Latest news with #compacttruck
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Report: Toyota Still Considering Smaller Unibody Truck for US
Report: Toyota Still Considering Smaller Unibody Truck for US originally appeared on Autoblog. Ford and Hyundai have succeeded in the compact truck segment — could Toyota be next? Small trucks have had a bumpy history in the States. However, lately, some automakers have found success with smaller-than-usual offerings, including Ford's Maverick and Hyundai's Santa Cruz, both of which are small pickups. The small truck segment could grow even more with the Bezos-backed Slate pickup, albeit its existence has become a lot more uncertain in the last few weeks as EV incentives go the way of Amelia Earhart. Then, we get to Toyota. Recent reports coming from Automotive News seem to indicate Toyota may still bring a tyke-sized truck to the US market, and it might not be the truck you expect it to be. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A smaller Toyota truck would not share much with existing Toyota truck offerings While the current Toyota truck lineup in the US features solely body-on-frame construction, the prospective addition to the family would likely be based on the RAV4. Automotive News reports that Toyota Motor North America is still 'studying' a compact unibody-based pickup for the US market. They also confirm that the Corolla-based and electrified truck that Toyota is selling in Brazil is decidedly 'too small' for the US. Disappearing incentives/rebates and tariffs are also likely contributing factors as to why we won't get that smaller pickup. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A truck built on the TNGA-K platform — which underpins the RAV4, Camry, Sienna, and others — means staying more than competitive with other small truck offerings. The Grand Highlander, a TNGA-K vehicle, can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is 1,000 more than what the Maverick can muster. Considering even the three-row Grand Highlander is only two inches longer than the Maverick, the platform's size would be right on the money, too. Although at one point speculation pointed towards electrification, that plan — if there ever was one — is almost certainly scrapped in the face of loosening EPA regulations and dashed EV rebates. In the US, anyway, as Europe is a different story. Automotive News thinks 2028 would be the earliest we'd see the hypothetical truck. A new small truck fits Toyota's goals like a glove In related chats with Ted Ogawa, Toyota North America CEO, Automotive News uncovered additional pieces of the puzzle that might point towards a tinier truck alternative. 'When we talk about affordability, the key is the entry segment,' Ogawa says. 'So, in our lineup, that means Corolla and Corolla Cross.' That covers the small SUV and sedan segment; why not bring in an 'entry segment' truck to round things out? Another priority of Ogawa's — and, realistically, all automakers — is getting the most bang per buck at a platform level. 'Products must be refreshed, but the platform can be extended,' he tells AN. There's one last intimation we glean from the Ogawa interview. 'Toyota's basic policy is to build where we sell and buy where we build,' he starts. Later, we get a real-world example. 'In the case of the Corolla sedan, currently the internal-combustion version is built in Mississippi. But the hybrid is built in Japan, because that plant is more competitive for that product.' We can't imagine any market more ready to chomp at the bit for an affordable, small Toyota pickup than the US. The Slate hype — which may have, ultimately, been just that — was all the evidence we needed. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Final thoughts New Toyota truck rumors have persisted for years. Ford moved 48,041 Mavericks in just the second quarter of 2025. Arguably more importantly, a whopping 60% of Maverick buyers were new to the brand. Some of those customers inevitably migrated from Toyota, and that's got to hurt. We think the chances are high that Toyota wants to bring a competitor to the market. It's just a question of when, and whether or not 2028 will be too late. Report: Toyota Still Considering Smaller Unibody Truck for US first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Auto Blog
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Subaru BRAT Revival May Disappoint Fans Of The Original
It May Not Be The BRAT Return Subaru Fans Wanted The Subaru BRAT was a light-duty pickup sold in the United States between 1978 and 1987, and it's set to make a comeback for the modern era. The BRAT name stands for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter, which tells you all you need to know about this compact but capable pickup. Also known as the Brumby in other markets, CarsGuide is reporting an all-electric return of the BRAT. That may not be what truck fans want to hear, but any Subaru pickup is better than none at all, right? Shared Underpinnings With Toyota Pickup Source: Toyota The new BRAT is expected to share components with a Toyota pickup, a Maverick-sized compact truck previewed by the Toyota EPU concept back in 2023. The brands already have a close relationship, with models like the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ developed in tandem, so this is no great surprise. Earlier this year, Toyota confirmed the arrival of its electric pickup, which gives us confidence that a Subaru twin will get the green light, too. The original Subaru BRAT was a simple two-seater pickup, and if the new one follows that route, it will be the only compact truck of its kind. The only other compact trucks in the USA, the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, are both two-row, five-seater models. 1986 Subaru BRAT — Source: Bring A Trailer Under the skin, it's safe to expect standard all-wheel drive for the new BRAT, while it could make 375 horsepower. There's no need for that much power in a compact pickup, though – even 100 hp less should make for quite a performer. Either way, it will be a world apart from the original BRAT model's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. We Already Have A Hybrid Compact Pickup, So Why Not An EV? Source: Toyota Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Ford broke the mold when it launched the Maverick with an available hybrid powertrain. Returning 38 mpg combined, it's the most efficient pickup truck in America, and the all-electric BRAT would be even cheaper to run over the same distance. While electric pickups suffer in the towing and hauling categories alongside gas or hybrid models, a compact pickup wouldn't need to be as much of a hardcore hauler, so an electric option in this segment would potentially be less of a compromise. An all-electric powertrain would also introduce a level of refinement not before seen in the compact pickup segment. Even if the BRAT does make a successful return, there's no telling if it would be sold in the United States. However, the revival of the compact pickup segment could give Subaru added motivation to introduce such a model here. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
