Truck Debates - Why does it seem to be mostly Ford vs. Ram?

v10superduty wrote:

otrfun wrote:
With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

False! You just have not been reading the forum as long or thoroughly as I have...:W

There is just as much GM noise here as Ford and Fiat.

Gotcha, duly noted :)

otrfun wrote:
With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

False! You just have not been reading the forum as long or thoroughly as I have...:W

There is just as much GM noise here as Ford and Fiat.

Stefonius wrote:
From what I've seen, Chevy/GMC (which sell the same truck) are actually in the #1 position. Ford has been #2 for years. They only claim to be #1 by separating Chevy from GMC.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/12/best-selling-pickup-trucks-november-2013.html
I guess that depends where you look...

As of November 2013 Ford sold 688,810 F series, while Chevy and GM combined sold 604,356. If my math is correct, Ford still sells about 13% more vehicles than Chevy and GM combined. I think that has been true for some time now, but I don't feel like doing the research to confirm that.

mtofell1 wrote:
It's just unfortunate when people put on blinders and would pay 40K for a turd if it had the right logo on it.

So true and so sad...

The point of the matter is that their isn't a bad truck out there right now. If you need a half ton, Ford, GM, Ram, Toyota and Nissan all sell great products. They are reliable, they are durable and they will haul most lighter campers. If you need 8800 GVWR or above (in a pickup), then Ford, GM and Ram all make a great product.

You have comments like this...

MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
Baseball....... applepie......... Chevrolet!!!!!! sorry in my blood !!! packers,???? or bears????? To each their own right ??!!

that show how uneducated the US consumer is. No specific offense to Mark V, your post was just right in front of me. You aren't buying the truck with the most powerful engine or the most fuel efficient engine. You aren't buying the truck with the most towing capacity or softest ride. You aren't buying the truck with the best incentives and price at the time. All the money that each manufacturer is investing in research and development is wasted with buyers like you. You aren't driving innovation with your purchase.

Even if Chevy was the worst option (least safe, least fuel efficient, least power, lowest towing rating, worst brakes, ugliest car, etc), you would still buy it...? Why? That makes ZERO sense from a practical standpoint.

When I bought my truck, I knew I needed a half ton. I researched all the half tons and did test drives. I read up on the positives and negatives of each vehicle. I found true market values for each truck. When it was time to buy my truck, I bought the best truck for my dollar based upon my research. I am a "Ford guy". I've owned a couple Ford trucks/SUV's over the years and loved them. They are just a chunk of metal though. I don't owe any allegiance to Ford. Buying an inferior and overpriced Ford doesn't somehow make me a better person... it makes me a sucker. My research showed that the Tundra was the superior vehicle for my needs in 2010. It was also the least expensive in my area. Complete win for me.

If I was replacing my truck right now, I would probably buy a Ram 1 ton with the 6.4 Hemi. I refuse to be one of those brand loyal people that drops $60+ thousand on a vehicle regardless if it is the best available truck for my needs.

To answer the OP, I think that there are several reasons why and most have been listed already. #1 Ford getting competition from #3 Ram. I will offer another opinion. Ford and Ram are being innovative right now with their 1/2 ton trucks. Ford with the Ecoboost and Ram with the Ecodiesel. Their is a lot of competition between the two trucks and a lot of buzz right now.

GM trucks against ford trucks, have switched over the lead back and fourth, over the last 10years. As we stand now in a 10 year average they are tied on top.

otrfun wrote:
With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

From what I've seen, Chevy/GMC (which sell the same truck) are actually in the #1 position. Ford has been #2 for years. They only claim to be #1 by separating Chevy from GMC.

Oops, double post :(

Baseball....... applepie......... Chevrolet!!!!!! sorry in my blood !!! packers,???? or bears????? To each their own right ??!!

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

Engineer9860 wrote:

otrfun wrote:
With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

Wait,

what?

Based on some of the comments on this board lately I was led to believe Dodge/RAM/Chrysler/Cerebus/Plymouth/Daimler/Fiat/Somethingoranother out sold Ford, and GM combined.

This post kind of makes the OP's post look silly, one of GM's fan boys that just can't help but stir the pot anytime something is posted about Ram. Sorry OP there are planty of GM fan boys on here that post negative things about Ford, Ram and the rest.

Don

GM fanboy!? Read my last post, Perrysburg Dodgeboy. Now, who looks silly? No need to answer--it's obvious.

mich800 wrote:
There is pretty much equal debate on all brands against each other in this forum. If you are seeing more with a specific brand it probably is just observation bias.

You could be right. Until someone makes a definitive count who knows.

However, I believe I notice more Ford vs. Ram comparisons for three reasons:

1. Ford is the top sales leader, and as such they're the benchmark--the one to beat, period. Ford, by the sheer fact it's number one in sales, and has been for many decades, has the upper hand when it comes to perception of innovation and quality.

2. Ram at the current time certainly gives the perception it's leading the light-duty marketplace with innovation and quality through a number of class-leading numbers, back-to-back Motor Trend Truck of the Year awards--not to mention the recent introduction of the only 1/2 ton diesel truck. Both sales and market-share have increased significantly as a result.

3. Chevy sales remain solidly in 2nd place (in some segsments 1st when combined with GMC), but in recent months have lost some marketshare to Ram. IMO, this loss is due primarily to the lackluster response to the perceived lack of innovation in the new 2014 Silverado/Sierra--their top selling truck.

So, if one is debating today's current crop of new trucks, IMO it certainly helps to have plenty of ammunition (aka, positive perception) to fuel a winning debate.

Or from another perspective, if you're a truck salesman at a Chevy dealer, and you put any creedence in the effects of losing marketshare, you probably realize you've got a little tougher job on your hands then a Ford or Ram salesperson, at least for the time being.