A possible answer to those wanting a small efficient pickup is sold just south of the border in Mexico: It's called the Chevy Tornado. In Brazil, where it's made, it's called the Chevy Montana; it's also sold in South Africa, but badged as an Opel Corsa Utility. It may be sold in other markets as well. So what's the scoop here?..
Well, it's powered by a 104hp 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, and goes from 0 â 60 in about 10 seconds. It's got a payload of 1,600 pounds, and has a bed that measures 66.5" long by 55" wide; not sure what the space between the rear wheel wells are, however.
Fuel mileage? Roughly 22 to 24 city and 30 to 33 highway, depending on engine/model spec.
Sort of sounds like a modern-day Chevy LUV, no? Think GM should consider "federalizing" it for sale hereâand soon? I do.
Full story here. ...And here's the Opel Corsa Ute site.
Fuel mileage? Roughly 22 to 24 city and 30 to 33 highway, depending on engine/model spec.
Sort of sounds like a modern-day Chevy LUV, no? Think GM should consider "federalizing" it for sale hereâand soon? I do.
Full story here. ...And here's the Opel Corsa Ute site.
gstill45 says:
06:28 AM, 06/13/08
This thing, regardless of what it looks like, would outsell the Pontiac G8 ST Camino whatever by more than 3-1. Fuel prices are driving the market right now, and this would give GM a big slice of the emerging small truck market.
firstwagon says:
07:52 AM, 06/13/08
Shame it's not rear drive but it still could be a success. Car based mini pickups never do well in the past (Rampage, Brat, Rabbit) but they might today.
rsholland says:
08:00 AM, 06/13/08
They do fine in other markets such as Australia, New Zealand and Africa.
gstill45 says:
08:52 AM, 06/13/08
I think the reason why the Ford Ranger is still selling is because it's the most fuel-efficient auto with a bed on the market today. Granted, they move a lot in fleet sales, but it also hasn't been updated in the last 12 years.
iskch says:
09:18 AM, 06/13/08
VW, Ford & Fiat sells that type of particular pickup in other markets.
hondacura4 says:
12:19 PM, 06/13/08
Even though the Ridge is much larger it got plastered for not being a "real truck". Hmmm...
rsholland says:
12:31 PM, 06/13/08
The reason is simple. it was aimed at families, not contractors.
festiboi1 says:
12:50 PM, 06/13/08
As much as I like the G8 Sport Truck, it is too expensive and performance oriented for most buyers out there. This is a similar concept, but is cheaper for the masses, has some utility (would be perfect for some contractors and small jobs) and has excellent fuel economy. This would sell so much better than the G8. Everytime I go to Mexico I wish they would bring these over here. Please GM!
flicmod says:
01:43 PM, 06/13/08
So what you're saying, Bob, is that if Honda changed it's marketing strategy to target contractors (ie. add popular utility accessories, make it more "construction friendly") and left the package 90% unchanged when the next-gen Ridge comes out, that Honda will sell more?
rsholland says:
02:07 PM, 06/13/08
What I would like to see Honda do is:
• Continue with the Crew Cab model, which is aimed at families.
• Add a "Cargo Cab" model, which is the Crew Cab minus the rear seats. GM offered such a truck 20 or so years ago. This model would offer a large storage area behind the rear seat, and would be cheaper since there is no rear seat.
• Add a Regular Cab model with an 8' bed.
____________
In addition, all these models would be beefed up to handle a 2000 pound payload. The current Ridgeline has a 1550 pound payload, so 2K is not much of a stretch.
I also want to see a 2-speed transfer case added to the option list.
Increased towing, up from the current 5K to 7K would be frosting on the cake.
Oh yeah, let's not forget a diesel option and a 6-speed tranny to replace the current 5-speed unit.
Finally—better styling!
All that should add up to much better sales. Keep in mind that not only do contractors buy pickups, but also all sorts of other commercial enterprises as well. The pickup market is not going to die because of high fuel prices. The vehicles just need to be better suited to the economic conditions.
moparbad says:
02:16 PM, 06/13/08
VW sells the Saviero in Brazil which is very similar to this Chevy, and for years I've wished VW would sell it in the US with gasoline and diesel.
For the Ridgeline I'd like to see three things, better mileage, cleaner styling on the exterior similar to 2008 and earlier Pilots, and smaller and lighter.
I expected Honda to offer something along the lines of a Subaru BAJA in terms of mileage, capability and size.
Subaru may have given up on the BAJA just as the market was moving toward BAJA type vehicles for those who don't need a "Truck".
moparbad says:
02:21 PM, 06/13/08
Only 33 mpg? how about 50 mpg http://news.windingroad.com/etc/vintage-literature-1964-honda-t500/ Honda T500?
firstwagon says:
02:49 PM, 06/13/08
You can still get trucks like that...
http://www.minitruck.ca/
santiagofdz says:
06:47 PM, 06/13/08
And it's cheap to purchase here in Mx, around 11K USD for the base model. But for sale in the US it would have to be a bit better equiped (it has no ABS for crying out loud). Also this is based on the previous gen Corsa, not the new one that's on sale in Europe, so I'm guessing if GM US would want to sell it there, it would be better off with something not designed for emerging markets.
But on that note, Ford US does surprise me. Ford México long ago has been relying more on the Europe branch than the US branch for cars (we get the Ka,Fiesta, Euro Focus, prev gen Mondeo, and now the Transit) and they have good sales. Those that say that the Euro Focus would be too expensive for the US don't realize it's on sale in countries with far less powerful economies, and not that dissimilar taste in cars.
bbechtel16 says:
08:59 AM, 06/20/08
I want to be impressed and feed the hype, but I think about a certain S-10 a friend of mine used to have. It was a "real" truck. It was BOF contruction, RWD, had a 2.5L "Iron Duke" I-4 (about the same hp and undoubtedly more torque), 5-speed manual transmission, got 30+ mpg on the highway, and was a joy to drive! This was circa 1988!
addisonbrown says:
10:20 PM, 06/23/08
Looks like a rebodied Fiat Strata. But the fornt looks like a Geo Metro. I know its not, but still.. kinda groovy in a dorky sort of way. How about its Auto Parts Resources are they reliable enough?