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They’re rugged, they’re durable and they come in handy more often than you might expect. So perhaps it’s no surprise that the future’s looking bright for pick-up trucks in the UK.
The Daily Telegraph recently reported that, despite a general European slump, the UK has remained a strong customer for the automotive industry, being the second-largest purchaser of new vehicles in Europe during 2012.
Petrol and safety
It also helps that with higher petrol costs, many owners of old motors are increasingly likely to sell their machines in favour of newer and more efficient vehicles.
But this isn’t the only thing fuelling this new surge in automotive sales. Time and time again, consumers are putting safety at the top of the list when it comes to desirable qualities within new cars. As pick-up trucks are larger and heavier than most other vehicles on the road, they tend to be desirable choices for drivers that want to stay safe.
This also means they’ve become increasingly popular with families that have small children, as small pickups in particular are increasingly acknowledged as a fantastic choice for safety-conscious parents.
Functionality
Multi-functionality is also a major selling point. Pick-up trucks are excellent for tradespeople or individuals who often have to carry a great deal of physical equipment for their regular jobs.
The nature of these trucks also allows workers to quickly locate the necessary parts they’re looking for, without having to rummage around dark spaces. Pick-up trucks immediately give a professional impression in this regard, as they carry forward an image of reliability, toughness and commitment to getting the job done.
Luxury
As motoring technology continues to improve, more and more consumers expect their vehicles embodying a sense of luxury. Great Wall has been enjoying the benefits of this consumer base. Increasingly, drivers in the UK want to experience forms of luxurious transport which were previously only widely available to buyers in the United States.
But Great Wall isn’t just achieving success in the UK – its recently-launched model (The Steed) has sold over 700,000 units in over 100 countries, demonstrating that there’s a real craving for these trucks in both the domestic and international markets.
This shows that, despite a general economic slump, pick-up trucks have bucked the trend by being a practical, safe and luxurious option for consumers.