Shortage of Trucks in the Country Leads to Creative Solutions: Transforming SUVs into Work Vehicles
Trucks are currently in short supply in the country. In places like Constanza, some people eagerly await the release of new models each year, while others are patiently waiting for used vehicles. To meet the need for work vehicles that can transport tools and harvested products, individuals are resorting to creative solutions.
Believe it or not, they are modifying “yipetas” (a local term for SUVs) and cars suitable for such purposes, transforming them into vehicles suitable for agricultural work. Those who own older trucks are also reinforcing them with smaller truck beds for safer loading.
This trend is not limited to a specific region but is happening nationwide. However, Constanza, with its abundance of cargo vehicles, sees a higher prevalence of SUVs and car-like trucks being used for agricultural tasks.
According to Anselmo Durán, the most commonly modified vehicles include Toyota Runners, Pathfinders, Isuzu Troopers, Land Cruisers, and other sturdy models suitable for the intended agricultural work. In Constanza alone, there are approximately 50 vehicles that have been transformed into trucks.
The pandemic has led to a reduction in vehicle production by manufacturers due to the semiconductor shortage. Anselmo Durán attributes the scarcity of trucks to this factor. He mentions that people in Constanza who typically upgrade their vehicles and sell the older ones have been unable to do so due to the scarcity. As a result, many have turned to buying old SUVs and transforming them into trucks.
While the ingenuity of farmers is appreciated, there is a hurdle that affects the free movement of these improvised vehicles – the process of obtaining a new license plate. When converting a SUV or car into a truck, a new cargo plate must be obtained, but the procedure is complex and time-consuming. Those who own such trucks take the risk because it is currently the only option available to them for work in the face of scarcity.
The conversion work takes between one and two weeks. Although it is a challenging task, it is being done, and with increasing demand for this type of improvisation, the practice is becoming more refined, and mechanical tasks are being expedited.
However, not all modifications are for work purposes. Some also engage in this practice to turn “yipetas” into off-road vehicles. In these cases, the focus is more on luxury and attractive details. “There are also many of these types here because Constanza lends itself to that type of activity. People take advantage of these old vehicles and transform them into secure and eye-catching machines,” concludes Durán.
