From: MainstreaM

For some reason I can no longer post to the forum, I keep getting an error message that says "this form is no longer valid please use the back button on your browser." I've been trying for two hours to post this:

Build a small truck/suv and keep it simple. The current offering of "small" trucks, like the rest of america, have bulging wastelines. Look at the current offerings from Nissan and Toyota, they have morphed into much larger rigs from their intended beginnings. All those creature comforts and extra soccer mom leg room have led to lower gas mileage and higher price tags. Here's what Mitsu needs to do.

1. Design a small truck that can be configured in four different ways. Standard cab SWB shared with a 2 door SUV and a 4 door 5 foot bed possibly shared with a 4 door SUV. Offer it in 2wd and 4wd. As for size, think 1st gen montero or 1st/second gen trucks. The standard cab SWB will go like stink in the woods and the four door truck will be for the guy who wants to haul a few bales of hay and his kids. SUV's, why not. A little more tooling costs on a shared platform increases marketability.

2. Offer a diesel powerplant. Lets face it, Oil is a finite resource that is on the decline so naturally supplies are lowering while demand is increasing, prices will follow. Diesel engines can be converted to alternative fuels much easier than others. MPG is going to be a huge selling factor in the not so far off future.

3. Drive train needs to be stripped down and simple. Front solid axle, manual hubs, standard transfer case (2hi, 4hi, neut, 4lo), optional lockers and/or LSD. Offer tougher drivetrain and suspension as a package or orderable upgrades. No live axles!!! They wear out parts and kill mileage so soccer mom sally doesn't have to get out in the snow. I had to remove the front diff in my Liberty CRD for repairs at 65k miles and saw an increase of 4MPG! I'm at 95k miles and it needs rebuilt again, this time gears need replaced too. 2WD would suit the guys needing a run around town truck or a commuter who wants a bed. I'd buy a 4 door 2wd 30mpg diesel mini truck in a heart beat.

4. Make it functional instead of comfortable. Weight needs to be a big consideration. Ditch the infotainment systems, big screens, and power everything. Locks and windows are nice but seats, pedals, etc., yeah we can leave that off. Did I mention make it smaller than other offerings? A classic design and size would be ideal.

5. Pricing. Make this thing around 15k and they'll buy every one on the lot. There's a segment just around the corner for a small diesel powered truck and it will be due to oil demand/supply. Get 40mpg or better out of it and watch what happens. If the R&D starts now, Mitsu will be positioned well for what's to come.

I know some of you guys will want a diehard trail rig off the showroom floor, but we need to keep in mind if Mitsu does build something more capable, they need to keep it marketable to a larger segment. It all boils down to profits. If Mitsu can't make money off it by selling in large numbers, then it won't be as appealing to them to dump money into R&D and design.

My thoughts on diesel: I love my Jeep Liberty's engine, VM Motori 2.8 turbo diesel with close to 300ft/lb of torque and enough HP to keep up with traffic no problem. Everything Chrysler surrounded it with, including the entire drivetrain is [censored]. If it were paid off, the engine would be swapped into something else and the rest of it cheerfully sent off for scrap. The bean counters at Chrysler really killed the potential this little rig could have had.

To sum it up, step back a couple of decades in size and complexity, give it modern "retro" styling, put in a capable efficient powerplant, and sell the crap out of them.

Kane