Is it possible to build a truck and sell for 10K

[krismoriah72]

NO.

In 1994 you could get an Isuzu 4X2 with all that you are asking for $9500.

My Kawasaki Teryx cost $9999 before taxes last year. No roof, no windshield, no windows, no heater, no ac, no radio. It did have cup holders.

Buy something used that has devalued. I bought a nice Z71 suburban last year that cost $57K new for $2500.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
Just a simple truck, no 4x4, no electric windows, stick, no backseat. I'd buy it
https://chinatruck.en.made-in-china.com/...k-up-Truck.html


either that.... or google " ute pickup made in India "

 

[fdcg27]

Of course this could be done, but who would do it?
Body on frame build is cheap to tool and assemble and something like an eighties Ranger with no options could probably be offered for the same kind of money as the cheapest cars now available.
Question is who would offer such a truck?
The established makers wouldn't, since experience has shown that most buyers would have opted for a more expensive version were the cheap one not available, a lesson learned by both BMW and Mercedes.
Were Tata or a Chinese maker to offer such a vehicle here I suspect that it would do well.
OTOH in sybaritic America, the thing would a least have to have AC and probably an automatic, since so few have learned how to manage three pedals these days.
Still, a strippo stick could go for ten grand.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Scroll down. This is the cheapest new truck you can get.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale...tures=onlyPrice


Price includes: $1,000 - 2018 Memorial Day Retail Bonus Cash 28HJY. Exp. 05/31/2018, $1,000 - 2018 Conquest Lease to Retail/Lease 38CJA1. Exp. 01/02/2019, $1,250 - 2018 Non-Prime Retail Bonus Cash **CJ1V (exclu MA). Exp. 05/31/2018, *Manufacturer s Rebate subject to residency restrictions. Any customer not meeting the residency restrictions will receive a dealer discount in the same amount of the manufacturer s rebate., $500 - 2018 Bonus Cash SWCJA. Exp. 05/31/2018, $1,000 - USAA MEMBER CERTIFICATE 2018 CY 43CJ9. Exp. 01/02/2019, $1,000 - Southwest BC Ford Conquest Bonus Cash SWCKE. Exp. 05/31/2018, $500 - 2018 Chrysler Capital 2018 Bonus Cash SWCJ5. Exp. 05/31/2018, $1,000 - 2018 Case IH - Case Construction Equipment Bonus 39CJ1A-B. Exp. 01/02/2019

So I have to trade a ford in, also somehow get a Case IH contsruction equipment bonus, live in a certain zip code, probably be a veteran and a recent college grad, yadda yadda.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
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OTOH in sybaritic America, the thing would a least have to have AC and probably an automatic, since so few have learned how to manage three pedals these days.
Still, a strippo stick could go for ten grand.


I don't care about transmissions but would slightly prefer an automatic for creeping around the job site with a bed full of material I want in just the right spot.

An automatic is easier to make meet emissions standards, just like a power window regulator is cheaper than manual, now. If the whole is to cost the sum of its parts a vehicle is going to be fairly well-equipped. Might just have some software changes, like missing cruise control programming and a 50 cent switch, to shame the buyer into spending more.

 

[Andrew1972]

Millions of trucks sold at current asking prices, why waste time and effort on this?

 

[SeaJay]

Let's see how we get the cheapest truck possible, which I predict few if any of us would consider purchasing:

4 cylinder carbureted engine.
Wind up windows.
4 speed MT, not syncronized.
No A/C.
Key only entry, No electronic door clicker
Doors lock manually
Manual steering, non rack and pinion.
Manual drum brakes.
15 inch tires.
No entertainment system
no electronic capability (Blue tooth, phone, etc.)
No plug to recharge the phone.
No GPS.
Bench Seat that manually adjusts forward and backward only.
No center console.
No push button windshield washing squirter.
One speed windshield wipers.
One piece rear window (doesn't slide open).
No passenger side outside mirror.
Drivers side outside mirror adjust manually.

 

[meep]

Originally Posted By: andyd
Somewhere back in the 70s trucks gained cool. It had something to with lower emissions hurdles or something. Ive had several over the yrs . The Ranger and the earlier Toyotas and Nissans were right sized for me. A 1960 F100 with a 223 I 6 /3 on tree, or a Chevy same yr you could stand inside the engine bay. My brother bought a base model 2010 Tacoma, it had to be be built for him. Its a great little truck. but well over 10K $.


I'll add to that, just based on memories of the time where I lived.

Back in the 70s, a truck was not a status symbol. Sedans and Wagons were, and muscle was cool. so was the fullsize van. Trucks were barebones and basic. they were also comparably inexpensive. Your dollar bought much more truck in terms of size, steel, and utility, than a car. They were not that profitable, and cars cost more.

I remember a financial study ... i think it was mentioned in a book from the 80's called, "Class." The #1 vehicle owned by millionaires, F150. BUT, not like today's. 2WD, single cab, plain jane, non-lifted, non-decorated, truck. You remember the kind... steel wheels with the half size hub cap, and usually bought new and kept forever, no regular purchases. That made an impression on me.

They were used as simple commuter cars back then with the occasional household chore as they were useful, inexpensive, and not adorned with luxury.

You could also easily bend over and grab things over the bed rails.

And wouldn't want to be caught inside of one in a collision.

alot has changed...

-m

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Of course it is. They just won't be sold here due to the chicken tax and the resulting lack of competition.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
Millions of trucks sold at current asking prices, why waste time and effort on this?


This is the reason that we won't see a cheap utility truck from any of the established players.
Why would any of them want to mess up a profitable gig?
If such a thing were to happen, it'll come through an Asian maker from an emerging country trying to establish a toehold in this market.
10K would yield a really basic vehicle, but 20K would still be cheap and would give a lot of room for a lot of features while still undercutting the established makers.
We may see something like this from India or China.