This is why I’m buying a slate truck

[GaRailroader]

You are arguing CAFE regs force manufacturers to not sell 2-door small pickups. I've shown 3 different ways that CAFE regs do not restrict small and mid-size pickups from offering 2-door cabs.

I stand corrected. When I indicated that a 2 door pick-up wouldn’t meet CAFE standards I was under the assumption that they were still doing footprint size. It appears now that requirements have changed to GVWR requirements In conjunction with various clearances. Please accept my apology.

 

[AZFox]

You are arguing CAFE regs force manufacturers to not sell 2-door small pickups. I've shown 3 different ways that CAFE regs do not restrict small and mid-size pickups from offering 2-door cabs.

What's your hypothesis regarding why no new small pickups exist?

 

[atx_ev]

And it wouldn’t meet CAFE standards.

cafe standards need to average

What's your hypothesis regarding why no new small pickups exist?

No new small pickups exist because cafe standards forced mfg to make the trucks bigger (by weight, footprint, or whatever).

Our gas prices are relatively low still so there isnt the push to smaller trucks. During the spike in gas prices around 2010, large trucks stopped selling and there was huge demand for the smaller versions. In europe there is a push for smaller cars and EVs because of high gas prices.

4 doors is much easier for 3+ people. 44% of trips are 2+ people. 40% of trips are one person driving alone. Most people with trucks primarily use them as cars.
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There is a market for small trucks for urban users who need to be able to park in smaller spots, but can still use the utility of a truck. But those in rural areas dont have any pressure to go smaller (via high gas prices or the truck being too big for the roads).

At home depot, early in the morning, you still see a ton of contractors in small 2 door trucks.

 

[KevinRS]

cafe standards need to average


No new small pickups exist because cafe standards forced mfg to make the trucks bigger (by weight, footprint, or whatever).

Our gas prices are relatively low still so there isnt the push to smaller trucks. During the spike in gas prices around 2010, large trucks stopped selling and there was huge demand for the smaller versions. In europe there is a push for smaller cars and EVs because of high gas prices.

4 doors is much easier for 3+ people. 44% of trips are 2+ people. 40% of trips are one person driving alone. Most people with trucks primarily use them as cars.
---------

There is a market for small trucks for urban users who need to be able to park in smaller spots, but can still use the utility of a truck. But those in rural areas dont have any pressure to go smaller (via high gas prices or the truck being too big for the roads).

At home depot, early in the morning, you still see a ton of contractors in small 2 door trucks.

And those small trucks are nearly all 10+ years old. It's getting so you see more contractors in the bigger 4 door trucks because that's what's available. I think if slate is successful, and gets production to the point where you can just order one and have it in a couple of weeks, it will become very popular with those contractors.
Somehow it seems even for commuters, carpooling has gone out of favor. park and ride lots I see that used to be near capacity now are near empty to 25% full in the middle of the work day, and driving on the freeway, nearly every vehicle has just a driver.