Autoblog

GM's next-gen pickup plans force dealers into one of two camps

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Most General Motors dealers make their living off selling pickup trucks. (That's why when it came time to trim the brands and reorganize under bankruptcy, GMC survived and Pontiac didn't - because Buick dealers needed to have a truck to sell, not a full-size muscle sedan from Australia.) That makes this year a tricky one for dealers, according to Automotive News, as they need to have enough Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra models in stock to get them to the 2013 model year.

What makes this quandary different from most years is that GM is readying all-new pickups, meaning that it will be shutting down production for long stretches to retool. The full-size Chevrolet and GMC trucks date to 2006, making them the oldest in the industry that don't wear a Nissan Titan badge on their tailgate. Dealers, of course, don't want to be caught with many 2012 trucks - vehicles that are already difficult enough to sell - but they don't want inventories to run completely dry and risk turning away customers.

With a combined 29 weeks of downtime scheduled for three truck plans, according to the report, some dealers are stockpiling pickups to avoid running out if the truck production pipeline dries up before the 2013s start shipping. Other dealers are taking the opposite strategy, turning down 2012s and waiting for next year's models.

Given all that has happened to GM in recent years, we imagine that most dealers know altogether too well that you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

GM's next-gen pickup plans force dealers into one of two camps originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, Ford

Chevrolet is having some pointed fun with its apocalyptic Super Bowl ad featuring the Silverado called "2012," only the fun is pointed directly at Ford, which finds it a little too sharp to be all that much fun. So on the eve of the big game, Ford sent Chevy a cease-and-desist letter to pull the ad and "pressured" NBC not to run the commercial, according to a report on Yahoo!'s Motoramic blog. Chevy has released a statement in response, which you can read after the jump, indicating that the ad will run despite Ford's protest.

Ford found no reason to chuckle at some of the commercial's claims, "particularly around durability." One in particular comes from a character that says of their now-deceased, F-150-driving pal, "Dave didn't drive the longest-lasting most dependable truck on the road. Dave drove a Ford."

Ford spokesman Mike Levine says his company has more trucks with 250,000-plus miles on the road than any other brand, which would appear to contradict the small print that appears in the "2012" ad that reads, "Dependability based on longevity: 1981-2011 full-size pickup registrations." Ford says its lawyers will decide what to do (if anything) after the ad airs during tonight's game, but Chevy's legal minions must have vetted the spot closely well before time.

Or Ford could take Chevy marketing honcho Joel Ewanick up on his offer and bide its time. Said Ewanick, "We can wait until the world ends, and if we need to, we will apologize."

Continue reading Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad

Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Silverado takes shot at Ford in apocalyptic Super Bowl ad

John Neff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, Ford

Chevrolet continues its onslaught of Super Bowl ads released before this Sunday's big game, clearly hoping that volume plays in its favor when the points are tallied by marketing analysts on Monday.

Today's commercial, entitled "2012," stars the Chevrolet Silverado in a post-apocalyptic world. In this ad, Chevy reminds us of its oft-repeated statistic that its trucks are the longest lasting, most dependable trucks on the road, and it does so by imagining that the Mayans were right and that 2012 is our last year on Earth.

It's a well-done spot with lots of fun things to focus on - we're even amused by the soundtrack, which isn't what we'd immediately expect to hear as the backing music following life after an Extinction Level Event.

Follow the jump to view the end of the world through Chevy's eyes.

Continue reading Chevy Silverado takes shot at Ford in apocalyptic Super Bowl ad

Chevy Silverado takes shot at Ford in apocalyptic Super Bowl ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Utah Chevy dealer calls on new pickups to help remodel showroom

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet

Pickup trucks and demolition are like the Reese's Cups in a Manly Man's diet: two great tastes that taste great together. John Watson Chevrolet in Utah whipped up its own treat when it needed to accelerate the deconstruction of its old building, grabbing four Silverado pickups of various specification to do the destructive honors.

Whether or not the trucks in question had help from a certain orange excavator lurking in the background is beside the point - pretend demolition can be just as much fun as the real thing. You can get a glimpse of the tire smoking action in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Utah Chevy dealer calls on new pickups to help remodel showroom

Utah Chevy dealer calls on new pickups to help remodel showroom originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chevrolet Silverado gets slight redesign, WiFi and White Diamond Edition

Zach Bowman — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GM, Off-Road

General Motors has quietly rolled out a mild refresh for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. Buyers who lay down the cash for the new pickup will enjoy a slightly reworked nose complete with a chrome mesh grille with a chrome surround on LS and LT trims, and two-wheel drive trucks will feature an aerodynamic front bumper without tow hooks. LTZ trim level pickups will boast a body-color surround, and 20-inch wheels are now available, as well. For 2012, every Silverado with the exception of the Hybrid will come standard with trailer sway control and hill-start assist for a little more functionality and safety.

GM is also throwing in a new optional hard-drive based navigation radio with updated graphics. We'll be interested to see how that new tech stacks up against the somewhat dated system in the 2011 model, though the new optional WiFi system will go a long way with those who use their truck as a mobile office. Unfortunately, it looks like the Silverado will continue on with its long-in-the-tooth interior for at least another year, though GM is offering a White Diamond equipment package on LT and LTZ trim trucks to class up the exterior.

The package includes tri-coat exterior paint, a smattering of chrome all over the exterior as well as Z60 high-performance suspension bits on LTZ trims. Those big 20-inch rollers are also part of the party. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Silverado gets slight redesign, WiFi and White Diamond Edition

2012 Chevrolet Silverado gets slight redesign, WiFi and White Diamond Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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