Why the Right Specification Matters as Much as the Right Model
A dealer looking for a RAM 1500, Ford F-150 or GMC Sierra quickly finds out that choosing the model is only half the decision. The U.S. market offers an enormous number of configurations. The same model can come with different engines, drivetrains, trim levels, cab and bed combinations and equipment packages. Put two examples of the same model next to each other and they can be very different vehicles.
When sourcing US vehicle specifications for Europe, those differences deserve attention. A vehicle that works well in its home market is not necessarily the version that makes the most sense for a European dealer.
A Model Name Only Tells You So Much
Take the Ford F-150. Knowing you want an F-150 still leaves plenty of decisions to make. The same applies to a RAM 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra or many of the SUVs available in the U.S. There are work-oriented versions, luxury trims, off-road models and performance variants. Add different engines, drivetrains and option packages and the number of possible combinations quickly grows. That variety is one of the advantages of sourcing American vehicles. It also means that simply finding the right model is not enough.
Trim Level Determines Who the Vehicle Is For
Trim levels in the U.S. can differ substantially. One version of a pickup may be relatively straightforward and utility-focused, while another version of exactly the same model can have the equipment and finish of a luxury vehicle. Off-road and performance versions occupy another position again.
That changes the type of customer a vehicle is likely to appeal to. A dealer looking for a premium American pickup will therefore be interested in different specifications than a business looking for a vehicle where capability comes first. The badge on the front may be identical, but the proposition is not.
Engine and Drivetrain Are Part of the Choice
American model ranges often include several powertrains and drivetrain options. Those choices affect how a vehicle drives, what it can be used for and how it fits within a dealer’s range. Depending on the model, buyers may be choosing between different petrol engines, hybrid systems or electric drivetrains. Four-wheel drive can also be an important consideration, particularly for pickups and off-road vehicles.
There is no single specification that is right for every European market. What matters is whether the complete vehicle fits its intended use and customer.
With Pickups, Configuration Matters Even More
Full-size pickups add another consideration: the combination of cab and bed. A spacious crew cab creates a very different vehicle from a configuration that puts more emphasis on cargo space. Wheelbase and overall dimensions can change as a result as well.
Then there is the equipment itself. Towing features, interior specification, technology, comfort options and exterior packages can all influence how the vehicle will be positioned once it reaches a European showroom. This is why two apparently similar American pickups can be very different propositions in practice.
What Works in the U.S. Doesn’t Always Translate Directly to Europe
American vehicles are primarily configured for their home market. That market has its own customer preferences, driving conditions and uses. European demand can be different. When selecting vehicles for Europe, we therefore look beyond what is popular or widely available in the U.S. A specification needs to make sense for the market where the vehicle will eventually be sold.
That can mean looking at the intended customer, the way the vehicle is likely to be used and how a particular configuration fits into the existing European market. There are also European technical and approval requirements to consider. A U.S.-spec vehicle was not originally built around European regulations, and the work required before it can enter the market can differ from one vehicle to another. Those are considerations that are better made before a vehicle starts its journey to Europe, rather than afterwards.
We Take This Into Account When Sourcing Vehicles
European dealers don’t need to work through every possible U.S. configuration themselves. At VDS Global Support, our knowledge of American vehicles and the European market is part of how we select vehicles for our customers. We look for vehicles and specifications that are commercially relevant in Europe, while also taking the requirements further along the import and approval process into account.
We deliberately make those assessments before supplying a vehicle to a dealer. For our customers, that means one less part of the process to manage. Whether a dealer is looking for a specific vehicle or wants to expand its American offering, we can help determine which options make sense for the European market. Because with American vehicles, finding the right model is a good start. Finding the right version of that model is what completes the picture.