[Accused]

IHS data shows registrations of Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks in California soared 86.3% in the first seven months of 2014 to 12,477 units. In the Los Angeles area, which accounted for nearly 40% of the total, registrations spiked 84.1%.

seems to be in direct disagreement with the, er, culture?

This is SoCal so it should come as no surprise that luxury models such as the Laramie, with a starting price of $38,775, are big sellers. In the Los Angeles marketing area, which includes Orange County and San Diego, premium trims represent more than 25% of all sales, says Dave Sowers, head of Ram truck marketing at Chrysler Group.

so this is a lifestyle thing, but again, when did the lifestyle shift or am I just missing something?

Rugged Ram Taking Laid-Back Los Angeles by Storm | Auto Makers content from WardsAuto

 

[Diesel Washington]

I get the luxury thing but I don't get the truck thing so much. Are people in the city buying these are are they more in the suburbs and countryside? This is not something that I would expect.

 

[CJnOC]

I used to live in New York City and now in Los Angeles. Noticed several things regarding pick up trucks. First, contractors in Southern California (all of California actually) prefer pick ups over vans because it's easier to throw your stuff in the back and you don't need an enclosed van for rain, sleet and snow, since it barely even rains here. Second, young people like pick ups for everything from surf boards, to numerous relocations (dorms & apartments) to towing boats and toy boxes out to the desert to play. Last, is many families will have 2 vehicles, one a sedan and the other a pick up, because they have grown up with them, are DIY'ers, help moving their kids, etc., and they are the ones that typically get the fully loaded trim levels because of disposable income... All-in-all, in my eyes, it will continue to rise... There's a reason that pick ups are the #1 selling vehicle in America... Long Live The Pick Up!

 

[Panther Dash]

That all makes sense now that you write it out. Guess I am just not in the know about the SoCal lifestyle since I live all the way up in Canada. It's nice that it is about utility for those people instead of simple luxury and image. I appreciate that.

 

[Haulin]

I thought it was because of zombies, it's easier to run over mass amount of zombies with a RAM than it is with a Caravan

 

[Accused]

Everything is about image, even the decision to not own a car or not own a pickup is about image. Or you thought those youngguns who crucify the car we're doing it out of the goodness of their heart

Trucks have replaced the family wagon and the family SUV. Wagons don;t exist anymore and the family SUV has been neutered into something wholly unusable...

 

[Anomaly]

For me, it isn't about image. If it were, I would have another Corvette like I did when I was younger. Mmm, maybe not at my age now, but something like a Mercedes. For me it's about functionality. It's also the most machinery and safety (weight and size) that you can get for the dollar. Not to mention, it's pleasant to drive... It can also go where cars can't (4X4).

 

[CJnOC]

I should have also probably mentioned that California is one of the largest producers of produce. So when you look outside of SoCal and San Francisco, it's largely agricultural and hence, even more trucks!

 

[Diesel Washington]

I think LA and San Fran are often thought of most when California is brought up but I also imagine lots of vineyards and ranches. I'm sure those people love to have pick up trucks as well.

 

[Haulin]

I should have also probably mentioned that California is one of the largest producers of produce. So when you look outside of SoCal and San Francisco, it's largely agricultural and hence, even more trucks!

Good point, just about anyone in north america should be the least bit aware of this as a lot of produce obviously come from their.

 

[Diesel Washington]

I see two people from cali in the active topics saying they bought a truck, so this appears to be evidenced in our forum too.