Why Not Buy a Pickup Truck as a Private Car?
2 Answers
1. Influence of Inherent Automotive Culture on Development: China's automotive industry started relatively late. Initially, cars were mainly sedans and military vehicles. Sedans were a means of transportation for the wealthy, while military vehicles were trucks used for transporting personnel and supplies, with the most well-known being the Jiefang CA10. At that time, sedans symbolized wealth, which influenced the civilian automotive market to lean towards sedans, resulting in little interest in pickup trucks, a hybrid between sedans and trucks. In contrast, American culture, due to its more dispersed population distribution, utilizes pickup trucks for tasks like handling front lawn maintenance, clearing snow in winter, and transporting furniture. Unlike American automotive culture, domestic consumers prefer sedans with a stronger sense of "prestige." Those who can afford cars typically start with sedans or SUVs, with little knowledge about pickup trucks. Although the Great Wall pickup truck, the best-selling model in 2018, performed impressively with over 130,000 units sold, it still couldn't change the current small market size of pickup trucks. 2. Vehicle Positioning and Usage Cost Issues: Pickup trucks have long suffered from prejudice, with most people viewing them as merely for hauling goods and lacking in aesthetic appeal. Imagine how downgrading it would be to use a truck as a family car—it would be embarrassing in front of friends and relatives. Therefore, consumers prefer sedans or SUVs with better appearances, leaving the versatile and rugged pickup trucks largely ignored. Pickup trucks consume more fuel and are not fuel-efficient. Many prospective car buyers consult extensively before purchasing, with fuel efficiency being the most critical concern. As is well known, domestic fuel prices are nearly double those abroad. Due to their large displacement, pickup trucks give the impression of being particularly fuel-inefficient. The additional cost resulting from this fuel consumption gap is unacceptable to many families. 3. Low Actual Demand: Ordinary people buy pickup trucks mainly for their hauling capacity. Although China has a large population, very few actually need to purchase pickup trucks. Office workers, who work from nine to five, may find the subway to be their primary mode of transportation. Rural residents, with lower incomes, often cannot afford cars. Even when goods need to be transported, agricultural vehicles with stronger hauling capacity are the preferred choice. The actual demand for pickup trucks is low, with their usage mostly limited to construction sites and wholesale markets. Construction sites need to transport machinery and equipment—trucks are fuel-inefficient, and sedans cannot carry such loads. Here, pickup trucks, with their superior off-road capability and strong loading capacity, can showcase their strengths.
To be honest, the main reason I don't choose a pickup truck as a private car is that it's just not suitable for city life. I drove one in Shanghai for two years, and every time I parked, I had to find a large parking space, often getting fined. The fuel consumption is too high—over 2,000 RMB per month on gas—compared to a regular sedan, it's practically a gas guzzler. Not to mention daily commuting; the pickup is clumsy when turning and feels unstable on highways. The trunk looks big, but it's inconvenient for loading luggage, and you have to climb up to organize it. My friend uses it for hauling goods, but for family use in the city, it's just asking for trouble. Now that I've switched to an SUV, it's much more comfortable—reasonable space, easy parking—I regret not switching sooner. I recommend everyone avoid pickups unless you're specifically into off-roading or need it for work.
