Jon KeeganJan 23, 2023
Love this Axios Visuals look at the evolution of pickup trucks and their popularity in the US (and how they are used for shopping / daily driving much more than hauling boulders) . This view of the inversion of the ratio between cab and cargo bed tells the story. https://www.axios.com/ford-pickup-trucks-history
Pickup trucks have gotten bigger, higher-tech — and more dangerous

America has a unique love affair with pickup trucks — the Ford F-150, for instance, has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for more than 40 years. During that time, pickups have changed significantly: they’ve become bigger, more high-tech — and more dangerous.

Show threaddaryl  🤡
@jonkeegan I really wish someone would bring back a new version of the small truck, I mean the actual small truck, not small in comparison. 70s & 80s Nissan and Mazda had great little trucks similar in size to the HRV.
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:27pmWeb
Show threadMike DJan 24, 2023

@darylcognito @jonkeegan
There's a reason, the chicken tax.

#cars #autos #chickentax
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax

Chicken tax - Wikipedia

Show threaddaryl  🤡Jan 24, 2023

@md @jonkeegan well damn, who knew?!

thanks!!

Show threaddaryl  🤡Jan 24, 2023
@md @jonkeegan it also explains the birth of the Subaru brat!
Show threadJon KeeganJan 24, 2023
@darylcognito @md love the brat! More weird truck / car combos!
Show threadMike DJan 24, 2023

@jonkeegan @darylcognito
I wonder if the brat loophole would still work and so why no one uses it.

I know Ford used to import the Transit as a small passenger van only to remove the seats and windows once in the states to avoid the chicken tax.

Show threaddaryl  🤡Jan 24, 2023
@md @jonkeegan I wish someone would, there are some pretty choice Suzukis out there, granted would like to small size but with at least 180 hp
Show threadMike DJan 24, 2023

@darylcognito @jonkeegan
Slightly off-topic but I saw a Mitsubishi #Delica when dropping my car at the shop today. I was at loss for words as I had never seen one IRL.

Small #AWD diesel van. Yes, please!

Show threaddaryl  🤡Jan 24, 2023
@md not off topic at all. there are a couple in my neighbourhood. same with those fun tiny trucks. apparently they can be imported after a certain age.
Show threadMike DJan 24, 2023
@darylcognito
They can't be legally be titled in California and I failed to see if it even had CA plates.
Show threaddaryl  🤡Jan 25, 2023
@md oh that is a bummer! granted they are likely old enough to not meet environmental standards
Show threadJon KeeganJan 24, 2023
@darylcognito I bet that a small pickup like that that was electric would do great. Was hoping we’d see more innovative weird designs by now. I like Canoo’s idea of a base you can license out
Show threaddaryl  🤡Jan 24, 2023
@jonkeegan sadly it seems there is little innovation in the electric truck market, just heavier and boxy. there were some practical designs in the past that would look great updated with electric engines.