Rural Americans are importing tiny Japanese pickup trucks

Post by bluSCALE4 » Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 3:37 AM UTC

ElFitz wrote: post #371

iambateman wrote: post #357

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is all true…and also American drivers are legitimately aggressive toward these kind of vehicles. They have a terrible reputation, primarily because they get used a lot by people who can’t afford a car. I wish it were different, but driving a moped/Vespa on American roads is a pretty big risk.

So American drivers are aggressive towards those they think to be poorer than them? Why do you think that is? (genuinely curious)

Post by kalleboo » Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 3:42 AM UTC

markdown wrote: post #359

crazyjncsu wrote: post #324

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m Jake from the article. The trucks have all just gone through auction and have inspection reports. Mine I bought for $2k was grade 3.5 and what I’d consider pristine for a 25 year old truck. The Japanese are pretty trustworthy people to do business with, and they build great vehicles. One thing the author left out was the fascination I had with the whole process. Watching auctions, assignment to a ship, tracking i…

From a quick Google, these all seem to be cars from the 90s. Did you see any fpr sale that are less than a decade old?

Post by iambateman » Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 3:45 AM UTC

ElFitz wrote: post #371

iambateman wrote: post #357

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is all true…and also American drivers are legitimately aggressive toward these kind of vehicles. They have a terrible reputation, primarily because they get used a lot by people who can’t afford a car. I wish it were different, but driving a moped/Vespa on American roads is a pretty big risk.

So American drivers are aggressive towards those they think to be poorer than them? Why do you think that is? (genuinely curious)

Post by dyno12345 » Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 3:59 AM UTC

chrisco255 wrote: post #336

wpm wrote: post #280

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The vast majority of big-ass truck owners never haul anything , let alone something heavier than 1,300lbs.

The vast majority of large truck owners definitely do. 1300 pounds is nothing, and your ignorance is telling. Most people doing real work with trucks are hauling heavy duty construction trailers, or otherwise, but even if you wanted to move furniture you'd quickly exceed 1300 pounds. Even a tiny 4'x 8' U-Haul is 850 pounds empty: https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/4x8-Cargo-Trailer-Rental/UV/

Post by mayama » Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 4:06 AM UTC

wyager wrote: post #272

voisin wrote: post #92

I wish the actual story was “US manufacturers announce line of small, Japanese style pickup trucks” Importing adds friction both up front and for ongoing sourcing of parts and maintenance. Just give us some options for local pickup trucks utilizing existing repair facilities! Instead everyone bitches about truck drivers having such large vehicles, when that’s all that’s on offer here!

Obama era emissions regs make it impossible for (new) small trucks to be economically feasible. The way the regulations work disproportionately punish small vehicles.