2023 Ford Super Duty F-350 Limited
Ford
DETROIT – America maintained its love affair with pickup trucks in 2023 — but a top-selling vehicle from Toyota Motor nearly ruined their tailgate party.
Sales of the Toyota RAV4 compact crossover got here inside 10,000 units of Stellantis‘ Ram pickup truck last 12 months, a near-No. 3 rating that might have marked the first time since 2014 that a non-pickup claimed certainly one of the top three U.S. sales podium positions.
The RAV4 has rapidly closed the gap: In 2020, the vehicle undersold the Ram truck by greater than 133,000 units. Last 12 months, it lagged by just 9,983. Stellantis sold 444,926 Ram pickups last 12 months, a 5% decline from 2022.
“Trucks are all the time at the top because they’re bought by not only individuals, but additionally fleet buyers and we saw heavy fleet buying last 12 months,” said Michelle Krebs, an executive analyst at Cox Automotive. “The RAV4 shows that folks want reasonably priced, smaller SUVs, and the undeniable fact that there’s also a hybrid version of that makes it popular with people.”
At 750,789 units sold, (*10*)Ford Motor’s F-Series pickups, which include the F-150 and its larger siblings, led the industry for the 42nd consecutive 12 months. They were followed by General Motors’ Chevrolet Silverado pickup with sales of 543,780 units.
Rounding out the top five were the RAV4 at 434,943 units sold and the Tesla Model Y at 394,497, in keeping with data and sales estimates from Motor Intelligence. (Tesla doesn’t disclose regional sales by vehicle.) The Model Y moved up one position in the rankings compared with 2022.
Toyota RAV4
The success of the RAV4 is notable. It aligns with Toyota’s growing lead as America’s second bestselling automaker, behind GM but outselling Ford annually since 2020.
Toyota first overtook Ford during the coronavirus pandemic and has continued to extend its sales lead since, outpacing the Detroit automaker by greater than 250,000 units in 2023.
The Japanese automaker also notably bested GM to turn out to be the country’s top-selling automaker for the first time ever in 2021 amid major production and provide chain disruptions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. GM has since reclaimed its crown and outsold Toyota by a whole bunch of 1000’s of vehicles in 2022 and 2023.
Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds, said the RAV4 in addition to the Honda CR-V, which ranked sixth last 12 months in sales, offer something completely different than American pickups: Small, economical vehicles that fit many American’s lifestyles and budgets amid high rates of interest and economic uncertainty.
“It’s all these other problems that we have experienced throughout the last 12 months that form of force people into practical purchases,” he said. “I feel these vehicles speak to the most practical purchase you’ll be able to buy.”
Overall sales
Recent vehicle sales were stronger and more consistent than expected throughout 2023, notching the industry’s best 12 months of sales since 2019.
Motor Intelligence reports automakers sold 15.6 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2023, a 12.3% increase from 2022. That compares with greater than 17 million vehicles sold in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic upending the global auto market.
December sales, which were reported this week, were surprisingly strong, as automakers upped incentive spending to maneuver products.
Auto sales to finish the 12 months increased 13% compared with December 2022, greater than double some analyst forecasts.
Automotive analysts and forecasters expect sales this 12 months to be between roughly 15.6 million and 16.1 million vehicles. GM said Wednesday it expects the industry to hit 16 million units sold in 2024.
Listed here are the 10 bestselling vehicles in the U.S. by unit sales for 2023, in keeping with Motor Intelligence.
1. Ford F-Series: 750,789 units – up 14.8% from 2022
2024 Ford F-150 Raptor
Ford
2. Chevrolet Silverado: 543,780 – up 5.9%
2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2
GM
3. Ram pickup: 444,926 – down 5%
A RAM vehicle is displayed at the Recent York Auto Show, April 13, 2022.
Scott Mlyn | CNBC
4. Toyota RAV4: 434,943 – up 8.8%
5. Tesla Model Y: 394,497 – up 56.5%
Tesla Model Y
Courtesy: Tesla
6. Honda CR-V: 361,457 – up 51.8%
7. GMC Sierra: 295,737 – up 22.4%
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate
GM
8. Toyota Camry: 290,649 – down 1.5%
9. Nissan Rogue: 271,458 – up 45.6%
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 244,594 – up 9.5%
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk PHEV Concept
Jeep