I've been thinking about the Dakota, and why, when I went to get a new
vehicle, I didn't really consider it. The answer is, that the Dakota
doesn't fill a niche with any consumer. Want an HD truck? it's too small.
Want a sports truck? It's too heavy/big. Need an economical truck? Look
somewhere else. Want a good looking truck? Nope.
About the only market it fits, is people who want something, not quite as
large as a full-sized truck, with a V8... that's not a very big market,
considering "V8" is a 4-letter word, right about now.
The future of the marquee, as we know it, probably won't exist beyond this
product cycle. Obviously, dodge did something right with the Gen I/II
designs, which translated into even bigger hits with the Gen III design.
However, when they scrapped that model (just bigger than a small truck) and
went for a big truck, they lost it.
Gabriel A. Couriel
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Andy Levy
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 2:23 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: Re: DML: Future of Dakota..
On Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 14:14, Mr. Plow <adam_is_mr_plow@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I don't really understand any sort of rationale from Chrysler wanting to
get rid of their small truck line.
> Toyota is becoming the world's largest passenger manufacturer (maybe it is
already??) and they had had HUGE success with their small trucks world wide.
I think they're swapping position w/ GM each quarter. One quarter it's
Toy, the next it's GM, then back.
> Why get out of a vehicle segment when others are doing so well in it???
> Instead, make a better product that actually appeals to more people.
Too expensive
Too late
Too long to make it happen
The 2005 Dak redesign was the window of opportunity, and it has closed
(or is closing rapidly). I don't see how Chrysler can matchToyota in
the timeframe that would be needed to "save" anything.
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