How many truck models are there?

There isn’t a single global number, but in 2025 there are roughly 250–400 distinct truck model families (nameplates) in current production worldwide, spanning light-, medium-, and heavy-duty classes. Counting trims, cab/axle layouts, powertrains, and body styles pushes the number of configurations into the many hundreds—if not low thousands. The total varies by how “model” is defined and which markets you include.

Why there’s no single answer

“Truck model” can mean a consumer pickup nameplate, a vocational chassis family, or a tractor series—and manufacturers often split a single model into numerous duty ratings and variants. Regulations, buyer needs, and market demand also differ by region, so lineups diverge across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and emerging markets.

The following points outline the main reasons the count varies and why estimates are given as ranges rather than a fixed tally.

• Definition: Some counts track core nameplates (e.g., Volvo FH, Ford F-150). Others include trims, wheelbases, cab types, axle counts, or powertrains (diesel, gas, hybrid, battery-electric, hydrogen fuel-cell).
• Scope: Including only consumer pickups yields a far smaller number than counting medium- and heavy-duty commercial families.
• Region: Lineups differ by market. A model sold in India or China may not be offered in North America or Europe, and vice versa.
• Timeframe: Model cycles, discontinuations, and new launches change totals year to year.

Because of these factors, analysts usually provide a range and then specify method and scope when precision is required.

Snapshot of the 2025 market

Looking across major markets and focusing on active production nameplates (not trims), the landscape breaks down into approximate ranges. These figures combine consumer pickups with vocational and tractor families in regular sale or build.

• North America: About 90–130 model families across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty segments.
• Europe: Roughly 60–90 model families among the leading OEMs and their electric counterparts.
• Asia-Pacific: Around 100–150 model families, given the breadth of domestic lineups in China, India, and Japan.
• Latin America: Approximately 20–40, including region-specific offerings and carryover models.
• Middle East and Africa: Around 15–30, often a mix of local and global platforms.

Aggregated globally, this yields an estimated 250–400 active nameplates, expanding to many times that number when counting variants and configurations.

Examples by segment and region

U.S. light-duty and consumer pickups (2025)

The U.S. pickup market is one of the most visible slices of the truck world. Below is a non-exhaustive list of nameplates currently on sale or in active rollout; it omits trim lines and special editions. Note that Nissan ended Titan production after the 2024 model year.

• Ford: F-150 (including Lightning variant), Ranger, Maverick
• Chevrolet: Silverado 1500 and Silverado EV, Colorado, Silverado HD (2500/3500)
• GMC: Sierra 1500 and Sierra EV, Canyon, Sierra HD (2500/3500), Hummer EV Pickup
• Ram: 1500 (including 2025 Ramcharger PHEV rollout), 2500/3500
• Toyota: Tacoma, Tundra
• Nissan: Frontier
• Honda: Ridgeline
• Jeep: Gladiator
• Rivian: R1T
• Tesla: Cybertruck

Depending on whether you count HD pickups separately and include EV-specific nameplates, the U.S. consumer pickup universe sits around two dozen distinct models.

North American medium- and heavy-duty (selected families)

Commercial lineups are broader, with each family covering numerous wheelbases, cabs, and GVW classes. The following illustrates current model families offered by major makers in 2025.

• Freightliner: Cascadia, eCascadia, M2 106 Plus, eM2, 108SD Plus, 114SD Plus
• Western Star: 47X, 49X, 57X
• Volvo Trucks NA: VNL (new generation), VNR (including Electric), VHD, VAH
• Mack: Anthem, Granite, TerraPro, LR and LR Electric, MD Series and MD Electric
• Peterbilt: 579, 567, 589, 520, 548, 537, 536 (with select EV variants)
• Kenworth: T680, T880, W900, T180/T280/T380/T480, K270E/K370E
• International (Navistar): LT, RH, HX, HV, MV (including eMV), CV
• Isuzu (US): N-Series (gas/diesel and EV), F-Series
• Hino (US): M Series, L Series, XL Series

Even this partial snapshot represents dozens of model families; counting duty ratings, axles, and bodies would multiply the total significantly.

Europe heavy- and medium-duty families

Europe’s heavy truck market is dominated by a handful of OEMs with well-defined families spanning long-haul, regional, construction, distribution, and zero-emission variants.

• Volvo Trucks: FH, FM, FMX, FE, FL (with Electric versions for several)
• Scania: L, P, G, R, S series (modular powertrains including Super and battery-electric)
• Mercedes-Benz Trucks: Actros, eActros, Arocs, Atego, Econic, eEconic
• MAN: TGX, TGS, TGM, TGL (including new eTGX/eTGS)
• DAF: XD, XF, XG, XG+ (with Electric variants)
• Iveco: S-Way, X-Way, T-Way, Eurocargo, Daily
• Renault Trucks: T, C, K, D, D Wide, E-Tech (T/C/D)

Across these brands, Europe alone accounts for dozens of distinct families, many now mirrored by electric counterparts that some counts treat as separate models.

Asia-Pacific highlights

Asia-Pacific contains the largest number of domestic brands and regionalized models. The examples below are representative, not exhaustive, illustrating how quickly totals climb in populous markets.

• Japan:
  – Isuzu: Elf (N-Series), Forward (F-Series), Giga
  – Hino: Dutro, Ranger, Profia
  – Fuso: Canter, Fighter, Super Great, eCanter
• China:
  – FAW: J6P, J7
  – Dongfeng: KX/Tianlong, KL
  – Sinotruk (CNHTC): Howo, Sitrak ranges
  – Shacman: X3000, X6000
  – JAC and others with full light-to-heavy portfolios
• India:
  – Tata Motors: Ace, Intra, Yodha, Ultra, Signa, Prima
  – Ashok Leyland: Dost, Bada Dost, Ecomet, Boss, AVTR modular platform

Between Japan’s established makers, China’s expansive domestic sector, and India’s broad light-to-heavy offerings, Asia-Pacific easily contributes over a hundred active model families.

How to get a precise count for your scope

If you need a concrete number—for instance, for a market study or procurement project—use a clear definition of “model” and a bounded market. The process below helps produce a defensible tally.

1. Define scope: Choose duty classes (light/medium/heavy), body types (pickup, chassis-cab, tractor, rigid), and fuel types to include.
2. Choose regions: Specify countries or trade areas; note that some models are regional-only.
3. Decide on granularity: Count core nameplates only, or include variants (cab style, axle layout, GVW band, powertrain).
4. Compile OEM lists: Pull current lineups from manufacturer sites and dealer order guides for the model year in question.
5. Deduplicate and date-stamp: Remove overlaps and note start/end of production to avoid including discontinued models.
6. Validate with industry directories: Cross-check against fleet/spec databases and regulatory type-approval lists.

Using this method, most analysts arrive at a regional count within a narrow margin of error and can update it annually as lineups change.

Summary

In 2025, the world’s truck market comprises approximately 250–400 distinct model families in active production, with hundreds more configurations once variants are included. The exact number hinges on scope, region, and how you define a “model.” For a precise figure, set clear boundaries (segment, market, and granularity) and compile current lineups from manufacturers and industry directories.

Is GM really making a $8000 truck?

No, General Motors (GM) is not currently offering a new, mass-market pickup truck for $8,000. While there’s a lot of buzz and many YouTube videos circulating about new, affordable trucks from various brands, the Chevrolet Montana is described as a budget-friendly truck, and the most affordable GM-related truck is the Wuling Zhengtu, which starts closer to $9,000, not $8,000. 
Where the confusion comes from:

• Wuling Zhengtu: Opens in new tabThis is a compact pickup truck from a joint venture between SAIC, GM, and Wuling. It’s the most affordable in this group, with prices starting around $9,000. 
• Chevrolet Montana: Opens in new tabThis is a compact truck from GM aimed at urban drivers and small businesses. It is described as affordable, but an $8,000 starting price is misleading, as its actual price point is higher. 
• YouTube Videos and Rumors: Opens in new tabMany videos and articles claim GM (or other manufacturers like Ford, Toyota, and Tesla) is releasing an $8,000 pickup. However, these are often misinterpretations of more affordable trucks, sometimes confusing the Wuling Zhengtu or creating hype around hypothetical vehicles. 

What’s the reality?

• While the idea of an $8,000 truck is exciting, it’s largely a misunderstanding of the market. 
• The Chevrolet Montana is a genuinely practical and versatile truck designed for urban settings and small businesses, but its price point is higher than $8,000. 
• The goal for GM (and other manufacturers) is to offer more affordable and dependable trucks, but the prices cited in the viral claims are not accurate for a new GM-branded pickup truck. 

What is the #1 selling truck?

The Ford F-Series is the number one selling truck in America, a title it has held for 48 consecutive years. This includes various models like the popular F-150, which is known for its versatility and range of configurations, making it a top choice for both work and personal use.
 
Key Reasons for its Continued Success

• Versatility: The F-Series offers a wide range of body styles, configurations, and powertrains, allowing buyers to customize a truck to fit their specific needs, whether it’s a powerful workhorse or a comfortable daily driver. 
• Power and Durability: The F-Series is renowned for its power, towing capacity, and rugged construction, living up to its “Built Ford Tough” reputation. 
• Innovation and Technology: Ford continually updates the F-Series with innovative features and technology, keeping it a leader in the truck market. 
• Wide Range of Options: Beyond the F-150, the F-Series includes the Super Duty models (F-250, F-350) for heavy-duty tasks, the midsize Ranger for a more compact and fuel-efficient option, and the high-performance Raptor for off-road enthusiasts. 

How many truck types are there?

The seven main types of freight trucks are distinguished by the type of cargo they haul: semi-trailers, flatbeds, step decks, dry vans, reefers, box trucks, or tankers. Semi-trailers go by many names, including semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and big rigs.

What are the big 3 trucks?

The “Big 3” trucks refer to the popular truck models produced by the “Big 3” American automakers: Ford, General Motors (GM) (which includes Chevrolet and GMC), and Stellantis (which includes Ram), formerly Dodge. These companies are known for dominating the American truck market with popular models like the Ford F-Series, the Chevrolet Silverado, and the Ram pickup.
 
The “Big 3” Automakers and Their Trucks

• Ford: Opens in new tabThe Ford Motor Company produces the long-running F-Series, a best-selling truck in America. 
• General Motors (GM): Opens in new tabThis conglomerate owns Chevrolet and GMC. They are known for their Silverado and Sierra pickups, respectively. 
• Stellantis (Ram): Opens in new tabFormerly part of Chrysler, the Ram brand is known for its Ram 1500 and other pickup models. 

Why “Big 3”?

• Market Dominance: These three companies have historically controlled the majority of the American automobile market, especially in the truck segment. 
• Brand Loyalty & Networks: A strong network of dealers and brand loyalty among customers contributes to their market position, as fleet buyers also prefer to minimize the number of brands they work with for service. 
• History: The term originated from the early days of the American auto industry, when these manufacturers dominated production. 

Key Takeaways

• The “Big 3” trucks are a product of the “Big 3” American automakers: Ford, GM, and Stellantis/Ram. 
• These brands have a long history and significant influence on the truck market. 
• Their dominance is due to factors like brand loyalty, extensive dealer networks, and high sales volumes.