Based on average time on the lots, it seems there is a demand for this type of truck (Honda's sales are low because their production is low; otherwise, the trucks would be sitting on the lots a lot longer, and there would be advertising and incentives). I think VW is smart enough to see this and will start offering a more comfortable truck to compete with the Ridgeline. It is a natural extension of the exploding SUV market.

The big surprise is why GM, Ford and others haven't figured this out yet. Maybe they have, and the new Blazer will "trailblaze"for a unibody truck, as well as one of Ford's many upcoming SUVs. But VW will beat them to the punch. And where is Hyundai??

VW is again revealing why it's had such a miserable time in the US market during the last 20 years.

They are a decade behind the times with this idea, at least and they had better bring a whole lot more than a Ridgeline wannabe to market. Their last attempt at something like this was the horrible VW Routan. It laid a huge egg. Dealers could not give them away.

Since that time Hyundai and Kia have dominated in that space with great product and market timing. Good luck to VW with this.

I'm not as much hostile to their idea as I am surprised that they looked at the weak response of the US market to the Ridgeline and decided that there needs to be MORE product in the pipeline. Hyundai looked at this space and has thus far shown superior judgment.

I would have to see what this VW truck looks like but VW is not burning up the sales charts.

The only thing they could have offered was a diesel and well, that ain't going to happen.

I'll be a buyer.

Why not just remove the Chicken Tax and different designs regs that afflict the US, so the consumer can have multitude pickup choices?

From what I've read, imported pickup will not challenge full size, so what's there to lose?

VW already make a great pickup, the Amarok.

More uni-body pickup trucks the better.
If people would take their time and learn about product and say to them self this is how I will use it. The Tacoma and others have a large base buying these off-road packages that are driving sales for Toyota. But many buyers have no idea there are much better options for what the plan on using the vehicle for.
It's USA buy what you want but why buy an off-road package vehicle or one that tows a bunch and your not going to ever use what you bought.
I still always point to the articles like Why Midsize Pickup Trucks Don't Need Frame and Will Your Next Pickup Have Unibody

Perception has a lot to do with this also.
Is the average midsized truck buyer aware of the pros & cons of Body On Frame vs Uni-body do they even know there is a difference. I really don't think many do.
Like the articles mention why would other companies make another vehicle with another assembly plant or line to compete with their successful vehicle. Toyota would not really want to put out a product to take away from it's Tacoma sales.

I still always point to the articles like Why Midsize Pickup Trucks Don't Need Frame ...Posted by: RIDGELINE OWNER 2007 | Mar 27, 2018

@Ridgeline Owner

In just a few days we'll have sales data from PUTC and you'll see that Honda's unibody truck has fewer sales year to date than most trucks sell in a week or two. Honda did NOT make the sale and now VW wants to jump into the deep end of the pool too. Good luck.

test

"In just a few days we'll have sales data from PUTC and you'll see that Honda's unibody truck has fewer sales year to date than most trucks sell in a week or two. Honda did NOT make the sale and now VW wants to jump into the deep end of the pool too. Good luck." ---- Posted by: papajim

While such numbers mean a lot to some people, to the people who want a Ridgeline-type vehicle, they mean nothing. Why? Because the Ridgeline is a one-of-a-kind, for now. It's a truck for the CUV crowd and at that, it's larger than really needed. I live in a semi-rural town and spend a lot of time in farming country and you'd be surprised at the type of person who drives a Ridgeline and not a conventional pickup. Railroad men, for instance.

It seems to me that the person who drives a Ridgeline buys it for how well it meets his needs rather than any level of 'status' a conventional truck offers.

It seems to me that the person who drives a Ridgeline buys it for how well it meets his needs rather than any level of 'status' a conventional truck offers

@Vulpine

My remarks did not mention "status."

Your comment cc'd above can easily be flipped 180 degrees, just as you did with mine. In my daughter's community in Marin County CA, the "status" discussion fits the Honda pickup---and one presumes the new VW truck as well, perfectly.

I could care less about sales numbers I care about the product that meets my needs. The sales numbers against others not really going to mean much Honda Ridgeline is a niche vehicle and a lifestyle pickup truck. The others have Fleet sales and contractors buy them in different configurations could be a company or average buyer that uses their truck for work and personal use.
It's wonderful that VW would bring something to the market.
This will also introduce buyers to the market that would not have thought about a pickup truck.

@Ridgeline Owner

What's your point? Did you buy a Gen 2 Ridgeline yet? If not, why? You hump these Hondas night/day. If it's so great why don' t you have one?

@papajim no purchase of 2nd Gen Ridgeline yet.
Why other household projects have an old2nd Gen Acura TL but very low mileage for age still drives like new and new timing belt water pump ect. Can't afford vehicles like I use to 20yrs ago.
Have 1st Gen Ridgeline in immediate family purchased new but has more miles then my Acura. Other newer Ford in family purchased new was helping paying for that so not ready to make move into 2nd Gen Ridgeline but it will be my next vehicle.

@papajim I can wait 2020 Ridgeline might offer more changes.
I have said I was going to get vehicles before but waited because money was not good or just waited for other vehicle.
I had 1st Gen Prelude kept 10yrs. Purchased new redesign 4th Gen Accord paid off got first of the 5th Gen Accord test drove 6th when first came out waited Acura was bringing out 2nd Gen TL test drove 99 but got 2000 with some changes. 2007 Ridgeline in family no hurry.

@papajim I can wait 2020 Ridgeline might offer more changes.
I have said I was going to get vehicles before but waited because money was not good or just waited for other vehicle.
I had 1st Gen Prelude kept 10yrs. Purchased new redesign 4th Gen Accord paid off got first of the 5th Gen Accord test drove 6th when first came out waited Acura was bringing out 2nd Gen TL test drove 99 but got 2000 with some changes. 2007 Ridgeline in family no hurry.

@papajim I can wait 2020 Ridgeline might offer more changes.
I have said I was going to get vehicles before but waited because money was not good or just waited for other vehicle.
I had 1st Gen Prelude kept 10yrs. Purchased new redesign 4th Gen Accord paid off got first of the 5th Gen Accord test drove 6th when first came out waited Acura was bringing out 2nd Gen TL test drove 99 but got 2000 with some changes. 2007 Ridgeline in family no hurry.