Rural Americans are importing tiny Japanese pickup trucks (economist.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the trend of rural Americans importing tiny Japanese pickup trucks, but the details of the article are not available. The discussion reveals that these trucks are attractive due to their fuel efficiency and simplicity, but can be challenging to maintain and repair in rural areas. Some commenters express nostalgia for compact trucks that were once available in the US market. The conversation also touches on the current state of the truck market, with many commenters feeling that modern trucks are too large and expensive.

Main themes

• tiny Japanese pickup trucks
• compact trucks
• truck market trends
• safety and emissions regulations
• vehicle size and efficiency
• rural vehicle maintenance and repair

What commenters say

• Some people prefer smaller, more fuel-efficient trucks, but these are no longer widely available in the US market.
• The shift towards larger trucks is driven by safety standards, emissions regulations, and market demand.
• Modern trucks are often oversized and inefficient for tasks that require hauling either people or cargo alone.
• The compact truck category has made a comeback with unibody trucklets like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
• Some commenters believe that the size of trucks has not increased significantly over time, but rather the designs have become more bulbous and thicker.
• Others argue that the size of trucks has indeed increased, with newer models being longer and wider than their older counterparts.
• The lack of compact trucks in the US market has led some people to consider alternative options, such as used cargo vans or side-by-sides.