2015 has been a banner year for truck sales: with the announcement of the Chevy Colorado, the GMC Canyon, the Ram Rebel, and Ford’s popular, though not new entry to the lineup, the Raptor are all showing strong sales and increased reception and buzz from the industry. In fact, the growth in the light and medium truck market has been so rapid and thorough that in early April it was news that Ram was not planning on building a mid-sized truck for 2015. With the increased truck sales and the growth in the light truck market, truck companies have been looking at the diesel industry looking to make inroads.
State of the Industry
Ford redesigned and relaunched the F-150 with a new aluminum body for 2015 and is rumored to release the popular light truck in a hybrid engine in the near future, and a bevy of rumors that a diesel option will also be offered.
The Chevy Colorado will also have a diesel engine option available in the ZR2 concept which is already seeing positive reviews and expectations from expectant would-be purchasers.
And while Ram CEO Bob Hegbloom remains strong on his commitment to stay out of the mid-sized truck market, the EcoDiesel has done extremely well this year, and continues to grow in the market. Also looking to offer more options and choices to their dedicated fan base.
Finally, Nissan turned heads in Q1 with their new Titan with a Cummins engine. While it hit the Detroit auto show with a buzz, the truck failed to win Truck of the Year, but continues to be popular as a diesel option for the light truck market.
And while we don't cover much information on Jeeps, the rumors of a diesel Jeep continues to survive and hopes to see the light of day soon.
Q1 and Truck Sales
Full and detailed reports for Q1 are not fully known currently, but looking at the sales figures from February, we get an idea where the market is trending.
Fastest-Selling Pickups
2015 Chevrolet Colorado crew cab, 15 days on sale- 2015 Ford F-150 crew cab, 17
- 2015 Chevrolet Colorado extended cab, 18
- 2015 Ford F-150 extended cab, 18
- 2015 Toyota Tacoma extended cab, 20
- 2015 GMC Canyon crew cab, 22
- 2015 GMC Canyon extended cab, 23
- 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali crew cab, 25
- 2015 Toyota Tacoma crew cab, 25
- 2015 Toyota Tundra crew cab, 34
Slowest-Selling Pickups
- 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD extended cab, 116
- 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD extended cab, 88
- 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD extended cab, 80
- 2015 Nissan Frontier crew cab, 79
- 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD crew cab, 75
- 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD crew cab, 69
- 2015 Nissan Frontier extended cab, 63
- 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab, 62
- 2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD extended cab, 59
- 2015 Ford F-350 crew cab, 59
With the current trend, we are expecting great things from the aftermarket sector, as it continues to develop and release products that focus and specializes trucks.