The Thailand Special Thread - New Developments/News

[CyberWasp]

They should have released the Kia Tasman Pricing on April 1st.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Any dual cab? I'd say the F-150.

Of the Thai Specials, I'd say the only ones that can carry off the price premium and move beyond its commercial vehicle origins would be the Ranger and Amarok. Take a look at the higher spec Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Hilux offerings, they all look like base model tarted up with chrome and big wheels. Whereas the Ford/VW start from the top and work their way down to a base spec.

This.
Ford has worked hard on Ranger to cultivate desirability because that’s what a decent amount of buyers actually want.

Think about that point in the twenty teens when Ranger seemed to jump from competing against Colorado to going
head to head with Hilux. Sales jumped up to there abouts while the Colorado sort of floundered until Holden’s demise.
In the past ten years, all the other Thai truck models have considerably refreshed and yet sales haven’t increased.

BYD is definitely going after certain buyer types that want loads of performance even if that compromises other important areas. Or maybe buyers don’t realise that until they do their first major towing journey…we’ll see.

I don’t know what KIA was thinking with Tasman. A retro styling makeover could save it
I’m thinking raised bonnet like FJ/Bedford/PT Cruiser you know that sort of thing….

[prydey]

Originally Posted by jpd80

, all the other Thai truck ute models
.

Yes, I know it's pedantic, and yes I realise some don't consider them utes either (they are a utility vehicle) however I can never call them trucks. Not until you need a truck licence to drive one at the very least.

Originally Posted by jpd80

. Or maybe buyers don’t realise that until they do their first major towing journey…we’ll see.
.

One thing I notice is that humans live to pigeon-hole things until they are forced to accept that they are in the minority. The purpose of this style of vehicle has definitely changed yet many still judge the owners on past trends.

They are just another vehicle these days that can multi task if needed.

[DoubleTrouble]

Originally Posted by prydey

Yes, I know it's pedantic, and yes I realise some don't consider them utes either (they are a utility vehicle) however I can never call them trucks. Not until you need a truck licence to drive one at the very least.

Ford Australia promotes the Ranger as "Trucks' it is written in their sales brochures.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by DoubleTrouble

Ford Australia promotes the Ranger as "Trucks' it is written in their sales brochures.

I did say 'I' can never call them trucks. Unfortunately much of Australian society likes to copy America for reasons unknown to me.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by prydey

Yes, I know it's pedantic, and yes I realise some don't consider them utes either (they are a utility vehicle) however I can never call them trucks. Not until you need a truck licence to drive one at the very least.


One thing I notice is that humans live to pigeon-hole things until they are forced to accept that they are in the minority. The purpose of this style of vehicle has definitely changed yet many still judge the owners on past trends.

They are just another vehicle these days that can multi task if needed.

So…..you call out using the term truck instead of Ute but then go on to call out people who pigeon hole “things” until forced to accept they are in the minority.

That’s like the line from Goldmember:
There are two things in this world I cannot stand, People who are intolerant of other cultures and the Dutch.

Laugh mate, I’m not taking the p1ss…..

[prydey]

Relax, everyone else can call them what they like.

The pigeon hole comment was in regard to most people expecting utes to still be used for the purpose they were designed for 100 years ago. These days they can simply be a multi faceted family car.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by DoubleTrouble

Ford Australia promotes the Ranger as "Trucks' it is written in their sales brochures.

Well, Ford marketing don’t have the authority to redefine words of the English language.
But fair play to them. They obviously know their target market, highly insecure men with fragile egos who need to prove themselves by intimidating other road users and driving like total tools.
Referring to it as truck after spending the day tailgating people whilst using it for duties a Yaris can do reinforces their manhood.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by prydey

The pigeon hole comment was in regard to most people expecting utes to still be used for the purpose they were designed for 100 years ago. These days they can simply be a multi faceted family car.

Now you’re shifting the goal posts, you implied that humans like me live to pigeon-hole things
until they are forced to accept that they are in the minority.

I said nothing of the kind, I merely wondered whether buyers are unaware of other limitations of
that vehicle until they go to tow.. That’s not pigeon-holing buyers.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by smoo

Well, Ford marketing don’t have the authority to redefine words of the English language.
But fair play to them. They obviously know their target market, highly insecure men with fragile egos who need to prove themselves by intimidating other road users and driving like total tools.
Referring to it as truck after spending the day tailgating people whilst using it for duties a Yaris can do reinforces their manhood.

Thanks!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by jpd80

This.
Ford has worked hard on Ranger to cultivate desirability because that’s what a decent amount of buyers actually want.

And this is a remarkable feat considering how badly the Ford image was in the toilet.

Frankly, its the result of Ford putting more money into this segment than the others, the rest are just trying to stay relevant by tarting up base models that were VERY base model to start with. Anyone who has driven a Hilux or Triton, then compared to a Ranger will know what I'm talking about, there is layer of refinement and solidity to the Ranger that is missing elsewhere. I've said this before, but look at the chassis rails on a Ranger, then look at the Triton and Hilux, you will instantly see where this solidity comes from.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Now you’re shifting the goal posts, you implied that humans like me live to pigeon-hole things
until they are forced to accept that they are in the minority.

I said nothing of the kind, I merely wondered whether buyers are unaware of other limitations of
that vehicle until they go to tow.. That’s not pigeon-holing buyers.

Considering I made the comment I'm pretty sure I know what I meant.

I quoted you as context only. It was a general statement.

Apologies if it was interpreted as an attack.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by smoo

Well, Ford marketing don’t have the authority to redefine words of the English language.
But fair play to them. They obviously know their target market, highly insecure men with fragile egos who need to prove themselves by intimidating other road users and driving like total tools.
Referring to it as truck after spending the day tailgating people whilst using it for duties a Yaris can do reinforces their manhood.

They call them Trucks in the US too, and it’s a US brand as is GMC, Chev, etc

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

They call them Trucks in the US too, and it’s a US brand as is GMC, Chev, etc

What America has done to the English language could be a whole new topic and go for many pages...

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by prydey

What America has done to the English language could be a whole new topic and go for many pages...

Just relax, and understand that people call them trucks. You drive your Lorry.

[Interceptor]

Geez guys, calm down, and as a US based friend told me a while back, "Trucks are for hauling goods, pick-ups are for hauling a**"

[naddis01]

Does another thread really need to ruined by the ute vs truck debate?

[Travesty]

If it's registered as an LCV (light commercial vehicle), it's a truck.

[CyberWasp]

The next Hilux is going to still use the same platform it seems going by the doors.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by Travesty

If it's registered as an LCV (light commercial vehicle), it's a truck.

What if its registration category is "Commercial"? Every Falcon ute I've owned has said that

[DoubleTrouble]

Originally Posted by smoo

Well, Ford marketing don’t have the authority to redefine words of the English language.
But fair play to them. They obviously know their target market, highly insecure men with fragile egos who need to prove themselves by intimidating other road users and driving like total tools.
Referring to it as truck after spending the day tailgating people whilst using it for duties a Yaris can do reinforces their manhood.

Wow: you must have one big hangup with rangers.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

The next Hilux is going to still use the same platform it seems going by the doors.

image

Thanks for sharing,
I was wondering if Toyota was going to merge Hilux with the US Tacoma’s platform
for one global vehicle but clearly that would be cause a big increase in costs
for perhaps little perceivable gain save for a slightly larger vehicle…

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

And this is a remarkable feat considering how badly the Ford image was in the toilet.

Frankly, its the result of Ford putting more money into this segment than the others, the rest are just trying to stay relevant by tarting up base models that were VERY base model to start with. Anyone who has driven a Hilux or Triton, then compared to a Ranger will know what I'm talking about, there is layer of refinement and solidity to the Ranger that is missing elsewhere. I've said this before, but look at the chassis rails on a Ranger, then look at the Triton and Hilux, you will instantly see where this solidity comes from.

After a month I handed back the keys to the Hilux Workmate on Tuesday and grabbed my Vito back...nearly gave the van a hug I was so glad to have her back...I'm convinced the buyers of these don't road-test comparison...or Toyota use hypnosis ...

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

After a month I handed back the keys to the Hilux Workmate on Tuesday and grabbed my Vito back...nearly gave the van a hug I was so glad to have her back...I'm convinced the buyers of these don't road-test comparison...or Toyota use hypnosis ...

At that end of the market, the single cabs are basically a tool of the trade. In that regard, they are purely to get the job done, doesn't matter how, as long as it's done without costing too much or giving trouble. Just like any other "tool". And Toyota (and others) knows it. So you get the asthmatic engine, crappy spec levels and poorly calibrated suspension.

At the other end of the market, the dual cab has become the modern Holden/Falcon station wagon. In that I mean multi-purpose vehicles; family car, tow car, camping car, school sport car, holiday car ect. And this is where the lack of refinement catches up with the competition and Ranger stands out from the crowd.

Actually, that added layer of refinement is why I love my Ranger single cab (engine aside). Where the Toyota can't be anything more than a work hack, the Ranger is a perfectly livable daily driver when not being used to move things around. Some will think this is sinful, but having a selection of nice touring vehicles, I'd sooner take my Ranger on a longer trips, and have done many times. Why? Because I don't have to worry about it. If I had bought the Hilux, I doubt I would take it anywhere but to the job site and back.

[Travesty]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

What if its registration category is "Commercial"? Every Falcon ute I've owned has said that

Agreed, they have been LCV since 1343.

I made that quip in jest, but there's truth to it. We're the only place on earth that refers to these light commercial vehicles as utes. Yes they are utility vehicles, but the class of vehicle is truck, despite the Falcon based product having car/passenger vehicle origins.

[PooDog]

Originally Posted by Travesty

Agreed, they have been LCV since 1343.

I made that quip in jest, but there's truth to it. We're the only place on earth that refers to these light commercial vehicles as utes. Yes they are utility vehicles, but the class of vehicle is truck, despite the Falcon based product having car/passenger vehicle origins.

Doesn't matter what class they are or how big they get, down under they're called utes..... Always have been always will be

[CyberWasp]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

I'm convinced the buyers of these don't road-test comparison...or Toyota use hypnosis ...

I think you are on to something.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by PooDog

Doesn't matter what class they are or how big they get, down under they're called utes..... Always have been always will be

Lol

**Not helpful**

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Lol

**Not helpful***

***Still not helpful.

[Captain Stubing]

Guys, Lets keep this on the developments in whatever commercial/semi-commercial vehicle is emerging.

This is not a fight about the differences in language.