History of Pickup truck in Timeline

A pickup truck, also known as a pickup or ute (in Australia and New Zealand), and bakkie (in South Africa), is a light to medium-duty truck characterized by an enclosed cabin and an open cargo bed at the rear. The cargo bed is typically surrounded by three low walls and lacks a roof, providing a versatile space for hauling various goods. These trucks are commonly used for both personal and commercial purposes due to their utility and adaptability.

1902: Rapid Motor Vehicle Company founded

In 1902, Max and Morris Grabowsky founded the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company in Pontiac, Michigan, to build one-ton carrying capacity trucks.

1913: Studebaker uses the term "pickup"

In 1913, Studebaker used the term "pickup", for their vehicles which were still sold as chassis where third parties added bodies on top.

1913: Galion Allsteel Body Company builds hauling boxes on Ford Model T chassis

In 1913, the Galion Allsteel Body Company, an early developer of the pickup and dump truck, built and installed hauling boxes on slightly modified Ford Model T chassis.

1917: Galion Allsteel Body Company builds hauling boxes on Ford Model TT chassis

In 1917, the Galion Allsteel Body Company, an early developer of the pickup and dump truck, built and installed hauling boxes on slightly modified Ford Model TT chassis.

1924: Dodge introduces a 3/4-ton pickup

In 1924, Dodge introduced a 3/4-ton pickup with a cab and body constructed entirely of wood.

1925: Ford introduces a steel-bodied half-ton pickup based on the Model T

In 1925, Ford introduced a steel-bodied half-ton pickup based on the Model T, featuring an adjustable tailgate and heavy-duty rear springs, and was billed as the "Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body," selling for US$281 with 34,000 units built.

1928: Ford replaces the Model T with the Model A

In 1928, Ford replaced the Model T with the Model A, which featured a closed-cab, safety-glass windshield, roll-up side windows, and a three-speed transmission.

1931: General Motors Introduces Light-Duty Pickups

In 1931, General Motors introduced light-duty pickups for both GMC and Chevrolet targeted at private ownership, based on the Chevrolet Master.

1932: Ford Australian division produced the first Australian "ute"

In 1932, the Ford Australian division produced the first Australian "ute".

1936: Dodge switches to distinct truck frames

In 1936, Dodge switched to distinct, dedicated truck frames after initially producing light pickup trucks on passenger car frames.

1939: Dodge/Fargo launched "Job-Rated" trucks

In 1939, Dodge/Fargo launched an extensive own truck range for 1939, marketed as the "Job-Rated" trucks, which featured Art Deco styling.

1940: Ford offers a dedicated light-duty truck platform called the Ford F-100

In 1940, Ford offered a dedicated light-duty truck platform called the Ford F-100.

1940: GM introduces the AK series light-truck platform

In 1940, GM introduced the dedicated light-truck platform, separate from passenger cars, which GM named the AK series.

1948: Ford upgrades the platform to the Ford F-Series

In 1948, Ford upgraded the platform after World War II to the Ford F-Series.

1952: Volkswagen Transporter introduced

In 1952, the Volkswagen Transporter, an early cab-forward, drop-sided pickup was introduced.

1954: Toyota Stout released in Japan

In 1954, crew cab pickup trucks were released in Japan with the Toyota Stout.

1955: Chevrolet Cameo Carrier introduced

In 1955, the Chevrolet Cameo Carrier was introduced.

1957: Ford introduces Styleside

In 1957, Ford introduced the purpose-built Styleside pickup truck, which was a car-like, smooth-sided, fenderless design.

1957: International Harvester made first crew-cab truck

In 1957, International Harvester made the first crew-cab truck in the United States.

1957: Datsun 220 released in Japan and International Travelette released in America

In 1957, crew cab pickup trucks were released in Japan with the Datsun 220, and in America with the International Travelette.

1959: Original Mini was launched

In 1959, the original Mini car was launched

1961: British Motor Corporation launches Austin Mini Pickup

In 1961, the British Motor Corporation launched an Austin Mini Pickup version of the original 1959 Mini.

1962: Hino Briska released

In 1962, Hino Briska crew cab pickup truck was released.

1963: Dodge released crew cabs

In 1963, Dodge released crew cab pickup trucks.

1963: US chicken tax curtails import of Volkswagen Type 2

In 1963, the US chicken tax directly curtailed the import of the Volkswagen Type 2, distorting the market in favor of US manufacturers and squeezing smaller Asian truck companies out of the American pickup market.

1965: Ford released crew cabs

In 1965, Ford released crew cab pickup trucks.

1973: Chevrolet released crew cabs

In 1973, Chevrolet released crew cabs.

1973: Chrysler introduces the Club Cab

In 1973, Chrysler introduced the Club Cab on its Dodge D-series pickup trucks, marking the first extended-cab truck in the United States.

1973: US government's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) policy set

In 1973, the US government's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) policy set higher fuel-economy requirements for cars than pickups, leading to the replacement of the station wagon by the minivan.

1978: Gas guzzler tax exempts pickup trucks

In 1978, the gas guzzler tax, which taxed fuel-inefficient cars while exempting pickup trucks, further distorted the market in favor of pickups.

1982: Ford F-150 becomes best-selling vehicle in the United States

Since 1982, the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States.

1983: Austin Mini Pickup production ends

In 1983, production of the Austin Mini Pickup ended.

1990: Consumer pickup trucks have increased in weight since 1990

Since 1990, consumer pickup trucks sold in the US have increased in weight by 32%.

1997: Chevrolet S-10 EV released

In 1997, the Chevrolet S-10 EV was released, but few were sold, and those were mostly to fleet operators.

1999: Light trucks required to meet safety standards

Until 1999, light trucks were not required to meet the same safety standards as cars.

2001: Ford F-150 becomes available in four-door configuration

In 2001, half-ton trucks like the Ford F-150 became available in four-door configuration, and crew cabs started overtaking regular/extended cabs in popularity.

2005: Chevrolet and GMC last used the Stepside style on the Silverado and Sierra 1500 models

In 2005, the Chevrolet and GMC last used the Stepside style on the Silverado and Sierra 1500 models.

2009: Children died in front-over deaths

A total of 575 children in the US died in front-over deaths between 2009 and 2019, most by their parents.

2009: Ford last used the Flareside style on the F-150

In 2009, Ford last used the Flareside style on the F-150.

2011: US car-related fatalities went up

Between 2011 and 2021, US car-related fatalities went up by 8% and pedestrian casualties increased by 46%.

2012: Annual Surveys of Ford F-150 owners

From 2012 to 2021 annual surveys of Ford F-150 owners, revealed that 87% of the owners used their trucks frequently for shopping and running errands and 70% for pleasure driving, whereas 28% used their trucks often for personal hauling.

2015: Ford Ranger most popular pickup in Europe

In 2015, pickups represented less than 1% of light vehicles sold in Europe, with the Ford Ranger being the most popular with 27,300 units sold.

2016: IRS offers tax breaks for business use of vehicles with a cargo area

As of 2016, the IRS offers tax breaks for business use of "any vehicle equipped with a cargo area ... of at least six feet in interior length that is not readily accessible from the passenger compartment".