Design Copycat? C-Shaped Lights on the Tacoma, Canyon, Ridgeline, F-150, Sierra, and More [Op/Ed]

2017 pickup truck tail lights tacoma canyon f-150 ford ridgeline super duty sierra
2017 Pickup Truck tail lights

It’s official, the C-shaped light design is a popular among nearly all truck manufacturers. How popular is it? Just take a look at the image above. It shows the tails lights of: 2017 Honda Ridgeline, 2017 Toyota Tacoma, 2017 GMC Canyon, and a Ford F-150. Notice any similarities in design? The Ridgeline and the Tacoma tail lights are remarkably similar. Why is this happening?

GMC Sierra
2016 GMC Sierra

Automotive manufacturers spend a lot of time and money on design. This include many focus group with current owners and potential consumers. After a while, a successful design emerges. For one, the C-shape can make the vehicle look wider and/or lower. This is especially good for truck which is a masculine machine that is meant for hauling and towing. Also, the wide tailgate dominates much of the rear of the truck, and for a very good utilitarian reason. There is not much room back there for a tail light to begin with.

Can we expect this trend to continue? Time will tell. The 2017 auto show season is under two weeks away. It kicks of with the 2017 NAIAS (Detroit Auto Show). We expect to see several new trucks in the new year. My guess is, some of them will continue to use the C-shape lights in the back and the front.

2017 Ford Super Duty
2017 Ford Super Duty

Here is a video of the 2017 Ford Super Duty running the Super Ike Gauntlet in the night, showing off its lights.