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The American predilection towards large trucks, and especially towards those of domestic design/labeling, is one of those quirks of "American Exceptionalism" that paces the dialog on culture and national identity.
My opinion is that the larger Japanese trucks don't differ much from most models of the half-ton American trucks, just as most offerings from Cadillac don't differ much from those of Lexus. In today's automotive industry, across most vehicle-classes and price-points, one nation's advantage over another is small, and declining further. Brand loyalty far outstrips actual differences in quality or performance. But with full-sized trucks, brand-loyalty is especially intense.
But the above notwithstanding, the Big-3 American manufacturers do have one notable advantage: they build 3/4-ton and 1-ton (2500 and 3500 series) trucks, and even larger. Imported trucks are limited to the 1/2-ton (1500) range. American monopoly of heavier-duty trucks is important not merely for that market, but for image and brand-identity. The half-ton trucks might be comparable amongst all manufacturers, but if Toyota or Nissan don't offer a 3500-series truck, they appear effeminate and insincere in their attempt to penetrate the US truck market.
The chicken tax argument really doesn't hold too much water anymore. Plenty of foreign branded vehicles built in the US/NA.
I see it as three main issues:
1. Lack of HD trucks. If you want a 2500+ truck, American is the only option. The Ford F-150 isn't the best selling vehicle in America, the F-SERIES is. HD truck are a big chunk of the market.
2. Dealer network. A lot of trucks are bought by folks living in rural areas. The only car DEALER within 50 miles of them might be a Ford/GM. Foreign dealers just don't have as good of a rural dealer network. No one wants to drive 200mi round trip for service.
3. Fleet sales/service network. Almost all fleet vehicles are American branded. They go for the volume game. You hardly ever see any fleet Tundras/Titans, that's for a reason. Nissan doesn't even make a regular-cab fleet-spec Titan.
A couple other contributing factors:
Brand loyalty/pride
Focus- The bread and butter of Japanese carmakers are sedans and small/mid sized suvs, typically 4/6 cyl. This is their focus. For american makes, it's large SUVs, Trucks and Sports/Muscle cars with big V8s. Each has their own strengths.
I don't know if this is still true or not. I was at our autoshow about 4-5 years ago and was looking at a top Tundra, price was $65k. I then walked over to a F-350 four door, King Ranch edition leather, every option with a diesel for $65k. Why would I buy a 1/2 ton with tons less power, strength, and towing for same price as a 1 ton diesel?!?!
I thought I read within last year that Toyota was somewhat planning to discontinue the Tundra because of lackluster sales?
Unless the Ram won, and then u'd be like, "see, this is proof America is #1".
Tundra can tow a freaking rocketship. The Ram just sits there with no traction. Just like their Commercials, "Like a Rock". LOL
Yeah, not quite. There are videos like this all over the web pitting manufacturer A against manufacturer B. All are equally meaningless. Do the same thing with 2 identical Toyota Tundras and the net result is the same. Does that somehow make one Tundra better than the other?
Btw, "like a rock" is Chevy's tagline, not Dodge-Ram's.
Yeah, not quite. There are videos like this all over the web pitting manufacturer A against manufacturer B. All are equally meaningless. Do the same thing with 2 identical Toyota Tundras and the net result is the same. Does that somehow make one Tundra better than the other?
Btw, "like a rock" is Chevy's tagline, not Dodge-Ram's.
Like a rock sung by Michigan born Bob Seger who still lives in Michigan today, now another Detroit native singing for Chevy trucks comercial his name is Kid Rock still lives in Michigan also.
You are wrong about MT not having any registered Teslas-http://www.edmunds.com/industry-center/analysis/drive-by-numbers-tesla-in-all-50-states.html
I live in Bozeman and there is a new Tesla Charging station at the Hilton Garden Suites.
All I am going on saying none were registered, was recently the Billings Gazette had an article about them putting charging stations for Tesla in the state for out of state Tesla drivers driving through. The article quoted the DMV stating there was not one Tesla registered in the state at that time, and they should know. The article you gave a link to, is 2 to 3 years ago registrations. It seems odd that if there are a few Tesla registrations in the state, that the Montana DMV does not know about them. Either that, or they proved to be so useless in Montana that the owners got rid of them.
Also the quoted link, says there are a number of them in Wyoming. A very recent news article was, that Wyoming finally had a Tesla registered in the state. So who do you trust, that link, or the DMV in two states.
Because they are more practical trucks and have a better design. Foreign trucks are funny looking. New American pickups look rather ridiculous in my opinion as well but not nearly as bad as the foreign ones. Driving a foreign pick up just screams POSER.
I own a 2009 Tundra and it suits my needs just fine. There are times I wish I would have got the 5.7 engine, but only for the 6 speed automatic (mine has 4.7 w/ 5spd auto). Frankly I got the Tundra because I feel it's more reliable in the long run and holds it's value better. I drive an F-150 with the 5.4 sometimes for work and it feels like junk compared to my Toyota, its also very underpowered.
Because they are more practical trucks and have a better design. Foreign trucks are funny looking. New American pickups look rather ridiculous in my opinion as well but not nearly as bad as the foreign ones. Driving a foreign pick up just screams POSER.
This is exactly why. Ignorance.
However, as more people become informed, and ACTUALLY drive one, they can see how much better the Tundra is.
I mean, go watch the comparison video. The Ford has plastic gas tank which can puncture, wires dangling all over the place and engine the catches on file for no reason. LOL
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