[jmpetroske]

I live in a town/area that has a high percentage of truck owners, definitely higher than i.e. west coast cities. An area with lots of people who do outdoor activities that a truck is nice or necessary for, and with people who do use their truck for work, and with people who drive trucks because it is what they are accustomed to. Among my friends and people I talk to, there is definitely some desire for more reasonably sized trucks. As another example, older used trucks (which are smaller) fetch a premium here compared to other areas. Nationwide, you can also look at the success of the Ford Maverick and even possible the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Personally, I don't understand these truck models, as they seem to be an inconvenient 4 door car with a truck bed that isn't really usable for much, but they indicate that manufactures are somewhat succeeding with the concept.

There is 100% still a large market for big trucks, but I wonder how the truck market will change in the future. My first car was an old ford ranger, which was in many ways the perfect vehicle for me. Reasonably sized, 2 doors, okay gas mileage, okay for light towing, and a bed that was usable. The modern small trucks are a completely different design, catering to a super cab design that can easily fit 4 people, and sacrificing bed space, and still end up significantly larger than older pickup trucks. This still seems completely non-functionable to me. It seems manufactures are realized customers want smaller trucks, but it is just catering to people who want a truck but don't actually need a truck? Will we ever see normal-sized functional pickup trucks in the US again?

[ty6853]

The biggest gaping issue with 2 door compact truck is car seats. When I was a kid we just squeezed in the bench of compact pickups or rode in the bed. Now both illegal (if there is no back there is exception in my state you can install 1 car seat up front, not illegal though ive been judged harshly for it due to paranoia campaigns). Hard to imagine a truck illegal for the family to ride in being profitable when the target new market is middle age middle class+ people who usually have at least one child or grandchild.

[jmpetroske]

Yeah I guess part of my point is that such market would probably be better served by owning a car instead. Most of these trucks with tiny beds I see have roll top covers or canopies on them anyways. If you need 4 seats and a some cargo space, there's tons of cars that fill that niche. Maybe I'm missing something in my understanding of people's desires, but I don't think its possible to have 4 seats, normal length truck bed, and not be a oversized gas guzzler