The Rise of Massive American Pickup Trucks in Australia

Will these American pickup trucks completely revolutionize the Australian automotive landscape?

Australians are increasingly drawn to massive American-sourced full-sized pickup trucks, leaving smaller models like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in the dust. The sales of ‘Pickups Over $100,000’ have skyrocketed by an astonishing 65.4% this year, making it the fastest-growing segment in the new vehicle market. Let’s dive deeper into this trend and explore the key players in this burgeoning market.

The Australian market has witnessed a remarkable surge in the sales of massive American pickup trucks, particularly in the ‘Pickups Over $100,000’ segment. This category has experienced an astonishing 65.4% increase in sales, outpacing all other segments in the new vehicle market.

Leading the way in this trend is the Ram 1500 range, which has sold 3,697 units year-to-date. To put this into perspective, it has surpassed the sales of the Nissan Navara 4×4, a popular mid-sized pickup truck.

Challenging the Ram 1500’s dominance is the Chevrolet Silverado, with 1,015 sales YTD. This impressive figure is more than double the sales achieved by the Jeep Gladiator. Both the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado boast powerful V8 engines and offer braked-trailer towing capacities of up to 4.5 tonnes. Additionally, they are approximately 10% longer than smaller pickups like the Ford Ranger.

Expanding the lineup of these massive pickups are heavy-duty diesel models designed for towing massive loads. The Chevrolet Silverado HD has recorded 553 sales YTD, while the Ram 2500/3500 has achieved 459 sales.

Although the Ram and Chevy models are sold by different companies, they share a common aspect – Walkinshaw, a Melbourne-based company, re-engineers them for right-hand drive at its local production lines. This re-engineering process, which used to be limited to the aftermarket industry, is now supported by the manufacturers themselves, offering ease-of-purchase and reassurance to customers.

The success of these American pickups in Australia has exceeded expectations. Bob Graczyk, Ram International boss, stated that exports to Australia could reach up to 10,000 vehicles per year and potentially even higher. General Motors Australia also anticipates a significant increase in demand for the Chevy Silverado, following the relocation of its remanufacturing facility in Dandenong.

Responding to the growing popularity of these vehicles, Ford Australia has announced the return of the iconic F-150 to the Australian market. The F-150 will be re-engineered by global partner firm RMA Automotive and will be available for sale in the third quarter of 2023. Ford Australia attributes its decision to the strong sales of the Silverado and Ram trucks. The F-150 will come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and will be supported by the existing Ford Australia network.

Toyota is also joining the competition with the locally re-engineered Tundra, aiming to surpass the popularity of its own HiLux and LandCruiser 300 Series. Walkinshaw will be responsible for re-engineering the Tundra for right-hand drive, marking a world-first for Toyota. The RHD Tundras will feature a unique hybrid drivetrain, offering improved fuel efficiency compared to its rivals.

While these massive American pickups may not be the most environmentally friendly vehicles, they have the potential to outshine the market’s Thai-made diesel utes in terms of electrification. The Ram 1500 REV and the Chevy Silverado EV have already been announced for Australia, with the F-150 Lightning EV also on Ford’s radar.

The Australian market’s enthusiasm for massive American pickup trucks shows no signs of slowing down. As more players, like Ford and Toyota, enter the fray, the competition is poised to heat up further. It will be fascinating to see how these behemoths evolve in terms of power, performance, and eco-friendliness.

• Sales of ‘Pickups Over $100,000’ in Australia have surged by 65.4% this year
• The Ram 1500 range dominates this segment, with 3,697 units sold YTD
• The Chevrolet Silverado follows closely with 1,015 sales YTD
• Both the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado feature powerful V8 engines and impressive towing capacities
• Additional heavy-duty diesel models, such as the Silverado HD and Ram 2500/3500, cater to those needing to tow massive loads
• Melbourne-based company Walkinshaw re-engineers these trucks for right-hand drive, providing factory-backed support
• Ram Trucks and General Motors Australia expect the demand for these pickups to continue growing
• Ford Australia plans to introduce the iconic F-150 in the third quarter of 2023
• Toyota is also joining the race with the locally re-engineered Tundra
• These pickups show potential for electrification as well

Australian car buyers’ fascination with massive American-sourced pickup trucks continues to grow. The sales of ‘Pickups Over $100,000’ have surged by an incredible 65.4% this year alone. With the dominance of the Ram 1500 and the Chevy Silverado, the entry of the Ford F-150, and the upcoming launch of the Toyota Tundra, this trend is only set to intensify. As these behemoth trucks become an increasingly common sight on Australian roads, one can’t help but wonder about the future of the automotive industry and the potential for electrification.