Scrolling through my feed recently, I came across an article that made me feel valid and in company about my feelings. I've long been frustrated with how automakers have approached the U.S. truck market in their offerings. Most things about brand new vehicles I'm not exactly for, like the massive touchscreens replacing physical buttons and knobs, the exterior stylistic choices, and the shift away from sedans into bloated SUVs. 

EVs are neither here nor there for me. I appreciate them as a viable alternative to ICE vehicles in some contexts, but I really hate how the government is trying to mandate automakers convert to this mode solely, within the next decade or so. I've said it before, driving a used car and keeping it on the road is substantially better for the environment than buying a new EV. That's not what I'm here to discuss, however. 

I want to know: what happened to all the extended cab trucks? Perusing the Chevrolet website, for example, there are three options for the front half of a Silverado. You can get a two-door regular cab, a four-door double cab, or a four-door crew cab. Long gone are the days of the three-door access cab like my mom's '99, let alone an American two-door with some space behind the seat like my El Camino. Let's not even mention the absurd cab-to-bed ratios. I recall a time when the Avalanche and H3 were ridiculed for their small beds, and here we are now....

So, what's really my big issue? For me, it's all about style. A car is much more than just a means to get from point A-B for me. I could count on my fingers how many four-door vehicles I would be enthused about driving, and nowhere on that list is a truck. I grew up loving sports cars and muscle cars, and that's probably where this particularity stems from. The four-doors were almost always inferior on any given model, from performance to value. The practical functionality of four doors is undeniable and I certainly won't knock you if that's your ride, but as someone without kids who rarely has backseat passengers, my options are somewhat limited. I recognize that I'm going against the current here, especially as clean examples of early crew cab trucks are surpassing the $100k mark at auctions. They're what's hot, and manufacturers simply respond to the market. It's just not for me! 

What's worse about our current condition is that if you want something smaller than a full-size pickup from the Big Three, you simply cannot get a two-door. The Ranger and the Colorado are sweet trucks, for example, but in my opinion, they could be so much cooler with some different cab options! They are still pretty big in comparison to trucks from years past and would check every one of my boxes if only an extended cab or access cab were offered. I'd even go for a single cab with a bench seat. With that, I'd say It's prime time for Ram to bring back the Dakota in the form of a sporty small truck, with two primary doors and maybe one or two half doors. I'd be all over something like that, personally. I just want a sub-$20k bare bones little truck with 4x4 for the common man. With some luck we can still find decent ones in the used market, but if these trends continue from carmakers, that won't be the case forever. 

Thankfully, I now know I'm not totally alone on this. I guess the algorithm worked out for me on this particular suggested content, as the article spoke to me closely and even garnished a like off me. That's once in a blue moon for me on suggested content, as I reject the notion. Here's that piece which inspired me highlight this hole in the new truck market. One last thing while I'm at it here: instead of painted ones, can we get some more chrome bumpers? 

Thank you for reading this and for listening to Your Country 94.9 WQMX! Have a great weekend now and be sure to catch me on-air weekdays from Midnight-5am. Truck yeah!