The midsize truck’s return to its former glory is something to behold as GM’s trucks rack up awards and accolades and Ford’s plans to bring back the Ranger as a midsize truck are now set in the concrete that is a pact with the UAW, what company is next? Fiat Chrysler?
The maker already sells a Ram 700 in Mexico and built in Brazil. Adding to the rumor mill is the introduction of the Fiat Fullback, which will be sold in Europe, Africa and the Middle East: just like the Ranger.
However, there might be a little more to it than just the similarities between the Ford Ranger and the Fiat truck. Check out the explanation of the new name from Fiat in the press release.
“New Fiat Professional pick-up truck to be named Fullback – a name derived from the cornerstone position in rugby and American football.”
American football?! Why would Fiat include that information unless they plan to bring it to U.S. shores, right? FCA’s offered no official word that a midsize truck is in the works for the U.S., although it did sell the Dakota here from 1987 until 2011.
(Ford set to sell 1 million EcoBoost-equipped vehicles in 2015. For more, Click Here.)
However, it marks the second time in recent memory that FCA has been involved in a midsize pickup. It entered into an agreement with Mitsubishi a few months back to produce the Triton, also known as the L200. The truck, built in Thailand, is sold in Europe, Asia and Africa.
The new Fullback’s dimensions are identical to that vehicle and comparable to the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
(Click Here for details about GM plugging in a potential game changer.)
An American version of the truck is unlikely because it would need to be built in the U.S. in order to avoid the dreaded Chicken Tax.
The new Fullback goes on sale in May 2016 its current markets and in Europe is powered by a 2.4-liter four cylinder turbodiesel putting out as much as 180 horsepower with four-wheel drive standard.
(To see more about consumers demanding new safety, autonomous driving features, Click Here.)
The new truck will compete with other midsize trucks, like the aforementioned Ranger as well as the Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok, which has also been rumored to be coming to America to give VW an entry in the truck market that it sorely lacks.
Seriously, it might sell in Africa or middle east…looks possible to mount a machine gun in the open bed.
From the pictures I thought this truck had Mitsu-esque design elements – the article pretty much confirms that feeling. The front-end and cab are definitely Mitsu, a la Montero. Also, there is quite a bit of Outback in there as well.
Funny thing is, these “midsize” trucks are about the same size as 1- to 1.5-decade old full-size trucks.
Maybe they will come with a full tool box and a mechanic in the bed?