The auto industry has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the past three decades, but one thing has always remained constant – the Ford F-150’s dominance on the sales charts. Although $4 gas threatened the F-150’s top spot mid-year, Ford’s full-size pickup shook off the competition and once again ended 2008 on top of the automotive world.
For the 32nd year in a row, Ford’s F-Series pickup truck took home the title of the best-selling truck in America. With 515,513 sales tallied in 2008, the F-150 easily beat the second place Chevrolet Silverado by nearly 50,000 units.
But perhaps even more impressive, Ford’s F-Series captured the title of best-selling vehicle in America for the 27th year in a row. The all-new 2009 F-150 has also taken home a number of accolades, including two truck of the year awards, with a third pending.



01/05, 4:47 PM
posted by:
mulletmaster
I have often wondered if it is the best selling truck because it needs to be replaced more often?
01/05, 5:23 PM
posted by:
wbent
Interesting statement considering the demographics of the work sites. Take government out of the equation and look at private work sites and tell me what you see. You may be onto something.
01/05, 5:48 PM
posted by:
MHW
The big 3 have always done a great job with their full-size trucks. You will see them continue to dominate this segment for years to come. I have always wondered why GM doesn’t advertise the fact that they have the best selling line of full-size trucks. I’m sure you have all heard it before but it still remains true that GMC and Chevy combined outsell the F-Series. This year GM sold a bit over 100K more full-size trucks than FOMOCO. But it also remains true that when separated out the F-Series is the bestselling nameplate, I guess it just comes down to how you choose to look at it. Try as Toyota might they are still having a hard time making a big dent in this market considering that the low volume GMC Sierra alone outsold the Tundra.
01/05, 6:11 PM
posted by:
bimmer_mann_18
Like the truck, Hate the headlights
01/05, 6:17 PM
posted by:
FLgator
wow. negative people. Ford makes a great truck, and ill give you the domestics do a lot of things wrong, but trucks arent one of them.
01/05, 7:17 PM
posted by:
bmw 740i
id have to agree with FLgator and MHW… domestics really do know how to make a truck and one that will last… suvs and trucks are the bread and butter of the big 3.. i had a ‘94 suburban for 13 years and it only ever required regular (if that) maintenance, they can put together a truck/ suv thatll last you a lifetime
01/05, 7:20 PM
posted by:
nowei
Could just be the pic, but it looks as though the F-150 depicted is driving straight down the middle of a double solid line. This phenomenon, and the fact that the truck is (even only subconsciously) advertised as being capable of such inconsiderate roadhoggery, is exactly why so many people despise trucks and the people who drive them.
01/05, 7:28 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
Not a fan of trucks, unless someone makes a street-legal CORR-style truck, but obviously FORD is still doing this better than anyone else.
Call me back when FORD has a car in the top ten,
01/05, 7:30 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
I have seen more ‘09 F-150s than ‘09 Dodge Rams on the road. Congrats to Ford.
01/05, 8:50 PM
posted by:
Commodore
“Although 2009 will likely be worse for new car sales than 2008, sub $2 gas and a solid 2009 model should ensure the F-150 makes its 33 and 28 consecutive years at the conclusion 2009.”
LLN’s most baseless statement in any of its blogs
01/05, 10:01 PM
posted by:
elviososa
One of my cars.
01/05, 10:12 PM
posted by:
anyclearer
not just the best selling truck but best selling vehicle….. hell yea suck on that toyota
01/05, 10:39 PM
posted by:
FLgator
hey Blakkar, im calling you back.. the Ford Focus was #10 on the list for 2008, that is a FORD right?
01/06, 12:49 AM
posted by:
DrFill
Much prefer the ‘08
If GM did the right thing and dropped GMC, it’s reign would end quickly
Have lost 400k sales in the last 8 years
Cheers!
DrFill
01/06, 12:51 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
Booyah and whee-hah, this is a fantastic victory for over-consumption and environmental devastation. How many buyers of these leviathans needed them for work and how many bought the I’m-a-work-truck-trying-to-be-a-luxury-car model?
01/06, 1:08 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I tried the truck thing once a few years back. Couldn’t do it; lasted about a year. The only good thing was that it held its value pretty well so I didn’t take too much of a bath. And the whole time I owned the damn thing I was scared to death of blowing a tire. Who ever thought nine lugs on a wheel was a good idea probably never had to change one.
01/06, 2:31 AM
posted by:
sprockkets
Unfortunately, the best selling car of all time is the Corolla.
01/06, 2:55 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
DrFill and MHW I know you think that dropping GMC Chevy would then get the title. it might but only for a year or two. Ford has always been known its for Trucks, Tractor and or farm equipment. GMC I think has had a reputation as well but not as long as Ford.
But as anyone could tell you there is no Chassis or mechanical Differences between a Chevy Silverado and a GMC PICKUP whatsoever its the same truck. And I say this in all honesty I don’t think the Truck buyers would be fooled too much more if you dropped the badging. Ford would outsell GM if they drop the GMC badge altogether.
But it looks to me if the GM-Chrysler deal ever goes through then GM will have one more rebadged Chevy in Dodge Pickups. Unfortunately bye bye Hemi hello whatever GM Stuffs into em.
Hooray for Ford again. And I second the motion that Blakkarr said, and more so. I think Ford needs to come back with the Number #1 selling car in America again and perhaps world. But its going to take more work than when they had the Taurus and the Nation’s Best Seller and the Ford Focus as the #1 Selling Car in the “World” . I think the Upcoming Fiesta/Verve maybe that car. But Ford keep working at it
01/06, 9:32 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
If the F-150 only beat the Silverado by 50,000 units, then the combined Silverado/Sierra sales crushed the F-150. The Silverado and Sierra are the same vehicles, so I don’t know why they keep separating their sales figures. I guess Ford like to do that so that they have the illusion of the top seller, when it’s not.
01/06, 9:33 AM
posted by:
BradYourCarGuy
Not only does Foprd produce a well built relaible truck but their innovation really helps to pull them above their competitors. Things like, in recent years, reverse opening rear doors and grab handles and bed steps are the types of small but impactful additions that help them to keep a leg up on other trucks.
01/06, 10:26 AM
posted by:
mulletmaster
The tailgate step and handle seem like hokey “features”, certainly not a deal maker for me. Part of my comment was in reference to GM’s claim that they are (or were cannot recall now) the “longest lasting trucks on the road” and that got me wondering if Ford sold more because they did not last as long.
01/06, 10:41 AM
posted by:
planet_drive
Well in a nation that voted for Bush twice, its no surprise the American public is still buying this peice of junk. We like bush and badly built trucks, but we refuse to fight for free universal health care?? strange, but hey, thats America, god bless us all!
01/06, 1:09 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
^^^^^LOL GO FU CK YOURSELF
01/11, 1:44 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
oh ChevyLoserfied If GM Dropped the GMC nameplate the only thing is that they would lose what little sales that GM get out of them. GM fan base is too stupid to realize it the same truck. But Z06 it does’nt matter Chevy would come up short in either case. So you lost your argument for best seller.
Fact is Ford Trucks are the longest lasting trucks on the road not Chevy. So yeah I dare you to tell GM to Drop GMC name plate to see if it could steal the crown. If they do they lose even more buyers! YES
You can’t win. Ford innovates and GM crapilates. Nothing Rusts like a Chevy Truck!
03/03, 11:17 AM
posted by:
Auburnfan400
Not to stray from the talk of F-150’s but “planet_drive”, come on. You do know that if we have free healthcare, the government will be paying. therefore deciding who we see if sick or injured. who will they choose? the cheap, unexperienced guy down on main street. Or a well trained, little more expensive doctor who will actually know what he’s doing? They’re cheap with there money, we’d be screwing ourselves in the…yea. But i love ford’s, always have. GM’s and Dodge’s are good to, but every truck has a problem. None are perfect, i’ve had my F-150 since it was new in 2003, never had a problem.