Affordable Small Trucks Are Coming!

The availability of small, affordable trucks is on the rise. This is welcome news, considering that the average price of a new vehicle is hovering around $50,000 and new full-size pickups average $60,000.  

Perhaps we can thank the Ford Maverick for starting this trend toward affordable trucks.  When Ford launched the Maverick in 2021, it came with a base price under $20,000.  That price has increased since then, however, it remains one of the most affordable trucks on the market.  Other makes and models are coming soon, with the Slate electric truck starting deliveries in December 2026.

Coming Soon: Affordable Small Trucks

After Slate begins deliveries in the next 4-6 months, Telo Trucks claims first deliveries in early 2027 followed by Ford with their new EV pickup, Fathom, in late 2027.  The Slate is under $25,000 and Fathom is projected to be under $30,000.  Sadly, Telo’s truck will be in the $40,000s. That pushes the affordability story a bit. 

Related stories:  Say Hello To Telo Truck; Slate Auto: Affordable EV Truck

All of these upcoming products are interesting takes on a small pickup truck, and all are EVs. Slate begins as a regular cab pickup, Telo is a for door mini truck with a mid-gate that increases cargo bed space, and the Ford Fathom will be a four door with a small cargo box and large interior cabin.  

The acceptance for these affordable pickups is strong, however, holdouts moan about the lack of a gas engine.  Right or wrong, EVs are tagged with a political stench from our two party system.  Sad.

There is good news coming for those consumers. A new manufacturer in this segment, REO Trucks, announced in June 2026 that they will bring to market three small trucks with a gas engine and a manual transmission. 

REO History

I caught a story in June about car enthusiast and real estate broker, Zach De Bernardi, who announced he was bringing a $21,500 truck to market. If the REO name sounds familiar, that’s because it goes back to the early 1900s.  That’s when Ransom E Olds invented the basic concept of the stationary assembly line, steam powered cars and the Oldsmobile Curved Dash runabout.

After a falling out with the owners of the company bearing his name, Ransom created REO Motor Car Company. He built cars through 1936, then shifted production to commercial trucks. The famous REO Speed Wagon was known for its rugged durability, so De Bernardi might be able to capture that stellar reputation.  REO’s truck division was sold to Diamond T in 1967, which ceased production in the mid 1970s.

Fast forward to 2026. De Bernardi acquired the REO name and shared his vision of a series of gas powered small trucks built in the U.S.

REO Trucks

Details about the REO Trucks are limited, with some teaser images and technical specs found on their website.  Even though it is very early in the product development process, REO did provide the follow highlights:

The new REO truck lineup will include the following three models:

• T4X: two door, two seat truck with a steel drop-side flatbed
• T4C: four door, five seat crew cab with an extendable tailgate
• S4C: four door, six seat SUV with side facing jump seats

Diving deeper, the overall vision for these trucks includes the following:

• Body on frame construction
• 180 inch overall length
• Inline four cylinder gas engine
• 6 speed manual or automatic transmission
• 500,000 mile power train life
• 2,500 pound payload
• 4,500 pound towing capability
• Built in Texas
• $21,500 base price

Does any of this seem too good to be true?  I think so.  The REO’s CEO may be a big car enthusiast, but he has no automotive engineering or manufacturing experience.  This does not usually bode well for an automotive start-up.

Final Thoughts

As much as I would like to see a truck with those features get built and sold in the U.S., this looks more like a vision board than a product plan.  In reality, the only new truck that is on track for a production release is Slate.  

Telo has been teasing their truck for years with no real proof of production.  Ford’s Fathom is likely, however, they only have a few camouflaged prototypes on the road and a press release. I have faith that Ford will come through, but the sub-$30,000 price point may be optimistic.