Fiat Strada Pickup. True Compact Truck

[georgeramos]

http://www.automotorblog.com/fiat-strad ... -unveiled/

Why is the US auto market so obsessed with huge trucks? I understand a contractor needing one but why the heck did automakers do away with the COMPACT pickup?

If FIAT introduced this here would you buy one?

Have you seen what theyre calling a small pickup these days? It is a RIDICULOUS BEAST that has a huge cab with a tiny bed on the back. Thats just stupid.

[RRoller123]

The profit margins are enormous on the large pickups, and they don't want to threaten them, as many of us (myself included) would likely move down the scale if they offered smaller ones. The smaller cars (Ford Focus, etc) offer very small operating margins, compared to the larger "luxury" cars.

Pete

[TX82FIAT]

Roads and Ego's are bigger in the US. Unfortunately, if you pulled up in a 1.3, 90 something HP. two seat small pickup truck. people will look down on you. Practicality goes out the window in the US. Last time in Europe I was amazed at the reduced options many of the everyday cars on the road had compared to the US cars with all the bells and whistles.

[RRoller123]

But wait a minute, there were MILLIONS of small pickups sold for decades in the US...... They were everywhere, S-10's, Mazda, Datsun, Ford, Chevy, etc; they all made them and sold millions. They just didn't make enough money on them. So they pushed us up the sales ladder. And the factors you quite correctly suggest came into play and we bit the bait. The rampant prosperity of past decades didn't hurt either. It was only too easy to take on a little additional debt and buy that bigger truck (and stick it in your neighbor's eye ) whether one was needed or not. When I bought my full size Silverado a couple of years ago, I asked the salesman about the Colorado that was supposed to have long been released by then; he hemmed and hawed and muttered a few unintelligible things about corporate central thinking and profit margins and mutter mutter mutter. Lots of people wanted it, and they held it back to protect margins (imho).

[SunnySideUp]

The front end reminds me of an Audi. Just add a 3 more FIAT badges and some chrome trim to the front grill and you could call it an Audi T1 Allroad ("T" for "truck").




The FIAT truck also reminds me of the old Dodge Rampage. Neat little "sport pickup."



In my part of Arizona about 20% of the trucks sold to the public are used for anything that the vehicle is intended or designed for. Most are pimped out or jacked-up to the sky with wide tires and never see dirt.

[SoFlaFiat]

I feel bad now
I drove an F-250, crew cab, long bed 4x4 for 15 years until 5 months ago. When it finally died, I traded it in on an SUV thinking I could make do with something smaller. Last week I took it back and got another massive truck. I have a family of five and am in construction so I justify it. Could I do with a smaller truck? Sure, if I didn't spend any money on my Fiats and had a second car to drive the family around in. And... That would just be crazy!!!! Ha
Honestly, it's not jacked up with big tires, it gets used for work 6 days a week and not just driving around, but moving stuff and towing stuff, so I justify it by using it. Still, I do wonder about all the people who have big ass trucks and never carry more than groceries...

[njoconnor]

http://www.automotorblog.com/fiat-strada-pickup-unveile

If FIAT introduced this here would you buy one?

Not unless it had an all wheel drive option, for two reasons. 1st, having driven all manner of rear drive/front drive vehicles in Wisconsin winters, I am a firm believer in all wheel drive for both traction and slowing/stopping. On our typical winter surfaces, I'd rather have the output sent to 4 corners than 2, and engine braking on all four corners. In the summer, not as big an issue, though heavy rains can (temporarily) make things pretty slick. 2nd, front drive pickups pose an issue from load standpoint: put the usual stuff back there, and weight comes off the drive (and steering) wheels. This was probably the reason the compact front drivers (Dodge, VW, etc) never really caught on.

I agree that the current selection of pickups is way oversized. I really struggled with the idea of giving up my Dakota, which was "perfect" size for my regular trips to recycling centers, lumber yards, etc. Even though it was approaching 20 years old (and that old 318 really drank gas), it took Patty over a year to get me to look at something else. My current Ram 1500 IS too big in overall girth and height, but its diesel beats out anything else in mpg. And, yeah, Allen, I'm That Guy who usually only has groceries (or self) on board . But....it's why I have a Spider for nice weather driving! It's also the best all-weather long distance tourer Patty and I have owned. Until the manufacturers figure out a way to make the small stuff more profitable, it appears "right sized" (Dakota/Ranger/etc) trucks will be unavailable.

Neil

[georgeramos]

Please don't feel bad, no disrespect for drivers of big trucks what gets me is automakers completely dropping a segment, which was obviously popular, in favor of the total opposite because they can charge premiums for it. I get it but it sucks and I wish someone would get back on the ring...

[RRoller123]

It is really surprising that they haven't, considering the obvious demand. I think their accountants are over-worried about the obvious margin decrease. They could build it in Brazil, Mexico or China or wherever to help with that, but it would play into the social comments that were made below, and actually support that whole idea (I agree it exists) that there is a US market segment obsessed with having the biggest truck, kinda like that guy in the neighborhood with the biggest, baddest dog? (There, I have gone and done it and started another argument, so sorry, but I am just an argumentative bastard in general, and it best to just ignore me. )

[njoconnor]

Please don't feel bad, no disrespect for drivers of big trucks what gets me is automakers completely dropping a segment, which was obviously popular, in favor of the total opposite because they can charge premiums for it. I get it but it sucks and I wish someone would get back on the ring...

Hey, no worries, George! I appreciated the Strada post, since it was a surprise to me (and it's even called a Ram in Mexico!). Add AWD and and Abarth version.....now I'm REALLY interested.... I'm also confused by the turn away from what appeared to me to be an active market segment: Rangers, S-10's, Dakotas, Tacomas....they were all over for a while. One can hope.

Neil

[RRoller123]

I would be interested to see the statistic regarding the portion of pickup customers who purchase them for business? All of my large pickups were purchased exclusively for business, or in the case of the last one, to pull a 5th wheel. The explosion in popularity of Boating and RV-ing in the past two decades also explains a lot of the increased demand for larger pickups.

[aevansgatech]

Compact AWD Diesel pickups make so much sense.. unfortunately in the US bigger is better and common sense goes out the window for many truck owners

[baltobernie]

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2015/04/ ... about-you/

I love the drill press photo

[TX82FIAT]

That article sums it up. Thanks Bernie. good stuff. No need to use a sledgehammer to drive a penny nail.

Our perception and standard of living is out of whack. Grew up in a 920 Sq. ft. home. My college kids are very upset with me because I sold the 5000 sq. Ft home and bought a 2500 Sq. Ft home for my wife and I along with our youngest that will be with us a few more years.

You would not believe the number of people that asked if everything was alright when we moved to a smaller house.

[spiderrey]

This is my idea of a small truck. Diesel and 50 mpg. My gas saver. This is my old one. i have a white one now thats a running project.

Chris,s 81 rabbit truck with a 16v 2 liter out of an 87 Scirocco.