Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GM stops trying to sell medium duty truck line, will cease production of Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/gm-stops-trying-to-sell-medium-duty-truck-line-will-cease-produ/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/gm-stops-trying-to-sell-medium-duty-truck-line-will-cease-produ/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/gm-stops-trying-to-sell-medium-duty-truck-line-will-cease-produ/#commentsFiled under:


Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick - Click above for high-res gallery

For the past four years, General Motors has been trying to sell its medium duty truck business, which produces the giant Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick. Navistar, Isuzu and other unnamed suitors were all at one point in discussions with GM to make a deal, but none ever happened and today the automaker announced that it would will "wind down" production of the Kodiak and Topkick and cease production altogether on July 31st.

In addition to the consumer-oriented models from Chevy and GMC, the medium duty truck operations also produced the commercial grade C4500, C5500 and C6500 models. Halfway between a full-ton pickup and an actual semi, these mammoth haulers were best suited for just that: towing. Chances are if you ever saw one on the road, there was a trailer behind it.

The Topkick also earned acclaim for its acting prowess in the Transformers film franchise playing the Autobots' weapons specialist, Ironhide. Unfortunately, success on celluloid didn't transfer to sales on the street, and it looks like Ironhide may be taking his last curtain call in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.


Gallery: Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick


[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM stops trying to sell medium duty truck line, will cease production of Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick

GM stops trying to sell medium duty truck line, will cease production of Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevyCHevy KodiakChevyKodiakGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMGMCGMC TopkickGmcTopkickKodiakmedium duty truckMediumDutyTruckTopkickMon, 08 Jun 2009 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Monroe Truck offers production version of Transformers' Ironhide]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/monroe-truck-offers-production-version-of-transformers-ironhide/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/monroe-truck-offers-production-version-of-transformers-ironhide/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/monroe-truck-offers-production-version-of-transformers-ironhide/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Ironhide as he appears in the film, Transformers

Of all the GM rides playing Autobots in Transformers, one of the favorites around here is Ironhide (above), who rolls as a completely tricked GMC TopKick 6500 pickup truck when he's not kicking ass, taking names, and intimidating Chihuahuas as the Autobots' weapons specialist. Monroe Truck Equipment, which modifies rides like the TopKick for business owners, has partnered up with Hasbro to offer the ultimate adult Transformers toy: a near-exact Ironhide replica (minus the giant transforming robot element, of course).

Ironhide edition TopKick by Monroe TruckIronhide buyers get twin big-rig-style smokestacks, 20" black wheels wearing massive tires in lieu of the TopKick's standard dualies, custom, powder-coated front and rear bumpers, and a monster winch up front. The only real differences we see on the Monroe Truck version are the amber running lights (Ironhide's are blue) and the non-aero (but more useful) mirrors. As for the look of horror on Prius drivers' faces when you thunder by in this thing, well, that's an intangible that you can't put a value on. Ironhide effing rules!

[Source: Inside Line]

Gallery: Ironhide Edition GMC TopKick 6500 Pickup by Monroe Truck

Monroe Truck offers production version of Transformers' Ironhide originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ironhidetopkicktopkick 6500topkick pickupTopkick6500TopkickPickuptransformersFri, 06 Jul 2007 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[GM may sell medium-duty truck unit to Navistar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/18/gm-may-sell-medium-duty-truck-unit-to-navistar/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/18/gm-may-sell-medium-duty-truck-unit-to-navistar/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/18/gm-may-sell-medium-duty-truck-unit-to-navistar/#commentsFiled under:

In a move billed as potentially assisting Navistar with "life after Ford," the company is talking to GM about buying the General's medium-duty truck unit. Navistar already makes trucks and engines, and talks are only just beginning, but buying the GM unit would allow it to enlarge its market share and remove a competitor. Navistar, if you'll remember, is locked in a legal tussle with Ford to the tune of $2 billion. Navistar says that Ford is looking at introducing its own engines before 2012, in breach of contract; Ford says it's paying far too much for Navistar's 6-liter PowerStroke Super Duty engine issues.

Were GM to sell its medium-duty truck unit, assuming the price were right, GM would shed a non-core division, make a profit, and be able to focus on making cars. GM's medium-duty trucks are sold as the Chevy Kodiak, GM Topkick (aka "Ironhide"), and Isuzu T-Series, which together account for almost 12% of the medium-duty truck market. And apparently the medium-duties aren't the only ones on the block: GM is in talks to let Allison Transmissions go as well.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Related posts:
Navistar Slaps Ford with $2 Billion Lawsuit
Ford Developing New Diesel Engine, Quickly
Ford Supplier Stops Production of Super Duty's PowerStroke

GM may sell medium-duty truck unit to Navistar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 May 2007 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allisondutygmisuzukodiakmediumnavistart-seriestopkicktrucksFri, 18 May 2007 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[GM officially forms "Power Partnership" with Transformers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/gm-officially-forms-power-partnership-with-transformers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/gm-officially-forms-power-partnership-with-transformers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/gm-officially-forms-power-partnership-with-transformers/#commentsFiled under: ,


click above image to view high-resolution pics of the entire GM cast of characters

During its sixth-annual "ten" pre-Oscar gala last night, General Motors made official what everyone already knew: it's going to be in the live-action Transformers film this summer. They had on hand some of the four main GM vehicles that will be in the film, including "Bumblebee" (Chevy Camaro), "Autobot Jazz" (Pontiac Solstice), "Autobot Ratchet" (HUMMER H2), and "Ironhide" (GMC Topkick). We're certain that every car parked at a meter and waiting for a green light in the Transformers universe will also be of GM descent, but we do know of one vehicle that's not: a Saleen Mustang that plays the evil Decepticon "Barricade". Trust in GM that a full marketing blitz is being planned around the release of its newest commercial on July 4th. Hopefully it won't get pulled from theaters because someone starts complaining that robots are dying.

Check out the pics released by GM of each character from Transformers in our high-resolution gallery. You can also see some live shots of "Bumblebee" and "Jazz" at last night's event here. For more, get a load of the action-figures that will accompany the release of the film.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: Transformers Movie Pics

Continue reading GM officially forms "Power Partnership" with Transformers

GM officially forms "Power Partnership" with Transformers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camaroh2michael bayMichaelBaysolsticetopkicktransformersWed, 21 Feb 2007 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Why is GMC branding ten-speeds?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/28/why-is-gmc-branding-ten-speeds/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/28/why-is-gmc-branding-ten-speeds/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/28/why-is-gmc-branding-ten-speeds/#commentsFiled under: ,



Looks like GMC has gotten into the bike game. Jeep did pretty well with their mountain bikes. And Ferrari, Porsche, Spyker, Cadillac and BMW have all done the road bike thing as well. Now we find GMC doing...both. Perhaps wanting to emphasize their off-road ruggedness with a smooth on-road ride, the 7 GMC bicycles from Kent (the manufacturer of the Cadillac bikes) cover both mountain and street. Buyers so inclined can choose from the Topkick, Denali, Yukon, Yukon XL and Envoy. Prices range from the $180 everyday Denalis through the $400 Yukon XL race bike. Knowing GMC as a truck-only company, the race bike seems a bit odd, to say the least.

The dual suspension Topkick is what we would consider to be the most GMC-like model. The description says it lives up to the GMC name because it is rugged, good looking, and built for the long haul. There's even a pair of Denali bikes for the tykes priced the same as the adult versions. If any of these sound appealing to you, we have some good news: Amazon has a few of them on sale and is offering free shipping.

[Source: Kent Bicycles via GM Inside News]

Why is GMC branding ten-speeds? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMW bicycleBmwBicycleCadillac bicycleCadillacBicycleDenaliEnvoyGMC bicycleGmcBicycleKent InternationalKentInternationalSpykerTopkickYukonYukon XLYukonXlThu, 28 Dec 2006 08:33:00 EST