History of Pickup truck in Timeline

A pickup truck is a light to medium-duty truck characterized by an enclosed cabin and an open cargo bed enclosed by low walls. It is known by various regional terms, such as "ute" in Australia and New Zealand (referring to both pickups and coupé utilities) and "bakkie" in South Africa.

1902: Rapid Motor Vehicle Company founded

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

1913: Galion Allsteel Body Company modifies 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.

1913: Studebaker uses the term 'pickup'

In 1913, the term 'pickup' was used by Studebaker, marking one of the earliest known uses of the term for a light-duty truck.

1917: Galion Allsteel modifies Model TT chassis

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

1924: Dodge Introduces a 3/4-ton Pickup

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

1925: Ford introduces steel-bodied half-ton pickup

In 1925, Ford introduced a steel-bodied half-ton pickup based on the Model T, featuring an adjustable tailgate and heavy-duty rear springs. The "Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body" sold 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 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 both GMC and Chevrolet, targeting private ownership. These trucks were based on the Chevrolet Master.

1932: Ford Australia Produces First "Ute"

In 1932, the Ford Australian division produced the first Australian "ute", a type of coupe utility vehicle.

1936: Dodge switches to dedicated truck frames

In 1936, Dodge switched to distinct, dedicated truck frames for its light (pickup) trucks.

1939: Dodge 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 the AK series and Ford offers pickup body on Model 51

In 1940, GM introduced the dedicated light-truck platform, separate from passenger cars, which GM named the AK series. Ford North America also continued to offer a pickup body style on the Ford Model 51.

1948: Ford Upgrades to the F-Series

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

1952: Volkswagen Transporter introduced

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

1954: Crew cabs released in Japan with Toyota Stout

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

1955: Chevrolet Cameo Carrier introduced

In 1955, the fleet-sided Chevrolet Cameo Carrier was introduced.

1957: Ford introduces the Styleside and Crew cabs introduced in America and Japan

In 1957, Ford introduced the purpose-built Styleside. Crew cabs were introduced in Japan with the Datsun 220 and in America with the International Travelette.

1957: International Harvester Makes First Crew Cab in US

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

1959: Original Mini Released

In 1959, the original Mini car was released which later had a pickup truck version in 1961.

1961: Austin Mini Pickup launched in the UK

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

1962: Hino Briska introduced

In 1962, Hino Briska was introduced as a four-door pickup truck.

1963: Dodge introduces Crew Cab

In 1963, Dodge introduced its version of the crew-cab pickup truck.

1963: US chicken tax distorts the market

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 introduces Crew Cab

In 1965, Ford introduced its version of the crew-cab pickup truck.

1973: Chevrolet introduces Crew Cab

In 1973, Chevrolet introduced its version of the crew-cab pickup truck.

1973: CAFE policy set higher fuel-economy requirements for cars than pickups

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 exempted 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 US

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

1983: Production ends for Austin Mini Pickup

Production of the Austin Mini Pickup, originally launched in 1961, ended in 1983.

1990: Consumer pickup trucks increase in weight

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 not required to meet same safety standards as cars

Until 1999, light trucks were not required to meet the same safety standards as cars, which further affected the pickup truck market.

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, and crew cabs started overtaking regular/extended cabs in popularity.

2005: Chevrolet and GMC use Stepside style for the last time

The 2005 Silverado and Sierra 1500 models were the last time Chevrolet and GMC used the Stepside style.

2009: Child front-over deaths statistics

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

2009: Ford last uses the Flareside style

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

2011: Car-related fatalities increase

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

2012: Ford F-150 owner survey

Annual surveys of Ford F-150 owners from 2012 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 pickup truck 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 certain vehicles

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: Child front-over deaths statistics

Between 2009 and 2019, a total of 575 children in the US died in front-over deaths, most by their parents. This is an 89% increase in mortality from the previous ten years.

2021: Ford F-150 owner survey

Annual surveys of Ford F-150 owners from 2021 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.