FenwickHockey65's Great Thread of GM Knowledge - Page 23 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LadyinBlue · 07-02-2013, 09:21 PM

Not your little truck - the thing Fen posted!

FenwickHockey65 · 07-02-2013, 09:24 PM

That's what I'm saying. It's exactly what everyone asks GM for but nobody seems to like it.

The car-based utes basically are the S-10 and Sonoma of today. There really isn't a market for compact trucks anymore. Hell even the midsize truck market is a gamble, Ford isn't too keen on resurrecting their midsize program or bringing the global Ranger to the NA market.

LadyinBlue · 07-02-2013, 09:29 PM

Our last vehicle purchase was a few months ago when we picked up a '94 Ranger for our youngest son who is heading off to Hocking College next month. 65k miles on it so we're hoping it'll last him a while. Took us a year to find a decent one, though, as small used trucks are a hot commodity, it seems.

So the vehicle you posted is a Ute? I guess it looks too much like a car instead of a truck for people to
take it seriously.

FenwickHockey65 · 07-02-2013, 09:37 PM

It's essentially a modern day El Camino.

GM builds a smaller, FWD-based model too. It's sold in Mexico and South America.

Angrybird 12 · 07-02-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

That's what I'm saying. It's exactly what everyone asks GM for but nobody seems to like it.

The car-based utes basically are the S-10 and Sonoma of today. There really isn't a market for compact trucks anymore. Hell even the midsize truck market is a gamble, Ford isn't too keen on resurrecting their midsize program or bringing the global Ranger to the NA market.

It took me a while to find a good S10 in my price range, there seems to be millions running around but very few for sale. And those that are for sale they are asking way over market value for them. It's hard to believe there isn't a market for them the way people are holding on to the ones they have now. There just needs to be a greater difference in cost and MPG between the small truck and the full sized trucks for sale now.

right to travel · 07-02-2013, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Well there's this. Nobody seems to like them but they're exactly what everyone asks for.

are you kidding me!!! theses things are the shit. the HSV variants are even sicker. every one i saw in australia was tricked out loud and fast. i think they are awsome

*DGthe3* · 07-02-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

That's what I'm saying. It's exactly what everyone asks GM for but nobody seems to like it.

The car-based utes basically are the S-10 and Sonoma of today. There really isn't a market for compact trucks anymore. Hell even the midsize truck market is a gamble, Ford isn't too keen on resurrecting their midsize program or bringing the global Ranger to the NA market.

Well, with Ford & Dodge out of the game everybody else can get a bigger slice of the pie now.

I think the main problem that the smaller trucks face is was an engineering push to 'go bigger' -higher towing, more payload, bigger engines, etc. But from anything I've heard, people who want smaller trucks generally weren't asking for improvements there. They want something with a bed for oversized/bulk cargo (its hard to haul gravel in an SUV) or maybe they've got a snowmobile/jet ski or something that only weighs a few hundred pounds. They don't need a truck thats capable of towing 3 tons (let alone the 4 or 5 ton capacity of some half ton pickups). By and large, they wanted something that was efficient & small enough to not be cumbersome when driving around in town.

derklug · 07-02-2013, 11:29 PM

Ford's pushing companies into the Transit Connect for light hauling, and into full size trucks for heavier hauling. Crash safety and roll-over standards were the reason Ford said they were getting out of the small truck market. Meeting the standards brought the price of the Ranger up to the price of a F-150. If GM has success with a small pick-up, it might encourage Ford to rethink it's position.

jcmG8 · 07-02-2013, 11:29 PM

Fast forward to 5:20 to see the ute that we could have had:

youtube

05stram · 07-03-2013, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Well, with Ford & Dodge out of the game everybody else can get a bigger slice of the pie now.

I think the main problem that the smaller trucks face is was an engineering push to 'go bigger' -higher towing, more payload, bigger engines, etc. But from anything I've heard, people who want smaller trucks generally weren't asking for improvements there. They want something with a bed for oversized/bulk cargo (its hard to haul gravel in an SUV) or maybe they've got a snowmobile/jet ski or something that only weighs a few hundred pounds. They don't need a truck thats capable of towing 3 tons (let alone the 4 or 5 ton capacity of some half ton pickups). By and large, they wanted something that was efficient & small enough to not be cumbersome when driving around in town.

Ford/Ram out of the game?

Ford like GM is reintroducing a truck that is smaller than the current full size.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/18/f...r-replacement/

Ram has a truck if they want to bring it to market as well.
http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/dakota-2012.html

So I would not call them out of the game.

05stram · 07-03-2013, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derklug

Ford's pushing companies into the Transit Connect for light hauling, and into full size trucks for heavier hauling. Crash safety and roll-over standards were the reason Ford said they were getting out of the small truck market. Meeting the standards brought the price of the Ranger up to the price of a F-150. If GM has success with a small pick-up, it might encourage Ford to rethink it's position.

Transit Connect redone for 2014 still cost more than the old Econoline fleet. I see the TC series as just a pass through until Ford gets to where it feels the market is safe to reintroduce the E150 then you will see it back on the market. The TC a Turkish built van cannot be real prosperous for them in fleet sales.

05stram · 07-03-2013, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right to travel

are you kidding me!!! theses things are the shit. the HSV variants are even sicker. every one i saw in australia was tricked out loud and fast. i think they are awsome

I want to own at least two of these

FenwickHockey65 · 07-03-2013, 08:21 AM

Opel Insignia Country Tourer.

GM's answer to the Audi Allroad.

*DGthe3* · 07-03-2013, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05stram

Ford/Ram out of the game?

Ford like GM is reintroducing a truck that is smaller than the current full size.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/18/f...r-replacement/

Ram has a truck if they want to bring it to market as well.
http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/dakota-2012.html

So I would not call them out of the game.

If you are standing on the sidelines not taking part in the action, then you're not in the game.

07-02-2013, 09:21 PM	#309
LadyinBlue Drives: 260HP/242TQ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 707	Not your little truck - the thing Fen posted! __________________

07-02-2013, 09:24 PM	#310
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	That's what I'm saying. It's exactly what everyone asks GM for but nobody seems to like it. The car-based utes basically are the S-10 and Sonoma of today. There really isn't a market for compact trucks anymore. Hell even the midsize truck market is a gamble, Ford isn't too keen on resurrecting their midsize program or bringing the global Ranger to the NA market. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)

07-02-2013, 09:29 PM	#311
LadyinBlue Drives: 260HP/242TQ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 707	Our last vehicle purchase was a few months ago when we picked up a '94 Ranger for our youngest son who is heading off to Hocking College next month. 65k miles on it so we're hoping it'll last him a while. Took us a year to find a decent one, though, as small used trucks are a hot commodity, it seems. So the vehicle you posted is a Ute? I guess it looks too much like a car instead of a truck for people to take it seriously. __________________

07-02-2013, 09:37 PM	#312
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	It's essentially a modern day El Camino. GM builds a smaller, FWD-based model too. It's sold in Mexico and South America. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)

07-02-2013, 11:29 PM	#316
derklug Drives: 12 Boss 302 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 1,369	Ford's pushing companies into the Transit Connect for light hauling, and into full size trucks for heavier hauling. Crash safety and roll-over standards were the reason Ford said they were getting out of the small truck market. Meeting the standards brought the price of the Ranger up to the price of a F-150. If GM has success with a small pick-up, it might encourage Ford to rethink it's position. __________________ The biggest mistakes in life come when you know exactly what you are doing.

07-02-2013, 11:29 PM	#317
jcmG8 Drives: G8GT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 90	Fast forward to 5:20 to see the ute that we could have had: youtube __________________ Last edited by jcmG8; 07-02-2013 at 11:51 PM.

07-03-2013, 08:21 AM	#321
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	Opel Insignia Country Tourer. GM's answer to the Audi Allroad. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)