Autoblog

Pickup makers reach pact with SAE on tow rating standards

Chris Shunk — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc.

The pickup truck towing capacity wars have been in full-blown Mortal Kombat-style battle mode for as long as we can remember. For years, it's gone something like this: Automaker A claims that its rig can tow 10,000 pounds, then Automaker B increases their truck's stated capacities to 10,500 pounds without changing a single component. And if you've ever wondered if all automakers test towing capacities in the same manner, well... they don't.

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the Society of Automotive Engineers will change practice that by the 2013 model year by implementing a new a standardized testing methodology. General Motors engineer Robert Krause, who chaired the SAE committee that set the new standard, said that the automakers involved "wanted our customers to know that 10,000 pounds of towing capacity means the same thing for all trucks."

This sounds like a plan that should have been hatched and executed long ago, but at least the deed is finally getting done. Toyota is already using the new standard with its Tundra (resulting in slightly lower tow ratings), while other major truckmakers will comply to the voluntary standard sometime in 2012. Nissan has stated that it will utilize the standard sometime in the future, but hasn't gotten specific with any details.

Pickup makers reach pact with SAE on tow rating standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coral Gables to issue tickets to pickup owners who park in their own driveways overnight

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal

Truck ownership in Coral Gables, Florida just got a bit more expensive. According to the Miami Herald, the city is ready to start enforcing a rule that's been on the books since the '60s. Truck owners are not allowed to park their pickups on city streets between 7pm and 7am. The rule doesn't stop at the street, however, because truck owners also aren't allowed to park their vehicles in their own driveways.

The town is currently handing out warning notices to offending truck owners. Beginning August 9th, parking enforcement will start handing out real fines. The first offense will cost you $100, but after that the fine can climb to $500. We would poll you and ask if you think this is outrageous, but we're pretty sure we're mostly in agreement on this one.

Coral Gables to issue tickets to pickup owners who park in their own driveways overnight originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Fuel economy standards could add up to $15K to price of heavy-duty pickups

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Work, Diesel

It's no secret that today's crop of full-size heavy duty pickup trucks cost a pretty penny to purchase and operate. To wit, the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Mega Cab that we recently reviewed carried a sticker price of over $56,000. A large chunk of that asking price can be accounted for by the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine - largely responsible for the truck's massively impressive capabilities.

Of course, it's also going to cost quite a few Benjamins to keep that truck running on a steady diet of low-sulfur diesel fuel, and the Feds are considering some legislation that could potentially have a massive impact on both fuel consumption and the aforementioned bottom line... both positively and negatively, depending on your point of view. While we all want better fuel efficiency, we doubt many would be willing to front a staggering $15,000 surcharge on top of their already pricey work truck for the mileage benefits.

According to a new study by The National Academies, there are lots of ways to increase the fuel economy of a full-size HD pickup, some of which cost just a few hundred dollars. Others, such as adding a hybrid powertrain or switching from a gasoline-fed engine to a diesel, cost several thousand dollars each.

At present, truck manufacturers aren't required to meet any specific fuel mileage requirements. But that's soon to change, as the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation are drafting up a series of regulations for these types of trucks. Exactly what those regulations will entail - and, of course, how much added price they will require to meet - isn't yet known. Stay tuned, and check out PickupTrucks.com for more data from the study.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: Fuel economy standards could add up to $15K to price of heavy-duty pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Hyundai really considering full-size pickup truck?

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 08 May 2010 21:05:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Hyundai

Is Hyundai about to repeat the mistakes of Toyota and Nissan? PickupTrucks.com reports that Hyundai has been showing off a modified Dodge Ram pickup at some consumer clinics to gauge interest in such a product. This wouldn't be the first time the Koreans have looked down this road. A midsize pickup based on the new Kia Sorento had been considered before being killed off two years ago. Tackling the full-size truck market could be an even more perilous endeavor.

Nissan never made a significant dent in the big truck segment with the six-year-old Titan. The enormous resources that Toyota has poured into the development and production of the Tundra are considered by some analysts to be one of the causes of the automaker's recent spate of quality problems and recalls. While many of Hyundai's recent introductions have done well, not everything has been a hit. The Veracruz hasn't been particularly successful in the larger CUV segment and the Genesis Coupe, while getting good reviews, is still very much a niche player against the likes of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Is Hyundai really considering full-size pickup truck? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 May 2010 21:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PickupTrucks.com calls out decade's 10 most significant trucks

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Click above for high-res image gallery

We love ourselves a good top 10 list, and when talk turns from cars to trucks, there's nobody who's opinion we respect more than the brain-trust behind PickupTrucks.com. That said, we now present the Top 10 Significant Pickup Trucks of the Decade as chosen by the aforementioned truck nuts (no, not that kind) and AutoPacific.com.

Every major automaker that sells pickup trucks here in the United States is represented on this particular list, which only seems fitting in today's competitive landscape. Further, there's a truck for just about every need - no matter what size, towing power, seating capability or fuel mileage you are looking for, you'll find it offered here in the States... except perhaps for something really small.

Though it just hit the market at the very tail end of the allowable date range, we'll happily throw a vote in the direction of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. It's truly unlike anything else ever offered for sale from a major automaker, and we're happy Ford had the guts to build it. That said, click here to read the complete list, then come back and let us know what you think.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

PickupTrucks.com calls out decade's 10 most significant trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM kills plans for unibody pickup truck

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

GMC Denali XT concept - click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has reportedly cancel plans for a new unibody mid-sized pickup truck after finding it wouldn't get much better fuel economy than existing body-on-frame designs. In early 2008, GM showed off the GMC Denali XT concept at the Chicago Auto Show. That truck was actually based on the same Zeta rear wheel drive platform used for the Pontiac G8. And unlike the star-crossed G8 ST that never made it into showrooms, the intended production truck would have been derived front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive Epsilon II architecture like Honda's Ridgeline.

GM vice-chairman Tom Stephens told Automotive News the unibody design would not give much of an efficiency boost while losing capability that buyers were willing to pay a premium for. That means the trucks would have been less profitable, something GM is obviously trying to avoid. The current four-wheel drive Chevrolet Silverado pickup has an EPA rating of 14/20 mpg while the all-wheel drive Ridgeline only gets 15/20 mpg, so there's clearly something to this.

As a mid-sized truck, the unibody would have likely replaced the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, two vehicles that are getting long-in-the-tooth. It's not clear how GM plans to handle those products (or that segment) going forward.

Gallery: Chicago 2008: GMC Denali XT concept reveal

[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd]

REPORT: GM kills plans for unibody pickup truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas truck sales uptick seen as bellweather for auto sales?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota

2009 Ford F-150 - Click above for high-res image gallery

When auto sales began to circle the drain in 2008, no single segment was hurt more than pickup trucks. Sales were cut in half in many instances, pummeling the domestics from Detroit more often than their foreign competition. Truck sales even dropped in Texas - easily the world's largest market for all things with four wheels, a bed and a V8 engine. Some Texas dealers saw sales drop 30% or more in 2008 and 2009, but some signs point to a turning point for truck sales and perhaps even the auto industry as a whole.

In August, the Ford F-150 saw its first year over year sales increase in three years. Automotive News is reporting that dealers in Texas are reporting more fleet and retail traffic, and one ton trucks are beginning to move off the lot again. Analyst Erich Merkle with Autoconomy.com told AN that the increased truck activity in Texas could mean that the auto industry is on the back swing, and more importantly, perhaps the entire American economy.

As an example of how this could play out, Texas is home to many of our nations biggest ranches. Dealers often sell entire fleets of trucks to these massive ranches, and if they are asking for more trucks, the results will be noticeable in our monthly By the Numbers update. And if ranchers are buying trucks again, that means we're making more things and more money changes hands, which means the economy may be bouncing back to life.

We know it's a bit of a stretch to hang the entire economy on Texas truck sales, but more trucks usually means more building and more construction. We're not sure if that's a bellweather for success, but it can't exactly be a bad thing either.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150

[Source: Automotive News - Subs. Req'd]

Texas truck sales uptick seen as bellweather for auto sales? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler idling Ram plant it just reopened

Chris Shunk — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

2009 Dodge Ram - Click above for high-res image gallery

One week after Chrysler announced that it was re-opening seven of its plants, one truck plant is being put back on the shelf. Automotive News reports that the Fenton, MO Dodge Ram 1500 plant will close on July 10, yet the facility will still reopen on June 29.

After the July 10 re-shutdown, the plant will remain closed "contingent upon volumes." In other words, Chrysler already has 68,000 Rams sitting on dealer lots -- a 115 day supply. The Missouri plant is already scheduled for ultimate closure sometime in the third quarter, and since July 10 officially qualifies as being in the third quarter, we've got the feeling the Fenton plant isn't coming back. The 1,200 UAW workers in Fenton will receive buyout package offers and, in some cases, the opportunity to transfer to other plants.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Dodge Ram

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Chrysler idling Ram plant it just reopened originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota overtakes Dodge as third best-selling truckmaker in U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota

As we all know by now, auto sales are down, dropping by around 18% in 2008. Pick-ups actually fared worse, posting a decline of 26.5% over the same period. Still, the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado maintained their positions as the two best selling vehicles in the United States, and these two manufacturers managed to post incremental increases in total pick-up truck market share after all was said and done.

Those increases came directly from the competition, especially Dodge. The full-size Ram truck managed to see its piece of the pie dwindle by almost one full percentage point. Dodge's drop in overall market share allowed Toyota, for the first time ever, to grab the bronze medal behind Ford and General Motors. However, it's not particularly good news for the Japanese upstart, which owns just 8.52% of the market after seeing Tundra sales fall by over 30% in '08 and well short of its stated goal of 200,000 units per year. The last place trophy goes to Nissan, as its 34,000 sales represent a meager 2.11% of the market.

These market share figures include both full-sizers and their smaller brethren, and it was the Toyota Tacoma and the aging Ford Ranger that made the biggest upward moves among the mid-size pick-ups. Again, the biggest loser award goes to Dodge, which saw its Dakota sales fall nearly 65%, and its Mitsubishi Raider stablemate, which posted an insignificant 2,900 total sales.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Toyota overtakes Dodge as third best-selling truckmaker in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HUMMER H3T declared Pickup Truck of the Year by Four Wheeler

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Hummer

Click above for a high-res gallery of the HUMMER H3T

HUMMER might be getting shown the door, but it's not going to leave without taking some of the silverware. Four Wheeler magazine put the marque's newest brute, the H3T Alpha, up against the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, and... um... the Suzuki Equator (bet you didn't see that one coming), and the V8-powered HUMMER truck took home the medal.

The trials lasted a week and involved traveling 1,000 miles over various terrain from sea level to more than a mile high. According to Four Wheeler, "Not only was the HUMMER highly competent and the staff favorite on the trail, it also has the added pluses of on-road comfort, distinctive looks and a usable pickup bed." While we wouldn't mind seeing the H3T earn the top spot against a wider field and stiffer competition, regardless of year, it's good to see it rewarded for its monumental capability.

Gallery: Review: 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha

[Source: Four Wheeler]

Continue reading HUMMER H3T declared Pickup Truck of the Year by Four Wheeler

HUMMER H3T declared Pickup Truck of the Year by Four Wheeler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How quickly we forget: Cheaper gas = higher pickup and SUV sales

Chris Shunk — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck

Pickup and SUV sales plummeted when gas hit $4 per gallon, and many thought these gas-guzzling segments would never fully recover. That may be true, but for now Americans are once again getting more comfortable with trucks and SUVs. Truck sales fell below 10% of overall vehicle sales back in May and June, but the price of gas falling from an average of $4.11 per gallon to $2.78 has helped the share of trucks rise to 14.1% of the overall market for September. Depending on how buyers react to the financial crisis, October could be even better as gas prices have continued to go down. SUVs have seen a smaller but still significant jump in overall share, going from 1.9% in May to 2.5% in September - a big improvement for a shrinking segment.

Much of the increased interest in trucks and SUVs can easily be attributed to huge incentives on the hoods of these hefty haulers, but gas prices are a big factor, as well. And while most analysts feel the truck market won't recover until construction picks back up, we're sure automakers are happy to see an increase in sales for their most profitable vehicles, even if it takes a pile of cash on the hood to get them moving.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd, Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty ]

How quickly we forget: Cheaper gas = higher pickup and SUV sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Street Scene Equipment F-150

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Truck, Ford, Specialty

Click above for high-res pic of the SSE F-150 Lariat

Custom truck lovers, it doesn't matter that the whole world might seem to be against you, you will not be forgotten at this year's SEMA. Performance West will be bringing a hotted up F-150 and F-350, and now Street Scene Equipment rumbles onto the stage with it's own entrant, a juiced up 2009 F-150 Lariat.

The SSE job appears to be a little more subdued than the Performance West numbers, but that might just be down to the lack of racing stripes. The Lariat will of course be dropped, because you can't even call it a tuning job if the truck is more than an inch above the ground. After that, the exterior gets new front and rear bumpers and skirts, new mirrors, a bed cap, a tailgate wing, and some of DuPont 's Hot Hues to make it all shiny, among other things.

Inside will be the standard rolling theater treatment: headrest video monitors and a "high-end infotainment system" from Audio Innovations. In keeping with the restrained theme, engine mods looks to be limited to an Air Raid intake and a new exhaust. Subtle ain't such a bad thing, though -- we gotta admit we're digging that grille.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

SEMA Preview: Street Scene Equipment F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Mopar bringing Dodge Ram R/T concept

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

With gas prices still leaving people numb, the Dodge Ram R/T probably won't get the reception Chrysler wants - but that doesn't mean the automaker won't give it some good car show loving: Mopar is bringing a 'roided up version of the truck to this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The blue bruiser gets the 5.7-liter HEMI with 390 horsepower, good for enough giddy up to shoot to the truck to 60 mph in under six seconds. The body gets more of the Mr. Olympia treatment: a bulging hood with dual intakes over a deep air dam, a bed cover with a spoiler, a lowered suspension over 22-inch wheels for that "Don't mess!" aggression, and obligatory racing stripes. We like the sound of all that. Come November 4, let the posedown begin.

[Source: 4 Wheels Blog]

SEMA Preview: Mopar bringing Dodge Ram R/T concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mexico confiscates trucks crossing border for cheap diesel

Michael Harley — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Truck

Thinking with their wallets, and avoiding $4.59/gallon fuel prices, truck owners in the States have been sneaking across the Mexican border to fill up with low-cost diesel (in Mexico, the fuel averages just $2.20/gallon). While filling a primary fuel tank isn't illegal, Mexico prohibits additional fuel tanks (aka auxiliary tanks) to be filled and moved across the border, so many truck owners with long-range tanks are finding themselves breaking Mexican federal law. Truck owners are getting stopped on the Mexican side of the border and their trucks are confiscated while authorities run tests to determine the origin of the fuel. If found in violation, owners face stiff fines. The Mexican Consulate is offering a blanket warning for all truck owners equipped with secondary fuel tanks to not drive those vehicles into Mexico. Not only do those owners risk truck confiscation, but the Mexican fuel is not formulated to U.S. ultra-low-sulfur regulations meaning emissions components will likely be damaged. (As if the trucks breaking the law are fitted with emission components in the first place...)

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Mexico confiscates trucks crossing border for cheap diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: HUMMER H3T

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Hummer, First Drives

Click above for hi-res gallery of the HUMMER H3T

If HUMMER had a theme song, it'd probably be the Allman Brothers' Whipping Post -- the one that goes "Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel, like I been tied to the whipping post..." The brand has been the go-to effigy when something needs to burn on the altar of eco desecration. But HUMMER doesn't have a theme song, it has the tagline "Like No Other." It also has a new pick-em-up truck we had the chance to drive recently in the High Sierras: the H3T. Follow the jump to find out if it's another HUMMER like no other, and check out the gallery of hi-res images below.

Gallery: First Drive: HUMMER H3T

Continue reading First Drive: HUMMER H3T

First Drive: HUMMER H3T originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: VW "Robust" pickup

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Volkswagen

The Volkswagen pickup codenamed "Robust" has been caught testing again, this time in the U.S. They aren't too different from these spy shots, both sets showing that VW is not going for any kind of flash with its newest pickup. At one point, the regular cab version was speculated to have buttresses, but we'd be surprised if there was that much difference between it and the dual cab. This hauler is about nothing other than good, solid -- and probably cheap -- transportation. Even the name "Robust" will be changed by the time it's introduced, probably to something like Plain White Pickup. Thanks for the tip, Gavin!

[Source: Wheels24]

Spy Shots: VW "Robust" pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota under spotlight for possible Tacoma sudden acceleration

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety, Toyota

Audi went through it in the '80s. Jeep went through it a couple years ago. Other makers have been accused of it, and now it's Toyota's turn: the NHTSA is considering investigating Tacoma pickup trucks from 2004-2008 due to claims of unintended acceleration. In one instance, a man said he turned off his cruise control to exit the freeway, and the truck surged on him, forcing him to dodge a few vehicles -- even as he had his foot on the brake pedal.

Toyota says there is nothing wrong with the Tacoma's drive-by-wire system. The trucks that have been inspected have not shown the error codes Toyota would expect if the throttle and accelerator pedal were out of whack. The company wrote to the NHTSA and said, "Toyota believes that it is likely that many of the consumer complaints about the general issue of unwanted acceleration ... as well as many of the complaints about this subject that have been received by Toyota, were inspired by publicity."

We can't comment on the claims of unintended acceleration, as we have no idea if they are true or publicity driven. But we can wonder out loud why the brakes suddenly don't work. No matter what a car does -- even at full power -- the brakes should still do their job. After Audi's debacle, the NHTSA conducted a 2-year investigation of the issue and found nothing wrong with those cars, and everyone who sued Audi lost in court. Perhaps the folks in Tokyo should make time for a call to Ingolstadt.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Toyota under spotlight for possible Tacoma sudden acceleration originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM jacks up incentives on trucks and SUVs

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Hybrid, SUV, Truck, Green, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Earnings/Financials

click above image for a high-res gallery of the Chevy Tahoe 2-mode Hybrid

We've been waiting for General Motors to step up to the plate with its own incentives now that Ford has offered employee pricing on its F-Series trucks and Dodge has offered $2.99 fuel to go along with its various incentives for the Ram. It seems that GM has finally anted up and increased the incentives for the Silverado, Avalanche and Sierra trucks, along with the Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade and Suburban. The pickups all get $2,000 in customer cash to go along with an extra $3,000 if you already own a GM product for a total of $5,000 total off the sticker price. Those shopping for an SUV will even get an extra grand. In what may be an even larger sign of the times, for the first time ever GM's hybrid Tahoe and Yukon get $4,000 off, but only if you already own a product from the General.

If you want to get in on the savings and don't mind guzzling some gas, you have until June 7 to make it to your nearest Chevrolet or GMC dealer. No rush, we doubt there'll be a line.

[Source: Bloomberg]

GM jacks up incentives on trucks and SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Use #101 for Unsold Full-Size Trucks: Birds Nest

Chris Shunk — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Ford

If there were any doubt left that the gas-guzzling truck market was laying an egg, we have proof that it's ready to hatch two. A truck market-savvy bird has declared a lifted, red 2008 F-150 as its new home, and the feathered creature left two eggs on the truck's cowl as proof of residence. The avianic animal likely chose to put its nest at the base of the windshield of a jacked-up pickup to keep said offspring away from predators, but little did it know that the pickup will probably not be leaving the lot anytime soon. Ford of Orange County has roped off the truck, and the environmentally friendly dealership isn't accepting any orders for the pickup until the eggs have hatched and the youngins have flown the coup. There you have it, the full-size truck market is officially for the birds (rim shot). Check out more pics at the source below. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!

[Source: OCRegister, Photo: JOSHUA SUDOCK]

New Use #101 for Unsold Full-Size Trucks: Birds Nest originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hecha en Argentina: First official drawing of VW's new pickup

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Volkswagen

See that drawing in the right corner of the pic? That's an official VW render of the company's new pickup, internally called the Robust. It's hanging at an event called ExpoAgro in Argentina, where the truck will be built. The banner on the left says "The VW pickup for the field." VW isn't playing around with the model, either, having invested a billion pesos into its Pacheco factory to get ready for the vehicle's 2009 or 2010 launch.

The render presents a neat profile that looks low to the ground -- more ute than pickup really, much like the VW Rabbit pickup from almost three decades ago. We do find the rear sloping roof a bit odd, seeing that it would eat into quite a bit of bed space if the line continued into the bed. But it's just a render, so we don't want to read too much into it. With carmakers putting fake interiors in test mules nowadays, for all we know, the Robust render could also be a hat, or a brooch, or a pterodactyl.

[Source: Argentina Auto Blog]

Hecha en Argentina: First official drawing of VW's new pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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