I can think of one other time in the history of Ford trucks that this downsizing has occurred.. well, not a physical downsizing but a downsizing in power. In the 4th gen ('66-'72 year models) finally crested above 200 hp in a major way, with the 390 v8 pushing out 255hp. Then, emissions became a government standard and ta-da! Most engines fell well under 200 hp. Only the 385 remained, floating somewhere between 200-225 hp.

 

This brings us back to one of the reasons why engines and drivetrains of today are so complex.

 

The compact and mid-size segments have shriveled drastically in the last 5 years. Chevrolet is contemplating stopping production of the Colorado as well.

I think two things:
1. the small pick up became the mid size- led by I guess the Dakota, the S-10 phased out in favor of a mid size, the mid size got bigger- commercials saying largest mid size in the industry, etc, even the tacoma is now very big comparatively speaking. They became so big the difference between them and the full size shrunk some. Then the full size got bigger but by then the small trucks were so big the gas milage differences weren't that great leading to thier demise.

2. gas prices are not coming down signifigently . You tell me that if you built a fuel efficient truck the size of the s-10, ranger or older tacoma, dare I say somewhere between S-10 and Chevy Luv size, combined with todays technology that you couldn't sell a ton of them.

That freakin Dakota killed the small truck market and when i owned one the repair bills killed my budget.... I HATE Dodge, really I do on so many, many levels. They are the root of all evil. Keystoneapul