Sales are growing in the UK say dealers By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine While it might have performed poorly in Euro safety tests, the Nissan Navara is helping to draw buyers in the UK to a new type of vehicle - the pick-up truck.
Sales are growing in the UK say dealers By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine While it might have performed poorly in Euro safety tests, the Nissan Navara 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. George W Bush drives one and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has campaigned from the back of one.
In the US you can't move without tripping over one. George W Bush drives one and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has campaigned from the back of 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.
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 vehicleThe 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.
The all-American vehicleThe 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.
"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."
"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.
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."
"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'
'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.
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."
"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.
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 familiesHe 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 are becoming popular with familiesHe 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.
"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."
"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.
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."
"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.
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'
'Environmental horror'
With the current backlash against 4X4s, including a possible £25 congestion charge in London, pick-ups could face some hostility.
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.
"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."
"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.
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.
"A lot of the time they're replacing the white van," says Mr Rayner.
Could this signal the end for "white van man"?
Could this signal the end for "white van man"?
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Give me a van any day, they're more economical, more spacious for real men to do real things in and more useful. Pick-up trucks are for posers!A C Fielding, Peterborough, England
Oh good God... I moved to the States two years ago and can't STAND the macho mentality of all these idiots driving around in their yank tanks. I often gloat about how different the UK is to the States (for the better), but I fear we truly are just becoming the 51st State nowDave, Tampa, FL
In the long run it may be these pickups that help drive more environmentally-friendly fuels. If we all pitch in and make our next car a 4x4, we can burn up the last of the oil reserves quicker and move onto the next stage of energy production!Huw, llantrisant
The people who buy these 'Yank Tanks' all have a deficiency. I suggest they read their spam e-mail inbox to find a solution, instead of polluting our environment and further congesting our roads.Sam, UK
Like most over sized cars, they will rarely - if ever - be used for their designed purpose. I suspect we will see even more idiots driving round in these, on their way to work in a bank or most likely an Estate Agents. I think they are dangerous to other road users, bad for the planet and pathetic. Get them off the roads.James Palmer, Brighton, UK
