All the Press on Small Pickups Being Dead

[MuttonChops]

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For the past few years we have read automotive article after article on why small / mid-size pickups are a dead market. Recently GMC and Jeep have hinted they will have small trucks in 2012 for the North America market and even those articles note how the market is dead.

None of these article address why sales are down, that manufacturers have set a self fulfilling prophecy. They say sales are down then make production choices that reduce sales.

Ford, GM, and Dodge have done nothing real to improve the performance or quality of their small trucks. While at the same time they raise the purchase price. Toyota has made some improvements however they have followed the same sad path that bigger is better.

People are buying full-size trucks or small sedans/wagons because there are no small trucks of the same quality level on today's market. Not because there is not a strong market for the vehicles.

The problem is not the North American buyer it is the narrow minded management of the manufacturers.

And well on a rant . . . . .
the phrase 'built for the American market' means not as good as the rest of the world.

We are not getting the best products and yet we keep buying them.

no ROW Ranger for N.A.

no ROW Amarok for N.A.

no ROW Diesel engine options for N.A.

new 'N.A. Jetta' has lower technology then ROW model

When / if the M&M trucks get here we might be better off if they don't do any 'American market' modifications.

[Forest]

Not much argument from me.

It's tough for american to swallow the idea of spending about the same for less that gets almost equal MPG.

In short, WHy buy a Ranger that hasn't been updated in close to a decade when for a few Bucks more you can have an F150 with more everything and almost the same MPG

[pee wee]

Can you imagine having the selection of small trucks Australia has? Mahindra has had a tough time getting traction there because of the Hilux and Navarra and Holden products. Somehow those people are getting by (quite nicely) with small trucks when Americans supposedly need at least a Ford F150 crewcab just to go to Walmart to stock up on diapers. I can understand Ford not wanting to compete against themselves by offering Rangers when people otherwise would have to buy a full size, but what if buyers were willing to go with another brand- how many Mahindra trucks have to be sold here before some auto executive says "maybe we need to offer a small truck, too". I was looking forward to watching that happen, it sure is taking a long time but I hope they get here soon.

[gnorthern]

Be careful what you wish for. I have always assumed the abundance of big trucks in the US was directly related to our supply of cheap gasoline. A quick check shows that gasoline is about $4.80/gallon in Austrialia. But once most Chinese own a vehicle, you can bet we will be paying at least that much. And I just read projections that car sales in China will exceed the US by 2015, which is five years sooner than I would have guessed five years ago.

Some of you may remember what happened to small car sales in the late 70's. The only reason I kept driving my big truck was I could not buy a small vehicle for MSRP (Manufacturers suggested retail price).

[michigandon]

Originally Posted by gnorthern

Be careful what you wish for. I have always assumed the abundance of big trucks in the US was directly related to our supply of cheap gasoline. A quick check shows that gasoline is about $4.80/gallon in Austrialia. But once most Chinese own a vehicle, you can bet we will be paying at least that much. And I just read projections that car sales in China will exceed the US by 2015, which is five years sooner than I would have guessed five years ago.

GM already sells twice as many Buicks in China than they do in the USofA. Go figure.

Originally Posted by gnorthern

Some of you may remember what happened to small car sales in the late 70's. The only reason I kept driving my big truck was I could not buy a small vehicle for MSRP (Manufacturers suggested retail price).

Yet at the same time, a 440 New Yorker could be had for HALF the MSRP.

[howam00]

Originally Posted by gnorthern

Be careful what you wish for. I have always assumed the abundance of big trucks in the US was directly related to our supply of cheap gasoline. A quick check shows that gasoline is about $4.80/gallon in Austrialia. But once most Chinese own a vehicle, you can bet we will be paying at least that much. And I just read projections that car sales in China will exceed the US by 2015, which is five years sooner than I would have guessed five years ago.

Some of you may remember what happened to small car sales in the late 70's. The only reason I kept driving my big truck was I could not buy a small vehicle for MSRP (Manufacturers suggested retail price).

If memory serves me China already passed us in 2009 for new vehicles sold. By 2015 they'll be buying 20% more than us with India fast on pace to be number 2.

[gnorthern]

Originally Posted by howam00

If memory serves me China already passed us in 2009 for new vehicles sold. By 2015 they'll be buying 20% more than us with India fast on pace to be number 2.

Bummer, I think you are right. The article I read said car sales in the US should rebound back and exceed China again. I did more reading and most articles said it was permanent since China is not going into a slump.

[howam00]

its a numbers game and Chinese outnumber US citizens roughly 4 to 1. Not hard math to figure out. India is about the same and will quickly out pace total residents of China soon but their economy is still about 15-20 years behind China's. They'll be number 2 before long though and I think I heard Brazil will be 3 by 2025 or 2040 (something in the medium term future)

Not right or wrong, just is. I just hope their standards start to rise so it can be a more level playing field and a safer overall field.

[robbieo11]

ok i will say a few words here my choice to by a mahindra was very simple one. I want a diesel truck can not import a ranger quad cab so when i heard M and M was going to do this truck i stopped all the work of tryiing to build/buy a diesel quad cab ranger so i am here
Yes ford lost alot of $$ from me i am on the verge of even selling the 69 stang i have because i am sooo distusted with it allll
i have been a life long ford guy now it is all on the block to be wacked off

[Bugman]

I agree with the exception of Toyota quality.. I have owned 5 new Toyota trucks, a 1992 , a 94, two 95 T100(the first was totaled with 3055 miles on it) ,a 2002 Tacoma which was the worst of all.. The 1992 was by far the BEST one, and each new one I bought got worse . From what I have seen with the newer Tacoma's , Toyota would have to come out with something really awesome to get me back , maybe a diesel or just fuel efficient, with manual hubs. I do like the Tundra, if it was a little easier on fuel..