[tcrlaf]

From a conversation I had with a Ford Exec on an airplane a while back, the Ranger’s biggest problem is that people who buy them, expect to use them the same way as they do the big pickup, meaning hauling, towing, plowing, etc., often beyond what they are capable of.

That leads to a higher consumer complaint rate.

Ford also felt the Ranger, for the very same reasons listed above, was cutting into F-150 sales. Well, the increase in Colorado sales pretty much killed that idea. It now sells more than the Frontier, and is catching up to the Tacoma, as of Feb. 2015.

There has been talk of Fiat offering it’s new Mid-Size pickup, based on the next-generation Mitsubishi L200 model and built in Latin America, as the 2017 JEEP Pickup.

[Justa]

“There has been talk of Fiat offering it’s new Mid-Size pickup, based on the next-generation Mitsubishi L200 model and built in Latin America, as the 2017 JEEP Pickup.”

My understanding of the Ford Ranger is that it is actually a re-branded Mitsubishi L200. I drove one of those in the SWA and it was flawless. It had 4x4 plus inter-axle lock. It could go through mud and wadis practically like a tank. With the US Ford Ranger I couldn’t get all the options to match what I drove overseas so I never bought it.

I would probably go with a Toyota Tacoma but there is a high premium for these pickups in the US market.

If Fiat is offering a re-branded L200 I would say that would be the one to get. A maxed-out L200 supercab is an awesome little truck!

[Rodamala]

I would pay $30k for one if VW retooled and started making the A1 frame pickups again with a 1.6L 4 cylinder naturally aspirated diesel.

I still have my A2 Jetta diesel... 315k on the odometer... still gets nearly 40MPG.