I agree. The Rivian isn't my favorite vehicle to look at. I want a vehicle that does what it does, but has the jeep features we all love too (Removable top, doors, windshield, compact in width, flared fenders, flat nose, etc). But the Ford will most likely be the first look at a real mainstream EV pickup.
Ford has been leading the pack on this (at least as far as mainstream U.S.-based or founded automakers) for a long time. I recall years ago watching some Scientific American show about EVs and battery tech, and one of the companies they discussed such things with - Ford (well, BMW and Mercedes, too, but I meant U.S. companies or those started in the US)
I grew up fixing things, improving things, building things. Modify an EV - good luck. We are mechanically inclined, gears in our head, we love the sounds of running engines and the more mechanical the better. Have you never been to an antique tractor and engine show and watched people stand around those things for hours on end, watching and listening? I used to start mine, pull up a good lawn chair and take a nap next to my running hit and miss engines.I always scratch my head at why car buffs are adverse to electrification. I think hybrid Prius'es driven by tree huggers dance in our heads, but electrification is the next logical step in automotive evolution.
The first internal combustion (IC) engine was created in 1872 and we've basically squeezed as much out of that rock as possible for 150 years. Just before the IC was steam engines and before that? A horse.
I'm in my 40s and I've torqued a lot of wrenches over the years, but I can only imagine the possibilities ahead when some of the early EVs have trucks performing off-road and hitting 60 in 3 seconds. Costs will go down. Batteries will lighten in weight. Ranges will expand. Drivetrain space gains. Front and rear storage gains. Limited maintenance.
Plus, keep in mind that IC trucks and SUVs will still be around for a while (probably not cars). If anything, they'll be in demand and the used car landscape will be a lively market.
Now give me my 3-second, rock-crawling Gladiator!
I'm the complete opposite on this. I love me some horizontal lines. Fallingwater House. Gort, original Cylons, Robocop. KIT, Testarossa air-intakes, '68 Charger with the headlights flipped closed and yes, I am one of the heathens who loves the Rivian look. Would buy in a hearbeat if I could afford to buy one and build a garage with electrical to house and charge it in.Ford has been leading the pack on this (at least as far as mainstream U.S.-based or founded automakers) for a long time. I recall years ago watching some Scientific American show about EVs and battery tech, and one of the companies they discussed such things with - Ford (well, BMW and Mercedes, too, but I meant U.S. companies or those started in the US)
I do not like vehicles or houses with horizontal lines. Do not like Frank Lloyd Wright designed houses with long horizontal lines of windows, long flat lines. Don't like a vehicle that reminds me of -
Give me headlights, not a skinny band across the front corner to corner. (which means I don't care for the lighting all the way across the front of the Lightening)
KITT is different. That scrolling line doesn't cross corner to corner and isn't defining the car. It's long, low, sleek and has nice lines.
When it comes to design especially there are certainly safe options that won't really inspire, but won't offend and then there are bold choices that can be divisive but I certainly understand why many are put-off by the look of the Rivian. I'm also someone who likes the look of the AMC Pacer so my opinion is definitely not anymore valid than yours or anyone else's on the matter.
The same here in AZ... all the "Jeep" Jeeps are TJs (yay no rust!) and JKs. The JLs are mostly just looking pretty. Read a marketing study that the average JL buyer owner has an average household income north of $100k now so it's just nowhere near the same demographic it used to be.
My theory is that nothing has changed except now those jeeps are older and cheaper, and out of warranty. A sports car or a jeep is really the most fun for the second or third owner haha. Because I remember thinking the same thing about JKs when I had a TJ (but now we have a JK too haha). Every time a new generation comes out it isn't a real jeep. Then it gets old, and the second and third owners get them, at a price that's cheap enough that doesn't scare them away from going off road. We'll see more adventurous JLs as time passes. Then they are less expensive, and therefore less stressful to get dirty. Also, no warranty to worry about on an older JK or any TJ, so they can be modded without worry, and as stuff breaks. A lot of folks with new jeeps are just scared to get them dirty.
My daughter in law took marketing classes in college (not long ago as she went back after another degree) and she might differ with you.
That's exactly it. It's hard to wheel a $45k daily driver for most people unless you have money to not care if you do something stupid. JLs will be in that fun segment in the next 5 years but the days of buying a new Wranger off the lot and setting it up to wheel are gone for the average new buyer and that's who Jeep really cares about.
That's actually where my wife and I differed as well. I wanted a base Willys Sport, no options at all. She couldn't stand the thought of no power windows/locks, although the TJ was technically hers not that long ago. And it didn't have air, and barely heat. The same thing when we bought her JK. It took forever to find one she liked. She wanted the 6 speed, but most of the 6 speeds had no power windows or locks.
Part of what and how we buy vehicles is due to my wife's handicap - she can drive a stick but is restricted on her license to automatic, power steering
Funny, I was reading this earlier, maybe there is a corollary here?? Interesting none the less.
