I think Nissan realizes the Titan 1500 is more truck than most people need. When gas gets back over $3 The people that buy pickups because they think they are cool are going to find another segment of the market to flock too.

I'd say at least 50% of the full size truck market is people that don't really need a fullsize truck.

 

^ agree 100%. The house next door to ours is a (sorta) duplex, with the second story being rented out. Guess what the the neighbor on the top apartment owns? A freakin' 3500 Dodge duelie. Now, what in the heck does this guy need that truck that big for?

 

I agree with you that a large percentage of people over the past decade or more who have bought large trucks (and SUVs as well) didn’t “need” them; they simply wanted them (me included); I’m turning in my 05 Titan for an 07 QX56 but I hardly “need” either of them. But I’ve got to warn you….

A few months ago in another thread about trucks; I floated the idea that a large number of people who buy pick-up trucks don’t need them at all and rarely if ever tow anything with them and I was lambasted for my opinion. So….consider yourself warned!!!

 

That may hold true at where you are, but a large majority of people in KC use their pickups for work or something else on a regular basis.

 

I have a pickup and almost never tow. But I do use the bed all the time. I don't need a fullsize, I can make do with the Colorado 5.1' bed. It isn't the best for moving Sheetrock, but it gets the job done when I need it to. Diesel Colorado's could easily do the task that most casual fullsize owners buy there trucks for while getting 50% better fuel economy.

If you can replace a pickup with another vehicle (like you did), then you probably needed a pickup in the first place. They are handy vehicles though, and make a great 2nd or 3rd vehicle for a family.

 

Actually, NHTSA stats supported my opinion but that aside; what kept GM and Ford and Chrysler afloat for the past 15 years while they all but abandoned the car segment of the market were pick-up and SUV sales and the growth of the pick-up/SUV segment were from people that did not use the capabilities of those vehicles...they weren't buying them to go hopping trails in the back woods nor to pull tree-stumps or fence posts out of the north 40; their reasons varied of course but people bought those vehicles moslty because they wanted them, not because they had a true need for them.

Sure, I've hauled some yard supplies and such in my Titan and I've actually used the 4WD two or three times over the course of three winters but I certainly could have gotten by with any number of other/smaller/less expensive vehicles.

 

I'm not denying what the NHTSA says, I'm just saying that the number of people using their trucks for what they are intended for will vary from area to area. I just know what goes on around KC. It wouldn't suprise me at all to see people just having a pickup just because it is a fad, or for what ever reason, in other areas and even a few around here.

 

I'd be curious as to what percent of 2500 and 3500's are diesels?

 

That would not be an accurate assement of demand. All the Big 3's diesel sales are supply limited not demand limited.

 

Didn't really answer my question.

 

Wasn't trying to.

 

Ford is at about 70% diesel for the SuperDuty.

 

The Asian's success in the truck market depends on their ability to draw non-traditional pickup buyers. If the market contracts, the only people buying pickups will be a core of domestic-loyal buyers. Too much money for them to spend and not succeed.

 

Diesels here are getting a big following due to the increased aftermarket and shows promoting diesel power. I rarley see a 3/4 or 1-ton truck here that isn't diesel. Maybe it's a trend, but as long as guys can get a programmer and add 75-100hp, I think they'll be popular, especially with those who actually do tow a lot.
But I think too the bulk of the trucks on the road here are the 1/2 ton, regular duty versions.
Decent milage, all kinds of customizing parts available etc..may have Nissan waiting out this market slow down for larger trucks.
Titan isn't a bad looking truck, it just seems so...cold...lifeless...to me.

 

Its true alot of people don't tow with 2500/3500's...

I really get a kick out of owners that have to use the "step bumper" to get in and out of their truck...


The biggest thing I tow with my Silverado is my boat which is 19', which a large V6 can do. I had a Sonoma years ago with the 4.3 V6, and it had some trouble pulling the boat out of water. With the 5.3 V8, there is nothing but easy pulling. Plus the 'rado has alot more room for me being 6'6".