A few years ago I posted a photo of three trucks in my driveway and challenged the CCCommentariat to identify the connections that linked them together. The view in my driveway has changed a bit, so let’s play again – can you connect the dots and also identify the vehicle that has no ties to the others? If you’re sharp-eyed, you’ll notice my Hesston 6400 Windrower hiding in the background – it’s in the family tree, too.
Here’s the view from behind (with much better lighting). From left to right:
- 2010 New Holland Boomer 8N
- 2012 Volkswagen Routan
- 2015 RAM 2500 Tradesman
- 2015 Honda Fit (Jazz)
- 1950 Ford 8N
- (don’t forget the late 1970s Hesston 6400)
So how are all but one connected to the others (think “Six Degrees of Separation”)?
I was going to say the 8N is the only one made will all American parts, but the “six degrees of separation” threw me off.
I’m guessing it has something to do with place of manufacture.
I would say that all were built in collaboration with another company.
North American manufacture would include all but the Honda Fit.
“Chrysler DNA” was a thought, but there isn’t any in the Ford 8N or the Honda, so that’s only four out of six.
I believe the Fit now hails from Mexico.
Fit production has mostly moved back to Japan (for USDM cars) and the Mexico plant is now making CR-Vs.
OOOOF!!
Mexican built CR-Vs instead of East Liberty Ohio? NO SALE!! Might have to re-think our two Honda driveway.
When I bought my 2014 CRV, there were examples from USA, Canada, and Mexico on the lot. My research indicated that the Ohio made ones typically had fewer production issues, but of course I wanted an actual color, like say blue, and there were no Ohio built blue ones in stock, just Mexico and Canada sourced examples, so I went with Canada.
I think the Mexico plant is now mostly producing the HRV crossover. All that being said, i really doubt it matters too much. I came to dislike the CRV due to the horrible NVH and pain inducing ergonomics (the seat and its relationship to the pedals) and replaced it with a VW Golf of all things that has flawless assembly quality from its Puebla Mexico assembly plant. Fit, finish, and paint quality are excellent and noticeably better than most mass market cars. 8000 miles and nothing has broke nor have I been stranded yet, woo hoo!
haroldingpatrick, I believe you’re correct – it’s the HR-V, not the CR-V being made in the former Fit plant. They may still be making the Fit, too, but word on the street is most of them are coming from Japan now. Very few manuals are available, though.
I’ve heard the same thing about a lack of manuals; supposedly they’re only available on lower trim lines. Want satellite radio or navigation? No manual for you.
I’d say they all are in one way or another, but the odd man out or the one with the shakiest connection is the Honda.
The rest are all products that are somewhere in the Fiat family tree, including that Hesston. I was quite disgusted the first time I saw a Hesston product who’s data plate said it was made in Italy by Fiat instead of the small KS town they took their name from.
For those that are wondering how the Ford 8N fits in the Fiat Family tree it is because Ford tractor became Ford New Holland and new Holland is now a part of Fiat. The Boomer is the modern decedent of that 8N.
And we have a winner!
As noted, Ford Tractor purchased Sperry New Holland in 1986 and subsequently sold its tractor business to Fiat Geotech in 1991. Fiat had previously acquired Hesston in 1974. In case you missed them, histories of the N Series Ford tractors and New Holland are here:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/fieldside-classics/ag-history-ford-n-series-tractors-and-the-handshake-that-changed-farming-forever/
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/fieldside-classics/fieldside-classic-2010-new-holland-boomer-8n-retro-goes-farming/
The Routan is of course a rebadged Chrysler Town & Country, and RAM became its own brand in 2010, having previously been a trim level/model name for a Dodge truck.
Fiat acquired Chrysler in 2014, which provides the link that ties them all together.
While Honda is also guilty of playing the rebadge game, I could find no examples where they offered a rebadged Fiat or Chrysler product (nor vice-versa).
Scoutdude has the correct answer. All but the Honda are / were built by some member of the Fiat-Chrysler family tree.
When did that Dodge (… er, Ram) pick ’em up sneak in there?
Looks good, though! 🙂
Back in February… I made the mistake of checking pricing on current trucks, and one thing led to another. (c:
Ed I recall your post sometime back on the Boomer 8n . It was the first time l learned of this model. I was reminded of it this past April. While shopping for a new 72″ finish mower at our local New Holland dealer they still had a unsold Boomer 8n in stock. It must have once been a show room center piece but now resided under those aluminum carport affairs with small tractors and UTVs. It now had a layer of limestone dust on it from the lot. The loader and bucket on this one was red. The bucket was a very sun faded red. Must have stayed out on the lot the whole time.
I wonder if the name Boomer prefixing New Hollands’s compact line of tractors is referencing the age demographic of their small acerege customers?
That’s my best guess – hasn’t aged well IMO. The marketing materials for the Boomer 8N were clearly aimed at “boomers.”