Ford, Chrysler Looking to Get Back in Small Pickup Market?
The Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra have all seen updates in the past year, but what about smaller pickups which are seen as more affordable and fuel efficient? Well, they may be on the way back to relevance.
Small pickups are a pretty tiny market segment right now, with the only offerings being the Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier. However, the Wall Street Journal reports that new small pickups from Chevrolet might spur further competition from Ford and Chrysler.
Indeed, General Motors is going to bring new small pickups to the US market with the new 2014 Chevy Colorado and 2014 GMC Canyon. This move will help more fuel conscious buyers, and help with GM’s corporate average fuel economy.
Ford has recently discussed the possibility of a truck to fit in below the F-150, a replacement for the old Ranger. Chrysler is also debating a replacement for its old Dakota pickup truck, perhaps on a more global scale selling in regions such as Asia and South America where smaller trucks are preferred.
SEE ALSO: Where Did the Compact Pickups Go?
Overall, small trucks need to be more compact (obviously) and more affordable than the half-tons. Before the Ranger and Dakota were discontinued, their growth in size and increasing price made buyers opt for the bigger vehicles like the Ram and F-150.
However, other market segments are seeing buyers flock to smaller vehicles. Toyota VP Bob Carter says that he anticipates small pickup interest will increase, especially with fuel prices increasing and more automakers getting into the fray.
[Source: Wall Street Journal]
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Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.
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My father owned Ford Rangers and Chev S-10's since 1987 and he put up with how small they were and the mid 20's MPG until I convinced him to buy a 2008 Silverado......now he has the room and same or better MPG then the little trucks. I hope the little trucks are not fuel pigs like they were before. I have known so many people who buy the little trucks expecting 30 MPG then end up getting low to mid 20's. IMO I think that if you don't want the big truck you are better off with a Jetta diesel with a utility trailer !
U.S. Government fuel economy mandates prevent small pickups from being produced for the American market.