I highly doubt that any automaker will bring their overseas diesels to the states. Just too much emission bs now.

 

And US diesel fuel is garbage and too full of trash. I've heard VW is having a hard time because they brought over a nearly bullet proof small diesel from Europe over here. The US diesel has so much junk in it the pumps and injectors are failing all the time, in Europe they never fail. The crap clogs them up and wears out the inside. They have to remove every part of the fuel system from the tank on when it happens. Once they figured out the reason they had to redesign all of the parts to tolerate the trash. No company wants that kind of problem.

 

HMM, my son has a Jetta for 2.5 years now with zero problems.. wonder what could be? he gets aover 45 mpg and gloats about it...

 

I achieved 28.8 mpg over a 45 mile stretch of a freeway and a 50mph road where I only got stuck at one red light near the end (was at 29.9 when I had to stop at the light) But only ended up with 21.9 mpg for the tank. Avg for truck since I bought 1200 miles ago is only 17.9 mpg since I quickly got addicted to hearing the turbos spool up and drove like an idiot.

4x4 CrewCab 145" WB

 

Instead of thinking with your heart, think like an automotive business in the US.

How much less do you think it costs, to build less volume of a smaller body on frame truck............... than the current F150 with huge economies of scale??

I would think there probably is not much difference.

Does anyone find it odd that a manufacturer is either really successful with their compact truck.............. or with their fullsize truck............... but not with both together?? Toyota sells a bunch of Tacomas and can hardly give away Tundras. Nissan sells a bunch of Frontiers, but can't pay people to buy the Titan. Yet, for the Domestics, it is the opposite.

Everyone who clamors for a new Ranger, wants a truck with good capability, decent power, exceptional mileage.................. and for cheap. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. If it has the features and the mileage, it will be almost the price of the F150. Then, as now, most will just buy the F150 (they feel they get alot more for the money). Build it to be cheap, and it will be a car with a bed.

As for the 30mpg truck, your biggest hurdle will be aerodynamics. Everything that aids in fuel economy, takes away from the capability of a truck. Slick shapes that are low to the ground with skinny low rolling resistance tires does not a good truck make. This is why mileage for trucks falls on its ***, when you go faster. A brick is not efficient, especially when doing 80mph.

If you are willing to accept a car with a bed............ namely, a unibody small truck that has the same ground clearance as a CUV, then you can get your mileage.

BTW, Ford is working constantly, to lighten up their vehicles. It isn't going to be a huge "today we weigh 6000lbs, and tomorrow we weigh 5250," kind of thing. It will be incremental. Every part is being looked at, on all of their vehicles. "How do we make it lighter, without sacrificing strength and durability?" This is what is being done at all vendors, on all of their vehicles. You will start to see small amounts of weight dropping, as time goes on. The biggie, however, will be when they build a new frame, with lightweight materials. This is where the big savings will come.

Less weight = better economy.

Also, Ecoboost II is supposed to build on the existing success.

Remember this, when complaining about the fuel economy of your truck. My '03 Mazda Tribute (exactly the same as Escape up to 2007) AWD V6 had 201hp, weighed 3400lbs, and could tow 3500lbs. It was rated at 17/23 with the old ratings system. Under todays ratings, it would be exactly the same as the EB F150, which weighs 5000++lbs, has 365hp, and can tow 11,300lbs.

To me, that is pretty damn amazing.

 

You know, for the most part I agree with you but some I do not.

"Everyone who clamors for a new Ranger, wants a truck with good capability, decent power, exceptional mileage.................. and for cheap. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. If it has the features and the mileage, it will be almost the price of the F150. Then, as now, most will just buy the F150 (they feel they get alot more for the money). Build it to be cheap, and it will be a car with a bed."

I'm just saying my Tacoma was not cheap at all. I did get everything I wanted but leather (not offered in tacoma) and the sticker was 31K. I walked out paying 27K and got everything I every wanted in a truck. It's true that they could get me in a tundra for pretty close but it had the same engine as the tacoma and it was 2wD. The Tundra was fine, but I didn't need a big tuck at the time and got a bit more of the things that I wanted with the tacoma. So the tacoma went home with me.

I know there is not a huge market for mid-sized truck buyers because there are really only two that you could choose from. (nissan, toyota)

The Dakota looks like it was made in China and the Colorado is made in China.... And of course the ole' ranger that has not changed much since our 1993 Mazda B3000. I will say Chevy almost had a winner with the Colorado, decent looks, good fuel economy, offered the same options as they do in the full-size trucks, but where they failed was the size and build of it. They built another compact instead of a more mid-sized tacoma/frontier. Another downside was crash ratings. OMG, I feel sorry for anyone that has this truck.

It's a proven fact that America is down sizing everything and it's starting with our vehicles.

All I'm saying here is Ford has a really good opportunity to dominate the market. EVERYONE is talking about the new engines and know that Ford is on top of their stuff these days.

Like right now I'm looking to buy my wife a new vehicle. She loves trucks but she does not want another f-150. Trust me I tried to sell her on the ecoboost... no luck. She said it was just to big and we do not need two trucks. I know we don't need two trucks but I do know she loves trucks. She was a big fan of the tacoma. I'm almost 99% positive, if ford made a truck comparable to the Yota they would have a new customer right here. I'm sure many would break out the old wallet as well.

And yes we all know the numbers on the ECO and yes it is very impressive or in your words amazing. Good write up though. It sheds a new light on the thread!