Autoblog

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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PickupTrucks.com tests Ram Runner by Kore, compares with Ford SVT Raptor

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Dodge, Off-Road

Here at Autoblog, we're big fans of the Ford Raptor. So when Dodge announced that Mopar would be prepping a Ram for a head-to-head duel, we were quite excited to see the outcome of that project. Officially revealed in all its glory on March 28 of this year, the Ram Runner kit is offered in seven component sets that allow you to build your Ram up as much as you'd like.

We haven't had the chance to test out the fully equipped Ram yet, but our friend Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com lined one up and took it out to the desert.

Levine teamed up with veteran Baja racer Kent Kroeker, whose KORE suspension company built the components for Mopar and Dodge. The KORE-assembled Ram Runner features every option available in the kit, and Levine put all of them to the test. The truck was driven hard in the desert, spent a little bit of time in the air and then shuttled through Los Angeles traffic.

How did it fare? Quite well, with the minor annoyance of an ABS system in need of recalibration. Read the write-up over at PickupTrucks.com to see why.

PickupTrucks.com tests Ram Runner by Kore, compares with Ford SVT Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: PickupTrucks.com gets a closer look at the GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD concept

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Videos, GM, GMC

PickupTrucks.com checks out the GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD concept- Click above to watch video after the jump

You don't have to wait until the 2011 Detroit Auto Show for a closer look at the forthcoming GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD concept. That's because our friend Mike Levine and his PickupTrucks.com camera managed to get up close with the rugged rig, going on a guided tour with Lead Designer Carl Zipfel.

PickupTrucks.com was kind enough to shoot not one, but two videos while in the presence of the fingers-crossed-they-build-it concept truck. Hop the jump to view both of them.

Gallery: GMC Sierra HD Concept

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Video: PickupTrucks.com gets a closer look at the GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD concept

Video: PickupTrucks.com gets a closer look at the GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Drag racing Ford's V6-powered F-150s

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Ford

PickupTrucks.com drag races Ford's newest V6 F-150s - Click above to watch video after the jump

Ford has created an exciting lineup of engines for the 2011 F-150. From the 6.2-liter V8 and Coyote 5.0 down to the 3.7-liter V6 and turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost, it's pretty much impossible to make a bad choice. Our friends at PickupTrucks.com currently have the keys to both of the V6 models, and they are putting them through the paces for their Work Truck Shootout. That story isn't quite ready yet, but in the meantime, Editor Mike Levine decided to run them down the strip at Michigan's Milan Dragway.

The resulting times are very interesting. The naturally-aspirated 3.7, which produces 302 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, made the quarter-mile trip in 15.87 seconds with a trap speed of 87.69 miles per hour. The more powerful EcoBoost, which boasts 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, needed just 14.67 seconds to cover the quarter-mile, crossing the lights at 94.6 mph. Interestingly, both of the times for the V6 engines were quicker than all of the figures for half-ton V8 trucks tested during the site's 2008 Light-Duty Shootout.

You've just read about them, so why don't you hop over the jump and watch them run down the strip.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL and Ford Motor Company

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Video: Drag racing Ford's V6-powered F-150s

Video: Drag racing Ford's V6-powered F-150s originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 PickupTrucks.com Heavy-Duty Shootout: And the winners are...

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford

2010 PickupTrucks.com Heavy-Duty Shootout - Click above for high-res image gallery

When it comes to all things pickup truck-related, our pal Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com has his finger on the pulse of what's happening. Every year, Levine gathers all of the currently available contenders in a particular segment of the truck market for a shootout. With General Motors, Ford and Chrysler all having launched heavily reworked heavy-duty trucks in the last six months, that was the segment of choice for this year's 2010 Heavy-Duty Shootout. Levine collected three examples each of the 3/4-ton gas, 3/4-ton diesel and one-ton diesel duallie pickups for a battle royale at Milan Dragway in Michigan and the General Motors Milford proving ground.

The trucks were put through their paces in acceleration and braking tests, both unloaded and hauling trailers of up to 12,000 pounds. The trucks ran on the level Milan drag strip and up seven- and 16-percent grades at Milford. Levine also evaluated ride and handling and the trucks were put through a fuel economy drive loop. The bottom line results for each category are available after the jump and you can - and should - read Levine's definitive report over at PickupTrucks.com.

Gallery: PickupTrucks.com Heavy-Duty shootout 2010

[Source: PickupTrucks]

Continue reading 2010 PickupTrucks.com Heavy-Duty Shootout: And the winners are...

2010 PickupTrucks.com Heavy-Duty Shootout: And the winners are... originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us!

Dan Roth — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Hybrid, Truck, Etc., BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Electric

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Our friend Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks.com joins Chris, Sam and Dan for Episode #157 of The Autoblog Podcast, bringing his vast knowledge of all that is crew-cabbed and full framed. Of course, we start off with what we're driving and dreamy talk about the Dodge Ram Power Wagon, but the real meat and potatoes news items begin with a peek at the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabrio. Staying with Ms. Jellinek's namesake brand, the crew ponders the idea of an electric SLS supercar. Staying charged, we move right into Toyota's recent hybrid news - a tease of an all new hybrid that we'll see at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, and today's announcement of a PHEV Prius. Hybrid pickups come up before we move on to the BMW's Z4 sDrive35is and then questions. One hour, thirty minutes, in time for your Tuesday pick-me-up.

For more listening pleasure check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget, and let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us!

Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon gets dirty with PickupTrucks.com

Chris Shunk — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon is one very capable full-size pickup truck. Its 383-horsepower HEMI V8 engine is but a small part of a rock-traversing equation that includes a solid front axle, electronic sway bar disconnect and a pair of limited-slip differentials. And while the Power Wagon has its way with the desert rocks, it can also tow over 10,000 pounds and tote nearly 2,000 more in the bed.

The Power Wagon appears to be the heavy duty, no-nonsense off-roader that Ram fans have come to expect since the variant first came online in 2005. Our friend Mike Levine over at Pickuptrucks.com took Dodge's freshly updated gravel king out for some fun at the Johnson Valley off-highway vehicle park in Southern California, and he brought cameras to properly document their adventure. Hit the jump to watch as the Power Wagon goes all Kama Sutra with a raft of contorted poses in the name of articulation and traction.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD

[Source: Pickuptrucks]

Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon gets dirty with PickupTrucks.com

VIDEO: 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon gets dirty with PickupTrucks.com originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:19:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Truck, Ford

Click above to view video after the jump

When it comes to all things pickup trucks, Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com is the man, bar none. He's got the first video report on the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and goes into far greater detail about the truck's special bits than we ever could. The Raptor, of course, is the latest product from the SVT crew and it's fully off-road ready. This beast is unlike the previous F-150 SVT Lightning, which blended lots of horsepower with a strictly on-road suspension set up. SVT seems to have realized that a pickup truck will never be a sports car and vice versa, so they set up the Raptor with new heavy duty suspension mounts, unique suspension arms and new Fox racing remote reservoir dampers. The SVT Raptor will be launched with the current 5.4L V8 underhood, although the 6.2L "Boss" V8 should be available as an option by the end of '09. The interior is fitted with all kinds of special bits and from the outside the Raptor will be instantly recognizable thanks to a unique grille and flared out fenders. Check out the video for yourself after the jump and our high-res galleries of the SVT Raptor below. Thanks to Sam (not me) for the tip!

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor LIVE

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine

VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Mike Levine attempts to fit himself in the Dodge RamBox

Chris Shunk — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:14:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Videos, Dodge

The 2009 Dodge Ram is still a couple months from hitting the showroom floor, but we got a chance to check it out during a visit to the Chelsea proving grounds at the Chrysler media event. While we can't tell you how the new Dodge Ram drives, we are pleased to give you details of the revolutionary RamBox. We wanted to tell you how much we could fit into the bed mounted storage, but all we had was Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks.com. Follow the jump to view Mike as he tries to jam himself into one very confined space. Mike's a skinny guy, so he comes a lot closer to squeezing into the RamBox than you might think.

Continue reading VIDEO: Mike Levine attempts to fit himself in the Dodge RamBox

VIDEO: Mike Levine attempts to fit himself in the Dodge RamBox originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pickuptruck.com bought by Cars.com, gets pluralized

John Neff — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:32:00 EST

Pickuptruck.com, our favorite website about anything with a bed on four wheels that's been owned and operated by Mike Levine since 1995, was just bought out by automotive mega-site Cars.com in a move that we hope made our good friend a gajillion dollars. Levine now joins Autoblog alumnus Dave Thomas, who runs the Kicking Tires blog under the Cars.com umbrella of sites.

The first change that came down from Levine's new corporate overlords was to pluralize the name of his website to Pickuptrucks.com because, well, we don't know why really. We imagine Cars.com already owned the URL, but why it decided to rebrand its new property over one letter rather than just redirecting Pickuptrucks.com visitors to Pickuptruck.com is beyond our feeble minds. Those are corporate overloads for ya. Being owned by AOL, we know all about corporate overlords. Welcome to the club, Mike!

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Pickuptruck.com bought by Cars.com, gets pluralized originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 May 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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