The rise of the pick-up truck in the UK!

While it might have performed poorly in Euro safety tests, the Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux etc, is helping to draw buyers in the UK to a new type of vehicle - the pick-up truck.
In the US you can't move without tripping over one.
There's something distinctly American about the pick-up, all Bruce Springsteen and O Brother, Where Art Thou. Along with apple pie, baseball and the diner, the truck is a firm part of Americana. But now they're winning over British car buyers.


The all-American vehicle
The design of the Nissan Navara might have been criticised by Euro NCap, the European body responsible for testing new cars, but it highlights how these "rough and tough" off-road vehicles are become increasingly popular in the UK.

"You see them everywhere and a lot of people are now buying them for family run-arounds," says motoring journalist Adam Rayner.

"They're practical, with more than two doors, sumptuous interiors and room in the back for all sorts. They're a lot more fun than the typical family saloon."

But their practicality is only part of their increasing popularity. Appearance and price - they start in the region of £16,000 - both play a part.

"These vehicles are big, sexy things and that appeals to men," says Mr Rayner. "They look good but are much more affordable than something like a Ferrari. Men can be flash with these 'yank tanks' without bankrupting themselves."

'Mid-life crisis market'

Another part of their appeal is to do with tax. They may not be dirt cheap to buy but they can save you money when it comes to road tax. Self-employed people can run pick-ups as commercial vehicles, as well as a family car, and get different road tax restrictions.

"If you have a diesel pick-up you can actually buy it for business use and that's a VAT issue that can save you tremendous amounts of wedge," says Mr Rayner. "It adds to their attraction."

Frank Griffiths started a business in Cheshire selling pick-up trucks with his son five years ago. He says demand is growing all the time. The business gets around 40 enquiries a week, up from just four when it started.


They are becoming popular with families
He has sold pick-ups to a whole range of customers, from families to the up-market Malmaison hotel chain, which bought a fleet of them. But the vehicles are very popular with one particular set of car drivers, he says.

"They're a bit of a rich man's toy. I call it the mid-life crisis market.

"I get lots of wealthy businessmen who want something different to drive, they want to stand out from the crowd. They often want high-spec vehicles, with all the gadgets."

He says the pick-up's popularity is not only growing in the UK.

"They're gaining popularity in other countries as well. I have three pick-ups in my garage at the moment ready for shipping overseas, two are going to Jakarta and one to South Africa."

However, they're not becoming popular with everyone, including environmentalists. While engine size can vary, they are not known for their fuel efficiency, especially the bigger American-made vehicles.

'Environmental horror'

With the current backlash against 4X4s, including a possible £25 congestion charge in London, pick-ups could face some hostility.

"Pick-ups are inherently less green than other vehicles because their design is not very aerodynamic," says Mr Rayner.

"Some do have relatively sensible engines because they are designed as work horses, but at the other end of the spectrum you get real monsters. They are an environmental horror."

But the growing popularity of pick-ups could have an unexpected consequence, which will be welcomed by some.

"A lot of the time they're replacing the white van," says Mr Rayner.

Could this signal the end for "white van man"?





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From the BBC!!!

.......My work van's orange not white

It doesn't matter, it still counts

I love them........best vehicle i have ever had.......the looks and the uses.......brilliant......

Ditto here buddy, we need more users

The thing is......with all this global warming and stuff going on.....the owners should be dropping.......but hey, they are not.....they are getting more and more popular.......yippee......

Ha ha, well we all know thats a government white wash but hey to them