Pickup from USA

American pickups are a symbol of freedom, power, and practicality. These vehicles gain more and more fans in Europe every year. While European automakers offer compact diesel vans, savvy buyers are discovering the world of full-size trucks from the USA. In America, pickups hold a huge market share – in 2024 it was estimated at $77.6 billion. But why are American pickups becoming a hit in other EU countries as well?

Why people buy American pickups

The European buyer choosing American pickups is someone who values versatility. Unlike passenger cars, a pickup combines three roles at once – a powerful truck for work with high payload, a comfortable spacious SUV for the family, and a status car for the soul.

In the USA, pickups are a lifestyle. Americans use them not only for work on farms or construction sites, but also for active recreation (camping, fishing, trips to national parks). This culture has contributed to the formation of a secondary market with a huge selection of trucks with a transparent history.

The most profitable lots for a European buyer in the USA are the so-called "insurance" vehicles. These are damaged vehicles with minor defects that are put up for sale by insurance companies. At the same time, the engine, transmission, and frame in such cars usually remain in perfect condition. For a buyer from Europe, this is a good chance to get a vehicle for 60-70% of the market price in Europe.

Advantages of pickups from the USA

Under the hood of most American pickups are V6 and V8 engines that generate power unavailable to European counterparts. Modern engines (3.5-liter EcoBoost in Ford or 6.2-liter V8 in GMC) produce up to 420-450 hp and torque that allows towing trailers weighing up to 6 tons.

With a reinforced frame, strong suspension, and proven components, these vehicles are ready for heavy work and large loads. With proper maintenance, the resource of V8 engines reaches 400,000 kilometers of mileage.

Full-size pickups carry more than a ton of cargo in the bed. This is not just a trunk – it is a full cargo platform for building materials, ATVs, furniture, or camping gear.

Top trim levels, in addition to super durability, offer owners a high level of technology and comfort – leather interiors with seat massage, digital instrument panels of 12-13 inches, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping systems, and 360-degree cameras.

Most popular models

Let’s look at the most popular pickup models.

Ford F-150

F-150 is a versatile soldier with a brutal design and unmatched durability, equally good on a construction site, highway, or light off-road. The base version comes with a 3.3-liter V6, but the real interest is in the 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 versions (up to 400 hp). In combined cycle, it consumes 11-15 liters of fuel per 100 km depending on the engine and driving style.

Auction price – from 15,000-20,000 USD for a damaged unit, 30,000-40,000 USD for a clean title from 2020-2022. In Europe, similar cars cost at least 60,000-70,000 euros.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

If you need just a reliable work tool without frills – this is your choice. Older generations (GMT800, GMT900) are known for their durability, newer ones – for modern technologies while maintaining a frame construction. Various bed and cabin lengths are available – regular cab, extended, and crew cab. Payload reaches 1.15 tons, towing – up to 6 tons.

Used Silverado at auctions costs less than Ford with similar condition.

GMC Sierra 1500

Premium version of Chevrolet Silverado. Technically it is the same pickup, but with more expensive trim, technologies, and exclusive options. Engines are similar to Silverado. In Denali and Denali Ultimate versions, high-quality leather with open-pore wood, 16-position seats with massage, Bose acoustics, and a 13.4-inch multimedia screen are used. This is at the level of premium sedans.

American Sierra with 6.2 V8 and Denali package at auctions is a goldmine. In Europe, such vehicles, including delivery and customs, cost 40-50% less than buying from local resellers.

Stages of importing cars from the USA on PLC Auction

Buying pickups from the USA independently is a process that requires access to auctions, a US account, and understanding of local rules. PLC Auction solves these problems, providing direct access to trades through its platform. For the buyer, the procedure looks as follows:

• Quick registration on plc.auction with uploading a passport or driver's license photo. After moderation, you get access to the auctions.
• Deposit of 10% of the planned lot cost. These are frozen funds confirming serious intentions. The deposit goes toward the car payment or is returned if you lose.
• Search and bidding. Thousands of lots are available in the platform catalog, which you can purchase at auction or at a fixed price. Convenient filters help choose a car by year, trim, type of damage.
• Payment. The lot must be paid within 3 banking days via Stripe (Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, Google Pay), crypto wallet, or bank transfer.
• Delivery with tracking. Your personal account has a function to track the movement of your car. Usually, delivery takes 8-12 weeks (logistics to port, sea transport, and customs clearance).

PLC Auction signs a contract with clients, guaranteeing the protection of the buyer's interests and funds and responsible service execution by the company.

Conclusions

Pickups from the USA are a unique opportunity to become the owner of a powerful, reliable, and comfortable car at a reasonable price. If you are looking for a vehicle that can handle both work and leisure and stand out on the road – an American pickup from an auction is your perfect choice.