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Post by Cole D on Jul 17, 2021 0:03:21 GMT -5
I was thinking of this recently as vehicles that had very long production runs with few to no changes. These days it seems vehicles get a refresh at least every 2-4 years, with all new designs in 5-8 years. But
some really were around a while.
Some notable examples I can think of with long runs:
1993-2011 Ford Ranger: I think the body panels didn't change from 1993-2011 when it was discontinued, and wasn't much different than 1982 introduction. Interior changed little after 1995, same dashboard.
1992-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis/Ford Crown Victoria. Basically same body style since 1992, in 1998 Crown Vic moved to the Grand Marquis body styling. Dashboard and interior little changed since 1995.
2008-2020 Dodge Grand Caravan/2008-2016 Chrysler Town and Country. Some exterior updates but same body basically for 12 years, interior redo in 2011.
2006-2016 Chevy Impala. This one was technically replaced in 2014 with the all new Impala, but the old model remained in production alongside it for fleets and rental sales. This one I remember was criticized as already dated
when it came out in 2006 - but I myself had one in driver's ed that year and loved it. It kind of reminded me of the 1992+ Ford Crown Victoria for some reason, especially as ours was a base model with 3 seat bench in front and
column shifter. To make it seem even older, it was built on the GM W platform that began in 1988!
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Post by Parkman on Jul 18, 2021 17:39:52 GMT -5
I was thinking of this recently as vehicles that had very long production runs with few to no changes. These days it seems vehicles get a refresh at least every 2-4 years, with all new designs in 5-8 years. But some really were around a while. Some notable examples I can think of with long runs: 1993-2011 Ford Ranger: I think the body panels didn't change from 1993-2011 when it was discontinued, and wasn't much different than 1982 introduction. Interior changed little after 1995, same dashboard. 1992-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis/Ford Crown Victoria. Basically same body style since 1992, in 1998 Crown Vic moved to the Grand Marquis body styling. Dashboard and interior little changed since 1995. 2008-2020 Dodge Grand Caravan/2008-2016 Chrysler Town and Country. Some exterior updates but same body basically for 12 years, interior redo in 2011. 2006-2016 Chevy Impala. This one was technically replaced in 2014 with the all new Impala, but the old model remained in production alongside it for fleets and rental sales. This one I remember was criticized as already dated when it came out in 2006 - but I myself had one in driver's ed that year and loved it. It kind of reminded me of the 1992+ Ford Crown Victoria for some reason, especially as ours was a base model with 3 seat bench in front and column shifter. To make it seem even older, it was built on the GM W platform that began in 1988! Very good thread topic! Off the top of my head what sticks out to me is the Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger more to come later 2005-2010 for the LX And then the revised versions from 2011-present |
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Post by Cole D on Jul 20, 2021 22:05:51 GMT -5
Another one I thought of was the VW Beetle lasted from 1938, the last one in the US was 1979, but it was sold in Mexico all the way to 2003. So 1938-2003 overall. Even the new Beetle went from
1998-2010 and then 2011-2019 with the redesign.
Also the Chevy Suburban name has gone 1934-present although the vehicle of course has had substantial changes over the years, I believe it's one of the longest running names.
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Post by fancollector12 on Jul 21, 2021 3:45:35 GMT -5
I'd have to nominate the Chevy Express and GMC Savana, which have been produced in their "Second Generation" since 2003. They received a new interior in 2008, but the exterior design has pretty much been kept the same as it was in 2003. However, you COULD say that the chassis dates back to 1996, or just over 25 years. The ford E-Series (Econoline) has also been produced in its same generation since 1992, although it received new interiors in 1997, 2009, and 2020, respectively, with the last (and pretty much only) exterior restyling occurring in 2008. Being that people don't buy cargo vans for their high technology or design (but both vans offer technologies such as blind spot monitoring), manufacturers don't have to spend money to fully redesign (or even restyle) them. The Ford E-Series (Econoline) chassis is ONLY available as a cutaway (where the back of the cab is cut out, and an aftermarket body can then be fitted onto it). They're VERY popular with R/V manufacturers.
The RAM 1500 Classic has also been in production for 12 years (since 2009), but people keep buying it for its low cost and classic design. Other than a major restyling in 2013, nothing's changed about the trucks since they were last restyled. They had only intended to manufacture the Classic alongside the all-new (2019+) RAM 1500 for one year, but they quickly learned that it would be worth continuing production.
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Post by Parkman on Jul 21, 2021 9:52:14 GMT -5
I'd have to nominate the Chevy Express and GMC Savana, which have been produced in their "Second Generation" since 2003. They received a new interior in 2008, but the exterior design has pretty much been kept the same as it was in 2003. However, you COULD say that the chassis dates back to 1996, or just over 25 years. The ford E-Series (Econoline) has also been produced in its same generation since 1992, although it received new interiors in 1997, 2009, and 2020, respectively, with the last (and pretty much only) exterior restyling occurring in 2008. Being that people don't buy cargo vans for their high technology or design (but both vans offer technologies such as blind spot monitoring), manufacturers don't have to spend money to fully redesign (or even restyle) them. The Ford E-Series (Econoline) chassis is ONLY available as a cutaway (where the back of the cab is cut out, and an aftermarket body can then be fitted onto it). They're VERY popular with R/V manufacturers. The RAM 1500 Classic has also been in production for 12 years (since 2009), but people keep buying it for its low cost and classic design. Other than a major restyling in 2013, nothing's changed about the trucks since they were last restyled. They had only intended to manufacture the Classic alongside the all-new (2019+) RAM 1500 for one year, but they quickly learned that it would be worth continuing production. I can’t believe they haven’t moved regular cab to the new platform yet I’m sure the number they sell has some bearing but still. |
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Post by becausecanadia on Jul 23, 2021 1:26:41 GMT -5
Nissan Frontier is still soldering on from 2005 mostly unchanged other than a facelift in 2009 and some new tech implemented along the way.
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Post by fancollector12 on Jul 23, 2021 3:57:23 GMT -5
Nissan Frontier is still soldering on from 2005 mostly unchanged other than a facelift in 2009 and some new tech implemented along the way. The new 2022 Frontier has just started production, and will go on sale very soon. |
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Post by Parkman on Jul 23, 2021 12:14:39 GMT -5
Nissan Frontier is still soldering on from 2005 mostly unchanged other than a facelift in 2009 and some new tech implemented along the way. My parents briefly had a 2005 one I loved that. This year wife wanted a midsize truck. Didn’t want a Tacoma since I have one Colorado sucked. Ranger we debated at the end but she got an suv instead Point is went and test drive a 2021 with the new engine and transmission biggest piece of crap I ever drove. |
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Post by Cole D on Jul 23, 2021 20:21:39 GMT -5
I know with American trucks it's been somewhat common to keep making the old generation for another year. Like when Ford made the 1997-2003 F-150 for 2004 after the new gen came out. Chevy/GMC did the same thing with the 1999-2007 Sierra and Silverado, they offered both styles. I think Dodge did that too with the 1994-2002 extended cab Ram in 2002 after the regular cab and quad cab moved to the new style.
I had forgotten about the newer Dodges though.
The Frontier I don't have any experience with although my dad and grandfather both had the older hard body Nissans from the 90s. I always liked those.
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Post by fancollector12 on Jul 26, 2021 4:22:42 GMT -5
I know with American trucks it's been somewhat common to keep making the old generation for another year. Like when Ford made the 1997-2003 F-150 for 2004 after the new gen came out. Chevy/GMC did the same thing with the 1999-2007 Sierra and Silverado, they offered both styles. I think Dodge did that too with the 1994-2002 extended cab Ram in 2002 after the regular cab and quad cab moved to the new style. I had forgotten about the newer Dodges though. The Frontier I don't have any experience with although my dad and grandfather both had the older hard body Nissans from the 90s. I always liked those. Chevy and GMC made the previous generation (2014-2018) Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 as the Silverado 1500 LD (Light Duty) and Sierra 1500 Limited in 2019, only as Double Cab (Extended Cab) models with short pickup beds (boxes), to sell alongside the all-new models that replaced them that year. They were all made at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada (NOT the Oshawa Truck Assembly Plant, where my '97 Chevy K1500 Silverado was manufactured, as that plant closed following the 2019 model year). |
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Post by becausecanadia on Jul 31, 2021 20:08:27 GMT -5
Nissan Frontier is still soldering on from 2005 mostly unchanged other than a facelift in 2009 and some new tech implemented along the way. The new 2022 Frontier has just started production, and will go on sale very soon. Yeah it looks like a Toyota Tacoma bought off Aliexpress, also no manual. boooo |
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Post by Cole D on Aug 1, 2021 10:10:43 GMT -5
I just looked, it does look like a Toyota Tacoma, but with Ford F-150 tail lamps. lol
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