Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Shell Wants to Make Pickup Truck Official Vehicle of America

To pay homage to the substantial role pickup trucks play in shaping our nation and working their way into all parts of our society, Shell is honoring the vehicle by leading a national Shell ROTELLA campaign, entitled Pickup Pride which may forever change the way Americans view the pickup truck.

by Staff
October 3, 2017
Shell Wants to Make Pickup Truck Official Vehicle of America

One of the mascot trucks by Tommy Pike Customs courtesy of Shell Lubricants. 

3 min to read


One of the mascot trucks by Tommy Pike Customs courtesy of Shell Lubricants. 

The maker of Shell ROTELLA engine oil is leading the effort to have the U.S. White House formally recognize the pickup truck as the “Official Vehicle of the United States.” To pay homage to the substantial role pickup trucks play in shaping our nation and working their way into all parts of our society, Shell is honoring the vehicle by leading a national Shell ROTELLA campaign, entitled “Pickup Pride” which may forever change the way Americans view the pickup truck.

To pay homage to the substantial role pickup trucks play in shaping our nation and working their way into all parts of our society, Shell is honoring the vehicle by leading a national Shell ROTELLA campaign, entitled “Pickup Pride,” which may forever change the way Americans view the pickup truck.

Ad Loading...

“The campaign celebrates the achievements of hard-working Americans and highlights the pickup truck, which for almost a century, continues to support those who have given their blood, sweat, and tears to help build our country,” said Megan Pino, Global Brand Manager for Shell ROTELLA engine oil. “The pickup truck exemplifies America’s resilience and the work it takes to continue to build our communities and support our farms, both which deserve to be recognized.”

There are milestones that need to be reached for the pickup truck to be recognized as the “Official Vehicle of the United States” including:

  • A formal petition must be submitted on Whitehouse.gov. along with 100,000 signatures.

  • The signatures must be collected within a 30-day period (October 3, 2017 – November 2, 2017).

  • After reaching the 100,000-signature goal, the petition will be placed into a queue for review by a standing group of White House staff and can still generate signatures from the American public while awaiting a response.

Ad Loading...

As of today, the petition is live and can be signed and shared. Once 100,000 signatures are collected and submitted, the government will read the petition and either move forward with the proposal or offer a response.  Please join the Shell ROTELLA campaign to honor the pickup truck by signing the petition to help reach 100,000 signatures to ensure the White House responds to the petition.

“Shell ROTELLA is a brand that truly embodies the spirit of hard work, and the pickup truck exemplifies just that,” said Dave Waterman, North American Marketing Manager, Shell Lubricants. “The pickup truck has played an invaluable role in helping American men and women build our country from the ground up. Like other noteworthy American icons, such as the sport of baseball, the bald eagle, and the Star-Spangled Banner, the pickup truck deserves this official title.”

Additionally, Shell Lubricants has teamed up with Tommy Pike, of Tommy Pike Customs, to modify two pickup trucks that will serve as mascots for the campaign. Pike and his team, well-known leaders in the pickup truck and automotive customization industry for more than 15 years, will include the pickup trucks on the 2018 Tommy Pike Customs Tour.

More Equipment

Youtube thumbnail showing two people with a truck and the word "fuel" behind them, the HDT Talks Trucking logo, and the words "Small Gains. Big Savings."
Fuel Smarts•by Deborah Lockridge•October 12, 2026

How GP Transco Cuts Trucking Fuel Costs, a Tenth of a Gallon at a Time

What’s another tenth of a mile per gallon worth? GP Transco shares how equipment upgrades and driver coaching turn small gains into meaningful fuel savings.

Read More →
Photo of electric OrangeEV terminal tractor with a Lazer Logistics trailer
Equipment•by Staff•October 6, 2026

Electric Yard Tractors Move Beyond Pilots

Operating-cost savings have overtaken sustainability goals as the leading reason surveyed fleets are adopting battery-electric terminal tractors, according to new NACFE research.

Read More →
Two truck tires with a muted highway background
Maintenance•by News/Media Release•October 2, 2026

Continental Introduces New Regional Truck Tires

Continental says its new Generation 5 steer and drive tires for regional operations offer longer tread life, with estimated mileage gains of 22% and 19%, respectively.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Interior of freight cargo trailer or body with translucent roof letting in daylight
Equipment•by News/Media Release•October 1, 2026

Tekmodo Introduces CargoBright Brand for Translucent Trailer Roofs

CargoBright is designed to diffuse daylight across the cargo area while performing as a working vehicle roof.

Read More →
White Tesla Semi electric truck on display on a show floor
Equipment•by Staff•September 30, 2026

Fleet Economics Shape Electric Truck Outlook

ACT Research expects costs, charging infrastructure, and technology improvements to drive zero-emission commercial vehicle adoption as federal regulations and incentives retreat.

Read More →
Red highway tractor pulling white trailer with red logo identifying Kodiak.
Equipment•by News/Media Release•September 28, 2026

Kodiak Targets Dallas–Houston for Driverless Trucks

The company says its autonomous trucks are completing the I-45 run without a safety observer taking control. It plans to remove the observer by the end of 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Red kodiak autonomous truck with trailer driving through Fresno arch
Equipment•by News/Media Release•September 25, 2026

Kodiak Hauls Produce in California Autonomous Truck Pilot

Kodiak AI and DTL Transport have begun hauling produce between Fresno and Los Angeles under California’s new rules for testing heavy-duty autonomous trucks. A safety driver remains behind the wheel.

Read More →
Illustration of a Freightliner used truck emerging from a SelecTrucks shop, with graphics saying "For Sale" and colorful cubes with math symbols
Equipment•by Lauren Fletcher•September 22, 2026

Used-Truck Remarketing Math Is Changing

Used-truck value is no longer just a concern at trade-in. Decisions made throughout a truck’s first life can influence what it’s worth years later.

Read More →
Video still of Volvo's Duane Tegels explaining the Volvo D13 diesel engine for EPA 2027 emissions
Equipment•by Deborah Lockridge•September 16, 2026

How Volvo Updated Its D13 for EPA 2027 [Watch]

Volvo’s updated D13 promises lower emissions without sacrificing performance or fuel economy. Take a closer look at what changed inside the engine in this HDT Spotlight video.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of new Michelin drive tire
Equipment•by News/Media Release•September 15, 2026

Michelin Tire Improves Efficiency and Durability for Regional Fleets

The Michelin X Multi Energy D2 is a regional haul drive tire engineered to help fleets improve fuel efficiency, durability and traction in demanding stop-and-go operations.

Read More →