Agree "markup" is NOT the same as Consumer "COST"! There is x amount of dollars spent to build the basic "platform"! If the consumer does not order lots of "packages" & "options". the basic cost to build is still there. They can get more for the vehicles with more "STUFF" than the plain jane. The one with all the packages has of course MORE PROFIT in it as more "STUFF" was purchased!!!! So -making up numbers- A base truck like a Tradesman with $3,000 of added stuff, Will probably have a higher -margin of profit than a Rebel with $3,000 dollars of added stuff. Because to make it a Rebel. 2022 Tradesman start at $38,000 2022 Rebel Start at $52000. They will make a LOT more profit on the rebel, BUT the margin (percentage) of that price will be LESS. Total profit in Dollars much higher than the margin percentage. Just words people use to say what people want to hear, accuracy not the same.
I've always been a "MOPAR" guy, even though that name no longer applies to the product _ BUT IT IS WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR!!! I got my Gen 4 because I want a TRUCK!!!! Not an SUV with the roof missing. I wanted it to do TRUCK STUFF. Which you can NOT do with a 4 foot box!!!! There is just the Wife and I So a reg. cab long box was not offered?? - if it was I have never seen one. I wanted a large ENGINE - as a motor is something electric. Mine gets out of it's own way - and many other brands also, Just need RWD as I grew up learning how to even PLOW with one. My dads 68 Camper Special, had a 383 & a 4 spd manual - reg cab , long box, even a one leg RWD. Pulled even a few of the $WD people out of ditches and snow banks as the operator were never taught - it might accelerate quicker but steering and stopping are still controlled by 4 tires.
I was actually waiting for the Dakota to come back- but have given up on that.
Everyone like what they like as far as looks go, so to me that was not the main reason to buy. All I wanted was something I did not have to sneak up on to get in it. Love what I got and as I always do to what ever I own, I have started to "FIX" what I did not like about it, by adding "stuff" as I wanted it. That way I was not forced to by some "OPTION PACKAGE" that had the one thing I wanted and 40 others I was stuck with. Hell I even have power windows on this one!!!!! What will they think of next?? OLD SCHOOL - OLD FART got a 66 Satellite ( 689HP 375lbft, 1.42 60ft times 10.30's at 125-129 it's even FM3 Pink) to prove it