Report: Chrysler Considering Small "Lifestyle" Pickup
As sales continue to decline for compact pickups, Chrysler is now talking about introducing a "lifestyle" pickup, similar to the Dodge Rampage concept from a few years back (pictured above). This news comes right on the heels of GM announcing that they will not be building the Pontiac G8 ST, a vehicle which would fall into the same type of category.
Chrysler's current small truck offering, the Dodge Dakota, continually sells in smaller volumes than its Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger rivals, even though the Dak had a somewhat substantial refresh for the 2008 model year. According to the Detroit News, this new unibody "lifestyle" vehicle could be introduced as the successor to the Dakota.
The Pontiac G8 ST would have been the only vehicle of its kind in America, so if Chrysler comes through with a similar product, it could potentially be in high demand for consumers who need pickup versatility without having to sacrifice car-like fuel economy and drivability.
Comments
mo
looks just like the idea of the honda Ridgeline which is never seen except at dealers.
TheStig
It looks like a baby Honda Ridgline, and fairly useless.
Or maybe GM scrapped the G8 ST because they're planning on picking up the design plans for this when Chrysler implodes in a couple of months.......
chartguy
I will never understand a unibody truck. By definition, their carrying capacity is limited. So, why bother with the bed, if you can't use it for something heavy?
Ducati Minor
The pickup, like the SUV, has become more luxuried, a product emphasizing passenger comfort with versatility, more than true utility. Look at the Ford F-150 King Ranch Edition (or whatever the hell it is), or the Lincoln LT.
Russ Bellinis
I think chartguy and Ducati Minor are both right. The days when people will buy trucks that are optioned out to the "nines," Texas Cadillacs if you will, are probably over. People were buying large, gas guzzling pickups as second cars because the hauling capacity was useful. I suspect the future of the pick up market will be the more traditional truck buyer consisting of those who need the towing capacity for towing boats or trailers (probably more inclined toward suv's), farmers, ranchers, contractors, and businesses needing a truck. As such, a unit body truck is an oxymoron. There is probably a market for small pickups for some contractors who don't need a full size truck, gardeners, etc.
I am coming to the conclusion that Chrysler's biggest problem may be their parts distribution system. I have a 2004 Dodge Dakota. I liked the truck until the week between Christmas and New Years. It has been reliable, economical considering that it is hauling a 2000 lb tool box full of tools bolted to the front of the bed, and I bought it because the bed is a few inches wider than the rest of the compact pickups on the market. The ses light came on and I took it to my local Dodge dealer. The ecm is out and needs replacement which is covered under the 8 year/80,000 mile power train warranty. There was supposed to be a spare in San Francisco that they ordered for me. I took the truck in after the first of the year, and the ecm was not in and they told me to check back in a week, that there was no eta for the part! If it was a GM, or Ford product, the part would have been available in a local warehouse somewhere. How can a part as important as the ecm not be readily available anywhere in North America, or at least Chrysler seems to have no clue as to availability since the dealer has no eta for the part! At least the truck is still drivable, so I'm not losing business or having to rent a truck; but I think not having spare parts available is not acceptable. It really doesn't matter what vehicle Chrysler develops, as far as I'm concerned from this day forward Chrysler is out of business. I will continue to drive and maintain the Dakota until it wears out, but I would not buy another Chrysler vehicle. A company that cannot do a better job with parts availability does not appear to be salvageable to me.
bmwloco
Small truck sales in decline?
Only because no one sells them anymore. Believe me, I know plenty of folks in the trades who would love to have a small, fuel efficient truck to drive and use.
I have a friend, a carpenter, who wants to replace his 10 year old Tacoma Twin Cab 4x4. Nothing in the class is available now.
Maybe the rebadged Nissan Suzuki truck will suffice.
Ducati Minor
Russ, I am sorry to hear about your repair problem. That is a real issue. Of all the smaller pickups, the Dakota has been my favorite--especially when it had the V-8. Truth be told, the V-8 didn't offer the real power the Dakota needed compared to the V-6 Japanese pickups. I still liked it.
I may take flack for saying this, but I believe the Ridgeline is the best midsize pickup on the market. It's a not heavy-duty truck--and not meant to be. It's a very accommodating vehicle in between the middle and large classes, with innovative features, and a standout design. The Tacoma is more varied, and good in all areas. But how GM and Ford let their small/midsizers fall behind is a shame. Inside word is that GM has no plans to replace the Colorado or make a major overhaul.
To me, the midsize class makes far more sense to general buyers than the 1.7 million folks who buy full-sizers each year. It's one thing to be in the construction or farming industries, it's a whole other thing to be a realtor or store manager. I just find it absurd how 80% of those buyers don't need a pickup and 15% could manage with a midsizer. I know that a big factor in that was from automakers and their bizarre pricing systems. Everyone, consumer and seller, acted illogically in this area.
Mark in Maine
I own a '96 Dakota ext. cab 4x4, and I like it because it isn't a toy like my S-10 was - it is truly a midsize truck. It has adequate room inside, and has a decent-sized bed. The truck is dead reliable - starts, runs and drives, and asks for very little other than routine upkeep. I'd love to have a full-size pickup to run, But like Ducati said, it doesn't make much sense to own a big one when I can get by with a midsize - it's a vehicle that I don't use every day. I think there will continue to be a market for 'Texas Cadillacs' - there are folks who won't drive anything else - But these trucks will begin to occupy a much smaller segment of the market than they have in the past. Perhaps unibody pickups will increase in popularity among people who'd like a truck, but don't need to pull a horse trailer, or mount a big toolbox. I like the Ridgeline, too - there are a lot of them up here - but I do think there is a niche for something that looks like the Dodge concept shown up top. I had a Jeep Commanche years ago for a spell - That was a practical unibody truck . . .