Automotive News...

[BillTex]

Latest news in the automotive world-Now, I’m no Ford Guy (nor am I a fan of ½ tons for towing) but this is good news for Ford;
http://www.trucktrend.com/oftheyear/truck/163_0902_2009_truck_of_the_year_winner/index.html
If I ever went back to tent camping, I would have to put this ½ ton on my list…

Interesting comparo’ here also;
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/pickup/163_0902_2009_half_ton_truck_comparison/index.html
Really says something that Chevy’s 3 year old platform took top honors?

On the foreign front, refreshing to see ‘Yota is in the same boat as the American Companies; http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081224/as_japan_troubled_toyota.html

And will this be the last showing for Datsun? The Titan line is slated to be replaced by rebadged Hemi’s soon….

Stay tuned in this rapidly changing automotive world!

[moosetags]

Thanx for these links. Very interesting.

Brian

[willyd]

Also, thanks for the information - interesting read.

[Mexray]

At least FORD has listened to many of it's 'towing' customers out there and made a factory installed electric brake controller optional, along with several 'upfitter' switches installed in the dash...to say nothing of the most sought after towing mirrors around!

Now as for 'Datsun'....who's that? They haven't been around for years...perhaps you are refering to 'Nissan'...

[Action]

F-150 used to be at one time the best selling model of all cars and trucks. I don't believe Ford wants F-150 to fade away so they are changing with the market. A stroke of luck with fuel prices dropping as of late.

I don't believe the brief case pick up truck buyers are going to be any kind of player any more. However if you need truck capabilities, the F-150 gets it done with out the 3/4 ton and up expense.

Too bad Ford hasn't done the same for the Econoline series. The "E" series has lighten up the towing capacity in the 1/2 ton range in the past few years. I am looking to replace my TV and I would have to get a 1 ton to meet my current TV needs.

PS: Nissan who? Don't they just build small 4 door commuter cars?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[CanoeStream]

Nissan? They make a darn nice thermos.

As the original Titan owner on these boards I think it was a solid but thirsty drivetrain. The ride was as cushy as the lighter 1st gen Tundra -- but the soft suspension gave the Titan minimal load carrying capacity after hitching up a travel trailer.

I remember about 1964 when the first San Antonio Datsun dealership set up on the frontage road wa-a-aay up Interstate 35 near Selma. It was so lonely all by itself ... in what is now one of the busiest stretches of interstate and outlet mall heaven.

[Action]

I thought this was an interesting piece out of that article.

"Complain about full-size pickups all you want, car guys, but without the vehicles that haul, lift, and tow (basically supporting the backbone of the U.S. economy), the necessary research for the cars of tomorrow never happens."

Or we could go back to station wagons! Remember them?


And speaking of early Nissan (Datsun) I worked at a Buick dealership in highschool and the dealership had teh Datsun franchise. Witnessed the brand new B-210 come in the store. It seemed everything was an option. Even the hub caps.

>>>>>>>>>>>>Action