Truck Loyalty Climbs to an All-Time High, Reports Edmunds.com

Analysis Finds Toyota Owners Are the Most Loyal Customers in America's Most Loyal Segment

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Oct 17, 2016, 11:58 ET

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Truck loyalty is soaring at an all-time high, and no brand commands better loyalty among truck owners than Toyota, according to a new analysis released today by Edmunds.com, the leading car information and shopping network. The findings, which come in the middle of October's traditional "Truck Month," shines a new light onto just how highly regarded trucks are among American owners and shoppers.

According to Edmunds' study, truck loyalty – which is defined as the rate of truck trade-ins that went toward the purchase of another truck – was at 74 percent through the first nine months of 2016. By comparison, the next highest loyalty rates were vans at 52 percent and compact SUVs at 47.3 percent. This year's truck loyalty rate is higher than at any other time since Edmunds started tracking trade-ins in 2005.

"Truck owners are especially passionate about their vehicles, most likely because trucks offer hauling and cargo capabilities that you just cannot find in any other vehicle segment," says Edmunds.com Sr. Analyst Ivan Drury. "Today's trucks are particularly appealing because manufacturers pack them with more luxury and technology features than ever before. These options just weren't available on trucks in years past. It also doesn't hurt that today's low gas prices make truck ownership much more economical than just a few years ago."

A deeper analysis found that within this highly loyal truck segment, Toyota owners are the most faithful to their brand. About 70 percent of owners who have traded in their Toyota pickups for another truck this year opted for yet another Toyota. The rate squeaks past loyalty rates for Chevy truck owners (69.5 percent) and Ram owners (68.1 percent). Toyota's strong loyalty is primarily attributed to its popular midsize Toyota Tacoma; Edmunds estimates that nearly 75 percent of Tacoma trade-ins this year have gone toward the purchase of another Tacoma.

Overall, truck popularity is at its highest level in the U.S. in nearly a decade. Trucks have accounted for 15.1 percent of all new sales this year through September, the highest share since 2007 (17 percent). The current draw of and loyalty to trucks is especially surprising given that their average transaction price ($43,277 in 2016) has climbed a remarkable 46 percent to since 2006. By comparison, industry-wide average transaction prices ($33,728 in 2016) are up just 23 percent over the same period.

Of course, not all those currently in the market for a truck are experienced truck owners. First-time truck buyers are encouraged to consider Edmunds' specific truck shopping tips and advice at http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/10-steps-to-buying-a-pickup-truck.html.

About Edmunds.com, Inc.
Car shopping destination Edmunds.com serves millions of visitors each month. With Edmunds Price Promise^®, shoppers can buy smarter with instant, upfront prices for cars and trucks currently for sale at 10,000 dealer franchises across the U.S. Shoppers can browse not only dealer inventory, but also vehicle reviews, shopping tips, photos, videos and feature stories on both Edmunds' wired site and on its acclaimed mobile apps. Rated as one of the best places to work in Southern California, Edmunds.com was also named one of "The World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2015 in Automotive" by Fast Company. Edmunds welcomes all car-shopping questions on its free Live Help Line at 1-855-782-4711 and [email protected], via text at ED411 and on Twitter and Facebook. The company is based in Santa Monica, Calif. and has a satellite office in downtown Detroit, Mich., but you can find Edmunds from anywhere on YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google+ and Flipboard.