History of Pickup truck in Timeline
A pickup truck is a light to medium-duty truck characterized by its enclosed cabin and an open cargo bed at the rear, enclosed by low walls. It is known by various regional names. In Australia and New Zealand, both pickups and coupe utilities are referred to as 'utes,' a shortened form of 'utility vehicle.' In South Africa, it's commonly called a 'bakkie,' which is derived from the Afrikaans word 'bak,' meaning bowl or container.
1902: Rapid Motor Vehicle Company founded
In 1902, the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company was founded by Max Grabowsky and Morris Grabowsky. They built one-ton carrying capacity trucks in Pontiac, Michigan.
1913: Studebaker uses the term pickup
In 1913, Studebaker used the term "pickup", though its origin remains unknown.
1913: Galion Allsteel Body Company developed pickup
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 installed boxes on Model TT
From 1917, the Galion Allsteel Body Company installed hauling boxes on the Ford Model TT.
1924: Dodge introduced 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 introduced a steel-bodied half-ton pickup
In 1925, Ford followed up with a steel-bodied half-ton based on the Model T with an adjustable tailgate and heavy-duty rear springs. Billed as the "Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body", it sold for US$281; 34,000 were built.
1928: Ford replaced the Model T with the Model A
In 1928, Ford replaced the Model T with the Model A, which had a closed-cab, safety-glass windshield, roll-up side windows, and three-speed transmission.
1931: General Motors introduced 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 Australia produced the first Australian "ute"
In 1932, the Ford Australian division produced the first Australian "ute".
1936: Dodge switched to distinct, dedicated truck frames
After switching to distinct, dedicated truck frames in 1936, Dodge/Fargo launched an extensive own truck range for 1939, marketed as the "Job-Rated" trucks.
1939: Dodge/Fargo launched the "Job-Rated" trucks
In 1939, Dodge/Fargo launched an extensive own truck range for 1939, marketed as the "Job-Rated" trucks.
1940: GM introduced the AK series
In 1940, GM introduced the dedicated light-truck platform, separate from passenger cars, which GM named the AK series. Also in 1940, Ford offered a dedicated light-duty truck platform called the Ford F-100.
1948: Ford upgraded the platform after World War II
In 1948, Ford upgraded the platform after World War II to the Ford F-Series.
1952: Volkswagen Transporter introduced
In 1952, the cab-forward, drop-sided Volkswagen Transporter was introduced.
1955: Chevrolet Cameo Carrier fleetside pickup truck
In 1955, Chevrolet Cameo Carrier was made as a fleetside pickup truck.
1957: Ford introduced Styleside, crew cabs released
In 1957, Ford introduced Styleside. Also in 1957, crew cabs started to become popular and were released in Japan with the Datsun 220 and in America with the International Travelette.
1957: International Harvester made the first crew-cab truck in the United States
In 1957, International Harvester made the first crew-cab truck in the United States.
1961: Austin Mini Pickup version launched
In 1961, the British Motor Corporation launched an Austin Mini Pickup version of the original 1959 Mini.
1963: Dodge made crew-cab trucks
In 1963, Dodge followed International Harvester making crew-cab trucks.
1963: US chicken tax curtailed 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.
1965: Ford made crew-cab trucks
In 1965, Ford followed International Harvester and Dodge making crew-cab trucks.
1973: Chevrolet made crew-cab trucks
In 1973, Chevrolet followed International Harvester, Dodge and Ford making crew-cab trucks.
1973: Chrysler introduced the Club Cab
In 1973, Chrysler introduced the Club Cab on its Dodge D-series pickup trucks, the first extended-cab truck in the United States.
1973: General Motors released crew cabs
In 1973, General Motors released crew cabs.
1973: US government's CAFE policy set higher fuel-economy requirements for cars
In 1973, the US government's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) policy set higher fuel-economy requirements for cars than pickups.
1978: Gas guzzler tax
The 1978 gas guzzler tax, which taxed fuel-inefficient cars while exempting pickup trucks, further distorted the market in favor of pickups.
1982: Ford F-150 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 ended
In 1983, production of the Austin Mini Pickup ended.
1990: Consumer pickup trucks increased in weight by 32%
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: Safety standard regulations
Until 1999, light trucks were not required to meet the same safety standards as cars.
2001: Ford F-150 available in four-door configuration
In 2001, half-ton trucks like Ford F-150 would become available in four-door configuration, by which time crew cabs also started overtaking regular/extended cabs in popularity.
2005: Last Stepside style used by Chevrolet and GMC
The last time Chevrolet and GMC used the Stepside style was on the 2005 Silverado and Sierra 1500 models.
2009: Front-over deaths of children
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
Ford last used the Flareside style on the 2009 F-150.
2011: Car-related fatalities and pedestrian casualties increased
Between 2011 and 2021, US car-related fatalities went up by 8% and pedestrian casualties increased by 46%.
2012: Ford F-150 annual survey
Annual surveys of Ford F-150 owners from 2012 to 2021 revealed that 87% of the owners used their trucks frequently for shopping and running errands and 70% for pleasure driving.
2015: Ford Ranger most popular in Europe
In Europe, pickups represent less than 1% of light vehicles sold, the most popular being the Ford Ranger with 27,300 units sold in 2015.
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".
2018: Average cost of a new Ford F-150
In 2018, Kelley Blue Book cited an average cost of US$47,174 for a new Ford F-150, including optional features.
2019: Front-over deaths of children
A total of 575 children in the US died in front-over deaths between 2009 and 2019, most by their parents.
2021: Ford F-150 annual survey
Annual surveys of Ford F-150 owners from 2012 to 2021 revealed that 87% of the owners used their trucks frequently for shopping and running errands and 70% for pleasure driving.
2021: Car-related fatalities and pedestrian casualties increased
Between 2011 and 2021, US car-related fatalities went up by 8% and pedestrian casualties increased by 46%.
2023: Pickup trucks more lifestyle than utilitarian vehicles
By 2023, pickup trucks had become strictly more lifestyle than utilitarian vehicles.
