Should Ford offer Maverick rear seat delete option?

[Darnon]

Alex On Autos said the same thing a few months back. He explained the truck CAFE rules were based on length (I think). And that was the secret reason we're not seeing small trucks. I'm gonna take Alex's word on it, because I don't want to wade through this monster...

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-533?toc=1

This article also goes over it https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a36697224/ford-maverick-had-to-be-a-hybrid/

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[A Sturdy Beast]

I call BS on the standard narrative that not enough people want an inexpensive single cab or extended cab small trucks. This narrative has been pushed by the industry for ages now. But the point is that nobody has offered a truly small and inexpensive single-cab pickup truck since 2011. Remember, an early Toyota truck was 3 feet shorter than the Maverick and had a longer bed.

I’d buy a Maverick with no back seat and a longer bed. Some need the back seat and some don’t. To pretend that no one wants a longer bed in exchange for a back seat is ridiculous.

 

[icegradner]

I call BS on the standard narrative that not enough people want an inexpensive single cab or extended cab small trucks. This narrative has been pushed by the industry for ages now. But the point is that nobody has offered a truly small and inexpensive single-cab pickup truck since 2011. Remember, an early Toyota truck was 3 feet shorter than the Maverick and had a longer bed.

I think the issue is two fold, one there are fewer people who want single cab trucks. Ford and other makers have had them for many years and only recently have stopped or are planning to stop selling them, because there aren't many people buying them. If I look around my community, for example, I don't see many if any single cab (even work trucks) in use that are less than 12-20 years old. That means sales likely are too low.

Second reason, cost of manufacturing. That might not sound like an issue at first, but manufacturers have to justify everything they do to stockholders. So there has to be enough profit in it for manufactures to justify having an entirely different production line, and different tooling setup, for the number of customers that do want it. Unless the vehicle is some kind of pet project that stockholders are in favor of, limited production vehicles that hold up other production won't survive. Based on the fact that almost all north American truck makers are starting to drop the option, my guess is no.

 

[Old Ranchero]

I think the issue is two fold, one there are fewer people who want single cab trucks. Ford and other makers have had them for many years and only recently have stopped or are planning to stop selling them, because there aren't many people buying them. If I look around my community, for example, I don't see many if any single cab (even work trucks) in use that are less than 12-20 years old. That means sales likely are too low.

Second reason, cost of manufacturing. That might not sound like an issue at first, but manufacturers have to justify everything they do to stockholders. So there has to be enough profit in it for manufactures to justify having an entirely different production line, and different tooling setup, for the number of customers that do want it. Unless the vehicle is some kind of pet project that stockholders are in favor of, limited production vehicles that hold up other production won't survive. Based on the fact that almost all north American truck makers are starting to drop the option, my guess is no.

IMO you are elevating "stockholders" to a higher level of importance and involvement in the process than they really occupy. The really big decisions come from Board Of Directors. CEO, CFO, COO report directly to board of directors (who also decide on their compensation packages). The really big shareholders, like a Carl Icahn for example that might control 20% of outstanding shares might have some sway over direction of a company and a seat or 2 on board of directors, but other than that execs aren't really answering to average Joe with a few hundred or thousand shares. Just based on my experiences on the inside and as a personal shareholder in various companies large & small.

 

[Maverstang]

They won’t do it.

They will made a hybrid small cargo van off the Maverick’s platform in the coming years (if they hold to their plan). This will fit that use for those wanting to carry cargo inside the cabin.

At the end of the day, they may not even do the van plan. More profits in selling to households that entry-level fleet sales. I believe I read they are cancelling the transit connect in the US and just leaving the large transit van to be offered for fleet and commercial use. Probably more profitable.

The replacement Transit Connect was supposed to be the Maverick/Escape based van. Sadly it looks like the van configuration is gone for good with this recent cancellation announcement.

Don’t know why they are giving up their established leadership in this segment, but perhaps they concluded any new commercial product has to be electric only given the main application is shorter distance urban routes.

 

[bgn]

I would imagine very few buyers would want that.

 

[Clock Doc]

With the maverick and the santa cruz's popularity and the other big auto makers looking to move into similar vehicles. It maybe that a shift is coming in the market. Families started buying trucks because the cars couldn't fit a family and all their crap any more. So minvans and suvs were born. Then in 04 Honda came out with the Ridgeline. According to Honda, the Ridgeline was developed to "give the 18% of Honda owners who also own pickups a chance to make their garages a Honda-only parking area. I'm sure every mfg at this point was noticing the same shift too. Trucks started moving into 4 dr family daily drivers beds became shorter so the intimidated could park them. After all they weren't work veh. anymore. 20yrs later work trucks are over priced gas guzzeling grocery getters. Ford and Hyundai come out with the vehicles that actually fit what these buyers want. A reasonably priced truck like veh that they can fit the kids in and all their crap. With the added bonus they can back out of a parking spot without running into everything.
Maybe just maybe if we're lucky we might see the return of the single cab 8ft bed work truck!

 

[Mach 1]

Does this discussion parallel standard shift transmission vs. Auto Vs. DSG?

 

[Mllombardi]

Actually the OP asked about a rear seat delete option and not a single cab. Big difference and no redesign intended. Literally don’t install the rear seat and offer a flat panel over the underseat storage. 2 years later when you have to carry kids instead of cargo…. Buy a seat and swap it in. Put the cover panel on eBay.

 

[OTACORB]

I can see the interest in this, but it would likely be too small for them to do it. I am talking the seat delete with a flat panel replacement. Not a single cab with a larger bed as that isn't what was asked about. Personally I wouldn't be interested, but I think for fleet users it maybe ideal. Don't see it happening based on Ford current trajectory. I personally had trucks that had the suicide doors with the squished back seat to make the bed longer and I freaking hated it. Glad those are going away.

 

[Darnon]

Actually the OP asked about a rear seat delete option and not a single cab. Big difference and no redesign intended. Literally don’t install the rear seat and offer a flat panel over the underseat storage. 2 years later when you have to carry kids instead of cargo…. Buy a seat and swap it in. Put the cover panel on eBay.

I think that sounds easier than it is. If you delete the rear seat now it's only an occupancy 2 vehicle. No seatbelts, any associated SRS, seat occupancy detection, etc. And even if you reinstall/reprogram all that you need to modify the title/registration.

On the production side that also means new molds for the upper and lower C-pillar to remove the seatbelt openings. Plus a new backpanel for appearance and noise; the pressure vent hidden behind the seat lets a lot of road sound in if you have the seat down.

 

[Mllombardi]

I think that sounds easier than it is. If you delete the rear seat now it's only an occupancy 2 vehicle. No seatbelts, any associated SRS, seat occupancy detection, etc. And even if you reinstall/reprogram all that you need to modify the title/registration.

On the production side that also means new molds for the upper and lower C-pillar to remove the seatbelt openings. Plus a new backpanel for appearance and noise; the pressure vent hidden behind the seat lets a lot of road sound in if you have the seat down.

After I posted I realized that the solution lies in the aftermarket. These are for a 2022 mustang and a Chevy Colorado.

 

[jtpc2021]

Just seems sad the days of a regular cab style truck are gone and some of us would like a work style version instead of a people mover.

Full size trucks still have regular cab work truck options.

Just don’t expect a sub-compact, unibody one in the US soon.

Wish we could have the land cruiser trucks they offer in the middle east. Small, but tough.

 

[NJBob]

Would be even better if you had a front bench seat. Maybe could fit 3 for a short trip.

 

[Meintc]

Would be even better if you had a front bench seat. Maybe could fit 3 for a short trip.

My Chevy S10 was a single cab bench seat. No under seat storage. No cruise. No AC. No cup holder. No FWD. No USB ports. No keyless entry. No power windows. No 8 inch screen. But loved the little size. Crap in winter, but fun to drive. Can't wait for my fully loaded truck to arrive.

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