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 [emoji15]

- 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 [emoji6][emoji6][emoji6]

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 [emoji15]
(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 [emoji848]

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?