GM Authority spotted a Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz in the hands of Toyota, indicating that the automaker may be considering the eventual introduction of a compact pickup in the North American market.
The Maverick and Santa Cruz were spotted entering a Toyota facility, meaning that the automaker is benchmarking both vehicles. While this isn’t necessarily a confirmation that Toyota will bring a compact pickup to market, it’s a strong indicator that it’s at least kicking the idea around, and it might just have a chance, considering that the Toyota Tacoma consistently outsells the Chevy Colorado in the U.S.
Currently, the Maverick and Santa Cruz are the sole competitors in the compact pickup segment in North America. The Maverick absolutely crushes the Santa Cruz. In 2023, the Maverick outsold the Santa Cruz by almost threefold.
Sales Numbers - Compact Pickups - 2023 - USA
| MODEL | YTD 23 / YTD 22 | YTD 23 | YTD 22 | YTD 23 SHARE | YTD 22 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD MAVERICK | +26.47% | 94,058 | 74,370 | 72% | 67% |
| HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ | +0.53% | 36,675 | 36,480 | 28% | 33% |
| TOTAL | +17.94% | 130,733 | 110,850 |
A potential Toyota competitor in the compact pickup space could nab sales from the Maverick, but it’s not the only automaker on the outside looking in. Ram is expected to bring the Ram Rampage stateside in the near future, while the compact pickup is already sold in Brazil. As reported by GM Authority, prototypes have already been seen testing in North America, seemingly signaling its impending arrival.
However, that leaves General Motors as the odd one out amongst the Detroit Big Three automakers, as it’s the only one without a compact pickup for sale in the U.S. The Chevy Montana might fit the bill, but for now, GM has no known plans to offer the pickup outside of Mexico and South America. However, the survey says that a GM-made compact pickup would be a welcome vehicle in the U.S. When GM Authority asked the question back in December, 88 percent of responders said that GM should bring one to market.
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Comments
If you can’t beat them, copy them. This is what Toyota and other Asian companies have been doing for over 70 years. Then they make cheaper copies and sell more.
What did Toyota copy when they introduced the Corolla? It sure in Hell wasn’t the Chevy Vega or Ford Pinto.
I doubt Mary will okay a compact pick-up for USA unless full EV.
Well then. Mary needs to go.
Yes they copy and make it better and d@mn way reliable…
GM should produce an HHR retro pickup. They will sell !
A small Toyota hybrid pickup priced right (as was the Ford Maverick hybrid pickup when first introduced) would sell like hotcakes and kick ass.
Ford wanted 8500 over sticker for a Maverick. That can stuff it. Me, a GM guy my whole life, figured I’d darken the door at a ford dealership. And before they even said hi, it was “The Mavericks are 8500 over sticker, and you can’t test drive one!”
Ended up with a 23 Canyon the same day.
Would love an HHR SS pickup with the new 410hp turbo 4. It would go right next to the 2010 HHR SS in the garage.
What’s up with the HHR talk here? That would be more of a lifestyle vehicle such as the Santa Cruz is than an actual small pick-up more in line with the Maverick .
I have owned several HHRs and they have proven to me to be practical and reliable. I favor them for the senior or homeowner who would like having a small PU for light work use and not have to spend 60+K for it. The retro look gives a feeling of nostalgia and individuality a break from the clean look of every other car or truck on the road.
I would have considered the Maverick but its poor packaging, lack of wheel choices and massive price increases left me cold. The Santa Cruz is okay but has way too much cheap black plastic on the outside, costs well over 40K the way I would equip it with the same basic cheap interior and it’s piano black trim and silly little turned sideways iPad dash and to top it off the 8 speed transmission as use on the turbo 2.5 has been troublesome
The REAL problem here is that we have turned into a Pick Up Truck World. Everyone has or wants one! Men, women, old and young people want them. With that in mind the PU’s are so sophisticated and stocked piled with all the new and latest unnecessary electronic devices that drives the price higher, which discourages many individuals from buying, is probably the reason the interiors are inferior in style and appearance.
Wonder why the Honda Ridgeline didn’t enter this conversation ?
I have Hyundai Santa Cruz. Love it! It been awesome!
It obviously can not do what my straight drive 7.3 F-250 4×4 can do. But, I thought I would take a nice step down, into a santa cruz! That will be put to the test with… hitch and ladder rack. 😉we will see…
I bought a Santa Cruz in Nov 22. I love it. The turbo kicks butt and it’s super fun to drive. NOT to mention I get loads of compliments on it. Fits me perfectly.
Maverick on my opinion is ugly, but for thr price could be bought, but not now. I have done a deep dive into the Santa Cruz and Ridgeline. I much preferred the Santa Cruz drive, style inside and out. Waiting for an EV TOYOTA small size pickup. Been saving because I know EV’s are overpriced.
My Tundra will last another 15 years. I have NO pressure to buy till I see The EV pickup that has a 400-mile range or more.