Dear Truck Trend,
You indicated there were many reasons why Ford was barring Americans from bringing the new Ranger to the U.S. I had heard they didn't want to "cannibalize" F-150 sales. I suppose GM could have used that argument, too, though we still may get the Colorado. Ford seems notorious among the domestic automakers in excluding the U.S. market from its vehicles. It's indicated it wants a OneFord policy, but I doubt it will ever be really implemented. In my travels last year, I saw sporty Fiesta coupes in Europe, nice Falcons (sedans and wagons) in Australia, and other El Camino-type vehicles from other U.S. manufacturers. Why can't we in North America have as many choices? Are we considered so unsophisticated that manufacturers (even American ones) give us less than more deserving (at least in their eyes) nations get?
Bob Foessett, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.)
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Dear Reader,
It is incredibly frustrating to see all these terrific pickups that are sold around the world, but not in the U.S. After speaking with several manufacturers about what it would take to get some of them here, there were two limitations that they consistently mentioned. First, they insisted that people who buy trucks have specific towing and payload expectations (which is why we don't get some of the smaller trucks or the car-based 'utes). Second, we kept hearing there isn't a "business case" for bringing some of the trucks here. That means they believe the cost of making the trucks emissions and safety compliant to North American standards would keep the trucks from earning a profit at the price buyers are will ing to pay. The F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., so you can understand Ford's reluctance to sell a vehicle that might canibalize its sales, while GM is eager to offer a truck that might steal some F-150 customers.
-Truck Trend
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