If IKEA 'puts together' a vehicle for the masses

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I just don't get the price. Tata makes a 3.0l Direct injected turbo diesel truck with a 4 ton payload in this size for about $11,000 USD. Going to 15 or 20k gets you a 6-8 ton payload Izuzu with a 3.5 TDI. To me, it looks like an under $10,000 truck. Heck you can get a new Dodge passenger minivan right now for $18,000 after rebates. Just rip all the carpet and seats out, put a handicap van lift on it, cut out the fenders, and you have one of these but with almost 300hp, A/C, ABS, PW, PS, PL, PB, cruise, tilt, keyless, cd bluetooth radio, that goes 65mph down the highway getting almost 30 MPG.

Transportation can greatly increase shipping cost and therefore purchase price by thousands.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by hersbird

My comparison gave me the bight idea to shop some used Caravans on craigslist.

This is somebody's artwork, but it could be implemented by floating a Vanagon body over a Subaru Forester chassis. It could have 6-8" of storage lockers between the two floorpans.

The remaining Type IIs are too valuable for these type shenanigans.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by JSH

Transportation can greatly increase shipping cost and therefore purchase price by thousands.

But they are meant to be able to fit a bunch of them in a standard container, the whole point of "flat pack" and required assembly. I have seen articles saying a whole container is about $400 from Singapore, $600 from China, and $1200 from India. So say 8 per container, they would be $150 each worst case shipping. The cost is not the shipping, it's the government and the fact they wouldn't ever be allowed to be licensed and registered.

Even for the Indian trucks I mentioned, if only one per container, they would only add $1200 to the cost. At least they would be ready to roll right out of the box so to say. Still never allowed in the US because I'm not allowed to take my life into my own hands and not have airbags and crash tests. Motorcycle? knock yourself out... literally.

[freebeard]

I'm not allowed to take my life into my own hands and not have airbags and crash tests. Motorcycle? knock yourself out... literally

There's a cartoon about that, but it's not worth finding (Just mentioning ).

I'd want mine to have this sort of retro-fit, scaled down to hold an Airstream Bambi crosswise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3SCycWcE2E

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Even though it becomes quite challenging aerodynamically-wise, I like those cab-forward trucks. I'm just not sure if the mid-mounted cockpit would really make it easier to certify such a vehicle in either LHD or RHD markets.

[Erasmo]

Actually they did! It's called the Sladda