New Market Analysis: Pick-ups and 4x4s

Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2022 | Author: James Dallas

A host of beefed-up new arrivals should breathe new life into a sector that has made an underwhelming start to 2022.

In February, sales of pick-up trucks plummeted by 36% year-on-year to 1,098 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. A signal that component supply shortages and economic uncertainty continue to bite – although this decline should be set against an overall strong market performance in February 2021.

Registrations in the niche 4x4 segment, on the other hand, increased by 49% to 76 units but remain a fraction of the overall market.

Over the first two months of 2022, pick-up sales were down by a quarter to 3,204, compared with the same period last year, but 4x4 sales shot up 145% to 352.

In a much-diminished market, when assessing the number of models available compared with a couple of years ago, the Ford Ranger continues to tighten its grip on the pick-up sector, it was the sixth biggest-selling LCV overall in the year to 28 February – notching up 1,896 sales.

The Ranger was easily the UK’s most popular pick-up in 2021 overall, its 17,830 sales almost double the 9,562 sales of the second-placed Toyota Hilux. The top five was completed by the Nissan Navara (7,988), the Isuzu D-Max (3,688) and the Mitsubishi L200 (2,830).

It should be noted that the Navara and L200 have both now departed the sector, leaving the field open to the trucks that remain. As well as those listed above, the smaller-selling Ssangyong Musso will also be aiming to move in from the margins.

Ford has revealed details of its next-generation Ranger, although the truck will not arrive in UK showrooms until early next year. The manufacturer promises a new exterior design, more car-like interior and range-topping V6 diesel engine.

The new Ranger will also get a revised chassis, making the pick-up both 50mm wider and 50mm longer in the wheelbase, as well as new suspension and updates to the manual and automatic transmissions. The new Ranger more closely resembles Ford’s US models, including the F150 pick-up and Everest SUV, with a larger grille including a horizontal bar that incorporates the Ford badge to emphasise its greater width and broader stance.

On the inside there are more upmarket materials including a new SYNC 4 infotainment system available with either a 10in or 12in portrait touchscreen. The instrument cluster is fully digital and customisable with a range of different features; everything from off-road information through to traffic navigation instructions.

Before the mainstream Ranger arrives, the blue oval will launch the flagship Raptor with a V6 petrol engine in the fourth quarter of this year. The halo product pick-up will be powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo ecoboost V6 producing 288hp in conjunction with 491Nm of torque.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released concept images of its new Amarok pick-up, which is based on the new Ford Ranger thanks to the product collaboration between the two manufacturers. Volkswagen says the newcomer will have improved off-road driving ability compared with the previous-generation model due to increased ground clearance. At 5.35m long, the new Amarok is 10cm longer than the outgoing model, providing more rear-seat legroom.

Toyota will give a UK debut to its new flagship Hilux, the GR Sport at the CV Show in May before it arrives in showrooms in the summer. The double-cab-only GR Sport features the most powerful engine option from the existing Hilux range, a 2.8L 201hp diesel which also provides 500Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. It will be priced at £37,551 excluding VAT.

What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide