Midsize Ram pickup? Too costly, brand boss says

[jpd80]

LINK

 

NEW YORK -- Ram brand boss Bob Hegbloom says he can't make numbers work to fit a midsize pickup

into the brand's lineup. The key sticking point? The price of higher fuel economy.

 

Despite rival General Motors' launch of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, Hegbloom says he

doesn't see a way to offer a Ram along the lines of the Dodge Dakota, discontinued in 2011.

 

He said that in the 1980s, the heyday of midsize pickups, customers bought pickups that had less capability

than full-size pickups, but were considerably smaller, less expensive and "had incredible fuel economy."

 

"When you look at those four factors, that's truly what a midsize pickup customer is looking for," Hegbloom said

in an interview at the auto show here. "I've been able to develop a strategy to come up with three of the four --

and even with what's out there on the market today, I haven't seen anyone who can deliver on all four."

 

In today's market, "incredible" fuel economy probably would mean 35 mpg highway, he said. The Ram 1500

with a diesel engine has an EPA fuel economy rating of 29 mpg highway. The Colorado and Canyon pickups

top out at 27 mpg highway. "If full-size now is pushing 30 [mpg], you're going to expect a midsize to be at least at 35,"

Hegbloom said. "You're also going to expect it to be significantly less expensive. But to bring the technology in to

deliver on 35 mpg, then you're going to raise the price."

 

Using a small diesel could get a midsize pickup to 35 mpg, he said: "But if you do that, you also have the expense

that goes along with it. Now you've got a price point consistent with a full-size truck."

[jpd80]

Seems like Ram has same issues as Ford, getting the right combination of reduced capability, size, weight and price is hard.

[twintornados]

Also, commonly known as "The Ranger Conundrum."....

[Pioneer]

Ram also has the problem of loading the hoods of their trucks with cash. My brother-in-law just traded his lease in 7 months early. He traded an extended cab 2 wheel drive v6 for a crew 4x4 with a v8 and his payment went down!

Edited April 6, 2015 by Pioneer

[Fgts]

Looking around the net Ram my also consider a modified rwd version of the Dart/Giulietta platform for a smaller pickup.

[jpd80]

Looking around the net Ram my also consider a modified rwd version of the Dart/Giulietta platform for a smaller pickup.

It sounds like Ram has been looking at every angle to get this done but the problem ermains that they can only get three of the four parameters in the chosen envelopes:

 

"When you look at those four factors, that's truly what a midsize pickup customer is looking for," Hegbloom said

in an interview at the auto show here. "I've been able to develop a strategy to come up with three of the four --

and even with what's out there on the market today, I haven't seen anyone who can deliver on all four."

 

[probowler]

By itself, it sounds like a FWD/AWD Unibody El Camino type vehicle would have the best shot of obtaining all 4 of those points

 

IMO you'd be better off buying a car, putting on a hitch and buying a small trailer...you could easily rent a truck if you need a bed to fill with dirt for that project you had that one time...

 

I would never personally own a pickup truck unless I was in the buisness of construction or farming...So many better daily drivers out there

Edited April 6, 2015 by probowler

[fuzzymoomoo]

Probowler brings up a good point. You can get a hitch for pretty much any car out there. My dad had one on his '02 sable and he's planning on putting one on his Fusion soon when he moves. I had one on my escort and my mom's neighbor has one on his Taurus wagon he uses to tow a 21 foot fishing boat.

[fordmantpw]

customers bought pickups that had less capability than full-size pickups, but were considerably smaller, less expensive and "had incredible fuel economy."

 

Can you say Transit Connect pickup?

 

I think Ford will come out with a smaller truck, and they will do it right.

[NLPRacing]

If FCA comes out with a mid-size truck, it won't be a Ram, it will be a Jeep. It will be based on a Jeep Wrangler and will probably sell for more money than a Ram 1500. That's why Ford needs to bring back the Bronco, and offer a Bronco "pickup" before Jeep does. It should be similar in size to the old Hummer H3 SUT and Sport Trac, but should be offered in a regular cab with a 6' bed and a crew cab with a 5' bed. Something like this would be smaller than an F150 and could sell at higher ATP's than any mid-size truck, making it profitable without having to sell it in huge volumes. Just a thought...

[grbeck]

If FCA comes out with a mid-size truck, it won't be a Ram, it will be a Jeep. It will be based on a Jeep Wrangler and will probably sell for more money than a Ram 1500.

Remember the Jeep Scrambler from the 1980s?

Edited April 6, 2015 by grbeck

[NLPRacing]

Remember the Jeep Scrambler from the 1980s?

Kind of, except now it would run more than 50,000 miles before completely falling apart.

[630land]

If Ford brought out a new Ranger, the same size as the new GM things, the purists would not buy it. They would say "Too big".

 

If have to have a 'mid size', then go get one from other brands. Ford will survive.