REO Runabout: The $21,500 Gas Truck With a Manual Gearbox That America Has Been Waiting For

America’s truck market has been dominated by giants — the Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and Chevy Silverado — all priced well above $40,000. Then came Slate with its stripped-down electric truck. Now, a Texas startup called REO Industries wants to go even further, offering a gas-powered, manual-gearbox, body-on-frame pickup truck for just $21,500 — less than the price of a Hyundai Venue. Meet the REO Runabout.

A 100-Year-Old American Truck Name Returns

The REO name is not new. It was originally founded by Ransom E. Olds — yes, the same Ransom Olds of Oldsmobile fame — back in 1905. The company was a pioneer of the American commercial truck segment in the early 20th century, before going through a series of mergers and bankruptcies. It eventually merged with Diamond T to form Diamond Reo Trucks in the late 1960s, before fading into obscurity.

Fast-forward to today: a Dallas-based real estate entrepreneur named Zach De Bernardi acquired the rights to the REO name and built a new company around it — REO Industries. De Bernardi is a self-confessed off-road enthusiast with a sizeable collection of classic Toyotas, and that Japanese DNA heavily influences his vision for the new REO vehicles.

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REO Runabout Lineup: Three Models, Three Price Points

REO Industries has announced a three-model lineup, all under the Runabout nameplate:

• Runabout T4X (Regular Cab Pickup) — Starting at $21,500
• Runabout T4C (Crew Cab Pickup) — Starting at $25,000
• Runabout S4C (SUV) — Starting at $28,500

The base T4X is the headline product — a compact, no-frills regular cab truck targeting the gap in the market that nobody else is currently fighting for. Refundable deposits are already being accepted on the REO Industries website, with production targeted to begin in 2028.

REO Runabout T4X: Key Specs and What Makes It Different

The T4X is compact by American standards. At just 180 inches (4,572 mm) in length, it is slightly shorter than a Mazda3 sedan, about 6 inches longer than the Slate EV pickup, and 20 inches shorter than a Ford Maverick. Yet REO is positioning this as a real truck — not a lifestyle vehicle.

Here is what the preliminary specifications show:

• Architecture: Body-on-frame
• Drivetrain: Mechanical 4WD (4×4)
• Engine: Four-cylinder gasoline (no direct injection)
• Transmission: 6-speed manual (only option)
• Max Towing: 4,500 lbs — 500 lbs more than a Ford Maverick; 3,500 lbs more than Slate
• Payload: 1,200 lbs
• Length: 180 inches (4,572 mm)

One of the most interesting engineering choices is the deliberate omission of direct fuel injection. REO wants this engine to be simple, reliable, and easy to maintain — prioritising longevity over peak efficiency. De Bernardi described the vehicles as belonging to the “Ameri-Kei” class, a term he coined to describe American-scaled versions of Japan’s iconic compact Kei trucks.

“Build It Like It Used To Be” — REO’s Simple Truck Philosophy

REO’s slogan — “build it like it used to be” — sums up the brand’s entire philosophy. The base T4X will ship without a radio or finished door cards. That’s right — no infotainment screen, no connected apps, no over-the-air updates. Just a truck that does truck things.

This approach is a direct counterpoint to the direction the broader truck market has taken, where even entry-level trucks now come with large touchscreens, driver-assistance packages, and subscription-based features that push prices well north of $40,000.

REO’s bet is that there is a significant audience — ranchers, farmers, off-road enthusiasts, and budget-conscious buyers — who want a genuine, capable, gas-powered truck that is easy to fix, cheap to buy, and built to last.

REO Runabout vs Slate Truck vs Ford Maverick

The timing of REO’s announcement is no coincidence. The Slate electric pickup has generated significant buzz as an affordable, stripped-back EV truck. But REO’s Runabout goes further in several ways: it is cheaper, runs on gas, offers real 4WD, and has a significantly higher towing rating.

The Ford Maverick, by comparison, starts around $24,000 but is a unibody construction without the mechanical 4WD or the no-frills simplicity that REO is promising.

REO’s direct competition sits in an interesting sweet spot — buyers who want an affordable, honest, working truck but are not interested in EVs or the complexity of modern mainstream pickups.

When Will the REO Runabout Be Available?

REO Industries is currently in the development phase. No production vehicle has been publicly revealed — only teaser images and preliminary specifications. The company is targeting production start in 2028, and is currently accepting refundable deposits on its official website at reoindustries.com.

It is important to note that REO Industries is a startup with no manufacturing history, and like all pre-production vehicles, the final specs, pricing, and timeline remain subject to change. However, the response from the automotive world has been overwhelmingly positive — suggesting genuine market demand for exactly this kind of product.

AutoAkhbar Take

The REO Runabout is one of the most interesting truck concepts to emerge in years. In a market where trucks have become luxury items, REO is doing the opposite — going back to basics, keeping costs low, and trusting buyers to know what they want. Whether or not the company can survive the gauntlet of startup manufacturing and actually deliver a $21,500 truck in 2028 remains to be seen. But the idea? It is refreshingly honest.

Stay tuned to AutoAkhbar for the latest updates on the REO Runabout and all upcoming truck launches.

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