Trucks
GMC To Move Further Upscale
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General Motors has done a commendable job differentiating GMC and Chevrolet even though they share many of the same designs. As proof, one could compare the Terrain to the Equinox or the Acadia to the Traverse and see they share the same underpinnings yet each has a distinctive look. Mark Reuss, GM President in North…
Next-Gen Nissan Titan Could Get Diesel Engine Says Product Boss
When Nissan finally gets around to replacing the Titan pickup truck, there’s a solid chance it will come with a diesel powerplant – at least as an option. Previous reports had indicted that there was a possibility, but in a recent interview, Nissan product boss Larry Dominique gave his strongest endorsement yet, commenting that, “diesel…
Ford F-150 Recall Expanded to Include 1.2 Million Trucks
Ford has bowed to pressure from the government’s safety regulator, greatly expanding a previously issued recall for the F-150 pickup truck. In February Ford announced a recall for 144,000 of the vehicles, but now that number has climbed to 1.2 million, and includes 2004 to 2006 model year F-150s as well as a select few…
Toyota To Reduce North American Vehicle Production
Toyota is the latest automaker to adjust their North American production schedules, with plants idling on April 15, 18, 21, 22, and 25. Toyota’s engine and component factories will follow a similar schedule, while their Georgetown, Kentucky facility will remain open on April 21. Employees at the plants will have the option of report to work…
Ford Should Expand F-150 Recall NHTSA Boss Says
The agency in charge of vehicle safety is continuing to push for a more wide-spread recall of the Ford F-150 pickup truck, a sign that Ford has failed to appease the government body with its first recall notice. Back in February Ford announced a recall for 144,000 F-150 models from 2005-2006, although the National Highway…
BMW M3 Pickup is a Joke That’s in Poor Taste – Happy April Fools
It would have been a great April Fool’s joke, had spy photographers not already revealed the new BMW M3 Pickup. Yes, it’s real. But no, you won’t ever be able to buy one – not unless you manage to stumble across this thing on eBay a decade from now. Easily the best idea since the…
General Motors To Recall 2,000 Laid Off Workers By September
General Motors will recall 2,000 laid off workers by September according to a Detroit News report, allowing the company to start hiring new workers for its American plants. While G.M. representatives would not confirm any timeline, Joe Ashton, UAW VP in charge of GM, confirmed that the workers would be back, stating “We will have…
Ford, NHTSA Still in Talks Over Larger F-150 Airbag Recall
A more significant recall of Ford F-150 trucks is probable, as talks between the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continue. In February Ford issued a recall of 144,000 F-150 models dating from 2005-2006 in response to a request by the government agency. That recall was not, however, satisfactory, with NHTSA requesting…
144,000 Ford F-150s Recalled for Accidental Airbag Deployment; Larger Recall Pending
Ford has announced it will recall a total of 144,000 F-150 pickup-trucks due to airbags that could deploy by accident. The recall affects just those trucks from the 2005-2006 model years, however, a more widespread recall is pending. Ford initially refused to recall the trucks at all, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)…
Chicago 2011: Ram Tradesman Offers Utility on a Budget
Debuting alongside the updated Heavy Duty models, Chrysler’s new Ram truck brand unveiled the Ram Tradesman today at the Chicago Auto Show as a budget oriented model for fleet customers, small contractors and for use on construction sites. The Tradesman might be light on the frilly things, but it’s ideally equipped where it counts with…
Honda Dismisses Threats From UAW
Even though Toyota saw its dealerships and other facilities picketed by UAW members in 2010, Honda is taking a tough stance on any interference by the United Auto Workers, with John Mendel, Honda‘s executive vice-president, dismissing them in a speech made on Tuesday. “The union announced that they’re going to target the operations of international…
Ram Brand Rumored to Unveil New Commercial Vehicle at Chicago Auto Show
The Chrysler Group of brands is set to unveil several new models at the Chicago Auto Show later this week, with rumors pointing towards a new commercial vehicle for the Ram truck brand. According to Automotive News, the vehicle will be, “a truck aimed at carpenters, plumbers and other tradesmen.” Ram (formerly Dodge trucks) already…
GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD Concept Rumored for Production
Making the task easier is the fact that it is already based on production pickup. When asked if an enthusiast could essentially replicate the All-Terrain via a parts catalog, Zipfel said absolutely, “everything but the [LED] lights,” he declared.
Scion Pickup Truck Still Possible Says Youth Brand’s Boss
In other words, it would likely take the form of a car based utility, possibly spun off the XB – think something along the lines of a modern day Subary BRAT.
Diesel-Powered Ram 1500 Hinges on Demand Says Chrysler CEO
We’ve reported before that Cummins, which builds the straight-six turbo diesel available in the Ram Heavy Duty has developed a V-8 diesel for use in 1/2 ton trucks and a version of this could be adapted for the Ram 1500, but it all hinges on demand.
Detroit 2011: GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept Eats Raptors for Lunch
Compared to the Ford Raptor, the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept is a T-Rex. Based on GM’s new Heavy Duty platform, this truck is in a whole other segment than the Raptor and was never meant to be a Baja machine. Unfortunately, this is just a concept and GMC execs aren’t commenting on production…
GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept: New Pictures Released Ahead of Detroit Debut
With a planned debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week, GMC has released a new selection of photos of its overtly excessive Sierra All Terrain HD Concept. We first brought you coverage of this new truck several weeks back, but the new gallery of pics provides more angles and shows the big off-roader’s interior….
Fiat Looking To Increase Stake In Chrysler Ahead Of Possible IPO
Fiat is looking to up their stake in Chrysler from 20 percent to over 50 percent, according to reports in the Detroit News. Fiat was awarded a 20 percent stake in the company as part of Chrysler’s bankruptcy proceedings in 2009, and can increase its ownership as it passes a series of milestones. Marchionne also…
2014 Chevy Silverado to Shed 500 Pounds to Help Meet CAFE Regs
In a bid to meet strict 2016 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, the pickup truck segment might face the biggest challenge of all. While more efficient engines are part of the solution, automakers are increasingly looking at cutting weight as a way to improve overall fuel economy. The first of a new generation of…
Nissan Announces Original Wraps Personalization for NV Commercial Van
Original Wraps has developed a sofware program that allows owners of Nissan’s new commercial van to create their own logos and designs on the Nissan Commercial Vehicle Website.
Goldman Sachs: Toyota To Lose Money Through 2013
Analysts at Goldman Sachs’ Japanese arm have a dim forecast for Toyota, projecting an operating loss through the 2013 fiscal year, with Goldman predicting continued sales downturns in the United States, Europe and Japan, which comprise Toyota’s three biggest markets. Toyota sales, hammered hard by recalls earlier in 2010, are not projected to keep pace…
GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept Revealed Ahead of Detroit Auto Show
Ahead of its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show, GMC has revealed its new Sierra All Terrain HD Concept, giving a look at a possible off-road version of the big truck, while also previewing certain styling elements that will trickle down to the production model in the near future. Combining the standard Crew Cab…
2011 Chrysler 300C Interior Shown Online
The outgoing Chrysler 300 was a great value thanks to a number of cost cutting initiatives, like sharing a platform with Mercedes-Benz’s old E-Class and using interior materials made out of melted down children’s toys. That might have been passable five years ago, but with even small cars boasting high quality interiors, the awful tortoise…
Ford Adds 1,800 New Jobs at Kentucky Truck Plant to Build Next Escape
Although the upcoming Ford Escape is planned as the first, ‘primary’ vehicle to be manufactured at Louisville, the plant will be configured to handle flexible production, everything from small cars, to larger crossover SUVs (rumor has it that the new 2010 Focus and an upcoming small Lincoln SUV will join Escape at some point in...
