2019.
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