When manufacturers seemingly get it wrong

[XJ Junkie]

Sometimes it appears that quite a few manufacturers are completely out of touch with where the demand for certain 4WD vehicle models is, vs what they actually bring to the market.

Here’s some examples that I can think of:

- Nissan NP300 was until recently only available in 4x4 petrol. The diesel version that was recently launched still seems elusive.

- Whilst the Suzuki Jimny doesn’t sell in massive numbers, they still move quiet a few of them globally. But indications are that the new one will sell in vastly better numbers. Yet no other manufacturer offers a competitor. Suzuki must be laughing all the way to the bank.

- Toyota never replaced the FJ Cruiser with a new one. It’s not as if it didn’t sell. This just doesn’t make any sense.

- Land Rover - the best 4x4xFar no longer make a proper 4x4 that can do a Grade 5 off the showroom floor.

- Nissan - where’s the Pathfinders replacement in SA? It’s not as if the old one didn’t sell

- Jeep Wrangler - I think they missed a trick by not having an overland version to rival the Defender & fill the gap it left in the market. They could have whipped the roll cage out & stuck a permanent solid roof on. Job done.

- 6 cyl Petrol bakkies. Toyota is the only one that I can think of. Everybody else has thrown in the towel. Even a 4 cyl turbo Petrol would make sense.

In addition, there’s some obvious design shortcomings that they either didn’t think of, or just didn’t bother with.

Examples:

- Terrain response systems. All of them have some sort of sand mode, but no dune mode that doesn’t switch off if you go faster.

- Mahindra has 8 seats. But you can’t use the 2nd & 3rd rows at the same time if your passengers all have legs.

- VW built the Amarok to take on the established bakkies, except that those established ones have a usable reverse gear offroad & can reverse a trailer.

- The AMG G-Wagon has all the lockers & one of the best 4WD systems, but it’s wheels are too big for offroad so all that effort was for nothing.

These are just a few examples of some seemingly weird decisions by manufacturers.

Agree or disagree?

Maybe there’s some more examples?

[XJ Junkie]

Here’s a Jeep Overland concept that was never built.

[Mad Manny]

Agree fully on all your examples....

The only (sort of) competitor to the Jimny was the Daihatsu Terios/Toyota Rush.
It was based on the old RAV4 chassis.
Toyota replaced it with a glorified Avanza called the (Rush in SA) & completely walked away from the boutique 4x4 market.

Modern Double Cabs are enormous. Only Nissan sell a small D/Cab - the hardbody.

There is certainly a niche for a ladder frame smaller cheaper bakkie.

Renault (Oroch) & VW (Teroc or something) seem to think so - but theirs are unibody & FWD.

[Mike Nel]

You forgot one also. I heard this from a very clever man once. Not so long ago

No Competitor for the Jeep Wrangler

[ThysleRoux]

You forgot one also. I heard this from a very clever man once. Not so long ago

No Competitor for the Jeep Wrangler

Toyota could easily do this with a shorter version of the Cruiser bakkie, like the one they used to have.

Sent from my FIG-LX1 using Tapatalk

[grips]

Nice one Neil I agree 100% with your post.

One thing on the new Jimny looking at video`s it seems that its traction control act very slow. Think the Jimny should have been better off with a set of good old lockers.

Jeep should never let go of the Gladiator. Believe it or not quite a few still in use on some Kalahari farms they have cult like followers.

The J70 Shirty Cruiser is still available in the Mid East and other countries.

I can see myself in a Shorty Cruiser with a nice Chevy LS v8

[Hedgehog]

Sometimes it appears that quite a few manufacturers are completely out of touch with where the demand for certain 4WD vehicle models is, vs what they actually bring to the market.

Here’s some examples that I can think of:

- Nissan NP300 was until recently only available in 4x4 petrol. The diesel version that was recently launched still seems elusive.
(They had a diesel, but it was a single cab only)

- Whilst the Suzuki Jimny doesn’t sell in massive numbers, they still move quiet a few of them globally. But indications are that the new one will sell in vastly better numbers. Yet no other manufacturer offers a competitor. Suzuki must be laughing all the way to the bank.
(Everyone else is moving away from solid axles, in all their "real" 4x4s , so they know that they cannot compete, and in anycase, the only other micro car maker worth any note is FIAT, and they are still trying to make a PANDA that actually is 4x4... Shame)

- Toyota never replaced the FJ Cruiser with a new one. It’s not as if it didn’t sell. This just doesn’t make any sense.
(This was the overlanding option the Wrangler failed to be)

- Land Rover - the best 4x4xFar no longer make a proper 4x4 that can do a Grade 5 off the showroom floor.
(Because they have employed a fashion designer as a car designer)

- Nissan - where’s the Pathfinders replacement in SA? It’s not as if the old one didn’t sell
(The pathfinder is coming soon)

- Jeep Wrangler - I think they missed a trick by not having an overland version to rival the Defender & fill the gap it left in the market. They could have whipped the roll cage out & stuck a permanent solid roof on. Job done.
(No, a Wrangler should be a Wrangler - The ultimate trail vehicle - but only after spending another R100k of course)

- 6 cyl Petrol bakkies. Toyota is the only one that I can think of. Everybody else has thrown in the towel. Even a 4 cyl turbo Petrol would make sense.
(Useless on the Highveldt)

In addition, there’s some obvious design shortcomings that they either didn’t think of, or just didn’t bother with.

Examples:

- Terrain response systems. All of them have some sort of sand mode, but no dune mode that doesn’t switch off if you go faster.
(fasion designers dont do dunes)

- Mahindra has 8 seats. But you can’t use the 2nd & 3rd rows at the same time if your passengers all have legs.
(Who cares... )

- VW built the Amarok to take on the established bakkies, except that those established ones have a usable reverse gear offroad & can reverse a trailer. (The germans dont retreat, they have never had a plan to go reverse - They expect their drivers to be clever enough to not have to reverse)

- The AMG G-Wagon has all the lockers & one of the best 4WD systems, but it’s wheels are too big for offroad so all that effort was for nothing. (Another fashion design)

These are just a few examples of some seemingly weird decisions by manufacturers.

Agree or disagree?

Maybe there’s some more examples?

Its a fashion thing.... Form is far more important than function... And its our fault.

[XJ Junkie]

One thing on the new Jimny looking at video`s it seems that its traction control act very slow. Think the Jimny should have been better off with a set of good old lockers.

I went to have a look at the video that was posted & I’m in agreement. It’s slow to kick in.

[XJ Junkie]

Good point about the Wrangler. It doesn’t really have a direct competitor either.

The Wrangler JKU became what the G-Wagon used to be.

Then the closest anybody ever got to the 2 door was the Defender SVX, but it was never really a direct competitor due to its lack of engine options & market limitations.

Then the older FJ like Thys posted was similar in concept. Yet they never built anything like that again, as if nobody would buy it

Also, the Wrangler remains the only 5 seater convertible on the market that I can think of.

[icemanza]

Is there a vehicle that can come off the manufacture line these days and do a grade 5 without any mods?