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The United States is infatuated, no, in love with pickup trucks. Along with SUVs, it’s a staple vehicle in American media, from TV shows like Dukes of Hazard to classic films like No Country for Old Men.

And in a recent report by news outlet CNBC, 2017’s most popular vehicle for Americans earning $200,000 or more annually wasn’t a Ferrari, a Lambo, or a Mercedes. It was a Ford. The Ford F-150, to be exact.

CNN crowned the model as the most important vehicle in America. It’s not hard to see why. More than 32 million Americans bought the model, even with its hefty $53,000 price tag. The F-150 made up over a third of the company’s sales that year.

So what makes the pickup truck so desirable that it zoomed past its luxury-brand competitors?

It’s a Great Tool

Pickup trucks, before they became the suburban stars that they are today, were initially made to be utility vehicles. They were prevalent among farmers, gardeners, and merchants back in the old days. They were loaded up to the brim with sacks of potatoes, grain, logs, and more.

They’re still preferred by people who need the extra horsepower to transport heavy equipment and materials, such as construction professionals and servicemen. However, today’s buyers use them solely as passenger cars.

The Companies Made it a Must-Have

Going back to Ford, an analysis by marketing professor M. Berk Talay stated that the popularity of pickup trucks for passenger use happened during the postwar era. He found that the government froze passenger car production for three years (1942 – 1945) to prioritize the manufacture of military vehicles. When the war ended, millions of Americans wanted new passenger car models.

Companies like Chevrolet and Ford didn’t want to waste the equipment and expertise they had for military trucks. As such, they continued to market them as passenger vehicles. Ford created the F-series trucks with quality of life improvements, like a more spacious cab, ashtrays, sun visors, and premium interior materials. People immediately fell in love with these trucks after their upgrade.

Now, the F-150 sports more seats, Bluetooth connectivity, leather upholstery, and even sound dampening. The pickup truck is no longer a work horse car, Ford spokesperson Jiyan Cadiz said in an interview with CNN. It’s now a lifestyle vehicle that families use to transport their groceries and newly-bought furniture. Plus, their trunks are perfect for windy joyrides across the Arizona desert.

It’s the New Symbol of Luxury

Like getting the latest iPhone, a vintage Rolex, or a mint pair of Jordans; buying a pickup truck, whether you purchased it brand-new or from a used car dealership sale, brings a feeling of luxury and success for people. A 2018 report by CNBC found that even luxury car owners are shunning their BMWs and Maseratis for American pickup trucks from companies like General Motors, Ram, and Ford.

Drivers are willing to shell out up to $100,000 just to have a luxury pickup with extra features like off-road tires, a more powerful engine, better sound system, and even a touchscreen interface. Trucks have the best of both worlds: luxury and utility. And when you’re willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car, why choose between two options when you can have both?

Get Premium Cars for Less

If you want to get in on the pickup truck craze, start with a used vehicle. It drives just as well without the hefty price tag. Here at Canyon State Trucks and SUVs, we provide an extensive inventory of pre-owned trucks in Arizona. We carry models from top brands like Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Honda, and Toyota. Apart from regular models, we also offer 4x4s, SUVs, diesel trucks, and lifted trucks.

With our vast collection of used vehicles, you’re bound to find the truck of your dreams without breaking the bank. Contact us today for more information about availability, financing, and more.