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 its enclosed cabin and an open cargo bed at the rear, bordered by three low walls without a roof. The name variations reflect regional differences in terminology for this type of utility vehicle.

1902: Rapid Motor Vehicle Company Founded

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

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

In 1913, the Galion Allsteel Body Company built and installed hauling boxes on slightly modified Ford Model T chassis.

1913: Studebaker Uses Term Pickup

In 1913, the term 'pickup' was used by Studebaker.

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

From 1917, the Galion Allsteel Body Company built and installed hauling boxes on Ford Model TT chassis.

1924: Dodge Introduces 3/4-ton Pickup

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

1925: Ford Introduces Steel-Bodied Half-Ton Pickup

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

1928: Ford Replaces Model T with 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 Introduces Light-Duty Pickups

In 1931, General Motors introduced light-duty pickups for GMC and Chevrolet, based on the Chevrolet Master.

1932: Ford Australian Division Produced First Australian Ute

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

1936: Dodge Switches to Dedicated Truck Frames

In 1936, Dodge switched to distinct, dedicated truck frames.

1939: Dodge/Fargo Launches Job-Rated Trucks

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

1940: GM introduces AK series and Ford offers a dedicated light-duty truck platform

In 1940, GM introduced the AK series light-truck platform, separate from passenger cars. Also in 1940, Ford offered a dedicated light-duty truck platform.

1948: Ford Upgrades Platform to F-Series

In 1948, Ford upgraded its dedicated light-duty truck 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 Introduced

In 1954 in Japan, pickups with four doors, known as crew cabs, were released with the Toyota Stout.

1955: Chevrolet Cameo Carrier Fleetside

The first fleet-sided pickup truck was the Crosley in the 1940s, followed by the 1955 Chevrolet Cameo Carrier.

1957: Ford Styleside Introduced and crew cabs debut

In 1957, Ford's purpose-built Styleside was introduced. 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 Introduces Crew-Cab Truck

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

1959: Original Mini

In 1959, the original Mini was released.

1961: Austin Mini Pickup Launched

In 1961, the British Motor Corporation launched an Austin Mini Pickup version of the original 1959 Mini in the UK. It was in production until 1983.

1962: Hino Briska Introduced

In 1962, the Hino Briska was introduced.

1963: Dodge Crew Cab Introduced

In 1963, Dodge introduced a crew cab.

1963: Dodge Introduces Crew-Cab Truck

In 1963, Dodge introduced a crew-cab truck.

1963: US Chicken Tax Curtailed Volkswagen Import

In 1963, the US chicken tax curtailed the import of the Volkswagen Type 2, affecting countries seeking to bring light trucks into the United States and effectively "squeezed smaller Asian truck companies out of the American pickup market."

1965: Ford Crew Cab Introduced

In 1965, Ford introduced a crew cab.

1965: Ford Introduces Crew-Cab Truck

In 1965, Ford introduced a crew-cab truck.

1973: Chevrolet Introduces Crew-Cab Truck

In 1973, Chevrolet introduced a crew-cab truck.

1973: Chrysler Introduces 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: General Motors Crew Cab Introduced

In 1973, General Motors introduced a crew cab.

1973: US Government's CAFE Policy

In 1973, the US government's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) policy set higher fuel-economy requirements for cars than pickups, eventually leading to the promotion of sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

1978: Gas Guzzler Tax Exemption for Pickups

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

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States since 1982.

1983: Austin Mini Pickup Production Ends

In 1983, the Austin Mini Pickup ended its production run.

1990: Weight Increase of Pickup Trucks

Consumer pickup trucks sold in the US have increased in weight by 32% since 1990.

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 and Safety Standards

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 the Ford F-150 became available in four-door configuration.

2005: Chevrolet and GMC Last Used Stepside Style

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

2009: 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 Flareside Style

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

2011: Car-Related Fatalities Increase

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

2012: Ford F-150 owner survey begins

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 is Most Popular Pickup 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 Trucks

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 Ford F-150

In 2018, Kelley Blue Book cited the average cost of a new Ford F-150, including optional features, was US$47,174.

2019: Front-over Deaths

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

2021: Car-Related Fatalities Increase

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

2021: Ford F-150 owner survey ends

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.