[favflam]

I want to see if Kei-trucks can break into the market. The last time a new product form broke into the US market, it was during a big recession (japanese auto-makers got compact cars in). People will value functionality over form if we get into a prolonged recession.

[ehnto]

I love that the world is loving kei trucks and kei cars right now.

I see them pretty often in Australia which also has an anti yank-tank movement (tongue in cheek name for a big american "truck")

That said our most popular cars are still all three tonne utes or SUVs so it's a small movement.

You are right to note the economic situation being a big part of vehicle decisions. Fuel prices has been a driving force, and image plays a big part too.

[ashleyn]

The chicken tax pretty much makes this impossible. The only domestic manufacturer interested in cheap light-duty trucks is Slate, which is still in the development phase and faces a lot of risks, notably high cost for the segment.

[jmward01]

I think big vehicles are ugly and stupid so I like the form as well as the function.