Ford had teased what they are calling a "Model T" moment. Rumors are suggesting a Ranchero (El Camino) style EV is a strong possibility, as they have applied to patent the Ranchero name for use in an EV "pick-up truck".
They are touting affordability and Made in the U.S.A. I owned a 1969 Ranchero at one time that I recall fondly.
Sounds cool and I hope that it has retro vibes. I'd consider it.
Mine was almost identical to this, even the yellow color, black roof and wheels.
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https://www.tiktok.com/@nounsfest.animators/video/7450521755346685214
Nice photo @DrVenture / Would be happy to own that one. Yellow was an “in” color late 60s & early 70s. Got my first speeding ticket driving a yellow Pontiac Tempest.
One online chat response to how Americans transitioned from sedans and small cars to mammoth sized trucks:
”They regulated away our big cars like 90's Caprice, Crown-Vic, and even older-larger, so most of us who needed/used larger went to trucks, which weren't regulated at the time. The trucks in the 90's were just starting to get 3-doors, etc.. and it grew from there, because that's what demand was.
Now they are certainly big, and I love them and use every inch of them. But I would call then normal size. I'd like to see even a little bigger with some storage room behind the rear seats like the dodge mega cab thing had, but in a 1500.
“Stay away from our trucks you paper-pushing, nothing-better-to-do complainers/whiners.
Hazard my ass. Don't you ass's believe in safety? You're the ones that got 10 air-bags, etc.. put in our cars. You're the hazard of life. Stick to your city and small vehicles. We'll leave you alone with your choice, so leave us alone.”
I agree with only the first paragraph above. I remember when the
1980s1970s oil embargo hit and we waited sometimes an hour in line for gas. The government reduced the top speed nationwide to 55 MPH - even on expressways. And it was enforced (early on anyway). Government mandated EPA mileage limits went into effect on cars which needed to shrink in size and weight to meet them. Less popular “trucks” - viewed as work vehicles then - were exempt from these fuel efficiency limits. Consumers soon learned that pickups (and later SUVs) rode much better than cars due to being heavier. That was the top reason they began migrating away from cars. But also, trucks offered more cargo area. Soon they had back-seats as most cars had always had. And manufacturers began to equip them with the amenities people expected in cars (AC / upgraded audio / leather interiors).That in a nutty-shell is how we got from trucks being humble little-noticed (and cheaper) workhorses to expensive popular family vehicles. Government owns a lot of the blame. There are a lot of other reasons as well. I’ve heard that an aging population wanted higher, easier entry / exit vehicles. With rising incomes, some needed the towing capacity for boats or travel trailers. ISTM culture has changed as well with drivers now wanting to “stand out” / be noticed. (“My truck is bigger than yours! Don’t ask how much my monthly payments are.”)
I would define AWD, as opposed to 4WD, as having front wheel drive bias and/or no low gear on the transfer case. Perfectly fine for the vast majority of circumstances, but distinctly different in design.
BTW, today's announcement from ford specifies "plans to release a mid-sized EV pickup truck in 2027 with a starting price of $30,000". No mention of name or a retro design. They did say that they "found a path" to produce LFP battery cells in the U.S. and do not have to import them.
Exactly. And thankfully Toyota is now putting it on Camrys (as an option). I have it for the time ever and what a difference it makes in Michigan winters. I’d bought a couple new dedicated snow tires last fall for the old 2WD Silverado. That had been the “go to” vehicle on rough snow days. No more. Looking to sell those tires in another month or so as they’re nearly new & should fetch a good price.