[yoshamano]

Market forces and regulation.

Instead of a big V8 slab of pig iron for an engine you end up with a smaller turbo charged engine. Coupled with a mostly aluminum body to save weight is how they've been increasing fuel economy of trucks.

There has also been a significant drop in the desire for base model two-seater trucks. Most trucks sold are some variation of extended/crew/king cab. Coupled with a desire to use the truck as a daily driver you end up with a lot of extra like adaptive cruise control, cameras, infotament, etc.

Plus the usual expansion of standard safety features that has been raising the price of all vehicles. Backup cameras being required equipment now comes to mind as an example.