Autoblog

REPORT: GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Diesel

The revamped 6.6-liter Duramax V8 engine will go into production in April 2010 and the current Duramax, which doesn't meet emissions requirements that go into effect January 1, 2010, will cease production the day before the new year begins. In the interim, GM will be retooling the factory and won't be producing any of the engines to go in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

This has some dealers and outside observers wondering if GM will run out of 2009 Duramax engines before the new ones are built and installed in engine bays. One dealer says GM will take orders for extended cab models with the big diesel, but no longer accepts orders for Duramax regular cabs. Analysts believe that with the car and work truck market showing some recovery, that demand will grow just as GM is trying to play the inventory game.

While the General prepares it's urea-infused powerplants, any engines that GM builds through the end of 2009 can be installed in vehicles even if those vehicles are ordered and built next year. For now, GM says it is padding its stocks of Duramax engines and is confident about being able to meet the need.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM investing $21M in Flint assembly plant to build light-duty crew cab pickups

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors gave embattled Flint, MI a rare bit good news today with the announcement that the truck assembly plant in the company's home town will add some additional production. The truck plant on the south side of the city currently builds heavy duty versions of the GMT900 trucks (Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra) including all of the crew cab versions. GM has decided to spend $21 million on new tooling for the plant that will allow it to add production of light duty crew cabs as well.

With truck sales seeing some recovery this year with sustained lower fuel prices and the Oshawa truck plant closing, GM decided some extra light-duty crew cab capacity was warranted. Crews will start to make the modifications to the assembly line in the last quarter of this year and production is scheduled to start next July with the 2011 models.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM investing $21M in Flint assembly plant to build light-duty crew cab pickups

GM investing $21M in Flint assembly plant to build light-duty crew cab pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: 2010 Chevy Silverado XFE updated to achieve best-in-class 22 mpg highway

Chris Shunk — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

A couple of years ago, pickup truck comparisons were all about power and towing capacity. Today, fuel efficiency is the new battleground. For the 2009 model year, the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado XFE took their fuel economy figures up a notch by hitting 21 mpg on the highway and 15 in the city. Then Ford unveiled the F-150 SFE that matched those numbers, though without requiring the use of a tonneau cover. The Blue Oval dropped the SFE badge for 2010, but kept the improved fuel economy.

General Motors, however, is not content with a tie, and is upping the EPA numbers for its 2010 XFE Silverado and Sierra to 22 mpg on the highway, which just so happens to match the highway figure for the Sierra Hybrid. The combined fuel economy of both GMT900 trucks has also increased from 17 to 18 mpg.

Chevrolet spokesperson Brian Goebel told Pickuptrucks.com that the increased fuel economy is due to several engineering improvements. The XFE model's 5.3-liter V8 now has variable valve timing, optimized shift pattens in its six-speed transmission, and new tweaks for its Active Fuel Management system that enables the truck to run on four cylinders at cruising speeds for longer.

[Source: Pickuptrucks .com]

REPORT: 2010 Chevy Silverado XFE updated to achieve best-in-class 22 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM 4.5L light-duty diesel V8 "indefinitely postponed"

Chris Shunk — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Green, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors' 4.5-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine has become the latest casualty of the automotive downturn, as GM has put the promising powertrain on indefinite hold. The General follows Ford, Toyota, and Dodge in dropping light diesel engines from its near-term plans. GM spokesperson Susan Garavaglia told Pickuptrucks.com that the project has not been canceled, and that the General was "still very interested" in using the innovative diesel powertrain in the future.

The 4.5-liter Duramax diesel sounds terrific on paper, with a 25% improvement in fuel economy, 310 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque for towing, and an innovative design that cuts weight while also saving $600 per engine. The news will be difficult for fans of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra anxiously waiting for a diesel engine in a light duty pickup truck. Still, GM points out that it has a dual-mode hybrid truck that can achieve 40% better fuel economy in the city, along with a full line of gasoline and diesel engine offerings in its truck lineup.

While the 4.5-liter diesel isn't going into GM trucks and SUVs any time soon, the General says it would still consider license the technology to a third party if the deal was beneficial to all involved.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

REPORT: GM 4.5L light-duty diesel V8 "indefinitely postponed" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM says next-gen hybrid pickups could have 50% better towing

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Truck, Green, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors isn't saying how it plans to do it, but according to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, it is saying that consumers are "...going to see substantial improvements in towing capability in our next hybrids." Right now, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid can pull 6,100 pounds with their electrically-assisted, multi-displacement 6.0-liter V8 engines. The improvement will be "up to 50% more," meaning a tow rating of 9,000 pounds could be coming this way.

If GM can wring a full 50% improvement out of the drivetrain, that would put the hybrids just 1,600 pounds short of the max towing capacity of the standard gasoline V8 crew cab half-ton with the enhanced tow package. The transmission torque capacity and the necessary cooling systems are the apparently the chief limitations to be overcome, and GM says if the current package can evolve enough, then "one of the things you might consider is E-Flex." And how neat would a Volt pickup be?

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

REPORT: GM says next-gen hybrid pickups could have 50% better towing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3

Michael Harley — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Truck, Chevrolet, GMC

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Pontiac G3

One day before the press converge on the LA Auto Show, General Motors has released pricing on its 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid and the 2009 Pontiac G3. The full-size hybrid pickup trucks each feature GM's patented two-mode hybrid drivetrain with a 6.0-liter V8 under the hood. Assisted by an electric motor, the trucks are rated to tow up to 6,100 pounds. Fuel economy is impressive for a pickup -- they are rated at 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (2WD) when unladen. The base price for the Silverado is $38,995 (including a $975 destination charge). The Sierra barely undercuts it with a starting price of $39,365 (including $975 DFC). Production on the pickups starts in December, with delivery to dealers starting in early 2009. If trucks aren't your thing, pricing on the all-new Pontiac G3 hatchback will squeak in at $14,995 (including $660 DFC), making it the least expensive car in Pontiac showrooms. While you'll drive home in air-conditioned comfort sipping fuel at 32 mpg on the highway, don't expect much in the way of driving excitement.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Silverado Hybrid

Gallery: 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G3

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3

GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2007: The year in truck sales

John Neff — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

While the big news story surrounding 2007 sales is that Toyota passed Ford as the No. 2 best-selling automaker in the U.S. last year, there were plenty of interesting battles happening between individual models, as well. The truck segment, though shrinking, is still the most competitive in the U.S. market, and 2007 saw the most serious challenge yet to the domestics' market dominance with the introduction of the 2007 Toyota Tundra.

While the F-Series pickup retained its title of Best-Selling Truck for the 31st year in a row (also the Best-Selling Vehicle in the U.S. for the 26th year in a row), its sales fell 13.2% to 690,589. And to think, the F-Series' best-selling year ever was just three years ago in 2004 when it sold 939,511 units. Give the F-Series credit, however, for retaining its No. 1 position despite a brand new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra on the market. GM's new GMT900 trucks did help the automaker mitigate a similar sales slide, with sales falling only 2.8% to 618,257 for the Silverado and 1.2% to 208,243 for the Sierra in 2007. The Dodge Ram also did well despite the shrinking market, with sales off just 2% at 358,295.

The Toyota Tundra, however, is the story the year...

Follow the jump for more analysis and the raw sales numbers for trucks sold in the U.S. last year.

[Sources: Ford, GM, Chrysler LLC, Toyota, Nissan]

Continue reading 2007: The year in truck sales

2007: The year in truck sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM idling three pickup plants for two weeks

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

As reported earlier, General Motors plans to cut production in the first quarter of 2008 by 11-percent in an effort to limit excessive dealer inventory. The cut would affect both cars and trucks, but GM announced today that it would be halting production of its pickup plants in Pontiac; Fort Wayne, Indiana and Oshawa, Ontario for two weeks beginning on December 31st of this year. The plants currently build the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. An unfortunate way to bring in the New Year, but if it limits discounts, more power to the General.

[Source: Detroit News]

GM idling three pickup plants for two weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007 VIDEO: Interview with Two-mode hybrid Silverado PM Carl Hillenbrand

Chris Shunk — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Truck, Green, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

When the Two-Mode Silverado Hybrid hits the market next fall, it will likely boast best in class fuel economy while still managing to tow 6,100 lbs. While it's not that hard to beat the most miserly of full-size pickups in the MPG dept., doing that without sacrificing very much of the truck's capabilities is what's most impressive about the Silverado Hybrid. GM quotes fuel savings to be 40% better in city driving, with a 25% improvement overall. The hybrid Silverado can also hit 30 mph in electric-only mode for up to one mile depending on battery's state of charge. We teamed up with Pickuptruck.com editor Mike Levine to interview Silverado Program Manager Carl Hillenbrand, and the long-time GM truck man had plenty to say about the general's greenest-ever pickup. Click the video above for more.

LA 2007 VIDEO: Interview with Two-mode hybrid Silverado PM Carl Hillenbrand originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM full-size trucks earn industry's "only" 5-star side-impact rating

John Neff — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

You have to watch those PR folk, their inclination to spin the facts can sometimes cause people to see what's not there. Take for instance news released today that the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 both received top five-star side-impact safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. The release states that GM's GMT-900 pickups are now the only full-size pickups with five stars for side-impacts in the industry. This is true, but only because none of the other pickups have been rated yet. If you check the NHTSA's safercar.gov website, which hosts the crash test ratings for every vehicle tested, you'll find that the 2008 Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan are all listed as "Not Rated" when it comes to side-impact crash tests, and neither are models of each pickup from previous years. So while GM's claim is true, one shouldn't also assume its competition isn't just as safe in a side-impact crash until the NHTSA side-impact crash test proves otherwise.

View the full press release after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM full-size trucks earn industry's "only" 5-star side-impact rating

GM full-size trucks earn industry's "only" 5-star side-impact rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM Strike update: Plants close in Canada due to lack of supplies

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:22:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Pontiac, UAW/Unions

Our neighbors to the north have official felt the crunch of the strike here at home, with the Oshawa, Ontario plant closing down production today after it ran out of parts to produce the Chevrolet Impala. Unfortunately, 3,000 workers have had to punch out and head home for the day as a result.

It's expected that another plant in Ontario that produces the Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick LaCrosse will have to shut down before the end of the day, while the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra plant is likely to close by the end of the week unless deliveries resume.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

GM Strike update: Plants close in Canada due to lack of supplies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Tundra overtakes GMC Sierra 1500 in year-to-date sales?

John Neff — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:51:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, GMC, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

The launch of Toyota's all-new 2007 half-ton Tundra pickup has had its fair share of hiccups, but despite bumps in the road, it appears that the Japanese automaker's half-ton has become the first import pickup to overtake a domestic in year-to-date sales. According to Mike Levine at pickuptruck.com, it appears the GMC Sierra 1500 lost its #4 ranking in half-ton sales to the Tundra based on projections culled from production numbers.

General Motors reports that the Sierra has sold 115,185 units year-to-date. The figure, however, includes 2006 and 2007 models of the Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500 (three-quarter ton), Sierra 3500 (one-ton) and even the 2007 Sierra "Classic" based on the older GMT800 platform. GM doesn't break down the sales numbers for the Sierra by model, so Levine got creative and used production numbers for each model from both 2005 and 2006 to extrapolate what percentage of this year's sales the Sierra 1500 model was likely to be. Assuming the Sierra 1500 represents about two-thirds of all Sierra sales, that would mean GM sold 76,700 units of the truck during the first seven months of 2007. The Tundra, meanwhile, sold 105,990 units, of which 97,290 were the all-new 2007 Tundra. Based on an "apples-to-apples" comparison in sales between half-ton models, it would then seem the 2007 Toyota Tundra easily outsold GMC Sierra 1500 to become the #4 best-selling half-ton pickup in the U.S. Based on projections through the end of the year, the Tundra will likely outsell all GMC Sierra models, as well, making it the #4 best-selling truck of any kind in the U.S. behind the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram.

Thanks to Mike for doing the legwork and crunching the numbers.

[Source: pickuptruck.com]

Toyota Tundra overtakes GMC Sierra 1500 in year-to-date sales? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UPDATE: GM will cut pickup truck production

Chris Tutor — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:41:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, GM

We told you Monday that GM was considering cutting truck production at its Pontiac Assembly Center, and today it became official. Production of full-size GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado pickups will be cut from 54.5 an hour to 45 an hour starting in September.

The plant employs 2,800 hourly workers and 300 temporary workers. GM spokesman Tom Wickham said Tuesday that an undetermined number of those temps would be the first to lose their jobs. The Detroit News was estimating about 500 total workers could be affected.

Wickham said the cuts were necessary due to a decline in full-size and heavy-duty truck sales. He also said there were no plans to throttle production at GM's other truck plants.

[Source: The Associated Press via Yahoo News]

UPDATE: GM will cut pickup truck production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM considering cuts at Pontiac

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, GM

Stick with us on this one, because the names might be a bit confusing. Because of less-than-expected demand for its full-size pickups, and despite heavy incentives, GM is considering cutting 500 workers at its Pontiac plant. And you didn't even know Pontiac had a full-size pickup in its lineup! Well, it doesn't, obviously. The General is expected to lay off those 500 workers from its Pontiac Assembly Center. That is, the Pontiac, Michigan plant where they build the recently redesigned Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. As good as they may be, they haven't exactly taken off in the marketplace. Although one could make the argument that no full-size truck is faring particularly well in this sales climate.

GM officials should be meeting as we speak to make a decision about the fate of 100 full-time workers and about 400 temporary employees. The actual layoffs would probably happen in September if approved. The full-time employees will likely be relocated, if possible. The temps, as is usual, wouldn't get any severance pay or benefits. By eliminating those positions, production would drop by about 17 percent.

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM considering cuts at Pontiac originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM announces new 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel for half-ton trucks and HUMMER H2

John Neff — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:49:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Green, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Hummer

Mark your calendars, because we're calling today a watershed moment for the advancement of diesel's acceptance in the U.S. General Motors has just announced a new 4.5L V8 Duramax turbo-diesel powerplant it plans to use in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups, as well as the HUMMER H2. The new oil burner is expected to produce at least 310 horsepower and 520 ft-lbs. of torque. It features dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, a variable-vane turbocharger and aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding that helps keep the overall package small enough to fit in the same space as the automaker's small-block gas V8s.

That's right, just imagine the possibilities. Wherever GM uses a small-block V8 gas engine, it could potentially use the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel. In a few years we could be driving diesel Impalas, diesel Camaros, maybe even a diesel Corvette! To quote GM's press release, the engine's small size gives it "the flexibility to introduce this engine in a wide variety of vehicle applications should there be future market demand." Indeed.

GM estimates that the engine will improve fuel efficiency by 25%, reduce CO2 emissions by 13% and decrease particulate and NOx emissions by at least 90% in its GMT900 pickups and the HUMMER H2. Whoever said the HUMMER H2 was on its way out will likely be proven incorrect after this engine debuts. Scheduled to be built at the GM Tonawanda engine plant outside Buffalo, NY, the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel will be 50-state emissions compliant and meet 2010 diesel emissions standards, as well. GM claims its new diesel will also have NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels approaching those of today's current gas V8s, though we'll have to wait and see if that wish comes true. That wait should end in a couple of years, as the automaker states the engine will be available in Silverado, Sierra and H2 models built after 2009.

UPDATE: Pickuptruck.com's Mike Levine has learned from GM that despite sharing its name with the older 6.6L Duramax diesel that was developed in partnership with Isuzu, the new 4.5L Duramax was developed completely in-house by GM.

Check out GM's full press release after the jump for more details.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM announces new 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel for half-ton trucks and HUMMER H2

GM announces new 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel for half-ton trucks and HUMMER H2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Porsche, Saturn, Toyota

We must admit that we were a bit surprised that MotorWeek's award for "Best Car of the Year" went to the Honda Fit. But, we suppose that it, uh, fits. We know, that was way too easy - feel free to mock us in the comments, we can take it. Here is the complete list of winners:

Best of the Year: Honda Fit
Best Small Car: wait for it... Honda Fit
Best Family Sedan: Saturn Aura
Best Minivan: Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona
Best Convertible: Volkswagen Eos
Best Luxury Sedan: Lexus LS
Best Sports Sedan: Infiniti G35
Best Performance Car: Ford Shelby GT500
Best Small Utility: Honda CR-V
Best Large Utility: Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Best Crossover Utility: GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
Best Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Motor Corporation
Best Dream Machine: Jaguar XKR, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Porsche 911 Turbo

We can't say that we agree with many of these choices, but we didn't choose them, MotorWeek's editors did. We just typed them for your benefit, 'cause we're cool like that.

Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #36

John Neff — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

On this week's episode, Damon and I break down what occurred between Mazda and the RX-8 community late last week. We also go over the new GMT900 pickups and how new battle lines are being drawn in the pickup wars thanks to high gas prices. We couldn't let the week go by with talking about Playboy, as well. This month's issue of the men's magazine was chock full bunnies, Rabbits and high-priced exotics. We end the show expressing our lament for another Enzo that has bitten the dust and give our best wishes to its owners, Richard Losee, who is recovering after he and his Ferrari crashed at 200 mph and rolled seven times on a highway in Utah. Enjoy the show!

[MP3] Listen to the show now.
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[Vote] Vote for us in Podcast Alley!

Hosts
John Neff and Damon Lavrinc

Producer
John Neff

Length
33:20

Autoblog Podcast #36 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Aug 2006 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra details emerge

John Neff — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 00:26:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Though Brenda Priddy revealed the shape of the 2007 Chevy Silverado back in early June, details about the new GMT900 pickups from General Motors have been sparse. The September issue of Motor Trend contains all the deets you'd ever want to know about the General's big pickups, which Cheers and Gears has been nice enough to digitize and upload. However, we rounded up all of the details revealed in the article and assembled them below. Follow this link to view all three body styles of the Silverado and its interior, as well as our first look at the GMC Sierra.

2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra

All-new frame
New coil-over front end and recalibrated rear leaf springs
Class-leading 10,500-lb. towing limit
Class leading 2,070-lb. payload limit
Every interior dimension larger than predecessor
Extended cab rear doors feature 180-degree articulation
Chevy and GMC versions feature unique front end, hoods and fenders

Engine lineup

4.3-liter V6 (195 horsepower/260 ft-lbs.)
4.8-liter V8 (285 horsepower/295 ft-lbs.)
5.3-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management (310 horsepower/335 ft-lbs.)
5.3-liter flex-fuel V8 with Active Fuel Management
6.0-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management (345 horsepower/380 ft-lbs.)

Transmission
Four-speed automatic (beefed up for 6.0-liter V8), except for GMC Sierra Denali, which will receive the Escalade's six-speed automatic and a detuned version of its 6.2-liter V8.

[Source: Sept. 2006 issue of Motor Trend, Chears and Gears]

2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra details emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Jul 2006 00:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford's Super Duties delayed until calendar 2007

Chris Paukert — Mon, 29 May 2006 13:04:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Ford, GM, GMC, Earnings/Financials

Those waiting to do a spot of stump-pulling with Ford's revamped 2007 Super Duty pickups will have to hold their horses a little longer. The fortified F-Series trucks won't hit dealers until January, despite internal plans to release it in the fourth quarter of 2006. As a result, the Blue Oval's profit-rich big boys likely won't reach the market ahead of rival General Motors' revamped heavy-duty variants of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the delay has something to do with quality measures on its new diesels, among other issues.

Regardless of the reason for the holdup, analysts are predicting that the push-back will likely hurt Ford's earnings for 2006.

[Sources: Detroit Free Press; Inside Line]

Ford's Super Duties delayed until calendar 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 May 2006 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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