Detroit 2008: Steve Saleen presents... a bargain Chinese pickup!
Laugh if you must, the wares that CHAMCO were showing off at the Detroit Auto Show were certainly a lot more humble than what you'd find at Lexus. China America Cooperative Automotive is seriously considering bringing pickup truck to the United States that they've retained the services of Steve Saleen to help guide them through the federalization process. The goal is to have the vehicle on sale here by 2009. Styling-wise, CHAMCO's un-named truck isn't going to win any EyesOn awards, but at $13,500, who cares? Besides, it could have looked a lot more grotesque, but it's not entirely a toad.
The equipment levels will meet market expectations, with power steering, windows, locks, and mirrors. Not a cupholder in sight, though. Materials inside the Anony-Truck will have you reliving the glory days of 1985, when truck interiors were seemingly blow-molded on the same production line as 2-liter soda bottles. Power comes from a 2.7-liter four cylinder serving up 150 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque through either a five speed manual or four speed automatic. Chortle now, but keep in mind another automaker from Asia that got its start with cheap little un-named pickups -- Toyota. For CHAMCO, it could be a smarter entry point than cars, anyway. The Ranger can only carry on for so long, and everyone else has pushed up the size and price of their once-small trucks.
[Source: Pickuptruck.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
The Luigiian 12:01AM (2/18/2008)
A bit late to the debate, but I feel a need to add my two cents.
I can see this vehicle succeed if it meets three basic requirements, that is, fuel-efficiency, safety, and reliability. Fuel efficiency needs to be 22 mpg or so to make a drastic improvement over its rivals. Safety needs to be extremely good; I'd say it'd need five stars NHTSA plus a good rating from the IIHS to get over the Brilliance BS6 fiasco. Reliability needs to be at least on par with, say, a BMW (which, contrary to popular belief, isn't a very reliable make of vehicle.) Those first two are most important, I think. I'm glad they're asking $13.5, because I think it means they'll put some cash into some decent R&D. I have my doubts, though. They say they're pushing for 23 mpg out of that engine, but the Toyota 2.7 they're using got 19 in EPA tests. Plus, the vehicle itself is heavier than the old Taco Crew, which in itself was fairly heavy, being a crew cab anyway. I hope it does well. And if it doesn't, I hope somebody else will come up with something better... preferably manufactured in the United States.
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tjodleiv 9:09AM (1/17/2008)
I can see people lining up around the corner for this, all that matters is that it is cheap. Helping Chinas economy while destroying your own.
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epilonious 9:38AM (1/17/2008)
Ah, I love people with no understanding of global economics.
1. There are thousands of US businesses (google, yahoo... GENERAL MOTERS to name a few) that have set up in China to take back most of this money we are pouring into their economy. Also, giving them money means we help them generate a middle class who want things like Buicks... and tend to work higher-pay jobs that will make Chinese goods more expensive and less desireable based on sheer cheapness.
2. They aren't stealing jobs. I don't know many Americans clamoring to hand-paint wal*mart quality crap for 14 hours a day at about 30 cents an hour. It's a big deal for the Chinese because they would rather do that than subsistence farm.
3. NO COUNTRY expands that rapidly without having a bigass recession/correction. Remember when Japan was supposed to be buying up America and taking over the world? Then the 80's happened and now one yen is basically worth a penny.
Dazza 10:08AM (1/17/2008)
Interesting isn't it that the likes of GM, Ford, HJ Heinz, Alcoa and countless other American companies all have truly massive investments in China. Perhaps you would prefer them to pull out of China to purely concentrate on your own domestic market?
Sorry, noone has their cake and eat it too in the business world.
Dark light 1:55PM (1/17/2008)
why are you saying it ?
chinese people are going crazy for ford and gm in china. they are buying gm and ford like fresh meat.
so are they destroying their own economy and support american economy ?
Russell 4:14PM (1/17/2008)
Does it have crumple zone the same size as the cab?
Keith Griffin 9:12AM (1/17/2008)
China America Cooperative Automotive? Good thing they didn't go with the true acronym instead of CHAMCO. (Can you tell I'm toilet training a toddler?) This looks an awful lot like the Chinese version of the Subaru Baja, which is an awful thing to model yourself after.
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Dan Roth 11:07AM (1/17/2008)
Hahaha! I didn't make that connection - that's priceless!
calebe 9:20AM (1/17/2008)
$13,500? Sorry, People can buy a stripped new full size US pick up for $14,000 on fire sale day. Bring it in at 10K and I'll give it a look. Single cab 2x4 $8995 then we will talk.
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Bryan 9:22AM (1/17/2008)
I don't know if Ill ever look, no matter what price point it comes in at. I rather get the overpriced Tacoma thats built right here in America then something helping the China Men.
lovice 11:43AM (1/17/2008)
I thought 'China Men' had been considered as a racist's comment. I guess some people were born to be racists.
geo.stewart 1:31PM (1/17/2008)
you are not getting a double cab for 13.5K anywhere. I know, I've looked. the cheapest crew cab is 20K, the ranger supercab is 17.
Now, if they are saying the base is 13.5, then yeah they will have a hard time competing with the colorado and the ranger until it is put to rest, and the frontier.
Ford will have to look long and hard before retiring the Ranger if this comes out at the same price point. They have to be super cheap to make. all the overhead/upfront costs have to be paid off.
tekdemon 2:43AM (1/18/2008)
You shouldn't assume that they'll actually go for MSRP...if they say it's $13500 MSRP, they'll probably be willing to go a little lower anyway.
On top of which, if it's really a double cab then there's no competition in that price range at all.
Throwback 9:22AM (1/17/2008)
Dan, this is a classic line; "Besides, it could have looked a lot more grotesque, but it's not entirely a toad". Why do I think we will be saying this about a lot of Chinese made vehicles?
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JWIL 9:23AM (1/17/2008)
I think it looks good enough for that price to sell quite well.
But it's how a truck holds up that matters.
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tanooki2003 9:31AM (1/17/2008)
I would definitely praise and even be the first in line to get one since NOBODY else in this country can produce a compact pickup. I have absolutely no need for a huge gargantuan F150 with a gas hogging V8, no matter how cheap it is, nor any other pickup in that size. I would say the Ranger but we, somehow, are the only region that does not get an actual 4 door Ranger.
This reminds me of my favorite pickup, or SUT (Sports Utility Truck) as they called it, Mitsubishi Triton that I owned when I stayed in Malaysia for a few years. I really miss that pickup and wish I was able to bring it over here. It had 4 wheel drive, a strong 2.5L I4 Diesel with common rail injection, 6 speed manual, and very comfortable seats with a comfortable but sporty ride.
The only truck offered here that even remotely comes close is the Toyota Tacoma. I really don't fancy spending almost $30,000 for a small-midsized pickup.
If this does come here of course I will inspect it and test it through the ground while comparing to the Mitsubishi Triton. I bet it would be cool if it was moddable with Saleen parts.
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Hardy 10:19AM (1/17/2008)
Tacoma MSRP for the double cap 2x4 starts at $23,225 with an invoice of $21,100. Not exactly $30k, and I'm pretty sure that $23k for the Taco gets you a lot more than $13k does in that knock off.
There's no real point to actual compact trucks anyway in the US market, why do you think they don't exist? =) It would hardly be fitting to have truck balls on something with a 4 banger or even a v6~
tanooki2003 11:00AM (1/17/2008)
You are incorrect Hardy.
The double cab Tacoma ONLY comes with a V6 and the MSRP is $28,225. The only way I can get the 4cyl is if i get the access cab, which is pointless, or just 2 door. This completely defeats my purpose of purchasing a Tacoma.
I am not looking for a redneck big rig truck with 1 ton of ugly blinged up chrome, not something that can haul a house, nor 7 tons of concrete blocks. I just want a compact 4WD 4 door pickup with a 4 cyl like my former Mitsubishi Triton that i used to own. I honestly don't give a rats crap about who's pickup is the strongest unless i own a business that requires one. This is perfect for people like me who don't exactly want to dive into an SUV but like the idea that the vehicle can haul a refrigerator in the back, a large TV, or certain pieces of furniture from IKEA.
No matter how cheap the gargantuan V8 domestic and import full size pickups are, regardless how stripped down they can get, it still does not add up to how much you have to spend on gas in this ~$100 a barrel society which we are now living. Frankly I like not getting a $45-100 sticker shock every time I fill up my tank.
Hardy 11:17AM (1/17/2008)
My MSRP is from the KBB website.
Eek 11:30AM (1/17/2008)
"There's no real point to actual compact trucks anyway in the US market, why do you think they don't exist? =) It would hardly be fitting to have truck balls on something with a 4 banger or even a v6~"
Hardy, I hope you were being sarcastic.