Toyota Motor Corp. is looking into offering a compact pickup in the United States

You aren't dropping any hints to what this pipedream pickup's name will be are you?


Déjà vu

 

The Somnium

 

I’d rock any one of these thing for around town stuff

https://www.duncanimports.com/all-inventory/index.htm?compositeType=all&bodyStyle=Mini-Truck

And yes, Toyota makes a version as well called the Pixie (I think).

https://usminitrucksales.com/

 

Those are cool seeing those cab overs reminded me that if Toyota or anyone for that matter considering a compact truck model should build a compact van on the same platform.

 

The SantacCruz is a modern day Subaru Baja. It's bed is four feet and small change. It's a picnic-utility vehicle.

It won't be a huge seller like the Maverick. There aren't going to be a whole lot of people who buy a specialty vehicle to haul their 30 pound prepackaged bag of mulch and the occasional wet swimsuit. It's sales are going to 100% rely on the cute factor, which exactly was what led to the Baja's flash in the pan run.

 

Forget the truck. I sure could use a garage of that size.

 

This. Santa Cruz is a newer Baja, which was a compact version of the old El Camino concept cum Subaru Impreza. The Maverick is about as close to not-a-pickup-truck as you can get and yet still be a pickup truck. It is, no doubt. But it's utility is also severely compromised for real hauling, in favor of the unibody ride, lower production cost and compact car appeal. Regardless of in which category MT, C&D or Consumer Reports puts these vehicles, I'd say they are niche -- and only from time to time.

 

I would say that the Maverick at least has the ability to fill fleet and contractor sales. Its a perfect vehicle for exterminators, corporate janitorial/maintenance, couriers, and the like.

 

I saw a Subaru brat. Took this picture in panoramic and ended up with a cab-over by mistake.

 

This will hopefully happen, I think a smaller more basic truck for Toyota would be appealing to many.

 

I went to Duncan and tried to sit in all the different Kei trucks. but being 6'4" My knees were so implanted into the dash I could barely use the clutch and getting in past the steering wheel was like wearing the truck like a one size too small glove. I'd have to find a Jumbo model and modify the seat to make it work. I wanted to get a hijet and slam it with a motorcycle engine and plate it 'LoJet'

 

So your Tacoma did what it was designed to do and impressed the woman. Why do you want a smaller truck?

 

So does that mean we're going back to slammed mini trucks?

 

Looks like a George Barris custom.

 

ha the brat is cool. The only thing I don't like about a car based pick up is it's like driving a car. I want the visibility a truck offers along with the ability drive over rougher terrain or bad roads with out bottoming out and low profile tires that leap of the wheel just looking at a pothole. I want a truck because it drives like a truck. CUV picks don't offer that. I do think there could be a market for a CUV based pick up and the brat would be a good size vehicle. It's roughly the same size as a midsize regular cab which drives like a truck and still fits in the same size parking space as a CRV.

 

That would be cool and who does not like little trucks slammed to the ground? Lowered vehicles just aren't feasible for me as a daily driver.

 

I feel this deeply. I refuse to own any "stock" vehicle, so every car I've ever had has been lowered. After moving away from that scene and getting myself into a truck (and lifting it), I dream of snagging a little slammed daily driver to save some wear and tear on the truck/gas mileage, but the roads I drive seem to develop new potholes/go under construction nearly daily. I find myself dodging them, taking slopes at an angle, etc. like I'm still driving a lowered car, but sometimes I can't avoid them (or a piece of debris) and imagine how much carnage it would've done to a front lip/bumper had I been in a lowered car. For that reason, I expect I'll eventually do the thing I'll probably hate myself the most for, and buy a WRX. I can keep it stock height/build it rally spec and fulfill that tuner-car hole in my heart while maintaining something that can handle crappy roads. But I know I'll probably regret it bc it'll probably blow the motor within 20k miles

 

Couldn't agree more and I like lowered vehicles. Spor compacts are popular here but the roads are so terrible. Even a stock car can be to low for comfort.

 

Suspension is nearly due for my little car. Just about every option for aftermarket rides lower, though I have my eye on a nice "long travel" touring setup. I find it hilarious that long travel in the car world means it rides almost as tall as stock.

It's a great commuter. When I first got it I shredded a tire on a pothole. Then I thought, "huh. I guess I need to avoid those now."

 

As long as I’m Skatin’ on Daytons it’s all good….