The compact pickup truck segment of the auto market has been in a weird place lately. It wasn’t so long ago that it seemed like every manufacturer was fighting over who had the most youthful, appealing, “cool” small pickup. Since the early 2000′s though, competition in the segment has dropped and stumbled, leaving only two real competitors for the small truck king; the very dated Ford Ranger, and the current sales king, the Toyota Tacoma.
Rumors have been swirling about the Ranger’s demise for years now, and perhaps Toyota smells blood. The Japanese brand is said to be considering a small pickup truck for its floundering Scion brand.
In an interview with Ward’s Auto, Scion’s General Manager Jack Hollis said that a small pickup truck is “not off the table”. Sales of Scions in the US have dropped almost 50% as Toyota has failed to invest in any new car models for the aging “youth” brand. If there is one thing Toyota should know about today’s youth, it is that we want to be constantly engaged and excited about what is coming next. There hasn’t been anything to get excited about from Scion in some time.
A pickup truck could be just what the doctor ordered for Scion, but it would have to differ in key ways from the class leader, the Toyota Tacoma. Whereas the Tacoma is more of a utility truck for helping friends move their crap around, a Scion pickup would be more like “throw the sound system and strobe lights in the bed and meet me at the beach for the rave”. Or something.
I always felt like Scion tried just a little too hard to be “youthful”, and this isn’t their first foray into trying a pickup truck. Remember the Hako concept? No? That is probably for the best, but it was basically a two-door xB/mini-SUV with a covered bed. It was awkward. But the Toyota A-BAT (pictured above) wasn’t so bad, and it supposedly had a hybrid drive train too. But I guess it was too funky looking to be readily welcomed by the American public.
Nevertheless, Toyota has a unique opportunity to do something unique with a Scion pickup… like a hybrid. Or an extended-range electric pickup. Something that gets over 30 mpg while still looking and feeling like pickup truck without being as heavy duty as say, the F-150. Price it under $20,000, and you might have yourself a winner.
Source: Wards Auto | Image: Toyota
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About Christopher DeMorro
I really agree with your last paragraph. Give us an extended-range electric or hybrid option and you might see more people get engaged. Cheap and square probably wouldn’t do it for me as a member of the “younger market.” I’d just go find a used Toyota.
An extended-range electric or hybrid might also appeal to people buying small farm pickups, especially if accompanied by a farm vehicle classification in spite of the smaller size.
I really agree with your last paragraph. Give us an extended-range electric or hybrid option and you might see more people get engaged. Cheap and square probably wouldn’t do it for me as a member of the “younger market.” I’d just go find a used Toyota.
An extended-range electric or hybrid might also appeal to people buying small farm pickups, especially if accompanied by a farm vehicle classification in spite of the smaller size.
The only reason the Ranger lost out to Toyota is because Ford never updated the Ranger to keep up with the times. I wish Ford would get off the pot and build a “new” Ranger for the U.S. market. The Australian Ranger sho ain’t it. Hurry up Ford, I’m waiting.
The only reason the Ranger lost out to Toyota is because Ford never updated the Ranger to keep up with the times. I wish Ford would get off the pot and build a “new” Ranger for the U.S. market. The Australian Ranger sho ain’t it. Hurry up Ford, I’m waiting.
Was very interested when Toy advanced it with a diesel engine. Not interested in a hybrid. Give me the diesel as it was suppose to be.
I though the ABAT was a great idea… too bad they, didn’t go through with it.
I’m sure there’s a lot of people in the same boat here, I myself am looking for a small truck that has some ground clearance and gets great mileage. Im in a VW Jetta TDI (diesel car) and consistently get 46+ mpg, its not as fuel efficient as the prius but the diesel Jetta is at least bigger than prius, slightly hight off the ground and can fit nearly all of my camping gear… albeit very cramped – but a small truck would be great.
Some say “ditch the car… get a truck”, but i live far from work and cant justify 2 vehicles, yet current trucks get cruddy mileage. Still holding out for a hybrid version of the Ford “Transit Connect” van which looks promising… guess well see… but definitely a shame, when there are no real options for some sort of lightweight fuel efficient (modest 2.0L or hybrid) truck out there.
In the meantime ill be waiting…
I though the ABAT was a great idea… too bad they, didn’t go through with it.
I’m sure there’s a lot of people in the same boat here, I myself am looking for a small truck that has some ground clearance and gets great mileage. Im in a VW Jetta TDI (diesel car) and consistently get 46+ mpg, its not as fuel efficient as the prius but the diesel Jetta is at least bigger than prius, slightly hight off the ground and can fit nearly all of my camping gear… albeit very cramped – but a small truck would be great.
Some say “ditch the car… get a truck”, but i live far from work and cant justify 2 vehicles, yet current trucks get cruddy mileage. Still holding out for a hybrid version of the Ford “Transit Connect” van which looks promising… guess well see… but definitely a shame, when there are no real options for some sort of lightweight fuel efficient (modest 2.0L or hybrid) truck out there.
In the meantime ill be waiting…
What you have described as desirable sounds suspiciously like a 2011 F-150 V-6 except for the “too small to work” size.
What you have described as desirable sounds suspiciously like a 2011 F-150 V-6 except for the “too small to work” size.
@ steve
Ford is supposed to be bringing an electric version of the Transit Connect to America in the next few years.
@ ChuckL
That should come as no surprise; my father owns an F-150, I own an F-150, and I’ve found them to be very reliable, tough trucks.
Alas, Ford is going to kill the Ranger it looks like because America doesn’t want “small” trucks, they want big ones. Scion could have the market all to themselves if they actually do something about it.
@ steve
Ford is supposed to be bringing an electric version of the Transit Connect to America in the next few years.
@ ChuckL
That should come as no surprise; my father owns an F-150, I own an F-150, and I’ve found them to be very reliable, tough trucks.
Alas, Ford is going to kill the Ranger it looks like because America doesn’t want “small” trucks, they want big ones. Scion could have the market all to themselves if they actually do something about it.
Toyota: make the Scion iQ first! And, I fail to see the logic of making a small truck with four seats — if you need a truck, it has to be a truck first! If you want a flexible people mover, then buy a hatchback.
Sincerely, Neil
Toyota: make the Scion iQ first! And, I fail to see the logic of making a small truck with four seats — if you need a truck, it has to be a truck first! If you want a flexible people mover, then buy a hatchback.
Sincerely, Neil
I think that concept, is ugly, and doesn’t look practical. Young people that want small trucks dont want a bubbly spaceship looking thing. They tried to hard to make it look like a car. Young people like myself want a truck that is simple, useful, and capable off-road. For small trucks, the key word is small. It looks bulky and awkward. It needs to be more narrow like an 80′s toyota hilux. It reminds me of a honda ridgeline, and i dont see many people using those for work. The old saying K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) comes to mind.
I think that concept, is ugly, and doesn’t look practical. Young people that want small trucks dont want a bubbly spaceship looking thing. They tried to hard to make it look like a car. Young people like myself want a truck that is simple, useful, and capable off-road. For small trucks, the key word is small. It looks bulky and awkward. It needs to be more narrow like an 80′s toyota hilux. It reminds me of a honda ridgeline, and i dont see many people using those for work. The old saying K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) comes to mind.
Go Faster- I owned a 4wd v6 ranger and it was a terrible vehicle. The ranger hasn’t kept up because people bought them and then did brake jobs every 30k miles plus rebuilding transmissions twice in 130k miles (like me)- ridiculous.
My next ruck was a toyota tacoma TRD v6 4wd. and in 230k miles I have done the brakes maybe three times, and the only other mechanical failure was a fuel pump that died (at 215k miles- this may have been from bad gas too). It is a great truck and still holds resale value. THAT IS WHY IT IS THE KING RELIABILITY & VALUE.
When I saw the A-BAT I said to myself that is my next truck. I like the styling, I like better fuel economy, and if it is a little smaller then that is OK since I am getting a back seat in return. TOYOTA please make the A-BAT!
Until then, I think my Tacoma will still be running.
Go Faster- I owned a 4wd v6 ranger and it was a terrible vehicle. The ranger hasn’t kept up because people bought them and then did brake jobs every 30k miles plus rebuilding transmissions twice in 130k miles (like me)- ridiculous.
My next ruck was a toyota tacoma TRD v6 4wd. and in 230k miles I have done the brakes maybe three times, and the only other mechanical failure was a fuel pump that died (at 215k miles- this may have been from bad gas too). It is a great truck and still holds resale value. THAT IS WHY IT IS THE KING RELIABILITY & VALUE.
When I saw the A-BAT I said to myself that is my next truck. I like the styling, I like better fuel economy, and if it is a little smaller then that is OK since I am getting a back seat in return. TOYOTA please make the A-BAT!
Until then, I think my Tacoma will still be running.
That design definitely needs some work. The Japanese makers need to get some diesel engines in their truck lineups. But in the compact segment, its not as important. With the right design and functionality, small trucks could regain some market share.
That design definitely needs some work. The Japanese makers need to get some diesel engines in their truck lineups. But in the compact segment, its not as important. With the right design and functionality, small trucks could regain some market share.
i preferred the concept introduced in 2007
http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/future/scion/10scionxp.html
a 6′ bed with extra cab would be ideal.
you won’t get a hybrid for under $20K.
i love my ’08 XB automatic.
Interesting post. I think Scion branching out from just subcompact and compact cars is a good idea.