[topgun]

The Toyota Tacoma still sells well. 141,365 US sales in 2012. There is a market for the right vehicle.

170,000 was back in 2007 before the economy tanked. Now that is is picking up again, the numbers are coming back up.

 

[Mopar392]

There is a market for mid-size trucks in Africa, Australia and Middle East.. It is proven by why Chevy, Ford and Isuzu are developing their tucks for those markets. Even Toyota and Nissan have different trucks for those markets..

I think what Ram needs to do is to grap share in those markets, the same way Jeep is trying to grap the B-segment SUV in the South America and India...

 

[Dave Z]

Right. However, expecting Ram to have a 100,000 sale small truck would be foolish. I recall the last number waved around was 40,000 a year and that makes sense.

Toyota, Honda, and Ford could flog ANYTHING successfully. Their buyers (disproportionately) do not even consider shopping.

 

[red-jk]

There is a market for mid-size trucks in Africa, Australia and Middle East.. It is proven by why Chevy, Ford and Isuzu are developing their tucks for those markets. Even Toyota and Nissan have different trucks for those markets.

RAM should be in those market with 3 trucks, the RAM Strada, Dakota and the 1500. I'm sure the Aussies would eat them up. SE Asia is a big truck market that RAM is missing out on too.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ilVODPvIz9E

 

[jerseyjoe]

Made up my mind, If I have to replace my V6 Challenger it needs to be something that can haul a large desk and average 32 miles per-gallon. Also needs to occasionally seat 4. You won;t get that MPG from a full sized pickup, yet. I don;t drive a lot of miles so I don't want the expense of a diesel,

 

[Doug D]

Or what?
Its been a couple of years now and nothing. The only small truck that seems to be holding true for USA is the Chev Colorado and a brand-new is right around the corner. Ford as of right now, is not bringing the updated Ranger to the USA.. I just think they are just scared of pulling the trigger on the Dakota because, the Ram is selling so, well.
I see nothing wrong with a 4/6 cynl truck getting 30 Mpg or more. I would imagine it being a #1 seller if designed right. RamPage? I dont know.. They should collaberate with Honda on the next Ridgeline so, they can save a little money and have 2-options. Any more thoughts on this? Its been awhile since I have heard any news on this and thought I would bring it back up. RP :cop:

Why would I want a small truck that if it's lucky will get 25-30 mpg, when in less than a year a Ram 1500 diesel that will get nearly the same fuel mileage will be available?

 

[66coronet]

Made up my mind, If I have to replace my V6 Challenger it needs to be something that can haul a large desk and average 32 miles per-gallon. Also needs to occasionally seat 4. You won;t get that MPG from a full sized pickup, yet. I don;t drive a lot of miles so I don't want the expense of a diesel,

Maybe for the large desk you can get a u haul. Even a Subaru Baja got only 24mpg hwy.
Toyota 2wd tacoma gets 25mpg same as the ram 1500.
Maybe if they make the Dart 2.0L or 2.4L a pickup it perhaps might get 32mpg. A Journey 2.4L if made into a pickup still is only 26mpg. Might change with the better transmission.

 

[valiant67]

Back in the 90's many people I knew bought small trucks like the Ranger or S10 because they cost about what a Escort or Cavalier did and the small truck seemed more substantial compared to what they saw as flimsy small cars. Now small cars seem better built and there are also small SUVs in the mix now.

I wish the Dakota would come back, I love the two I have (and I've had several more). But the market, even with close to $4 gas, just isn't there any more.

 

[SheltonBreeden]

Back in the 90's many people I knew bought small trucks like the Ranger or S10 because they cost about what a Escort or Cavalier did

That's one of Ford's stated reasons for axing the Ranger.
They were only selling them because they were the cheapest things on the Ford lot.
Having said that, I would love to see a small/medium pickup come back. The 2nd gen Dakota is in many ways the perfect truck for me.

 

[red-jk]

I own a 07 Tacoma and my son now drives it. It has been a good truck. I would have bought a Dakota, but the 3rd gen was just too thirsty, and cheap looking.

I would really like to see RAM back in this market. If they could price of the Strada to start at 14k and top out at 21k I think they would have a hit.

 

[55Plaza]

The Toyota Tacoma still sells well. 141,365 US sales in 2012. There is a market for the right vehicle.
170,000 was back in 2007 before the economy tanked. Now that is is picking up again, the numbers are coming back up.

But what are the Tundra sales like? Everyone I know that bought a Tundra around here, is going back to a Ram/GMC/Ford cause the Tundra just doesn't stand up. It may be that the Tacoma has good sales numbers cause it's the good Toyota truck.

I bought my Dakota cause it was (1) a new design, as compared to the Dodge Rams (2) had a V6 which I thought may get better mileage than my D150 (probably would have if I'd stuck to my guns and ordered it with a 3.73 axle) & (3) was as capable as the fullsize truck, other than not being able to fit a 4' wide sheet of plywood between the wheelwells. B)

I'm awaiting Suzq' Dakota idea http://www.allpar.com/forums/topic/130500-quickchop-dodge-dakota/

 

[dakotajam]

I ordered mine in '97 cause there where no V8/ RWD hot rods from Mother Mopar. 318/stick with 3.55 sure grip rear.
and yes it would dust the Mustang 5.0 and both the GM twins at the time. And still haul lumber or what ever project came up.

John

 

[CherokeeVision]

Not trying to be that guy, but Chrysler didn't produce the first downsized SUV with 4 doors. AMC did.

Correct. You know it is hard to keep all the buys and sells straight chronologically.

 

[SouthPawXJ]

Correct. You know it is hard to keep all the buys and sells straight chronologically.

Indeed.

 

[Charger Red]

Made up my mind, If I have to replace my V6 Challenger it needs to be something that can haul a large desk and average 32 miles per-gallon. Also needs to occasionally seat 4. You won;t get that MPG from a full sized pickup, yet. I don;t drive a lot of miles so I don't want the expense of a diesel,

This sounds like the lifestyle pickup that was discussed previously. Kind-of like a modern Rampage.

 

[55Plaza]

Maybe they should revise this design... http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/dodge/deora.html

 

[guyverfanboy]

Maybe they should revise this design... http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/dodge/deora.html

That is the oddest looking design for a truck I have ever seen!

 

[MoparNorm]

y]That is the oddest looking design for a truck I have ever seen!

It's just a chopped and lowered A100 pickup, pretty much in perfect proportion, to the original.

 

[jerseyjoe]

Maybe for the large desk you can get a u haul. Even a Subaru Baja got only 24mpg hwy.
Toyota 2wd tacoma gets 25mpg same as the ram 1500.
Maybe if they make the Dart 2.0L or 2.4L a pickup it perhaps might get 32mpg. A Journey 2.4L if made into a pickup still is only 26mpg. Might change with the better transmission.

I Know it doesn't exist now, I am putting my order in ahead of time. Maybe something like a plugin compact hybrid pickup.

 

[CherokeeVision]

Deora. Cool but as has been pointed out in the past would never pass modern crash standards.