Hey, I didn't even remember Asia Motors! Thanks for reminding me (Asia Rocsta FTW).

The current Bongo is actually based on the previous generation Hyundai H-1. Which I'm not sure if it's a 100% Hyundai design or if it's still a Mitsubishi underneath.

But since the current Mitsubishi Delica is actually a Mazda Bongo, it's all in the family.

Asian LCV badge engineering is even more confusing than GM passenger vehicle badge engineering.

EuropaBambaataa

Okay, then, they HAD one. It was called the "Towner." They got it when they bought Asia (the truck maker, not the continent). Looks like it is gone now.

And the Bongo was originally, I believe, based on the Mazda Bongo. (There is a Mazda Bongo, and all but two of Kia's pre-Hyundai vehicles were Mazda designs...the continuation of the Lotus M100 Elan, and the Toyota-based Kia Carens) If it went like every other Kia vehicle after Hyundai bought them, though, it would have shifted to a Hyundai platform around 2000. Also, those vans are smaller than US full-size vans (but I think larger than some minivans).

Oh, and yes, Daewoo does have the Labo (which was, AFAIK, originally a badge-engineered and re-engined Suzuki, and which may still be such). But since we are discussing Hyundai/Kia...

TechnoDestructo

Ray Wert

I stand by my liking of the Toyota A BAt Concept from Detroit. With a hybrid it could be the biggest small pickup in decades.
[blogs.cars.com]

Rabbi Dave

All these mid-size trucks (tacoma, Canyon, Frontier..) aren't cutting it for efficiency and power.

SigmundTheSeaMonster

Man, a no-frills light truck with an 8' bed would bring all the kids to the yard.

Elhigh

Euro Ford Ranger
[www.ford.com.au]

Mitsubishi Triton/L200
[www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk]

tanooki2003

The Canyon/Colorado trucks are plain junk. I owned 2 for my business and gave me nothing but mechanical headaches and horrible customer service. The Ranger I owned was trouble free and more solid.

Actually the perfect trucks IMO would be the Mitsubishi Triton, Mitsubishi L200, the Euro Ford Ranger or the Mazda BT-50.

A caminoized car does not make a truck.

tanooki2003

That's pretty much what a Ridgeline is, no?

DannyBN

A Tundra is about the equvalent of 3 Rangers, you must be thinking of the Tacoma, but that truck is too humongous to be a compact.

The Colorado/Canyon with no options, 2wd, short bed/cab are as basic as you'll get with small pickups.

If they aren't good enough for you, I'm sure there's someone around here who can Camino-ize a Camry for you.

danio3834

Also the Tundra, a perfect replacement, is still rather expensive. The Frontier has become an adolescent much like the Durango. GM's crap options are just not an option to me and never will be.

tanooki2003

There have been a lot of advancements in the state of auto design since the Rampage and VW pickup were on the market. A nice 4-banger from the Accent mated to a 5-speed or CVT, I'd think.

Despite gas prices going up, there is a segment of the population that wants the carrying capacity/look of a truck bed, but doesn't need to do any serious hauling (raises hand). Such a vehicle would fill the bill nicely.

SundaySunday

thatguy01

Just say it, you want a small truck that is trendy.

danio3834

GRRR I guess I will just wait for the Chinese to introduce a light duty truck.

This is total bullshit. I guess we will always be stuck with big ass honkin big rig trucks and big cars instead of more economical light trucks the rest of the world gets.

tanooki2003

The truck pictured was all ready to be shipped to dealers, then someone told them that Ford had already made the 1997 F-150.

"...neither Hyundai nor Kia will produce one...for the U.S."

See, they left out the "!!!" at the end.
Pure anger and spite right there.

danio3834

LuciferV8

Making it in the US would get around the chicken tax too! Really surprised they don't want to get into this now

pjsammy

Elhigh

Pumpkin Cee'd.

Elhigh

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO

Novaload

Novaload

GM-Daewoo does though. I think it's called the Daewoo Labo.

EuropaBambaataa

But I wouldn't make a cee'damino. If it were up to me the pick-up would be based on the Kia Picanto.

EuropaBambaataa

Hyundai Tiburon Namdaemun edition. The doors fall off in the presence of Japanese royalty, and if crazy old korean men get into it, it burns down to the floor pan.

TechnoDestructo

Number_Six

And you were expecting anything else?

DannyBN

The first company to make a small truck of 1980s Toyota or Nissan Hardbody quality wins.

And SOMEONE is going to introduce a kei or kei-style truck into the US eventually. Kia has one.

TechnoDestructo