Sales of Large Pickups in the US rose by 5% in Q1 2016 to 508,392 vehicles, which seems like a lot but is in fact 18% lower then the quarterly sales record for the segment over the past ten years (622,244, in Q3 2006). With all models in the segment being relatively fresh, with the exception of the aging Toyota Tundra, one can reasonably expect growth to continue in the coming quarters, at least until gas prices rise and customers start switching to smaller pickups.
Highlights in Q1 2016:
- Ford F-series continues as the undisputed segment leader, selling over 140% of what the second-placed Chevy Silverado sold in Q1 2016
- Ram Pickup continues to close the gap to the Chevy Silverado, which is now down to a little over 15,000 units, the lowest its been in two years and the second lowest in the past ten years
- Toyota Tundra saw its sales fall by 11%, while its Japanese rival, the new Nissan Titan, saw its sales rise by 24%; this would be more ominous, were it not for the fact that the Toyota still sold more than seven times as well as the Nissan