Core77

What is not shown here is that the F-150 model that is shown is over 5 years old and is the worst gas guzzling model. Ford design and engineering has changed a lot in those years and their trucks have become much safer. It also is available in a V6 which gets much better gas mileage.

I also wanted to point out that there was a lot of America bashing in this clip. Making comments around it being "rubbish," Americans needing a gun rack so they don't get eaten by bears, and that the UK is "more sophisticated with their espressos and zinc counter tops". This is ludicrous and extremely cocky. I believe if we look back in time the UK has no grounds to be criticizing when it comes to cars being that they never seemed to run properly.

i believe the best selling car is considered the entire F-Series, so F-150, 250, 350. Not sure if the more commercial models (450-750) get included in that or not. So part of the reason it is the best selling is because they manage to lump together so many different models under one classification. It is still disgusting though, no matter how you look at it.

2cents

Posting from the UK here. Don't take Clarkson too seriously...we don't all feel the need to bash our friends across the pond'.

Old Jeremy is notorious for his (often rude and offensive) comments, and takes it out on anyone he can think of, from the Welsh to cyclists. It's just his way of standing out from other TV presenters.

And as for British cars, sadly the no. of British manufacturers left (ie. nil) is a good indication of how successful the industry was here. Still... we've got some pretty good designers, so it's not all doom and gloom!

I have to agree with 2cents here. (The F-150 has been the best selling vehicle for 26 years now, so it's not exactly a new phenomenon.)

To be honest, I disliked how you used the 10th generation 1997 f-150 truck for the crash test video and not the most recent model, in which Ford actually shows the crash test on their commercials as a selling point (it has a 5 star crash rating and a 4 star roll over.)

I'm not a truck guy rooting for pollution here, but there's a difference between being informative and being misleading.

Either way, people who buy trucks rarely use them to their full potential and it looks like rising gas prices is the only way to stop the senseless buying.

The pickup truck is one of the most useful vehicles made. Thousands of small business owners and others need these vehicles to operate.

Who is to blame?

The auto manufacturers for not giving people an option for a hybrid pickup with as much power as the current models?

Or do we blame the people that buy the pickups for their needs.

For all that reads this that have a problem with my country... Quit bashing America. This is the best place in the world to live. Complaining will not help anything. Do something. It is not cool to bash your own country. Stand up for it you cowards.

Except for the fact that America is still largely a construction based country. If you factor in all the construction that was happening before the housing crunch, there were contractors snapping up several at a time.

Rather than cast stones because some construction worker cant practically use a Prius to carry all of the tools and equipment to the job...why dont we put this in the proper scope of the target audience.

Yes, there are some people that use large vehicles to commute all by themselves, but you cant possibly lump all drivers of these vehicles into the "your an environmental sinner!" category.

The largest part of this country is still rural and not accessible by public transport. Whether or not you want to believe it, outside of the major cities we all live in are roads that are not suitable for a Prius to drive down, loads that no Prius would be able to handle, and situations where it doesn't make sense.

I will agree that automakers have not done all that they can to help attain better fuel mileage, but to cast stones at all users is a travesty.

I think a lot of the brits being sophisticated bit was tongue in cheek, maybe its just british humor, but if you watch top gear you'll see that the host takes that attitude with pretty much everything. No reason to get nationalistic, its a valid point- the number one selling vehicle is a crazy gas guzzler, v6 as well. The truck market is pretty much ruled by the bigger is better maxim in the US, you can't even buy a small pickup anymore, or you have to special order it. Men need that power though.

dear 2cents, take it easy. comments aboyt esressos and gun racks were obviously joke. jeremy clarkson "bashes" every nation from romania to uk as often as he can, and amerians are no exception.

I agree with 2cents. No F-150 model sold in the past 3 years even remotely looks like that. The interiors are very luxurious. The host was using a UK modified vehicle- notice which side he was driving on and most vehicles sold in foreign countries have either limited selections or non-domestic options.

The whole bear and guns thoery is dumb. There are so many folks that drive it and don't even live near the country. It's almost a cultural icon of the modern cowboy. In my home state of Texas, it is even endorsed during truck month and the #1 choice vehicle. We even have a catchy sond adapted from artist Little Texas that sings 'Ford is the best in Texas.' How about America's diverse terrains, unlike the UK's homomorphic landscape. The popularity of this truck is based on a whole lot more than just the 'rubbish' the host presents.

I just wish I could import my own Texas Edition F-150 here in Switzerland or find a hybrid version.

Well, I actually own one.
And for what I use it for, its quite practical, economical, and the right tool for the job.
Of course, its not my "car". I use it as a commercial vehicle, and frequently carry 20 foot lengths of steel, 1 ton of gravel, or 4x8 sheets of plywood with mine.
And I also let mine sit, undriven, sometimes for a week or two at a time, until the use justifies the vehicle.

It is true, however, that many many americans spend a lot of money to drive around in big, gas guzzling trucks, SUV's, and luxury cars, because they like it.

I know many single individuals who drive every day in 1 ton dually 4 door diesel pickup trucks.

And gas, where I live, has not gone below $3.25 a gallon in a year or so.

You're not suppose to buy American cars no matter what your nationality. Thats what Japanese automakers/engineers are for.

I challenge us all to a bit of research. Count how many times you see one of these pick-ups carrying anything, I mean anything in the back. I would bet it is less than 20% of them.

Actually, the Toyota Corolla is the top selling vehicle of all time. It has sold at least 3 million more than the entire Ford F-series.

Top Gear plays fast and loose with reality and doesn't give much regard to actual facts.

To put that in perspective, that's one single car model outselling ALL of the Ford F trucks ever made.

for all you ford and united states of america bashers, the evil ford motor company used its plants to build the bombers that made you safe. Despite the photo of henry ford in hitlers office, ford still provided the muscle to pull europe out of hell. keep up your holier than though attitudes and we will keep to ourselves next time and let your little island sink.

That's why the Ford Motor Company is going bankrupt huh? Because they sell a lot of F-150 trucks.

Well I have to use mine for commuting, by myself and with an empty load, because I am not a rich snob who can afford multiple vehicles, But since nothing made elsewhere with better gas mileage can haul all the building supplies I carry (about once a month) nor haul my trailer (used 2 times a month more in summer) as well as my Ford F-250. It was by the vehicle I needed for work and fun or appease the green masses by driving a prius. But I don't recall anyone I know calling the subcompact owners for help with moving, picking up a large heavy object they just bought, or to trialer their car home when it breaks down.

Woa Adams, need to take it down a notch. I live in the USA and been watching the older episodes of Top Gear. I find Jeremy quite humorous, even if he's almost always bashing American cars. I own a F-350 and F-450 to support a small side business, and have been quite happy with the quality of truck I've purchased. The F-450 usually pulls a 23klb trailer with ease (which the F-350 used to do until I found out how heavy the trailer really was), the 350 now pulls lighter loads as I need it. I do not use either truck as a daily driver, I have a couple toyota cars for that.

In major city limits, you won't see many pickup trucks, usually too big to mess with. Rural areas outside cities, a truck is almost a requirement. I generally know this as I work in D.C. but live my weekends in West Virginia.