What happened to Single Cab trucks? Discover the offer that still exists in Chile

The Chilean automotive market is very generous and one of the most varied and diverse of the region. The offer ranges from small city cars to large SUVs and huge vans. In between, different sub-segments make this tree more leafy.

One of these categories which is usually the quietest, because does not have good locations neither the renovation is that of single-cab trucks, vehicles that become great allies of small and medium entrepreneurs who need these more affordable vans to distribute their products.

Sometimes single cab trucks may also encounter more personal requirements, more oriented to enjoy nature, as they offer a good load capacity. And like all commercial vehicles, they are subject to reduced VAT, an important advantage when buying a model for a company.

The supply of single cab trucks is limited. Her less versatility caused them to lose ground and if until a few years ago it was common to see this type of model on the streets, today it is increasingly complex, since many users I am looking for a double cabin vehicle this allows them to combine work with the possibility of having a model for the family on weekends. Of course, there are still versions that retain the strength of the single cabin.

In numbers, according to data from the National Automobile Association of Chile, single-cab truck versions have fallen from 5.22% in 2018 to just 2.47% this year. The reasons for this decline are diverse and explain the lower supply available to consumers.

Regarding the current lower offer, Gabriel Afanador, Volkswagen Product Manager, said that “basically, the the industry has turned to another type of vehicle It’s like vans or minivans for cargo jobs around town. Single-cab trucks emerged as an option for this type of work and have lost ground, but some brands continue to offer them, as we do at Volkswagen. Saveiro, our model, has grown this year and is becoming more and more important in the market, mainly because more and more companies are opting for this type of vehicle and sales to fleets play a fundamental role. Mainly because of a price issue (under 13 million) and because it has a Euro 6 engine, which is also a requirement for various customers”.

Concerning the public still close to single-cab trucks, the manager of the German brand specified that “generally Are they delivery or labor companies? , due to its cargo capacity and the dynamism it brings around town, which a traditional pickup does not offer due to its size. On the other hand, the the price is quite attractive since for less than 13 million you can have a safe vehicle, with capacities and very adaptable to the urban environment, with a loading capacity of up to 715 kg (Single Cabin), 667 kg (Double Cabin) and 615 kg (Cross)”.

Also, for those who only clearly require commercial use, there are also what are called MiniTrucks, vehicles closer to small urban delivery trucks which also offer single cabin alternatives.

Below is the list of vehicles, some of which may not be in the retina of most consumers, but which may be an option for their projects.

The prices considered correspond to the month of August and include brand bonuses but funding obligations are not taken as they come from specific companies and not for all events.

The range of this compact truck There is a version with a single cabin. The brand indicates that it is a version that “offers a spacious, comfortable and ergonomic interior space to give you a superior driving experience”.

• Engine: 1.4 liters
• Power: 85 HP
• Torque: 122Nm
• Front-wheel Drive
• Gearbox: 5-speed manual
• Fuel
• Tires: 195/65 Rim 15
• Brakes: ventilated disc and drum
• Airbags: 4
• Length: 4474mm
• Width: 1950mm Height: 1608mm
• Wheelbase: 2737mm
• Ground clearance: 208mm
• Load capacity: 720kg
• Mixed performance: 13.8 km/l
• Price: $11,490,000 + VAT

The Brazilian-sourced truck offers three options of the Saveiro with Simple Cabin. Two of them are Euro 5 (differences due to the number of speakers) and also a Euro 6 which slightly improves performance. In addition, it also has a Saveiro Cross edition, more focused on private use, with better equipment and a more aggressive look.

In market share, at Volkswagen the Single Cab version holds 40%, or three percentage points more than in 2022. The Cross version, for its part, represents 5%.

• Engine: 1.6 liters
• Power: 110 HP
• Torque: 155Nm
• Front-wheel Drive
• Gearbox: 5-speed manual
• Fuel
• Tyres: 205/60 Rim 15
• Brakes: disc and disc
• Airbags: 2
• Length: 4474mm
• Width: 1893mm Height: 1512mm
• Wheelbase: 2753mm
• Ground clearance:
• Load capacity: 715 kg
• Mixed performance: 14.2 km/l (14.3 km/l Euro 6)
• Price: from $10,690,000 + VAT to $11,190,000 + VAT
• Saveiro Cross price: from $14,290,000 + VAT

One of the best performing trucks on the Chilean market offers two options for two people one with a single cab and one with a chassis-cab, which vary according to the engine.

• Engine: 2.4 liters
• Power: 148 hp
• Torque: 400Nm
• Traction: 4×4
• Gearbox: 6-speed manual
• Diesel
• Tires: 225/70 Rim 17
• Brakes: discs and drum
• Airbags: 3
• Length: 5335mm
• Width: 1800mm Height: 1795mm
• Wheelbase: 3085mm
• Ground clearance: 215mm
• Load capacity: 750kg
• Mixed performance: 13.2 km/l
• Price: $28,590,000 ($27,090,000 on reservation at a Toyota store)

The success of the North American pickup too It has an entry version with a single cabin , which in any case retains the great equipment and the high level of security of its sisters with capacity for five occupants. It is the model of higher price in Chile in this sub-segment of trucks.

• Ford F-150XLT
• Engine: 3.3 liters
• Power: 290 hp
• Torque: 359Nm
• Traction: 4×4
• Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
• Fuel:
• Tyres: 265/70, rim 17
• Brakes: disc and disc
• Airbags: 6
• Length: 5316mm
• Width: 2459mm Height: 1960mm
• Wheelbase: 3109mm
• Ground clearance: 194mm
• Load capacity: 805 kg
• Mixed performance: 9.6 km/l
• Price: from $40,805,100

The range of single-cab vehicles also comes to small urban trucks , which also, in some cases, configuration for two passengers. In this segment, the options are:

The so-called city truck from the company that sells Andes Motor is among 20 best-selling utility vehicles in the country, according to July figures from the National Automobile Association of Chile. It is sold in two options which vary according to the engine.

• Engine: 1.3 liter / 1.5 liter
• Power: 80 hp /114
• Torque: 108Nm / 150
• Drive: rear, 2 wheel drive
• Gearbox: 5-speed manual
• Diesel
• Tyres: 175/70 Rim 14
• Brakes: disc and drum
• Airbags: –
• Length: 4873mm
• Width: 1603mm Height: 1890mm
• Wheelbase: 3050mm
• Ground clearance: 153mm
• Load capacity: 1030 kg
• Mixed performance: 13.7 km/l
• Price: $7,990,000 + VAT / 9,090,000 + VAT

The Chinese firm’s entry model into the utility vehicle segment is the Truck C21, offered with three driving options but four versions of equipment.

• Engine: 1.0 liter / 1.2 liter / 1.5 liter
• Power: 62 HP / 87 HP / 114 HP
• Torque: 91Nm / 109Nm / 148Nm
• Traction: rear
• Gearbox: 5-speed manual
• Fuel
• Tyres: 165/70 Rim 14
• Brakes: disc and drum
• Airbags: –
• Length: 4435mm / 4800 (1.5L)
• Width: 1560mm / 1640 (1.5L) Height: 1825mm / 1895 (1.5L)
• Wheelbase: 3050mm
• Ground clearance: N/A
• Load capacity: 900 kg / 1000 kg / 1250 kg
• Mixed performance:
• Price: $5,790,000 + VAT to $8,090,000 + VAT

The entry version of the model that promises to offer the best alternative in the price-equipment-capacity ratio to small entrepreneurs. It is sold in one version.

• Engine: 1.3 liter
• Power: 83 HP
• Torque: 113Nm
• Traction: rear
• Gearbox: 5-speed manual
• Fuel
• Tyres: 175/70 Rim 14
• Brakes: disc and drum
• Airbags: –
• Length: 4880mm
• Width: 1650mm Height: 1925mm
• Wheelbase: 3070mm
• Ground clearance: N/A
• Load capacity: 1410 kg
• Mixed performance:
• Price: $7,390,000 + VAT