The full-size truck market will be stagnant for a little while. First up for redesigns are the Silverado and Tundra, predicted to be ready for 2007. Until then, here's the Cliff's Notes version of the present situation, as far as half-ton models go: Chevy and Ford continue to be all things to all people, offering the widest selection of beds, cabs, engines, and transmissions. Dodge's Ram is in the middle here, with three engines but only two cab and bed sizes, for a total of four bodies. The Tundra's got three bodies and two engines while the Titan subtracts one of each (the regular cab and the V6), leaving it with two bodies and one engine. More importantly, each places an emphasis on nearly opposite qualities. Nissan's focus was on handling, power, and making the Titan feel smaller than it is, even though it's among the bigger trucks to start with. Toyota went for soft, quiet, fuel-efficient, and small. It's almost accurate to say that the Titan and Tundra compete with every model except each other.
|