I just returned from a week in Ecuador and my guess is 8 out of 10 vehicles I saw were Chevys, with the majority of them being the smaller trucks (LUV badge) with diesel engines. Other small trucks were Mazda, Nissan and Toyota. Saw a very few Rangers and about 5 F-150s. Got me to thinking - any thoughts on why has Ford given this segment of vehicle over to the competition?

 

because they do not sell, and the EPA has made a small diesel cost prohibitive.

 

Tom, I can see that US applications for a small pickup diesel would be limited because of our road system, as well as EPA regulation. Seems like globally there is a big demand for this vehicle on unimproved or lower speed roads.

 

Small diesels just don't seem like a great thing anymore, IMO. The EPA systems are mind-boggling.


I'm the type of user that doesn't 'need' a diesel, but would love to have another, just because I enjoy them...their power, sound, efficiency. But anymore? I think they're ruined by the extra complexities for EPA req's. EDIT: The guys that do need them? There probably hasn't been a better time to own one - power and efficiency? Through the roof!


Not to mention, unless you work a diesel really hard, it seems to do more harm than good. Maybe that's just the current "tune" that is being used in a F250 and up class truck.


Plenty of European cars and SUV's with diesels; maybe they run without all the issues of clogged DPF's and EGR's, etc. Then again, maybe they have some of the same issues that plague our SuperDuty class diesels.


I don't know....for me, a small diesel would be pointless. (but I'm not everybody, either.) I think Nissan is going to prove it for us. Wonder how their sales are doing - even teamed up with the almighty Cummins...which seems to have a dedicated following. If anybody would be successful at a small truck diesel, it'd be a Toyota Tacoma. The truck is indestructible and combined with diesel? You'd think itd be unstoppable.