With the introduction of the mid-size Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, General Motors managed to overtake its cross-town rival, the Ford Motor Company, as America’s best-selling purveyor of pickup trucks. The Blue Oval has responded with the new Ranger. But it is going a step further by introducing another model – a Ford pickup of compact dimensions.
Discovered by our sister site, Ford Authority, the new truck – likely to be called Ford Courier – will slot under the Ford Ranger as the smallest Ford pickup. It will ride on the same unibody (car-based) platform that underpins the new Ford Focus. Power will come from a turbo-charged four-cylinder gasoline engine. A gasoline-hybrid and a diesel offering are also possible.
Ford recently began testing the new compact pickup, and Ford Authority has just obtained spy shots of an early prototype disguised as a van. The new Ford Courier is expected to come to market in late 2020 or early 2021 as a 2021 model year vehicle.
Meanwhile, GM doesn’t appear to be planning any form of truck offering beneath the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon that would challenge the upcoming compact Ford pickup. The General does, however, sell a small unibody pickup in Mexico and various South American markets called the Chevrolet Montana or Tornado, depending on the market. The model is based on a modified GM Gamma platform shared with the likes of the Chevrolet Sonic/Aveo, Onix/Prisma and (Latin American-market) Cobalt.
If nothing else, here’s to hoping that GM has explored the potential behind a small, car-based truck. Otherwise, the new Ford pickup will have the segment all to itself for a while.
- Check out the first Ford Courier spy shots at Ford Authority.
Comments
When the next gen Montana happens it should be with North America in mind. I stood by that in 2011 when the second gen came out and its even more relevant today
Yes, it should be. But unfortunately, it won’t be.
Stay tuned… more details being dug up as I write this.
So taking a unibody (car-based) platform, cutting out and opening up the rear seating and storage compartment makes it a “pick-up truck”?
We are in serious need of a new classification for these (little) abominations. How about UTE. No wait, they have those down under, only they are larger, closer in size (and power) to a real “PICK-UP TRUCK”.
How about calling them a C-UTE (Compact-UTE), or simply a CUTE? Because, well, they are?
Pickup trucks is the best available description for the time being.
Conversely, is a Honda Rodgeline a “pickup truck”? It, too, is based on a unibody architecture… but has the capability that most people need (keyword need).
Kelly Blue Book:
“A pickup truck, or pickup, is generally a motor vehicle with an open cargo area in the rear.” OK.
“A pickup truck’s (ability to work) can be classified by many features, including its (towing capacity).” ? see below.
KBB goes on to say
“The (chassis) for a pickup is “typically” constructed of (channel or tubular rails) and has the (cab separated from the cargo section). This design allows the chassis to flex under stress, while preventing any warping of the sheet metal in the body of the pickup. Sheet metal is generally not a load-bearing component in pickups.” OK.
Not sure what the wall thickness of that (sheet metal frame?) is if it’s welded to the (sheet metal) unibody. But I guess it is trussed.
If it were time to replace your pick up truck and you use it for work (construction, HVAC etc.). You have a BOAT (no not a beginner boat), a toy hauler loaded with dirt bikes quads and side by sides (Razor/Can-Am etc.). Would you want to tow these loads down the hwy. in a Ridgeline?
Edmunds review:
“5,000-pound maximum tow rating drops to 3,500 pounds on (front-wheel-drive) version”
Would I? NO!
So to answer your question, “is a Honda Rodgeline a “pickup truck”? as I have said in the past, NO (not to me), it’s front wheel drive (based).
You said “but has the capability that most people need (keyword need).” OK, sure, I guess to most people it is a truck, if it looks like a truck and smells like a truck! That doesn’t mean it needs to be called a “pick up truck”, maybe Honda will come out with a RWD based HD. Then we can call it a “pick up truck” I just can’t get past the front wheel drive thing.
Until then i’m going with C-UTE or CUTE, or how about CU<T? "compact utility truck"? Emphasis on "CU<T" when referring to the Ford Courier or Chevrolet Montana or Tornado!
You heard it here first!
Subaru did it for years, and don’t forget the El Camino…
At least Ford is making an effort while it seems GM is closing plants without any information about future vehicles that don’t have a plug. The mini truck market is empty. Weren’t most owned by homeowners for weekend projects and second vehicles?
General Motors hasn’t closed any plants yet. Unions will have a chance to convince GM to produce vehicles there.
So then Ford is making an effort in a market you think is empty!
Do you think that’s smart?
Kinda cool actually that that thing has a box side step like they’re putting on the HD’s
Call it the Ford Scout or F50!
Too bad they closed down Lordstown. A small unit body pickup would probably work well on the Cruze chassis.
Lordstown isn’t closed yet.
GM will answer this as will most mfg. they all have been looking into this and GM even showed us this with the Granite truck concept and the original Denali ute concept.
The fact that many buyers from the CUV segment went to the mid size twins and with MFGs looking to diversify the CUV segment more has many thinking.
Here’s a thought, GM could modify the Cruze or Equinox platform for a modern LUV
I would love to see a Terrain redone with an a Avalanche like cab and bed cover. This would give folks a short bed but a still usable truck.