Fifty years ago, the idea of a suburban family selecting a pickup truck as one of their two primary vehicles was rather unheard of. Today, of course, that’s not the case, as products like Ford Mavericks are high on the shopping lists of those who don’t really spend much time doing “pickup things” at all.
Because of this, more and more car companies are trying to get on board with pickups. The question for today is, which brands that aren’t currently offering pickups should be? I’m not talking about making a ute out of some regular SUV or sedan; I mean which ones should make a ground-up new truck?
Recently we’ve seen that Kia is reportedly going to sell a pickup in the United States. They’re currently making a truck for other markets called the Tasman, a vehicle so ugly it’s almost appealing. Yikes.
We’re told that the supposed-US-market Kia pickup won’t look like this, but that doesn’t seem to be the issue. Maybe it’s just me, but does anyone really want a Kia pickup, regardless of the styling?
Personally, I miss the days when Mazda was a big player with mini trucks. Their legacy goes back over half a century, including rotary-powered pickups. They weren’t a mechanical or sales success, but what a cool idea!
After that, Mazda sold the popular and affordable “B” series (also offered as the Ford Courier) before, ironically, simply hawking rebadged Ford Rangers until 2009. I’d love to see a revived B-Series as something like a gas-powered Slate or something, wouldn’t you?
There’s even a Mazda pickup for sale now in other markets that’s a nicely reskinned Isuzu that we apparently won’t be getting. That’s a pretty nice-looking truck that makes me want a Mazda even more.
How about Lexus? If I’m spending absurd dollars on a loaded Toyota pickup truck, I wouldn’t mind spending a few more to get the Lexus dealership experience, as well as some higher-end interior trim. Somehow a Lexus-branded Tundra makes sense.
What about you? Maybe a Volvo pickup truck strikes your fancy? Let us know!
Top graphic base image: Toyota
Dodge. Dodge should make a truck called the Ram. Why in the names of John Francis and Horace Elgin is Ram a separate make?
I didn’t see a single Peterbilt. Who wouldn’t want a Peterbilt? So long as it has a manual and a large displacement diesel.
We had a Toyota Hilux from late 90s until i sold it in 2010 and i regretted that ever since, double cabin, two wheel drive, reliable, not too large, the next two generation the it became larger, Toyota sell it only with four wheel drive and made.
I remember many houses around here have one of the same generation because it was perfect pickup for the city.
To answer the question: Mazda or Mitsubishi.
I don’t think a luxury brand dabbling in pickups is a good idea. You’ll just have another Lincoln Blackwood. I think Hyundai/Kia would be ideal but not the (gag) Tasman. A new Mitsubishi Mighty Max would work and boost the company profile.
Hyundai took their shot with the Santa Cruz, which is now discontinued. Maverick Hybrids killed the SC.
Someone else needs to jump into the hybrid small truck game to put pressure on Ford. Slate isn’t the answer, maybe Stout if it ever gets out of vaporware. Fathom will only eat at Ford’s own lineup!
VW has some interesting trucks. Many brands make trucks for South America they should certify for the US.
Ferrari -Purosangamino
More seriously though, bring back the VW Rabbit pickup. Or that Tristar concept. Something small by anyone would have my interest.
I’d love to see Mazda and Mitsubishi re-enter the small pickup market with Maverick sized entries. Nothing bigger.
VW. They’ve struggled to capture more than 5% of the US market, and not having a truck has been pointed to as one of the underlying reasons. I still think the Tristar would have been a home-run: https://www.goauto.com.au/assets/contents/b4bf6224d69d33a8afcb04e809d72f497c8303aa.jpg