With the increasing popularity of "Mid-sized" pickup trucks, and the fact that RAM is one of the few bright spots in the FCA world, there is a lot of speculation about whether and when FCA will build a true mid-sized pickup truck to join the Tacoma, Frontier, Colorado/Canyon, Ridgeline, and Ranger. (The Gladiator is a special case, more of a low-volume novelty vehicle than a true pickup).
The main questions at this point are, what platform would be used and where would it be built? FCA has a couple of downsized pickups that are sold in the Middle East and South of our Border, but these are seen to have little appeal for American buyers due to minimal cargo capacity, nearly non-existent towing capacity, and the truck culture of the U.S.
A couple significant developments in this segment over the past ten years have been the physical growth of the vehicles (from 200-205" to 212" and longer), and the predominance of the 4-door/short bed configuration. Indeed the regular cab and extended cab with a "long" bed (more than 6'), is a vanishing breed, except in Spartan "Work Trucks." Honda makes nothing but the 4-door model.
So should FCA follow this herd and simply make a smaller version of the RAM 1500, with basically the same product mix, albeit a little smaller? Or should it carve out a slightly different segment for itself and hope the public responds? Although RAM styling has garnered a lot of customers in the past few years, and a Dakota that looks almost the same will go over reasonably well, there is no reason to expect that one more iteration of the same theme will result in a successful vehicle.
My recommendation would be to go smaller and cheaper, say, 205" and a starting price UNDER $25k. Base powertrain would be a turbo-4, with a 2.0L TDI optional. Later, a hi-output V6 "Hemi"could be added for some showroom excitement.
Nobody talks about garage space in connection with pickups any more, but one reason to get a "mid-sized" pickup has always been because the full-sized trucks just won't fit into a lot of garages - either due to length or height. When the mid-sized trucks go over 212" you are talking about pushing bicycles and stuff around in the garage. Big enough is big enough.
Regardless, I think a lot of people are looking forward to this addition to the U.S. Truck world. I just hope they build something that is different enough to distinguish itself from the others in the segment.
The main questions at this point are, what platform would be used and where would it be built? FCA has a couple of downsized pickups that are sold in the Middle East and South of our Border, but these are seen to have little appeal for American buyers due to minimal cargo capacity, nearly non-existent towing capacity, and the truck culture of the U.S.
A couple significant developments in this segment over the past ten years have been the physical growth of the vehicles (from 200-205" to 212" and longer), and the predominance of the 4-door/short bed configuration. Indeed the regular cab and extended cab with a "long" bed (more than 6'), is a vanishing breed, except in Spartan "Work Trucks." Honda makes nothing but the 4-door model.
So should FCA follow this herd and simply make a smaller version of the RAM 1500, with basically the same product mix, albeit a little smaller? Or should it carve out a slightly different segment for itself and hope the public responds? Although RAM styling has garnered a lot of customers in the past few years, and a Dakota that looks almost the same will go over reasonably well, there is no reason to expect that one more iteration of the same theme will result in a successful vehicle.
My recommendation would be to go smaller and cheaper, say, 205" and a starting price UNDER $25k. Base powertrain would be a turbo-4, with a 2.0L TDI optional. Later, a hi-output V6 "Hemi"could be added for some showroom excitement.
Nobody talks about garage space in connection with pickups any more, but one reason to get a "mid-sized" pickup has always been because the full-sized trucks just won't fit into a lot of garages - either due to length or height. When the mid-sized trucks go over 212" you are talking about pushing bicycles and stuff around in the garage. Big enough is big enough.
Regardless, I think a lot of people are looking forward to this addition to the U.S. Truck world. I just hope they build something that is different enough to distinguish itself from the others in the segment.
