Ford Vs. Chevy is the automotive rivalry in America. People have drawn their die-hard lines, and they don’t move. While the Ford F-150 is not only the most popular pickup truck ever, it is also one of the most popular vehicles in general. However, the Chevy Silverado (and GM across the board) just beat the Ford F-150 in full-size pickup truck sales for 2021. 

Is the Chevy Silverado better than Ford F-150? 

“Better” can be a hard metric to prove. However, this is the second year in a row that the Chevy Silverado placed first in sales for full-size pickup trucks, beating the Ford F-150. Not only did the Silverado whoop the F-150, but the midsize GM pickups also joined in the victory circle. 

According to the GM Corporate Newsroom, GM and its dealers delivered 2.2 million vehicles in 2021. This figure represents the company’s eighth consecutive year of combined full-size and midsize pickup sales leadership. 

Did GM get hit by the semiconductor chip shortage? 

Of course. Every major manufacturer did. However, this past year’s sales were largely dependant on how many cars or trucks could be made. “The key constraint for sales continues to be reduced inventory levels as a result of the semiconductor shortage. Those inventory levels are beginning to recover against a backdrop of strong fundamental demand conditions, with ample job openings, high household savings, and low-interest rates,” said Elaine Buckberg, GM chief economist.

GM feels strongly that sales will continue to move in its favor as supply grows to meet increased demand in 2022. “Consumers want to drive as much as before the pandemic, based on recent high levels of vehicle usage. High vehicle usage and deferred sales mean pent-up demand for new vehicles in the millions. That pent-up demand will support sales as vehicle supply improves.”

How many Chevy Silverado pickup trucks sold in 2021? 

The Chevy Silverado sales victory was certainly more of a team effort than just the Silverado alone selling more than the Ford F-150. The entire Ford F-Series line sold 663,507 units in 2021. Meanwhile, the combined sales of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra LD and HD were 768,689. 

GM’s share of the retail market in 2021 was approximately 39 percent, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates, and about 10 points higher than the next closest competitor, says GM Newsroom. 

Why are pickup trucks so popular? 

Pickup trucks are a double threat when it comes to sales. For one, many Americans need the utility and brawn of a pickup for their livelihood and lifestyle. From farm and ranch work to transporting tools and materials for tradespeople and other labor jobs, nothing can quite do what pickup trucks do.

The other side of their popularity is how people see themselves in pickup trucks. Now, this is just my opinion, but people feel cool and tough when piloting a pickup truck. Hell, I feel cool when driving a big sturdy rig. There is something honest about it; whether or not the driver is honest with themselves is another story. 

Either way, people love their pickup trucks. Some folks will die defending their Chevy Silverado, while others will kill to prove their Ford F-150 is the best pickup truck on earth. It seems that, for 2021, the Chevy crowd took the cake.