Well of course! People love their luxury and spend a lot of time in their vehicles, so if they want to feel truly satisfied with their purchase it makes sense to go for a high-end trim.

Itd be really cool if i could get a 6.2 eight speed without having to buy the high country or denali package

It's easily understandable how and why the purchasing of higher end pickups are doing well.

Most pickups are bought as a family hack (75%). These pickups will never work and maybe tow a tiny trailer. The only "more" Spartan pickups are generally sold to business and farmers/construction trades, etc.

If someone can only afford $30 000 for a family vehicle there are plenty of options that they can afford that offer better comfort other than a pickup. These vehicle will fulfill 95% of what they want a vehicle for.

This article again highlights that the pickup is becoming the US's middle class show wagon and not the work horse of yore.

Is this good or bad? Well it is keeping the Big 3 afloat. Whilst this is the case the "poulet impot" will remain so the Big 3 can rake in the cash from the consumer.

I have no problem with the OEM's offering luxotrucks to their customers.Hell,if someone can afford a 50k+ truck,have at it.And,it's damn good to see Ram in their,and doing well too.

Loco, you can get the 6.2 in both the LTZ and SLT as well.

These premium level trucks are just like diesels for most purchasers. Just a really expensive want and not really a need. But it is nice to be able to afford a want if you can.

Well seeing all the manufacturers are going with extreme truck luxury and size of a small WWII tank for those fluff cakes who really need a caddy but want to appear they are tough guys or mommy bad asses and are willing to spend a down payment on a home for a truck.
I guess I have to break out the old tools and fire up the furnace in the old shop and just design and build a truck to my specs, because the current market has drawn in so many soccer moms and soft daddys that the trucks are used as a family commute now. Good for the manufactures who picked up extra buyers but bad for those who need/want a truck that is capable off road and work duty without the touch screen GPS and voice commands with heated leather and touch button start with mommy cakes fold up seats for groceries.
Jeep couldn't get off the coach to build the Jeep truck in fear of losing sales on the ram 1500. That very statement should tell anyone that their market has herded those who really don't want a heavy fully automated truck but has no other opetion, otherwise they would build the Jeep truck without fear of losing a strong base on their current model.
Of course sales are strong they are all offering the same thing just a different badge and and front face.
56K for a pickup Pathetic to say the least.
If I am dropping 56k it sure isn't going to be on a caddy wanna be truck
a 56k investment in Pfizer in August of 2010 would be worth over 120k today

@ToxicSludge,
I agree with you. If someone can afford something and they want it, so be it.

But, if down the track they are broke or whatever don't look for handouts because of poor decision making.

The reality is, many who comment attempt to make out these trucks are "trucks". They are anything but a truck in most cases. They then bicker over which one accelerates better, or has the most hp, does this sound like a truck in it's true sense, or just a personal form of transport, like a car.

Buying an expensive truck is no different than buying an expensive car or SUV.

@ BAFO: Yup.

@ Ray: Maybe some of these folks that are buying the luxotrucks are doing it from their investments in Pfizer back in 2010.Ya never know...

@ToxicSludge,
Please, don't call me BAFO. I do think you know.

I have shown you respect, always.

Comprender.

That tailgate is ugly. I would remove those letters right away if I got one of these trucks and the chrome line. It would look a lot better if it said Ram in small letters in the bottom corner.

@Chase, aka Leigh, ALL001, etc, moderators take note;
1. You find the answer, I've furnished you with many links in the past. You just ignored the links and the information they contained.

2. Hmmm..............proof, use Google, or just look at CUV sales they have outstripped pickups by a long shot. $30k will buy a CUV with more comfort and "bling" than a $30k pickup.

3. You have this "load" hauler in the back of your mind. Have a look at the capabilities of the largest bracket of pickups sold. What is their payloads on average? And towing. A small percentage do tow and how much do they tow? Very little in weight and frequency.

But again there is a reason for this. 75% of pickups are SUV/Car alternatives. Look at how Ram sells or even those lightweight F-150s and Silverado's. Need I say more.

Pickups aren't trucks anymore, they are SUV alternatives. People are migrating towards SUV/CUVs anyway.

This is why the Colorado will do well. It has the refinement to makes the best of all worlds. Mid size CUV/SUV alternative and take some NA V6 pickup sales.

I personally think a lot of these top level trucks are gaudy looking and over done with over use of plastichrome and ind this case rediculously large letters on the tailgate. I usually like the mid level trims the best.

@Big Al--I wouldn't even call these fully bling trucks middle class show wagons, they are more like luxury barges that have for the most part replaced the rear wheel drive Lincolns, Cadillacs, Mercuries, Olds 98s, and Buick Electras of the past. You could also add Navigators, Escalades, Expeditions, Suburbans, and Tahoes but those are still being made and sold. There are enough that will buy these blinged out pickups that the manufactures will make plenty but how long this will last will be anyone's guess. Higher fuel prices and a recession can cause this market for expensive trucks to decline. I do see the manufacturers trying to diversify their products more and the compact and intermediate cars and crossovers have gotten much better but the market is so highly competitive in those segments. Ford, GM, and Chrysler need the profits from the trucks to subsidize their other products.

@Jeff S,
I just read the average income of a buyer of a new F-150 is $74 000 a year and a Ram is $67 000 a year (2014).

You can see why these Luxo barges are selling. They are a middle class status symbol and hardly used for work. It's the same here.

I hope many of the commenters on this site get better employment so they can afford their dreams!

Sort of makes a $36 000 high end Colorado Canyon look more attractive for the average guy with a family. They still can tow over 7 000lbs and carry nearly 1 600lbs in the back (if ever since 75% of pickups are SUV/CUV/Car alternatives).

@Jeff S,
If you take all the Silverado's, Escalade's, Tahoe's, etc into consideration, the platform that these vehicles are based on would have to be one of the most successful platforms in the US.

The numbers would outstrip Ford's, Navigator, F-150, etc, by a huge margin.

We have large V8 SUVs we have here, but not from GM or Ford. They don't come in right hand drive.

GM tried to sell the Suburban here and it flopped due to poor build quality and a Landcruiser/Patrol where cheaper and far superior off road.

I think a Tahoe might work, but then again how well will the go against a Landcruiser/Patrol/Discovery/Range Rover, etc off road. That's the clincher.

$56K truck with cheap-generic Goodyear SRA Tires ?

If you want a Colorado-Canyon you better get to the dealer NOW cause they are in high demand and in short supply.
oh yea the dealers are demanding a $2500 deposit on one!

That Chevy and GMC salesman is lucky, he will be making that $100K without trying hard cause the Colorado-Canyon will sell itself.

Meanwhile at the Ford Dealer they are hanging signs on the wall in a way to attract customers to the showroom.

give it a couple months before you see the amazing sales numbers on the Colorado-Canyon,, those numbers will be there!
YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK !

These comments are ridiculous. Most of you think that the only real pickup is a regular cab diesel 3500 4x4 with no suspension. My Ram 2500 crew cab Laramie diesel can pull my 14k pound trailer when I need it and it's a great family vehicle. These trucks are like Cadillacs and Lincolns of the past, luxurious and spacious. It just so happens that it can tow what I need when I need too. Why on a site dedicated to pickups; do we have to make fun of trucks that can fill multiple roles and wishes of their owners?

@Big Al-I can't blame the manufacturers for cashing in on these luxury pickups but like anything nothing lasts forever. I do see a need for an affordable work truck for those that use their trucks daily for work especially those that do landscaping, construction, and service related businesses. For most of us a pickup is a lifestyle vehicle. There have been many lifestyle vehicles that were popular and then faded from popularity such as the family station wagon, custom vans, and body on frame suvs. Station wagons for the most part don't exist and custom vans are rare. Body on frame suvs are still around but are not as common as they were during the late 90's. The mini van has become stigmatized as the soccer mom's vehicle of choice and although it is still around there are a limited number of manufacturers that make them. Pickups are selling well but their numbers are less than they were 10 years ago. Crossovers are the new family vehicle that all manufacturers are getting into whether they are subcompact, compact, midsize, and full size. The crossover has become the vehicle of choice for families, singles, and empty nesters and has replaced the minivan, suv, sedan, and for some the crew cab pickup. Even the crossover will eventually reach its peak of popularity and will become stigmatized as the soccer mom's vehicle. I don't see the luxury pickups going away anytime soon but they will become more expensive and less within the reach of many.

@Jeff S,
You are correct regarding pickup numbers having declined this day and age.

In 1990 total pickup sales represented nearly 50% of all light vehicle sales in the US. Today that figure is now 27%.

As for the CUV/SUV (more CUV) they have become popular because they are a combination of a sedan and minivan and SUV.

They do offer good utility and spaciousness that a car of the same fooprint can't offer.

Like you, I do foresee pickups still selling in relatively good numbers, but also I do see them becoming more expensive for the average Joe and/or Jane family person so they can move their 1.8 kids around.

That's another reason why CUVs have increased in numbers. There are probably plenty of people who would consider a pickup, but they are to expensive to buy.

I think the Colorado will offer an alternative, a cheaper option and it will take a few V6 1/2 customers along the way. 75% of pickups are just that CUVs/SUVs and not really tow vehicles of large weights or carry much in the bed. The way yourself and I use our pickups.

They are handy, like a CUV. Overall pickup prices/running costs and CUVs ar the biggest challenges for pickups.

@Jeff S,
You are correct regarding pickup numbers having declined this day and age.

In 1990 total pickup sales represented nearly 50% of all light vehicle sales in the US. Today that figure is now 27%.

As for the CUV/SUV (more CUV) they have become popular because they are a combination of a sedan and minivan and SUV.

They do offer good utility and spaciousness that a car of the same fooprint can't offer.

Like you, I do foresee pickups still selling in relatively good numbers, but also I do see them becoming more expensive for the average Joe and/or Jane family person so they can move their 1.8 kids around.

That's another reason why CUVs have increased in numbers. There are probably plenty of people who would consider a pickup, but they are to expensive to buy.

I think the Colorado will offer an alternative, a cheaper option and it will take a few V6 1/2 customers along the way. 75% of pickups are just that CUVs/SUVs and not really tow vehicles of large weights or carry much in the bed. The way yourself and I use our pickups.

They are handy, like a CUV. Overall pickup prices/running costs and CUVs ar the biggest challenges for pickups.

@Jeff S,
You are correct regarding pickup numbers having declined this day and age.

In 1990 total pickup sales represented nearly 50% of all light vehicle sales in the US. Today that figure is now 27%.

As for the CUV/SUV (more CUV) they have become popular because they are a combination of a sedan and minivan and SUV.

They do offer good utility and spaciousness that a car of the same fooprint can't offer.

Like you, I do foresee pickups still selling in relatively good numbers, but also I do see them becoming more expensive for the average Joe and/or Jane family person so they can move their 1.8 kids around.

That's another reason why CUVs have increased in numbers. There are probably plenty of people who would consider a pickup, but they are to expensive to buy.

I think the Colorado will offer an alternative, a cheaper option and it will take a few V6 1/2 customers along the way. 75% of pickups are just that CUVs/SUVs and not really tow vehicles of large weights or carry much in the bed. The way yourself and I use our pickups.

They are handy, like a CUV. Overall pickup prices/running costs and CUVs ar the biggest challenges for pickups.

I would also say that if it were not for the extended cabs and then the crew cabs the truck market would have not grown as much as it did 10 years ago. I believe that peak pickup sales have already been reached and that the market will not grow that much but the potential for profit with the higher trim models is great. The pickup truck market will follow a path much like the body on frame full size crossovers where the sales declined but the profit margins increased because more higher trim models were being sold. It use to be you could get a more basic Suburban and they were competitive price wise with many family vehicles. The market for different size crossovers will grow steadily for a number of years but they to will reach a peak. Some of the demand is due to affordability and popularity of a certain type of vehicle at a given time. Also some become bored with a certain type of vehicle and will move onto the next hot vehicle.

Most hardcore pickup owners will continue to buy trucks especially those on a site like PUTC, but there are others that have moved on to crossovers. Some want a bigger vehicle with more room and will buy a larger vehicle, but others want a smaller vehicle and want to simplify and downsize. Buick has done extremely well in the crossover market especially the subcompact Encore and others are following. The real challenge for any of these manufacturers is to have the flexibility to adapt to a changing market and have the resources to be able to continually develop those vehicles that the customer wants.

@BAFO - Pickup trucks have never been 50% of the new car market, or nearly that. You're talking "trucks" in general, including SUVs. The biggest decline in pickups is the compact and midsize market, that in 1990 was still coming off of and winding down the mini-truck craze of the '80s.

CUVs have taken the place of pickups, but mostly midsize pickups. You won't see traditional fullsize pickup buyers, like Lou_BC, HEMI V8, or myself switching to CUVs. That's a joke!

Now I could see BAFO trading in his midsize pickup for a CUV for he's just a lifestyle truck owner, not unlike a hairdresser.

@Jeff S,
You are correct in your thoughts on further expansion of the pickup market.

If the market was leaning towards "working" pickups you would see more effort in that area.

But, like I pointed out in 2014 the average income for a F-150 customer was $74k and a Ram $67k.

The other area that Chev is tackling is the mid spec range with their "special" trim jobs on pickups.

Most of the effort in pickups has gone into mid to high end models.

Also, urbanization is playing a role in the reduction of pickup numbers. More and more people are moving into the cities, I think these people who are buying CUVs and SUVs would of probably been a pickup owner in rural areas.

If the city folk take to the Colorado Canyon in relatively good numbers it will show Ford made some poor decisions regarding the expensive aluminium F-150.

Imagine if Ford needed to start selling Rangers again. It would prove the new F-150 isn't a "midsize" replacement vehicle like they have been telling us.

P P P P P...

@Big Al--My neighbor and friend has decided to trade his 2002 Tacoma extend cab 4x4 in for a RAV4 or CRV. His Tacoma only has 71k miles on it and he has decided if he needs something he will pay to have it delivered. I still have my trucks and find it easier just to have them around for when I need them. I think the Colorado/Canyon will have a number of buyers that don't want a large truck but want and need the utility of a smaller truck. People who are younger and either don't have a family or 1 or 2 kids, empty nesters, and those just looking for a second or third vehicle with more utility. The Colorado/Canyon have raised the bar just enough that Nissan and Toyota have to update their products. The 2016 Tacoma will be updated, but we will have to wait to see how much.

@Jeff S,
The Taco will still sell, because it is a Toyota, it will probably not match the Colorado Canyon. I do think GM has made a good decision with the Colorado Canyon.

If all goes well it might push Ford into releasing the "global" Ranger in the US.

Like I stated since 1990 pickups are taking a smaller share of the vehicle market. The recent improvements are good, but will they be sustainable?

What is funny, is that for as many times as I hear Al say no one really tows anything, I find 200 site campgrounds filled with travel trailers and 5th wheels. How did they get there? Towed by these trucks that Al states no one really has the legitimate need for. Lets expand it now to boat launches. Whoa!! More fullsized trucks that tow stuff!!! This can't be!! Al says people don't use them for that type of thing.

People buy trucks as multipurpose vehicles. Vehicles that SUVs, CUVs and mid sizers can't replace. No way a mid size, CUV or SUV is going to adequately get 5 guys or a few guys and dogs down fire roads for a hunting trip with any form of comfort or capability. SUre, the SUV will have room, but now you are putting the game you hopefully harvested either inside or on some platform that connects to the tow hitch receiver and ruins departure angles. I tow a 27ft travel trailer with my Titan crew cab. I also tow a boat and numerous other trailers as well as box store runs, home improvement runs and haul mulch for my yard. If I bought a regular cab truck, my wife would need to follow me camping or boating with the rest of my family. If I had an SUV/CUV I would be buying a utility trailer for my hauling needs. However like most buyers, I get a fullsized crew cab, nicely optioned that fits my whole family and is capable of all my outdoor activities and housework. The nicely optioned part is because my activities can lead to 8 plus hour road trips. Why sit on a vinyl bench seat with no ac and an AM radio if I have the means to afford to make myself comfortable??

Outside of camping and boating I also see loads of high end SD/HD trucks used on construction sites by foremen and business owners. Many with refueking tanks in the bed. They buy them because they pile on the miles going from jobsite to jobsite and they dual use as a family vehicle. Once again see above. Why buy a stripped beater if your going to drive it alot??

This arguement is really all in all pretty dumb. Al, why should BMW or Mercedes make high end sedans when all everyone realy needs is an Accord or Camery?? That is about how your logic works. If someone has the means to buy a vehicle they want, they should be able to buy what they want. If ebough people want a type of vehicle there is a market for it and a manufacturer will fill that market to make money off those who want that vehicle. It is pretty simple.

Let's compare it to my previous discussions with you on UTEs. No one in the USA wants UTEs. THere is no market for them. Why would a manufacturer invest in making what no one wants to buy?? Simple. They won't. Simple supply and demand.