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Ford produces some of the best pickup trucks on the market. Ford pickup trucks have been at the top of their vehicle class for years. The American automaker knows how to build a tough, quality truck. The Chevrolet Silverado is also a favorite amongst truck enthusiasts. Surprisingly, the Chevrolet Silverado outsold Ford F-series trucks by a large margin this spring.

Chevrolet Silverado sales tower over Ford F-series sales

A gray 2021 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado | Chevrolet

Ford trucks are tough to compete with. The blue oval badge has become synonymous with reliability and power. Ford F-series trucks are known to deliver exactly what truck enthusiasts are looking for. This spring, the Chevrolet Silverado crushed Ford F-series trucks in sales.

According to The Drive, Ford F-series trucks could not compete with Chevrolet Silverado sales. The chip shortage is a huge factor in Ford’s dismal sales quarter. One automaker’s misfortune is another automaker’s opportunity. The Chevrolet Silverado outsold Ford F-series pickup trucks by over 6,946 units. Chevy’s pickup truck was sold 164,731 times this spring. Ford only sold 158,235 Ford F-series trucks in the second quarter. But do Q2 sales actually mean that Chevrolet has the better truck?

The 2021 Ford F-150 has a historic lineage

A red 2021 Ford F-150.
The 2021 Ford F-150 | Ford

For years the Ford F-150 has been the quintessential American pickup truck. It lasts long, it tows, and it has just enough giddyup to keep drivers excited. Ford has created stiff competition in the pickup truck class, and the F-150 is largely responsible for the automaker keeping the title of best truck in a vice grip. The 2021 Ford F-150 isn’t wildly different from any of its legendary predecessors.

The 2021 Ford F-150 offers quick acceleration, a great-looking cabin, and lots of cool upgrades. It starts at $30,985. Its base model engine is a 3.3-liter 290 horsepower V6. There are several engine options for the 2021 Ford F-150, including a 400 horsepower twin-turbocharged V6.

How the Chevrolet Silverado compares to the Ford F-150

The new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 makes its official debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show January 13, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Bill Pugliano via Getty Images

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a cheaper pickup truck than the 2021 Ford F-150, starting at $29,300. Its V6 engine makes 285 horsepower. It has a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds compared to the 2021 F-150’s 14,000 pounds. Even the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500’s cabin is inferior to the F-150’s. The F-150 also has slightly better gas mileage as well.

On paper, the Chevrolet Silverado isn’t that great of a pickup truck compared to the Ford F-150. The Silverado is efficient and has some great powertrain options, but it just isn’t as comfortable and classy as a Ford truck or even some Ram models.

The verdict is out, and the only logical explanation for the Chevrolet Silverado outselling Ford F-series trucks is a supply issue because of the chip shortage. That being said, it seems that the public has chosen the Silverado as the best alternative option to the F-150. The automotive industry works in mysterious ways, and many contributing factors affect vehicle sales. If Ford isn’t careful, Chevrolet could end up converting some of its loyal customer base into Silverado enthusiasts because of the lack of working, available F-series trucks.

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