Want a small Ram pick up? They already make it.

[Wayne M.]

I was cruising the site that has repairable cars, and then I saw some for export only, Including this RAM 1300. Yup. A 1300. It’s a small crew cab not intended for NAFTA countries.
The listing.
http://economynj.com/nonLotProfile.php?id=30&l=1
There’s a PDF file that’s loaded with info.
http://economynj.com/non-lot/2017_RAM_1200.pdf

I really feel cheated!

 

[JR]

Kinda Reminds me of the single cylinder Mahindra that has a higher payload than certain Ram/Ford/GM half tons that can not be sold stateside....for "safety" reasons. But sell like hot cakes elsewhere.

Meanwhile, said trucks are likely to see far worse conditions than any American half ton is going to see on a regular basis....all in the name of protecting ourselves from our own stupidity.

 

[jgillott]

I can't remember which one, but I think Mahindra had some of their trucks on displays at one of the US auto shows this year.

 

[jhenderson]

Seems unusual they’re gas motors considering they come from Europe.

 

[BigPapa]

Looks like a takeoff on the old Subaru Brat.

-Scott

 

[Wayne M.]

I’m going to ping this off a guy who know a lot about a lot of this stuff over on Twitter. Stay tuned.

 

[TFucili]

They could bring back the "Rampage" name

 

[Wayne M.]

Well I got an answer already.
https://twitter.com/whitetruckfixer/status/1133912212773515265?s=21
It’s a Mitsubishi L200. I guess there’s still a spark in that relationship!

 

[Ozymandias]

FCA sells it is since 2015 as FIAT Fullback throughout Europe, and as RAM 1200 in other countrys.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Triton

There is also the mighty RAM 700, a rebadged FIAT Strada.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Strada

 

[Wayne M.]

Why didn’t I ask you? Ozy?!

 

[JR]

I can't remember which one, but I think Mahindra had some of their trucks on displays at one of the US auto shows this year.

They've been trying to bring something to market here since the early 2000's but between horrible crash test ratings and no EPA certs it's been a real struggle. Details are fuzzy but I even remember them amassing a pretty large dealer base that sued Mahindra when they failed to deliver.
I actually think they could build a decent small truck. Their small tractors are pretty stout.

 

[EDankievitch]

I had the opportunity to drive one of the Mahindra trucks brought into the country for testing. It was a well built truck. Was about halfway between a Toyota Tacoma and a full size truck. Much bigger than the pics of it had led on. You could tell that it was built for a 3rd world country with poor roads and people that just had to get a job done. In other words it was ready for major abuse chassis and suspension wise. Inside the cab it was way behind the fit and finish of the cheap cars and trucks of the 1980's. While not a rocket ship it did drive well and had fair power. 4 cylinder turbocharged engine with a DEF aftertreatment exhaust system to meet emissions. I had a deposit on one when Global Vehicle's, who did all the leg work and put up the money for the testing to get approval for sale in the USA put in the order for the first batch of trucks. For whatever reason Mahindra pulled out. They wanted NO PART of the USA market. A lot of money was lost in the courts and today the project is very dead.
It's sad. They made it through the testing and approval process only to walk away. Today Mahindra is bringing a "Off Road only" copy of a Jeep Cj to the market here.

 

[Crank]

I wanted a Mahindra truck. Small diesel like a datsun - Ford Courier. That body style with a little four banger peanut oil burner in it. I believe the market is ready for that.

 

[Ozymandias]

Forget about that indian crap, they sold them for a couple years in europe, the CJ copy.
Was just crap. Sorry. 3th world car entirely.
They didn't last in every sight and get spare parts was even worse.

Some are still around, babied by their owners.

 

[Crank]

J alinder. Ozzy land. They still have the Jeep liberty diesel with a manuel transmission?

 

[Ozymandias]

I don't know exactly what you mean but yeas in europe almost all cars are sold with manual trans and diesel.
Europeans are still into manual trans, they are cheaper to buy (~2000$) and diesel fuel saves money when a gallon costs between 6-9$.

 

[Crank]

6-9 euros or US currency. I hear the exchange rate is a gap. The reason I ask is because one day I may move to UK.

 

[Ozymandias]

$ - check out prices for fuel in GB, i remember it was pretty expensive when we traveled there.

5,80$ per US Gallon Diesel in GB - around.

https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/Europe/

 

[Wayne M.]

FCA sells it is since 2015 as FIAT Fullback throughout Europe, and as RAM 1200 in other countrys.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Triton

There is also the mighty RAM 700, a rebadged FIAT Strada.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Strada

So basically from what I see here, this Ram 1200 is the present version of the old Ram 50 which was a decent little buggy.

 

[Ozymandias]

Jep they did such badge engineering way back in the past too.