The Ford F-Series has reached a milestone: 40 consecutive years as America’s top-selling truck and 35 years as the country’s best-selling vehicle—car or truck.
Ford has now sold more than 26 million F-Series trucks since January 1977. That many trucks could circle the globe more than three times, or, lined up bumper-to-bumper, would span more than 90,000 miles.
Ford truck leadership was established with the sixth-generation of F-Series for the 1977 model year, a time when 8-track tapes, disco and bell bottoms were the rage. The company was riding a sales wave – based on an all-new F-150 light-duty pickup featuring an improved 351-series V8 engine, standard front disc brakes, and an extended SuperCab offering.
Yet continuous innovation is at the very core of F-Series’ success and even with the momentum in 1977, Ford engineers were already at work on a clean-sheet design for an all-new lineup. That seventh-generation F-Series not only set sales records for trucks, but also by 1982 it had become the overall best-selling vehicle in America.
Early on, Ford identified changing consumer preferences among truck customers who were increasingly using their vehicle to do more than haul livestock and equipment; customers were also using their trucks for their family and lifestyle needs. Beginning with the King Ranch in 2001, Ford was now offering luxury edition pickups that provided a combination of capability, style and comfort. Furthermore, models like the Platinum and Limited series went further, featuring leather seating, rich wood trim, full power accessories and premium sound systems.
F-Series milestones, 1977-2016:
• 1977: Ford begins F-Series truck leadership, selling 818,580 trucks for the model year.
• 1980: All-new seventh-generation F-Series features gas and diesel V8 engines, new design, twin-traction-beam four-wheel-drive front suspension.
• 1984: F-150 replaces F-100 as base F-Series truck, adding improved safety features; optional CD player.
• 1987: Eighth-generation F-Series features a more aerodynamic design, available electronic fuel injection, rear antilock brakes.
• 1998: Super Duty brand of medium-duty trucks debuts for commercial customers and aligns the popular F-150 line for light-duty customers.
• 2002: Ford, introduces the Ford-engineered, Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® turbo diesel engine.
• 2008: Ford introduces an all-new F-450 pickup.
• 2011: EcoBoost engine technology introduced for F-150.
• 2015: Ford shifts production away from steel to high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body for F-150; introduces all-new technology, including 360-degree camera.
• 2016: New Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps make backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob.
