Is 2021 The Best Time To Buy A New Pickup Truck?

The year 2020 has shaken not only the automotive industry but the entire world. We currently have economic uncertainty and the whole world has been crippled by the pandemic. With today’s events and the economy in doubt, is 2021 the best time to buy a new pickup truck? It seems that truck sales won’t be slowing down any time soon.

Truck sales continue to soar high

For the first time in American history, pickup trucks topped the sales of sedans by 17,000 units. A few years ago, cars outsold this type of vehicle by more than half a million units in just a single month. Bloomberg reported in April of 2020 that pickup trucks outsold sedans with sales that jumped from 4.7 to 25.8 percent.

In late March of last year, automakers had to stop their vehicle production due to lockdown. The low inventory dampened the truck-buying momentum and left the buyers with only limited choices for pickup trucks.

Some dealers offer stimulus-related loan incentives so truck buyers were able to get zero-interest loans. Because people took advantage of the incentives, there had been a shortage in the pickup truck supply. Very few expected pickup trucks to sell at the rate it has.

Surprisingly, even without the incentives in place to help motivate truck sales, a lot of consumers still choose to buy pickup trucks. Compared to the old versions, newer pickup truck models have improved technology, luxury, and safety features.

Automakers continue to adapt to the changing consumer demands for pickup trucks. Now, they speed up their production to keep up with the demand.

2021’s pickup truck competition

Ford, Ram, and more automakers aim to bring a huge change to the pickup truck landscape. They promise to bring new levels of capability and performance to the truck market. New competitors like the American startup automakers Rivian, Bollinger Motors, as well as Tesla, are poised to enter the market with their futuristic all-electric trucks. Hummer, Hyundai, and GM will also launch their all-electric truck models.

Back then, trucks are tailored for commercial and agricultural customers only. Now, modern pickup trucks have cabins outfitted with tech and luxury enhancements, and countless cab and bed configurations.

Dodge Ram pickup truck, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, and other conventional diesel and gas-powered pickups are getting ready to be released this year. Today’s pickup trucks don’t skimp on tech. They went from bare-bones workhorses to modern luxury vehicles—not only for daily driving but for off-roading too.

For many consecutive years, Ford held the top spot for the best-selling brand for pickup trucks. The 2021 Ford F-150 still dominates the market. Ford has a hybrid pickup truck created with PowerBoost hybrid twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 and a 47-hp electric motor. Despite being a hybrid pickup truck, it boasts the most powerful output powertrain in the current F-150 lineup.

In 2019, the Jeep Gladiator J6 concept was showcased in the Easter Jeep Safari. The J6 concept is designed with a regular cab and a six-foot bed. Jeep fans were pumped about the bright blue 2-door Gladiator. Most of the attention has been centered around it during the event, instead of the regular five-foot Jeep Gladiator.

While the Jeep Gladiator 2-door wowed many people in 2019, we are still waiting to hear anything from the Jeep officials on this subject. Until now, they have not announced if they will release this vehicle into the market.

There is no need to worry though. Jeep’s new Gladiator pickup truck is set to reach dealerships soon. It comes in five trims namely Sport, Sport S, Overland, Mojave, and Rubicon.

Truck’s purpose

Some people think shopping for a pickup truck is much like shopping for a car. It is not only about picking a color, engine, and trim. There are still many factors to consider when buying a pickup truck, and the choices can seem overwhelming.

You must consider all the special uses for the pickup truck that you’re considering purchasing. Determine how you will use the truck—will it be for business, daily driving, or off-road use? When looking for a pickup, don’t go crazy and buy the first shiny new truck you see.

People usually buy a pickup truck because of the following:

• Good for business and personal use
• Has more than enough torque for regular driving and towing
• Can fit a few passengers and make it a family vehicle
• Enables you to load a lot of stuff on the truck bed
• Perfect for outdoorsy people who need to carry an ATV or several bikes
• Different towing options such as a trailer ball hitch for towing a jet-ski or small motorboat; or a fifth-wheel hitch that increases towing capacity

If you’re using a pickup truck for business purposes, then you have to choose from one with the highest towing capacity. But if you’re driving from your house to your work every day, a full-sized truck will just cost you more in terms of price and fuel efficiency.

Pickup trucks are not only meant for city and highway driving. If you want a pickup truck for splashing down the trails or across the fields, choose one that’s reliable to use in your off-road adventures.

Benefits of owning a pickup truck

Sure there are vehicle options in the market such as sedan, SUV, van, and more—but why buy a pickup truck? Here are the benefits:

Versatile – Whether you need a truck for work or play, the versatility of a truck is going to help you out no matter the situation. Trucks are larger than sedans, which means you will be able to transport things you otherwise would not be able to.

Great for hauling and towing – The biggest benefit of owning a pickup truck is its ability to haul heavier loads. Although SUVs can pull a good amount of weight, it is nothing compared to a truck.

Comfortable – Today’s pickup trucks are designed with awesome features that provide comfort like what we see on some luxury car models. The pickup truck can be used as a family vehicle too. There are certain truck models with cabs that make it easy for passengers to get in and out. Compared to sedans and wagons, pickup trucks have ample legroom and headroom so it doesn’t look cramped inside the cab.

Customizable – You can put different truck accessories such as tonneau cover, running boards, tow hitch, and plow. These accessories are an investment that pays off in the long run.

Pickup truck powertrains

When buying a pickup truck, something to consider is if you want to go gas, diesel, or a hybrid.

Gas – Trucks with this engine are powerful and relatively cheap. However, they tend to be the least efficient type and produce higher emissions.

Diesel – Trucks running on diesel are also powerful and efficient. However, it’s pricier by a thousand bucks compared to gas-powered ones. The price is higher due to the advanced technology it uses so the engine accelerates more quickly.

Hybrid – This type combines fuel efficiency and low tailpipe emissions, so it runs on electricity as well as gas. It’s still like driving a conventional pickup truck but you get fuel economy out of a smaller engine.

Buying a pickup truck may seem easy at first. One minute you’re searching for the best small pickup truck but after a while, you may be browsing for full-size pickup trucks. You may go into thinking that you want a 2021 Toyota Tundra but after test driving it at the dealer, you realize that you want another option. You end up buying a Ford F-150 Raptor instead. To explore your truck options, you can also test drive the ones you like the least. The model you end up connecting with could surprise you.

Every year, different automakers launch new and improved pickup trucks. As they continue rolling out the 2020 models, the 2021 model year of pickup trucks is already beginning to take shape.

Expect the pickup truck prices for 2021 to be higher than those from the previous years. Because of the strong sales, deals from 2020 were pulled back. Some cash offers and discounts may be available but they tend to be on models from the previous-generation pickup trucks.

Timing matters

Timing can be crucial when it comes to buying your pickup truck. It can take patience and strategizing if you want to get the best price possible for the vehicle you want to purchase.

Buying a pickup truck at year’s end could help you save some money. The dealers offer incentives to customers during holidays. During holidays such as the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Black Friday, Memorial Day, and even New Year’s Eve, they offer additional savings. Most customers who purchase on those days will drive off the lot happy with the discounts they got.

You may end up paying a bigger price if you pursue buying without having second thoughts. Truck buyers do not have to rush in buying unless you’re in dire need of a new vehicle. It brings a satisfying feeling to get the vehicle you want with some discount on its tag price.

Most dealers want to sell as much as possible before the year ends. They give out certain discounts or incentives to look like they hit their targets. But don’t let the incentives dictate your purchase because you can negotiate with your dealer for a lower price. Dealers also want their vehicles sold to make room for newer models.

Try going in and out of the dealership several times. If you’re lucky, you may get a price in line with what you’re seeking. This ploy is to make the dealership want to sell their vehicle rather than let it sit on the lot.

Owning a pickup truck

The money spent on a pickup truck doesn’t stop after purchasing it from the dealer. You also need to take note of other costs like auto insurance and maintenance.

Be ready to set aside some money for the maintenance of your pickup truck. Don’t forget to save money when you need to buy any replacement of damaged parts, or if you’re planning to upgrade the stock parts of the truck.

For example, you bought a 2021 Toyota Tundra but you want to further enhance the look of its interior and exterior. You can find a lot of Toyota tundra accessories from local auto shops and online stores. Check out what easy mods and upgrades you can do to your truck. You may install a tonneau cover that matches the truck or other accessories such as step bars, floor mats, mud flaps, and more.

Pick up your truck

2021 may be your year! You may end up with a truck that doesn’t have the most positive or best reviews—and that’s okay! You have to remember that it isn’t going to be anyone else’s pickup truck but yours.

Be realistic on what you need to help you find the pickup truck for the best price. At the end of the day, what’s important is you get the truck you like and you’re happy with your purchase.