Chevrolet K1500 The Chevrolet K1500 Extended Cab pickup features seating for six and a driver's-side access panel. This third door provides easier access to the area behind the front seats and is standard on all extended-cab models.
There are currently 23 pickup truck model lines for sale on the U.S. market-- all pictured and described in CarPoint.	The best-selling vehicle in America is not a car. In fact, for the past 14 years the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. has been the Ford F-Series pickup. Meanwhile, five of the top-20, best-selling vehicles in 1995 were pickup trucks, according to auto analysts J.D. Power and Associates, making pickups one of the brightest categories in the auto business.      If you still think of pickups as clunky cargo haulers, then we have news for you. Over the past decade, compact and full-size pickups have changed a lot, making great strides in popularity and sales. Think of them now as legitimate--and, in some cases luxurious--people movers . . . with plenty of room in the back for serious cargo.
body styles, bed lengths The new 1997 Ford F-150 provides a wide opening for loading passengers or cargo. The third door is opened from the inside only, and cannot be operated without first opening the front door.	Both compact and full-size pickups come in a range of body styles and bed lengths with four-wheel drive as a common option. Body styles typically include regular cab, extended cab (with seating in the back for two or more additional occupants), and crew cab--a body style that features four doors and a full rear seat.      One new innovation--seen for the first time on this year's models--is the availability of a third access door on certain extended-cab trucks. This new door provides improved access to rear seats and is certain to attract more buyers. The Chevrolet and GMC C/K Series, as well as the Chevy S-Series and GMC Sonoma, offer this new feature. Ford has made it a standard feature on the 1997 Ford F-150 SuperCab.      Meanwhile, engines range from fuel economical 4-cylinder units used in entry-level compact pickups to large, powerful V8s, V10s and turbodiesels found in heavy-duty full-size pickups. Return to top
increasing refinement The Toyota Tacoma SR5 can be optioned to rival the comfort and convenience of many passenger cars. Available features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS), moonroof, power windows and door locks, high-level stereo system, and privacy glass.	Key to the pickup's solid sales growth has been a steady trend of increasing refinement in design and appointment that has taken the pickup from its rough-hewn, utilitarian roots to today's status as a practical and comfortable people mover.      Built on classic, heavy-duty work truck platforms, modern pickups now incorporate such features as anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, CD players, power windows, power door locks, air conditioning and plenty of cupholders. More powerful, yet quieter, smoother and more fuel economical V8 and V10 engines have also helped bridge the gap between work truck and everyday vehicle. Return to top
fierce competition The GMC Sonoma is available in a wide range of configurations making it competitive in several pickup niches. With prices starting around $11,000, ten different Sonoma trims are available, including the top-of-the-line Sonoma SLS High Rider, shown here.	With pickup trucks occupying three of the top ten sales positions in 1995, competition for customers is fierce among manufacturers. This competition results in aggressive pricing and an enormous selection of feature-rich vehicles that appeal to a much wider audience than in previous years.      Anyone looking for a pickup will find a variety of choices to suit a particular need and budget. With over 149 specific models (trims) to choose from, pickups offer something for every truck buyer. Those looking for reliable transportation at an affordable price can try a compact Mazda B-Series base model priced at $9,925, while others looking for a heavy-duty, full-size pickup can opt for the $24,963 Dodge Ram 3500. Between these two extremes are a multitude of other choices, where each truck addresses different purposes at different price points while offering the customer a unique combination of value, equipment and functionality. Return to top
value-driven sales The Dodge Ram pickup, redesigned in 1994, continues to grab a larger share of the most popular market segment in America. With aggressive styling and a wide range of available engines, the Ram appeals to many truck buyers.	The improved value and versatility of today's pickups--both compact and full-size--have strong appeal to a broader base of customers. Young buyers are attracted to compact pickups as a rugged and reliable vehicle at an affordable price, while families and businesses enjoy the improved utility, access and refinement of the modern full-size pickup.      Meanwhile, the recent introduction of the all-new 1997 Ford F-150 and the continued popularity of the Chevrolet C/K 1500 and Dodge Ram 1500 spell a bright future for the full-size pickup truck segment. Industry analysts predict that--in many parts of the country--this full-size market will keep on growing as traditional car owners continue to cross over to full-size pickups. Return to top
pickup news...	. . . Since its public debut in January, Ford's F-150 has remained the biggest news in the pickup truck market. Redesigned with new available engines, the 1997 F-150 will be sold alongside the current 1996 model for most of 1996. The 1997 SuperCab features a third access door behind the passenger door. . . . Isuzu has replaced its compact pickup truck with the new Hombre. Available with 2-wheel drive only, the Hombre is marketed as a no-frills work truck. Return to top