https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/f...k-price-specs/
Here in NZ/Oz we've been driving monocoque/car based utes (you call them trucks, which is super confusing considering they're nothing like actual trucks) for decades and loving it. Arguably they're an Australian invention. They do well because the fuel consumption and cost is a bunch lower than a bigger ladder frame ute since fuel is literally twice the price here vs the US, and because most folks like having a tray but don't need the cargo capacity of an F150. It also helps that bigger utes like the F150 aren't sold here anyway, we get the Ranger and nothing bigger. Toyota sell the hilux here, but the Tacoma is a no go.
Which is why it seems strange to me that neither Hyundai nor Ford will bring their new small trucks down under. They cite the cost of converting to RHD, but I'm sure they wont sell that well in the US. So here we're mostly driving Chinese and Korean utes alongside Hilux and Ranger and VW Amarok at the high end.
That said, looking at the Mav, I can see why they wouldn't bring it here. The styling is *very* american to the point I don't think it would sell that well here on looks alone. It just needs some wood panelling on the side to complete the effect
I wonder if there's some psychology going on. The US's full size pickup obsession maybe means everyone has them, and most folks wont deliberately choose something smaller and less capable than what all their friends have. Here, there are no big pickups to choose from, so that's not an issue. A midsize pickup is considered a large vehicle here.
Or, will the Maverick uncover a hipster/soccer mom market that weren't previously buying trucks?
Here in NZ/Oz we've been driving monocoque/car based utes (you call them trucks, which is super confusing considering they're nothing like actual trucks) for decades and loving it. Arguably they're an Australian invention. They do well because the fuel consumption and cost is a bunch lower than a bigger ladder frame ute since fuel is literally twice the price here vs the US, and because most folks like having a tray but don't need the cargo capacity of an F150. It also helps that bigger utes like the F150 aren't sold here anyway, we get the Ranger and nothing bigger. Toyota sell the hilux here, but the Tacoma is a no go.
Which is why it seems strange to me that neither Hyundai nor Ford will bring their new small trucks down under. They cite the cost of converting to RHD, but I'm sure they wont sell that well in the US. So here we're mostly driving Chinese and Korean utes alongside Hilux and Ranger and VW Amarok at the high end.
That said, looking at the Mav, I can see why they wouldn't bring it here. The styling is *very* american to the point I don't think it would sell that well here on looks alone. It just needs some wood panelling on the side to complete the effect
I wonder if there's some psychology going on. The US's full size pickup obsession maybe means everyone has them, and most folks wont deliberately choose something smaller and less capable than what all their friends have. Here, there are no big pickups to choose from, so that's not an issue. A midsize pickup is considered a large vehicle here.
Or, will the Maverick uncover a hipster/soccer mom market that weren't previously buying trucks?
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