Forum Discussion
37 Replies
philh wrote:
Gonzo42 wrote:
Saw a brand new Ranger on the street yesterday.
I would assume with an "M" plate since they are not sold in the US?
Or it drove over from Mexico. Mexican residents are allowed to visit with their vehicles.
http://www.ford.mx/camiones/rangerGonzo42 wrote:
Saw a brand new Ranger on the street yesterday.
I would assume with an "M" plate since they are not sold in the US?- Saw a brand new Ranger on the street yesterday.
- I think they went in cahots with toyo and put s Toyota front on it?
jalichty wrote:
... I would suspect Ford will have a good market out there when they do get the smaller ones out. For the life of me I can't figure out whey they dropped their small ones.
Because GM got burned the last time around. The GM compact twins got a huge investment/all new redesign in 2004 but was never a sales leader, GM even ended production of that model before the successor was ready...for a volume product, that is a bad sign. For example, in 2008 (only year I could find sales figs), the Antique Model T Ford Ranger was easily outselling the Colorado, and Ford hadn't spent any real development money on Ranger since the mid 90's.
Ford and Dodge figured the market for compact trucks didn't have room to expand, and could convince many shoppers to upgrade to an F-150/or 1500. So they let their compact trucks die.
For what it's worth, they were wrong, and GM has a runaway success, and a head start on two of the big 3. From what I've read, a somewhat unexpected benefit, GM is making many conquest sales from other brands with buyers of the new colorado/canyon, which is a big deal. If I was shopping for a pickup, and didn't RV, I would limit my search to the compact Toyota and GM twins.RobertRyan wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
RobertRyan wrote:
jalichty wrote:
Must have decided they need to keep up with the GM line-up of new Canyons and Colorado, with the diesel version being the best gas mileage truck on the road, according to a report I read this morning. True or not, I think GM will sell a lot of these. I have a number of friends who neither want or need a "full size" pickup but one of these little ones work great for them. They don't tow anything. GM must have seen how popular the Ram Eco-diesel was and thought they better jump in while the jumping is good. I would suspect Ford will have a good market out there when they do get the smaller ones out. For the life of me I can't figure out whey they dropped their small ones.You will see an explosion in the Midsize market with many , new models. Want to see a segment grow,just have new models released by various manufacturers
I seriously doubt there will be a explosion in the midsize market here in the States.
1. I suspect the cost to produce a mid size truck is similar to a full size truck so the mid size really won't have sufficient profit margins.
2. Fuel economy numbers from the full size trucks are probably acceptable in terms of current fuel costs.
3. The buyers have voted with their wallets and continue to prefer a full size vs a mid size truck.
Like any market, more players increase the size, till you get up to a optimum number.
Most of the costs and research work have been. done elsewhere
Preferences vary, so probably more people want to switch from a CUV to a Midsize.FishOnOne wrote:
RobertRyan wrote:
jalichty wrote:
Must have decided they need to keep up with the GM line-up of new Canyons and Colorado, with the diesel version being the best gas mileage truck on the road, according to a report I read this morning. True or not, I think GM will sell a lot of these. I have a number of friends who neither want or need a "full size" pickup but one of these little ones work great for them. They don't tow anything. GM must have seen how popular the Ram Eco-diesel was and thought they better jump in while the jumping is good. I would suspect Ford will have a good market out there when they do get the smaller ones out. For the life of me I can't figure out whey they dropped their small ones.
You will see an explosion in the Midsize market with many , new models. Want to see a segment grow,just have new models released by various manufacturers
I seriously doubt there will be a explosion in the midsize market here in the States.
1. I suspect the cost to produce a mid size truck is similar to a full size truck so the mid size really won't have sufficient profit margins.
2. Fuel economy numbers from the full size trucks are probably acceptable in terms of current fuel costs.
3. The buyers have voted with their wallets and continue to prefer a full size vs a mid size truck.
Like any market, more players increase the size, till you get up to a optimum number.
Most of the costs and research work have been. done elsewhere.
Preferences vary, so some would love to switch from a CUV, to a more practical PickupRobertRyan wrote:
jalichty wrote:
Must have decided they need to keep up with the GM line-up of new Canyons and Colorado, with the diesel version being the best gas mileage truck on the road, according to a report I read this morning. True or not, I think GM will sell a lot of these. I have a number of friends who neither want or need a "full size" pickup but one of these little ones work great for them. They don't tow anything. GM must have seen how popular the Ram Eco-diesel was and thought they better jump in while the jumping is good. I would suspect Ford will have a good market out there when they do get the smaller ones out. For the life of me I can't figure out whey they dropped their small ones.
You will see an explosion in the Midsize market with many , new models. Want to see a segment grow,just have new models released by various manufacturers
I seriously doubt there will be a explosion in the midsize market here in the States.
1. I suspect the cost to produce a mid size truck is similar to a full size truck so the mid size really won't have sufficient profit margins.
2. Fuel economy numbers from the full size trucks are probably acceptable in terms of current fuel costs.
3. The buyers have voted with their wallets and continue to prefer a full size vs a mid size truck.Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
The reason the mid size pick ups went away IMO is they were no longer mid size nor did they make better mileage over their full sized brothers. Unless you went with the smallest engine.
The Dakota RT Troy was talking about and even the 318 V8 were both fast and drank gas like a drunken sailor. The Ranger was the best of the three for fuel mileage and a good little truck. Mine had issues but my brother had one with over 300K on it. Only ran Mobile One from the day he picked it up and until his daughter totaled it. No rust anywhere on it either.
Don
Thanks for reminding me....The Dakota RT. Chrysler sold a ton of those trucks. I personally like the second gen Dakota the best including that Dakota RT.- If they are bringing them back I really hope that isn't the final design....they are UGLY!!
