There is perhaps no truck more iconic, versatile, and popular than the Ford F-150. The Ford Company is one of the world's largest in the automotive space, and it's America's most popular by far. Huge production numbers, a wide array of products, and a consistently trustworthy product are all valuable factors in Ford's journey to success.

Last year they produced their 40 millionth F-series vehicle, yes you read that correctly, 40 million! The F-series have led the charge in sales for the blue oval for 70 years. So it's no surprise that it's American most desired and popular vehicle. But time waits for no one and as we know the age of electricity is nearing ever closer with many manufacturers turning their attention to a future of plug-in power.

For 41 years, the F-150 has been the world's best-selling vehicle, but in changing times, adaption is required. Ford's answer is the F-150 Lightning. The car will be handed the torch of the world's best-selling vehicle in years to come. Only 2 years since its launch, Ford can't build enough of them to meet popularity. We think they've nailed the future successor to the world's most popular car.

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Ford F-150: The Best-Selling Car In The World

Ford F-150 2021
via: Ford

That's a pretty big title to have. Being the world's best in anything brings about a lot of pressure. However, After 41 years, Ford is most definitely used to it. The F-150 has not slowed down and shows no signs of giving up the title for 2023. The history of this badge dates back to as far as 1948 when ford released its first-ever ground-up pick-up the Ford F1.

When the F1 was introduced, it had an all-new chassis specifically developed for truck use, unlike its predecessors that shared their chassis with cars. This next generation of consumer trucks would come to be known as the F-Series Bonus Built trucks. The second-generation F-series marked the arrival of the naming system Ford uses to this day. Each number coincided with how many tonnes it weighed.

75 years later, the badges and naming system still live on. In 2015, Ford gave the F-150 a body mostly made from aluminum mounted on a traditional steel frame. The new body was an improvement in every way, it was lighter, more rust-resistant, and was the first pickup to gain a five-star NHTSA safety rating. This is the eighth generation of the F-150, and it's currently more popular than ever.

Ford F-150 Lightning Is In High Demand

Silver 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning parked outside
Ford

When the electrified Ford F-150 made its way onto the American market just last year, it was already a hit as Ford already had over 200,000 orders booked by the end of 2021. The entry-level Pro trim started close to $40,000 which made it one of the most price-effective EVs available on the American market. As it stands, you can't even order one as Ford is extending one of their factories in order to accommodate the level of demand that this car has.

The F-150 Lightning certainly has a few things that need developing. But so does every other electric vehicle on sale today. The F-150 Lightning has all the comforts of any modern vehicle. Lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control to name a few. The Lightning has everything you need from a daily driver and long road trip car, but it doesn’t feel like ford has strayed far from the recipe here, and that is a very good thing.

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How F-150 Lightning Can Be The 'Best-Selling Car In The World'?

2023 Red Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford

One of the F-150 Lightning's most valuable traits is the fact that it comes in at a very similar price to the normal combustion engine version. This is definitely a huge selling point for returning customers and a great incentive for those looking to venture into the world of EVs. Most ICE cars with an electric counterpart see a huge increase in price for the electric version. This is not a sustainable way of marketing electric mobility, and we're glad that Ford had sussed this out from early on.

Though a 320-mile range is up there with cars in this category, If we had to be negative about anything, it would be range and towing capabilities. While the Lightning makes light work of a 2-tonne tow, its range takes a beating in doing so. And while this is more of a nag towards the current state of battery technology, we are sure that when range and charging infrastructure betters, the lightning will be the complete package.

The F-150 Lightning has huge shoes to fill. We're sure that the Lightning and its gas-guzzling counterparts will live in peaceful co-existence for years to come. But, when the switch is flipped, and no more ICE F-150s are rolling off of production lines, we're sure that the Lightning will be ready to keep the flame burning for the world's most popular car.

Sources: Ford, Smith and Sniff, The Late Brake Show