pawprint

With the price of gas (oil) going up almost everyday, well before the russian/ukraine war, but really it is really starting to jump to new highs, I wonder if f150 sales will be impacted, or will it just be engine choice. Have any of you guys changed your mind regarding the engine/rear end/2 vs 4 WHD? I think the price of gas will easily go to an average of over $5.00 soon, in some places they already are seeing prices much higher than that now.

Lemmingcus Meenicus

if someone is paying north of 50000 for a truck then crying about the cost of gas, then they shouldn't be spending 50,000 + in the first place.
So no, I do not see it impacting sales.

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

^x2, most people that buy trucks aren't worried about that

marshallr

Yes. And not just the price of fuel. With the costs of buying a new truck the days of a full size truck being used as an everyday driver for people with much of a commute are going to come to an end. Lots of folks NEED a truck, but would be better off using a more efficient car or small SUV as their daily driver and using the truck when they need a truck. I've been doing that for a few years now. I can't get by without a truck, but by driving it less I not only save on gas, but tires and everything else lasts longer. Including the truck.

moorepower

With household income reduced, the money will have to come from somewhere. Food prices have added hundreds of $$ a month to families expenses. Utility costs have went up 50% in many area's. Add in $200++ a month for gas prices, and you don't think it will effect sales???

16IngotFX4

Yes, I'd say it will impact sales. Not so much that it is going to be dramatic, but there will be people not buying for a little while. It will be a small bump in the road but none of the automakers are going to be hurting. It's just one more expense per month that has increased. If buying a truck on purpose to volunteer for yet an additional expense, that's something worth putting on pause.

Fuel prices are instant expenses, a $50,000 vehicle or $80,000 vehicle is paid for over several years.

Stepping up to the pump and having to spend over $100 just for a half tank is an alarming instant bill. There are some people, by all means, who associate a 'truck' as expensive to operate, just like the people purchasing a Corvette, Camaro, Charger.
However for the rest of the people, a truck is a necessity and the penalty is fuel, which is passed on.

I feel like it is safe to say people are less likely to pour $7.00/gallon premium into their Limited truck when it used to cost $4.50. As of today, the cost for a full tank is approaching $100 additional to what it was. We all know the cost won't be a permanent increase, however when you tell somebody their monthly fuel cost is increasing by $125, that is a big number. If it last only a month, well we've only spent an additional $125 during the fuel crisis. A small amount, however a person has to come up with an extra $125 a month, plus the added costs of pretty much everything.
In my house, I now pay a little more for:
Electricity
Natural Gas
Cable Television
Groceries
Automobile insurance
Add $125 a month for gas on top of those other increased and it does amount to a significant monthly allowance.

I get paid well. I don't drive often. My fuel expenses are fairly expensive (in my opinion). I have a very low vehicle payment compared to many others. If I have always wanted a truck and asked friends about it, having them tell me "you'll get 16mpg" vs whatever the vehicle it replaces is will probably make me evaluate my decision.
If I need a truck, then I'd buy. If I have always wanted one and made now the time, I'd waiver.

If I got paid to use my truck, I'd pass the expense on to you..... the pest control company that sprays property has risen prices once a year ago, I suspect their fuel cost is ridiculous, I'm going to help offset that bill
I live 4 miles from work and I used to grab lunch daily. My cost just to get to/from work/lunch, 4 miles away would be over $30 a week. Pre increase the cost is about $20 a week.

A person paying $600/mo on their loan is now paying $900 to operate it per month. I don't think it is realistic to say {many people} don't care about the cost of gas.

16IngotFX4

How is this any different than a person purchasing a $45,000 SUV with similar the economy? That person shouldn't be spending the $45,000 because they need to haul their family around to soccer games
Nobody realistically says -lets see, only 22mpg for this SUV, nah I think I'll pass and get a truck because I'll feel better about the gas expense.
Because it is a truck doesn't mean people are accepting of the cost.
People getting 8mpg while towing complain that they only get 8mpg. Yet they still buy a truck and still camp, and still complain. LOL

Ricktwuhk

Your statement is illogical, because it relies on logic. People react emotionally.

If gas prices stay high for a month or more, then you'll see pickup sales PLUMMET. You'll see people selling trucks and scurrying around trying to find cars with high mpgs. Why, because they're reacting emotionally and because many of them live wallet to mouth, they spend what they take in. If gas takes money away, they can't buy beer or cigarettes or prepackaged food.

digitaltrucker

Really? they could spend 10K on a truck that gets the same mileage, couldnt they? Then what?

Mnfisherman

I agree with 16IngoFX4, demand will be affected. With the shortages in this market, it likely wont have a material impact on sales unless the record high prices persist into the late summer.

The hard core truck guys towing 7000 pound travel trailers are not going to think-twice about paying the higher gas prices unless their budgets get really strained (which some likely will based on the broad inflation impacts).There is, however, a large segment of customers in the half-ton truck market do not actually need or frequently use the full capabilities of a full size truck. Think of the guy towing his 3000 pound boat every other weekend (I probably fall into this category). Even if that's only 40%-50% of the truck market, I could easily see a significant portion of that crowd rethinking their needs, looking at hybrid SUV's, or just waiting so see what happens with prices (truck & gas).