Pickup Truck Sales Breakdown: February 2018
So far for 2018, pickup truck sales have been a mixed bag. In the mid-size class, the Toyota Tacoma has sold more than 16,000 units in the first two months of the year, giving it strong double-digit sales improvements over this time last year. In fact, the Tacoma is up more than 25 percent for 2018 so far. Another standout is the Nissan Frontier, which sells in smaller numbers than the Tacoma but is up 61 percent so far this year. Only the GMC Canyon and Honda Ridgeline are struggling, both down significantly from last year.
On the full-size front, the Nissans and the Toyota Tundra are holding strong; Chevrolet, Ram and GMC all had double-digit slides during February. The Ford F-Series was in the black with incremental gains for both the month and the year. It's worth noting the Nissan Titans (both the half ton and XD) continue to gain traction in the class. Although Nissan's market share is low, it is selling more Titans than ever before. However, the Nissans are still a long way from giving the Tundra a real sales challenge.
When it comes to manufacturer sales numbers, the competition is getting even tighter. In January, the separation between GM and Ford was several thousand units. In February, they were separated by just several hundred. Whether Ford can keep up this pace without the benefit of a mid-size player is anyone's guess. And just in case you don't remember who won manufacturer sales battle at the end of 2017, GM finished with a lead of more than 50,000 units (948,909 versus 896,764).
We predict the mid-size players will get even more attention as that class continues to grow in popularity and we move into spring, but look for stronger sales from Ram as both the old and new versions of its half tons become available to more dealerships in more trim levels.
Cars.com graphics by Paul Dolan; manufacturer images
Comments
Nicely done by the big three. I will say this, so far I drove the Ram, Chevy and F150. I was impressed with the F150 interior, but other than that not so much. The Ram was the most impressive to drive, exterior and interior. I am going to check out the Titan and Toyota next, so far the Ram is the front runner for me.
-CT
GM will need to resist the urge to rush the next model into production. Ditto RAM. Dealers must be yelling their heads off with these slowing sales numbers.
The strong figures from Nissan Frontier this year seem to suggest that buyers are bottom feeding, OR that serious truck buyers are waiting for the next generation products from Ford, GM and RAM
papjim: it's an inferior product. Hahaha. You can lead a horse to water...
Great job Nissan Frontier....WOW!!! Talking about getting every last drop out of this thing!!
I'm with everyone else.....I think around Aug. or Sept. GM and Ram are going to have HUGE discounts on 18 models.
Tacoma still has a 2 to 1 sales edge over Colorado!
So much for the Colorado!
The numbers prove Toyota has not lost sales one bit from Colorado, so it looks like grand pa Joe is trading in his Silverado for the Colorado as I suspected when it first came out!
I went by the union hall last Saturday, they were having elections. I would estimate that more then 50% of the vehicles in the parking lot were not union made, pretty sad.
Fullsize-GM has a +7 to 1 over toyota
Waiting to see what the smart ones have to say later on
GOOD JOB FORD CRASHING THE COMPETITION LIKE ALWAYS. KEEP IT UP FORD YOUR THE BEST AND THE BEST NEVER REST. NOT LIKE GARBAGE MOTORS TRUCKS THAT THEY ARE PURE JUNK NOTHING BUT JUNK.
@crunchtime:
What trim levels of the Chevy, Ford and RAM have you test driven?
If I had to replace my truck right now I'd most likely go with a diesel Colorado unless I could swing a great deal on a left over 2017 full sized truck.
If only sales numbers reflect QDR, it would be awesome.
@Dave - "union hall" ???
Kinda vague there.
"not union made"
Again, kinda vague.
If the vehicle comes from Japan, it is made by a unionized worker. Same can be said for any import from Europe. With the exception of China, Asian plants are also unionized.
If it is a "Detroit 3" vehicle than the odds are pretty good that it is unionized as well.
GMSRGREAT- Silverado LTZ Z71, Ram laramie longhorn, F150 Platinum.
-CT
@ CT
Was the Platinum a new 5.0L?? Read a few articles on it and I am impressed with it. Need to drive one. Couldn't drive my buddies when he bought his bc we were tinting it for him.
TNT, YES, but the 10 speed was a bit sluggish I thought compared to the Ram. the shifting was very smooth though, i wanted to drive the new powerstroke but dealer wont have one until May.
-CT
@oxi,
I'd have to disagree. I'm not Grandpa Joe and I have never owned a full size truck. But I have owned 2 Colorado's.
How about the r&d return from the frontier. Dirt cheap, reliable, and a great reputation will sell alot of vehicles.
I think the taco still carries a big name in the reputation department that keeps the Colorado from gaining market share
I have never owned a full size truck. But I have owned 2 Colorado's...Posted by: Bmbvideo | Mar 13, 2018
@Bmbvideo
Don't worry. Oxi only knows one song.
Re: Colorado's...were they first gen or second gen?
"Oxi only knows one song."
Ain't that the truth.
But then again, that you could "insert name here" and that comment would apply to 99% of the meat sacks at PUTC.
@CT
Laraime Longhorn and Platinum are in different class then LTZ, drive a High country or Denali
When the F-150 is $6000 to $10,000 LESS than a Silverado, Ram, Titan, or Tundra you have to have rocks for brains in your head to buy anything else but a F-150
F-150 Consumer Reports Recommended Truck for 2018
F-150 Motor Trends Truck Of The Year 2018\
F-150 with the 2.7 Eco-Boost BEST MPG of any gasoline truck
F-150 best in towing and payload
F-150 most reliable
F-150 best in crash tests
F-150 lowest insurance cost
F-150 with Eco-Boost best power, best 0-60 times
F-150 highest resale value
@ecoboost rules
Or you could chose to buy a truck that offers better value and durability.
Why do you think Ford dealers are forced to cut prices that steeply and STILL finish Number Two in pickup sales every year?
"Oxi only knows one song."
Ain't that the truth.
But then again, that you could "insert name here" and that comment would apply to 99% of the meat sacks at PUTC.
Posted by: amateurhour | Mar 13, 2018 2:44:41 PM
The irony on this idi0t.
"Oxi only knows one song."
Ain't that the truth.
But then again, that you could "insert name here" and that comment would apply to 99% of the meat sacks at PUTC.
Posted by: amateurhour | Mar 13, 2018 2:44:41 PM
The irony on this idi0t.
Dave I went by the union hall last Saturday, they were having elections. I would estimate that more then 50% of the vehicles in the parking lot were not union made, pretty sad.
I'm a retired union carpenter. I drove what I felt was the best product for my money. The way I see it is yes I support unions when it benefits me. The UAW members aren't going to help pay my repair bill or give me some extra $ cause my american made auto won't get the same on trade in.
I drove a 94 Ranger for 12 years and 160,000 trouble free miles. In 06 I wanted a new truck. Still wanted a small one. The Ranger was behind the times compared to Toyota and Nissan. I went with a Frontier. Exc truck. All my cars are American made, although not union made. So be it. Got to look out for #1
@water- problem is in my area nobody had those trim levels. Nice trucks for sure though.
-CT
GMSRGREAT- Silverado LTZ Z71, Ram laramie longhorn, F150 Platinum.
-CT
Posted by: crunchtime | Mar 13, 2018 11:22:58 AM
They are all nice trucks but don't decide without first testing a High Country and a GMC Denali.
@ Crunchtime : I now see now that "water" already offered the same suggestion as I just did. I read that the Z71 has a rougher ride than the High Country.
Waiting to see what the smart ones have to say later on
Posted by: Leon | Mar 13, 2018 10:23:26 AM
GOOD JOB FORD CRASHING THE COMPETITION LIKE ALWAYS. KEEP IT UP FORD YOUR THE BEST AND THE BEST NEVER REST. NOT LIKE GARBAGE MOTORS TRUCKS THAT THEY ARE PURE JUNK NOTHING BUT JUNK.
Posted by: Chingon | Mar 13, 2018 10:46:33 AM
Leon you called it just at the right moment. Lol
@ CT
Find a GMC SLT2 Premium Plus. 5.3L with 3.42 rear end, they are offering over $11K off right now. Ones with 6.2L are hard to find and they are going for around $6K off, around here in midwest. The ones around here with 6.2L only have 3.23 rear ends. Haven't seen any with 3.42 or 3.73
I also test drove a new Ram Sport with air ride when my 16 Sierra was having vibration issues. The tranny shifted smooth as butter. The ride was good, idk if better than GMC but was good. I don't like the tin can feeling when you close the doors, they feel cheap. The interior was good, IDK if I could say better than GM, but it was nice. My opinion is that the GM twins are the easiest to use for interiors.
I know Ram is offering excellent rebates as well. U still might want to wait till AUG/Sept. I have a feeling rebates will sky rocket even more on 18's when new Ram's and GM twins release.....just a thought
@ecoboost rule you forgot best burning truck of the year
dale, that is what my union president said when I saw him walking out of a Walmart, "gotta look out for #1."...
It will be interesting to see how this changes when the 2019 ram, Silverado, and ranger arrives. For now things aren't looking good for Chevy, continuing to lose market share to Ford. And ram progress has stalled. Can they stop the bleeding before the new models arrive? Can they stop the bleeding AFTER the new models arrive?
Beebe
The 2018 F-150 is better than the 2019 Silverado and Ram
GMSRGREAT- Silverado LTZ Z71, Ram laramie longhorn, F150 Platinum.
-CT
Posted by: crunchtime | Mar 13, 2018 11:22:58 AM
They are all nice trucks but don't decide without first testing a High Country and a GMC Denali.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Mar 13, 2018 3:19:25 PM
Seen all at the auto show. RAM Long Horn is the highest most lux interior money can buy. Thats is a fact.
Quick Quiz, With Chevy and G.M. Twins until very recently. Why does Chevy out sell G.M.C. ????????????????
Answer=====Cost!
Ford is the fleet queen of trucks. Tons of owners never hold the keys in their hand.
TNT- I was thinking of possibly waiting as well. I am not a fan of the Sierra, I like the Silverado exterior look much better, but that's me.
GMS- I did not think the ride was bad in the LTZ, but the Ram was noticeably better, it helps driving these trucks on the same day, one dealer I visited had both Ram and Chevy next to each other, so it made it easy to tell differences.
-CT
@ CT
Well good luck. I called last night on an 18 Sierra with a 6.2L but with 3.23 gears. I want 3.42 like my 5.3L has. They wanted to much difference. I will wait 2 more years and get a fully dressed 2020. Let the kinks get out of the 2019
@ Ecoboost Rules
How can you say the 2018 is better when you haven't even driven, seen in person, or know power specs of new GM twins and the Ram.....C'mon man!!!
For now things aren't looking good for Chevy, continuing to lose market share to Ford. And ram progress has stalled. Can they stop the bleeding before the new models arrive?
@Beebe
Let's be serious for a second! You're kidding, right?
GM and RAM both have new products to sell this year. Ford's only new entry is the Ranger, which will probably not be in dealer showrooms until after Christmas. In case you didn't know, January is like Death Valley for car dealers.
Ford's timing is pure crap! They are sitting on an old product in the red-hot Full Size space at a time when every competitor except Toyota has a new truck in their showrooms. Ford dealers are yelling their heads off.
@papajim
I really don't know what you're talking about. The fact is GM is losing marketshare and ram has gone from booming sales to mediocre sales, while Ford continues a slow gain. Nobody can predict the future, but I believe it's still going to be a while before the new GM and ram trucks arrive. And new models don't always sell well. So the question remains, will GM and ram be able to stop the bleeding (lost marketshare to Ford) before or after their new models arrive? It will be interesting to see.
And for the record I hope the new Silverado is so good it convinces me to buy one. That is if GM marketing doesn't continue to totally turn me off of their products. Lately their marketing has been so awful my wife has even commented how bad it makes GM look. I still have trust issues with ram.
bebee, I agree on the marketing, they are so bad, that I have never hear anyone say, did you see the gm commercial, i love that car. Instead its all about how terrible the commercials are and make no sense. I love the one with the SUV and the guys asks what he thinks about the suv, and the customer, says. "this looks better than 99% of the suvs out there." So funny, clearly a GM guy pretending to look at the suv for the first time, its pathetic.
-CT
CT
I was thinking of that commercial specifically when mentioning my wife. She tells me how awful it is every time we see it. Really all the commercials with that guy are terrible. They'd be better off just showing the suv without anybody talking at all. It really is a nice looking suv.
@ Beebe
Its the Chevy Traverse commercial. Yes its a senseless commercial. That White Traverse is sharp looking though. First thing my wife said to me is..."is that the new Traverse"? She is in love with it, but not the commercial. Its terrible!!!
this looks better than 99% of the suvs out there."
-CT
Posted by: crunchtime | Mar 14, 2018 11:36:27 AM
I happen to agree with the guy in the commercial. The only SUV's that look better are the GM full size.
@Frank - you just confirmed @amateurhour's point.
Quick quiz, why do people use chevy engines in everything. Cheap,Cheap. Ford sells cheap fleet trucks. Remember kids. It's NOT how many its how much.
why do people use chevy engines in everything
@ Hemi V8
And You forgot, Bc GM motors run forever!!!
So I've been wanting to trade my Colorado up to a Silverado, I'm perfectly content with the present truck, but see the newer one is going to be an improvement.. But im sure when the time comes I can find a real nice deal on the current generation. Id love to find either an LTZ Z71 4x4AWD, but with a 6.2 engine, in Tri White with the Coca Tan interior, or an LTZ with the Heady Duty Tow package, 6.2, 3:43 gears, or with the same truck and package but the 5.3, 3:73 gearing, in 4x4AWD! Or if not either of these two, or the same in LT trim, maybe find one of the 100 years Heritage trim trucks, of which I know where there are two , but neither have the exact equipment I like. Or if I cannot find them, I might take a good look at the technical specs of the new drivetrains offered in the new truck, like the In Line Diesel! I do like the Ram, new and present, but mostly the HD.
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