[jcp123]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

And most likely those who look at a so-called cheap pick-up as an option for a 2nd or 3rd vehicle of the household might prefer it to feature a well-proven, no-frills engine which can be fixed easily.

I hadn't thought of that point, but that feels dead-on right. No muss, no fuss, just a little light duty work vehicle.

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I wouldn't hold my breath for a stick-shift new U.S.-spec Ranger and, even though I have already seen older compact trucks with 1.8L gassers I wouldn't expect anything below 2-litre to be fitted to the Ranger. When it comes to Diesel, even though the 3.2L straight-5 is already emissions-certified stateside, I wouldn't hold my breath for this option in the Ranger too. You know, even though it's presumably cheaper and less sophisticated than the 3.0L V6 turbodiesel offered to the F-150, most rednecks look at the displacement as a premium feature, and it would be quite weird to see a presumably "inferior" truck featuring a larger engine. It happens now here in Brazil where the F-350 is available with a 2.8L Cummins while the Ranger has the 3.2L on its higher-end version...

You're right in a lot of ways. I was dreaming more than living in reality, to be honest.

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I have already seen an U.S.-spec Transit Connect with diplomatic plates in my hometown, presumably serving the local U.S. Consulate. In fact it's more of a replacement to the stereotypical soccer-mom minivan. But anyway, when it comes to the Ram Promaster, considering that Fiat offers platform-and-cab versions of the Doblò in Europe, it seems kinda surprising that it doesn't import those to the U.S. as a way to circumvent the Chicken Tax. I'm sure it would be cheaper to import the platform-and-chassis version to fit a locally-built cargo body instead of importing a passenger van to convert locally into a panel van like Ford does.

That's info I didn't have and makes me suspect there's ample room for the little van-to-pickup idea here.

I honestly wonder if someone introduced a true compact pickup again, how it would do. The last of the breed died on the vine, and it seems like a zombie response to make them all "midsize" pickups now as a way to make them seem more appealing..