This is why I’m buying a slate truck

[GaRailroader]

Because I'm a geek, I read the CFR (40 CFR Part 600) - I used to do such things for my profession. The CFR has definitions for wheelbase and track width in the reg. with citations to the meanings. Click on the hyperlink to the meanings of each and as of 1/3/2017 the definitions are no longer provided by the CFR. That seems to indicate the "footprint" criteria-based CAFE was sunsetted as of January 2017. Reading the 40 CFR Part 600, which is the current regulation for determining CAFE makes no mention of vehicle size and footprint.

BTW, I bought new a 1987 Ranger STX, regular cab with a 7' bed. Awesome truck. When I bought my 2022 Bronco I was expecting something a bit smaller in size, but I have to say now having owned it for the past three years, it seems right-sized. Being the Gen 6 Ranger is the same platform as the Bronco, a 2-door regular cab Ranger with a 6' foot bed would be perfect for my needs. I was really hoping Ford was going to make a 2.3L EcoBoost manual transmission Bronco Pickup to compete with the Jeep Gladiator, but Ford was just teasing. LOL. I could pare down to just one ORV if Ford offered the Bronco Pickup and not bother with a Slate.

It looks like they are now pushing them to have a higher GVWR in order to get classified as non-passenger car for efficiency standards. Ford Rangers now have a GVWR of 6050 pounds just over the 6000 lb threshold. My 1st truck was a 1992 Ford F-150 Reg Cab SWB with 5800 lb GVWR, 2nd was a 2006 Ford Ranger Reg Cab SWB with 5000 GVWR and my last one was a 2019 Chevy Colorado Ext Cab with 5500 GVWR. Current Ford Ranger has higher GVWR than my full size truck from 1992.

 

[E90400K]

It looks like they are now pushing them to have a higher GVWR in order to get classified as non-passenger car for efficiency standards. Ford Rangers now have a GVWR of 6050 pounds just over the 6000 lb threshold. My 1st truck was a 1992 Ford F-150 Reg Cab SWB with 5800 lb GVWR, 2nd was a 2006 Ford Ranger Reg Cab SWB with 5000 GVWR and my last one was a 2019 Chevy Colorado Ext Cab with 5500 GVWR. Current Ford Ranger has higher GVWR than my full size truck from 1992.

So, then any of the Ranger, Colorado, Taco, or Frontier can be sold in a 2-door configuration and vehicle size has nothing to do with it, like I initially said. GVWR is just a number. The current Taco and Frontier sell a 2-door, RWD truck.

 

[GaRailroader]

So, then any of the Ranger, Colorado, Taco, or Frontier can be sold in a 2-door configuration and vehicle size has nothing to do with it, like I initially said. GVWR is just a number. The current Taco and Frontier sell a 2-door, RWD truck.

GVWR is not just a number. It has to be able to be loaded to that weight and handle safely. If you build a Slate size ICE truck and put springs on it to support a 6000 GVWR it will ride like a brick.

 

[E90400K]

GVWR is not just a number. It has to be able to be loaded to that weight and handle safely. If you build a Slate size ICE truck and put springs on it to support a 6000 GVWR it will ride like a brick.

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.

 

[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?

 

[E90400K]

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

The market likes midsized trucks, mostly with 4 doors.

 

[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.