esevans

A few years ago at work, a minivan pulled up. Sliding door opened. Out rolled one of the biggest dudes you ever saw. Was sitting on the floor, seats removed from van.

F150 first became a work truck when it was introduced back in 1975. Had to wikiepedia that, I was only 6 at the time. I think it's more likely that the "personal use truck" is a more recent phenomenon. Mind you, I lived in farm country, so personal use/work could overlap significantly back in the day. Not being a product of the suburbs, I can only guess that there weren't nearly as many "personal use trucks" in the subdivision 30-40 years ago as there are today. Still rememeber people looking down on 6' beds as not being that useful. Rubber mats, roll up windows, no AC, metal dashes, three on tree. Fun times. Personal use trucks in my mind really took off in the mid-late 80's, Growing up, I saw very few trucks that didn't have a completely scratched (gouged) up bed after a few years from work use. Now, it's almost rare to see a standard, bare bones work truck. Most "work trucks" seem to be second-hand upmarket trucks, much like mine is (2000 F150 that I leave parked 90% of the time). People searching for a personal use/weekend truck are really better served in the used market. Never owned a Ranger, think I've ridden in one once, so I can't say I'll miss it. I have done considerable seat time in small toyota's and nissan's though, so I can see why some will miss them. However, all this commiserating over the dead Ranger leaves me confused. On one hand, the people buying the top of the line Ranger, can ease themselves into an F150, if not new, the slightly used, for similar money. The low end stripper model buyer can just hang on to theirs longer, go to another manf. or buy used (if they actually need a truck). I can understand the size issue, since I drive mine so little, I can't seem to get totally comfortable parking in some spots. IMHO, trucks parked in the garage waste garage space (unless it's a classic). I just don't get all the angst over the dead Ranger. In my mind, Ford has bigger things to worry about than the Ranger. 1. Fix Lincoln 2. Continue on the path with their cars. 3 Get the SUV/CUV thing right 4. Keep on improving/upgrading F-series . .... ..... 5. When everything is humming along, if they can find room for the T-6 or whatever it is at the time, and if it is profitable, bring back the small truck. They'll lose a few customers, but they really arent in the business of counting customers. As a shareholder, I would rather they count profits.

All you really need to see in that video is the Volt vs. F150 sales statistic. That's a real good comparison. When contracts are up at Fox News, they should contrast their viewership, with hot dog sales in the US. Surely a few billion wieners more are sold every year than their total viewership. Therefore, everyone should get fired/severe pay cut.

I'd say we'll see Mahindra's small truck here, along with a Chinese car with a growing fanbase, before Carbon gets past (not sure they will) vaporware stage.

This just really bothers me. Go ahead and let manufacturer's tell you what to think.

You're right and wrong at the same time. I agree they are different cars, and most buyers won't consider a corvette. Buyers with the budget and who have no need for a back seat (alot of mustang buyers since the beginning) can cross-shop the high end mustangs with the corvette. IMO, alot of people cross-shop cars in different segments when the prices overlap. Ex. loaded focus vs. entry mustang.

University in my town just purchased an apartment complex to tear down and pave a new parking lot. Parking decks are too expensive I guess. Strap a bike to your chevy, use on campus parking, and still have a 2-3 mile ride to class.

You do realize that in your scenario, the crash would have never happened had the American public been more fiscally responsible, therefore negating the need to drill baby drill? Lower oil prices would definitely benefit the economy. However, the average American needs to learn to save for a rainy day. If we had any sort of a decent savings rate in this country, the price of gas in your scenario wouldn't have had such an ill effect on the economy (I basically agree with your scenario). And I do think you have a point. But we ain't going to drill our way to prosperity no matter who is in the White House. We might however, deleverage our way to a more right-sized prosperity.

I remember back in the 1980's, my parents had an employee pick me and my cousin up from private school on a regular basis in an old broke down Maverick. The car was ugly, the woman was ugly, when she couldn't make it, her son drove the car, and he was ugly (think Onslow or his wife from Keeping Up Appearances). All the while upperclassmen driving away in their nice shiny Regals (were actually popular amongst the teens), Preludes, Jeeps, etc. Why she had an old crappy Maverick is beyond me, since she was embezzling.

I completely get what you're saying. However in your example, the family has instant savings of $70k by renting instead of buying, and another $10k by not buying a new car. With that $80k, they can be alot more comfortable financially by delaying gratification, or scaling back. I'm sure housing is much more expensive in NJ than NC as a rule. In most of NC $150k would get you a decent house in a decent neighborhood. A $40k car isn't a necessity. Having a financial cushion is a necessity (especially with kids) IMHO. The problem is, at least according to the OP (haven't read the source material), that alot of $100-150k households are living paycheck to paycheck. I know people like that, I used to be one of them. Living paycheck to paycheck while making a decent living is ridiculous. A couple of unforseen events, a few missed payments here or there, your credit is dinged, and you're on a downward spiral. A friend of mine does collections/repo's for a chain of furniture stores. Countless times he's gone into the ghetto and repo'd flatscreens. A couple making $100k a year living paycheck to paycheck is no better off (nor more intelligent) than the clown in the ghetto that had his 60" LCD repo'd out of his 10x12 bedroom (true story).

"In a recent study "Financially Fragile Households: Evidence and Implications," published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, 28% of respondents said they "certainly" would not be able to put together the $2,000 in 30 days, while 22% said they "probably" would be unable to do so. These respondents were in households making between $100,000 and $150,000 annually." That is beyond ridiculous. There are no words for someone who makes 100K a year, and aren't sure they could come up with $2000 in 30 days. A typical guy with a family making that scratch should be able to come up with at least 10K after a short drive to the bank. Probably should be able to come up with 50K in an emergency by moving some things around in a few days, and not touching retirement funds either. Proves to me that there are a lot of absolute morons making good livings while other, infinitely more capable people struggle to get by.

Most businesses can be run out of a small car. It's just that the typical small business owner (at least in my neck of the woods) needs a F350 Crew Cab 4x4 Diesel to run errands, and/or prove their manhood/signifcant other's manhood. I really like Bill Ford. I read about is idea of an increased gas tax once, and I thought he had valid points. I believe that was before the economy tanked, or at least I realized it had tanked. The majority of people can't handle a buck a gallon tax hike right now, whether or not they realize it. Lt. Dan has no clue whatsoever. People will buy the Cruze, Volt, etc. when they want to. Many are moving into smaller cars even as we speak, which is what they should have done after the last gas price spike. I know I parked my F150 (which did more work than most of the aforementioned F350's), and now I drive a Focus for 90% of my work related duties. And the Cruze and Volt aren't garbage either. The Volt may not be all that, but the Cruze is a fairly worthy car. Might as well call the new Focus "garbage-lite". While Lt. Dan runs GM off the rails, Mullaly and co. are doing right by Ford IMHO. Build good small cars with good mpgs that people want, rinse and repeat for midsize, etc. etc. etc. A $1 gallon gas tax hike would move people into more fuel efficient cars quicker. But IMHO, wreck the economy definitely in the short term, maybe longer. Not a good plan if your goal is to sell ever more new cars and trucks. Were that to happen, Lt. Dan wouldn't have to speculate about Lincoln being "done", he'd be busy brushing up his resume, what would be left of it.

I'm pretty sure in his universe, sales don't matter. On the other hand, if the Tundra was a super duper huge success and took the market by storm, sales would matter to him. It would be evidence that the tide was turning, and domestic buyers had finally seen the light. On the other hand, he does make some interesting points. Brand loyalty for instance is a pretty big deal. At least until a Ford, GM or Dodge buyer gets a truck that puts them down. Then brand loyalty goes out the window pretty quick. Most of his other points are IMHO pretty useless concerning truck buyers. An interesting thing from the comment section: "As far as the drivetrain is concerned: I only have 15k miles on my Tundra, but absolutely no hiccups whatsoever from the driveline both towing and hauling as well as a commuter vehicle. I wouldn’t drive anything else." I would hope with 15k miles, the truck would do its job and then some. Of course, I doubt he'll own the truck when it hits 115k, but if he did would there still be no hiccups? Never drive anything else? I mean I know people who have minor issues with cars after 100k and they think because the starter went out the car is a lemon. I'm a pig when it comes to cleaning a vehicle, and I'm sure after 15k miles, my vehicle would still have that new car smell. A trucks worth isn't known after 15k miles (unless you bought less truck than you needed). More like 115k.

While I think Toyota probably had a problem, maybe some covering up (who knows), I suspect alot of the complaints were just bad drivers. People love to pile on and complain about problems real or perceived when others do. BTW, I've had unintended acceleration on my 2003 Focus. I should complain about my size 14's inability to at times locate the correct pedal. I'm sure there are other well endowed dudes who've had this problem as well.

I'd be suprised if he did see many with 120K+. By the time alot of cars reach that mileage, trips to the dealer are only for specific service an independent shop can't or won't do. I know the Northstar had/has some issues, but they're not necessarily boat anchors past 100K. People just don't service their cars like they should. I suspect a Caddy with a Northstar can last quite a while with proper service. I've seen many at salvage auctions with 150K+. However many used Caddy buyers are already stretching to buy the car, and aren't going to keep them up. After awhile, the repair costs are greater than the cars value, and it's pretty much worthless.