China is not the only one copying designs.

[veedubtuner]

Since when did Cat start making trucks?

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/new-veh...rpillar-first-pickup-looks-lot-125300092.html

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[Dr_Strangelove]

I think since 2026 according to this article, haha. It's being shown at Con Expo (Construction trade show,) just down the road from me in Las Vegas, NV.

I'm sure Caterpillar bought the 450 platform from Ford or is paying a per-unit license. It's not really any different than Roush or Hennessey or Shelby putting their badging on Ford product with their own power unit installed. This is a F450 with probably a Cat engine and technology integrated. Article says it has a roof-mounted deployable drone for surveying jobsites. The customer for this is big construction companies, geological companies for energy, etc.

 

[AzScorpion]

The thing is there's no originality anymore. Everyone now seems to copy things from the past because they can't think up new concepts or ideas. This is not just the automotive industry either just look at all the (crappy) movies out that are remakes from the past.

 

[veedubtuner]

I think since 2026 according to this article, haha.

Apparently I missed that

 

[TxOTRRanger]

Apparently I missed that

It looks like a F450 or F550 with the Ford emblems removed and Caterpillar emblems in place of Fords. IMO

 

[got3fords]

Apparently inspired by rumors and AI generated images. I think it's misleading in this article, how they repeatedly say "we built."
https://www.cat.com/en_US/blog/cat-truck-equipped-with-cat-technology.html

 

[Grumpaw]

There is a big difference between "copying" and "rebadging". It looks like all CAT did was take the Ford product and made some modifications and appearance upgrades.
Example....Sears did that for decades with their Kenmore brand which in reality were made by other manufacturers. Craftsman lawn tractors were basically Husqvarna equipment, painted and rebranded to "Craftsman". Sears high end tires were made mostly by Michelin with the Sears logo on the sidewall....just a rebranded Michelin, and Sears used to promote that fact.
China built from the ground up what looks like other manufacturers products....a "copy".

 

[Jason B]

Not a copy, a rebadge. Not unlike Mazda B4000 that was a rebadged Ranger.
Even says so in the article:
" That said, you don't have to peel away a lot of things to figure out what it's based on, though. It's essentially a rebadged Ford Super Duty with a slim steel bumper at the front and an attention-grabbing wrap — at least we think it's a wrap."

and NOT a CAT engine either:
" It's safe to assume that the engine has been left untouched. As it appears to be based on an F-450, we reckon it's a 6.7-liter Powerstroke turbodiesel residing under the hood. Caterpillar promises 'torque and towing power' from its pickup, and it's safe to say that the Ford engine is enough for the job. "

So, in other words, an F450 with a fancy wrap or paint job.

 

[got3fords]

This one looks more like an F150, no? 250?
https://www.news-caterpillar.com/ex...aterpillar-trucks-the-2025-pickup-revolution/

 

[Colo_Ranger]

The article says it's based off the F450 platform so... not a copy but an upgrade package?

 

[Jason B]

The article says it's based off the F450 platform so... not a copy but an upgrade package?

Yep. Similar to the Rousch Rangers. Pay a lot extra for some fancy badges, wheels and a name.

 

[Figarou]

This one looks more like an F150, no? 250?
https://www.news-caterpillar.com/ex...aterpillar-trucks-the-2025-pickup-revolution/

That looks like an AI generated picture. The "I" is missing from CATERPILLAR in the background.

 

[rang19ca]

It's a fake generated picture. Too many inconsistent parts from other vehicles. Caterpillar used to sell a class 8 tractor that was a rebadged Navistar because it did not have a smog legal engine of it's own.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Fake or not, it’s got nuthin’ on this cool Tonka Ranger, baby!

 

[TxOTRRanger]

Fake or not, it’s got nuthin’ on this cool Tonka Ranger, baby!

This is WAY cooler than the Caterpillar truck. I'd drive the wheels off of it lol.

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