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'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

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141–150 of 284 posts

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#141

Now, if only they would revive the light trucks of the 1980s. Even the new Ranger looks massive (perhaps, that’s only looks though?).

It'll probably never happen because pickups have such a big profit margin, they wouldn't want to sell a lower end one when people are buying the bigger ones. Also, you have to pay extra taxes to import trucks, so you either have to build them in the US or raise the price.

The Chicken Tax was going to be repealed as part of the TPP, but that obviously imploded.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#142
post #4

I'd love to see them try. The difficulty of making a pickup truck aerodynamically efficient are substantial.

Wasn't there a Mythbusters episode about this?

They address how a tailgate affects efficiency, not how the overall efficiency of a pickup is abysmal.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#143
Even a plugin electric hybrid would be a big in my opinion (30-60 mile range). We have owned a Volt now for over a year and it has been great. Since owning it we average 75 mpg. My wife can nearly drive to work and back on all electric.

I have an F-150, a ~50 mile range hybrid would cover nearly all of my driving.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#144
Hopefully they make a version that isn't absolutely gigantic. I've wanted a basic, no-frills 4x4 pickup truck with a 6 foot bed for years now. Problem is, they're all gigantic. And, they all have back seats!

Ford released a new Ranger, which is nearly large as everything else out there. In the late 80's / early 90's there were all types of small trucks on the road (including the ranger). Now, there's zero options in US for something that resembles those vehicles.

Currently, I drive a compact SUV (Honda HRV), which does nearly everything I need. But, I have to line the hatch in a tarp when I deal with anything dirty. I'd love a truck version of this car, but the options are just absurdly large.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Plus however long it takes to drive to u-haul, wait for them to check-out the trailer, hook it up, use it, then drive back to u-haul, return it, etc. Time is money.

Trailers should lend themselves well to the sharing economy, no? Minimal maintenance, largely stored sitting idle, no cleaning required. You don't even need to unethically deem your workers as contractors.

One would think so, yes. But in practice people can be utter assholes when borrowing a neighbor's power tool. Now imagine with a trailer.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I look forward to it. My F150 gets between 19mpg and 13mpg depending on the gas and the temperature(!) I'd love to spend less than $90 at the pump

Do you need a truck? (If so that's just fine. But I'm in Texas, and I'm pretty sure most of these folks could get by on something smaller...)

Do you need to fly in planes?

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#148

Now, if only they would revive the light trucks of the 1980s. Even the new Ranger looks massive (perhaps, that’s only looks though?).

We had a 3rd-Generation Toyota 4WD that was simply amazing -- I think we sold it with 350K miles on it, and it's probably still running today. I looked at a recent Tacoma, and was shocked at how huge they'd gotten.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Hilux#Third_generation_...

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#149

Hopefully they make a version that isn't absolutely gigantic. I've wanted a basic, no-frills 4x4 pickup truck with a 6 foot bed for years now. Problem is, they're all gigantic. And, they all have back seats! Ford released a new Ranger, which is nearly large as everything else out there. In the late 80's / early 90's there were all types of small trucks on the road (including the ranger). Now, there's zero options in…

Does it have to be a Ford? What about something like the Chevy Colorado?

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#150
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not the OP, but I've recently had several similar discussions with friends/family about trucks when I bought my Tesla. I live in Tennessee, a popular truck area. They claimed to like trucks for the convenience. Being able to throw stuff in the back and not have to think about whether it will fit in a car. While I do understand this advantage, it would only help me 2-3 times a year, and I aim to optimize for the 95% o…

I like light trucks because they are for people who plow snow, carry bricks, lumber, cinder blocks, lawn mowing equipment, hogs, chickens, bails of hay, etc. in all weather over all roads and even no roads. E.g., there is good ground clearance for charging through snow, over rough ground, jumping curbs, etc. The suspensions are stiff, rugged, and long lasting, can take bad bumps and keep going with no damage. The lig…

Sounds good. Where can I get one? Even the new Ford Ranger is a massive truck, not one I would consider light, and the half tons are even worse. The truck beds are so high I have trouble reaching inside and I'm over six feet tall. And sure, the base cost of a F150 is theoretically under $30k, but good luck finding one of those on the lot, the real starting cost appears to be about $50k and chock full of those luxury features you disdain.
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