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I miss mini pickups. I am certain that there would be a strong demand for such a vehicle, but I do not see it happening in the U.S. As you mentioned, the plan made years ago would be to offer low cost, entry level models to draw in the first time buyer, and then when they become a loyal customer then when they are earning more money and want to move up, they will be more likely to get their next upmarket vehicle from the same dealer. But car buying has vastly changed with the internet, and people will hunt quickly online and will usually choose the better deal regardless of the dealership, brand, or past purchases. Many automakers are focusing on the profits on each vehicle, especially from large trucks (averaging $48K today) and SUVs, and several automakers have decided to drop all of their economy cars from their model line up, and to not build smaller trucks. Ford's smallest vehicle now is the $20K Ecosport crossover, which looks like a chubby Festiva. But moving up to the Escape for $5K more looks like it would get you a much nicer vehicle. The Base Ranger also starts at almost the same $24.4K price. Ford could easily design an Ecosport based pickup, and they might already be planning this small truck for overseas markets, but I do not see it coming to the U.S.