the problem is that the mid-size truck market was a market of 1. Now that
everyone is in it, Dodge should either revolutionize the market, or move to
another one. The dak isn't the cheapest truck in the class, by far, and the
V8 option is rarely checked, and isn't much of a motivator. Move to another
class and start again. Put 4-bangers back in the trucks. The M-80 was a
bad concept at the time, but would probably do very well now. A small I-4,
a Turbo 4, and a diesel engine. Average fuel ratings of 22 city/30 highway,
and a diesel option. Sell it for $14k, and watch them fly off the lots.
Hell, build it off the liberty/nitro platform, they're probably killing the
Nitro soon, so use the extra production space and build it there (oh, and
name the truck Dakota).
Gabriel A. Couriel
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Kenneth M.
Berntsen
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 5:33 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: RE: DML: Future of Dakota..
I think if they were to just go back to the original forumla for the
dak they would do great. But then it will have to be figured in with
the Colorado which follows the original Dak formula better than the
current truck. That assumes GM can find some one to loan them the
money to buy Chryslers reserves.
Quoting Gabriel Couriel <gcouriel@gmail.com>:
>
> 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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