Shocked? Ford's F-Series on Track for a Record Year

Future archeologists will recognize this period in man’s history by the thick layer of Ford F-150s covering the entire planet, pointing to an era where one vehicle could seemingly do no wrong.

As the world’s best-selling vehicle line for what seems like forever, the F-Series’ sales performance over the first half of 2018 points to an impending record for the hard-working and increasingly plush lineup. Ford can be expected to push for it.

According to Automotive News, 52 percent of the brand’s truck sales typically occur in the second half of the year, which makes the first half’s 451,138 F-Series an encouraging marker. In 2004, Ford hit a high water mark: 939,511 F-Series vehicles. This year’s first-half tally is 4.2 percent higher than the first half of 2004.

F-Series sales cratered in 2009, when the automaker sold just 413,625 of the trucks in the United States. Presumably, would-be buyers were too busy fighting over a crust of bread. As the economy picked up again, sales began a steady climb, reaching 896,764 units in 2017.

This year, Ford unloaded an F-Series every 35 seconds. As passenger car sales sink fast, the four-door pickup has supplemented its traditional worksite/farm role with that of a comfy family hauler, and it’s all money in the bank for a smiling Ford. In June, F-Series sales rose 1.7 percent, with volume over the first six months of 2018 rising 4.9 percent compared to the same period last year. This, despite pump prices well above last year’s average.

Being the first name in trucks works to Ford’s advantage, enough to prompt the automaker to announce the abandonment of most of its cars lines. Since the beginning of the year, Ford’s truck sales rose 4.2 percent against a car loss of 13.9 percent.

Still, Ford knows resting on its laurels isn’t an option. Both Ram and General Motors have new full-size pickups headed to market, with the 2019 Ram 1500 already on sale in V8 guise. GM plans to make a larger play with its redesigned Silverado and Sierra 1500s. With a four-cylinder base engine and available inline-six diesel on offer (MPG figures aren’t yet available), the General wants to make the decision to buy an F-150 harder than ever.

[Images: Ford Motor Company]