GM postpones full-size truck overhaul plan

[WishIhadatruck]

Certainly fuel efficient cars need to be a priority but it is frustrating that GM seems to only have the money and resources to tackle one segment at a time. Cars were postponed to do the 900's and now future trucks will be delayed for cars. They absolutely must be shooting to be leaders in all segments.

I think the 900's are great trucks but they need to full roll out the 6-speeds and be rid of 4-speeds for good. '09 should be a step in the right direction but plenty of trucks will still be built with 4-speeds. As for the Tahoe and Suburban they really need an improvement in the rear seating area. The 3rd rows are very uncompetitive. I'm still annoyed they couldn't figure out how to fold the seats flat into the floor and make them more comfortable when they came out in '07. They are great looking trucks however and they probably get by with some good updates over the next few years rather than full replacements. We keep hearing about the 4.5L diesel in the 1/2 ton pickups but they never talk of putting them in the SUV's. I think at SEMA when they had the 4.5L in the "HD Suburban" (or was it a Yukon XL?) I seem to recall a quote that the current generation of Suburban would never get a diesel in production. That needs to change. I'd love to have a Suburban with the 4.5L diesel.

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by mkwelbornjr

Why is it always all or nothing with GM? There is a still and always will be a market for pickups and large SUVs...albeit not as many variants as we currently have of the same concept. GM needs to continue developing the best full-size pickups and one great full-size SUV. Then maybe a large unique SUV for Cadillac similar to a Range Rover or G Class. And then they need to move forward with modern luxury V8's as Cadillac needs this.

I assume that by "luxury V8" you mean a DOHC lump. As if there's anything wrong with the current Escalade's engine. You would seriously have the Escalade, the top-selling luxury full-size, become a mommywagon unitbody pile like the G? Part of Escalade's appeal is the fact that its a luxury TRUCK and no x-over will impart that feeling. Revvy cammer engines don't fit the image either. If you want to chase power there's nothing better than a pushrod Chevy V8 to chase it with.

[Uzzy]

It's a good thing GM makes their trucks good enough to go that long without an overhaul. This is a smart move by GM right now, but I do hope they make the Silverado less ugly soon.

Originally Posted by DETNEWS

The next generation of full-size trucks was scheduled to go into production in 2013, according to GM's labor contract with the United Auto Workers.

The UAW should blockade the Ren Cen!

[thoffman]

The new GM trucks are definitely not an improvement in looks over the 07 and 06 Classics. The fender flares on the new ones are hideous. I wouldn't buy a new one until those things were changed. However, the GMC model is definitely more attractive than the Chevy counterpart.

Hopefully the refresh might change some of that. Otherwise I will buy a camaro or something as opposed to a truck

[skylark68]

Originally Posted by Hitman1970

Prior to the 1994 Dodge weren't trucks really only fully redesigned every decade or so with a few minor refreshes inbetween? Lord knows GM could and should throw that money into making more desirabe efficient cars. They are on their way, but need to keep the momentum going even in their current cash constrained environment.

Basically yes.

GM had the same truck from '73 until '87 and until '91 with the Suburban and Blazer/Jimmy.

Dodge had the same truck from '72 until '93.

When the '94 Ram came out trucks turned trendy and started going through sooner model revisions/changes.

I have a feeling with gas prices we will start seeing fewer changes in trucks. The GMT-900's are really good, and that is a great thing, because i have a feeling they will be soldiering on for quite some time. We'll probably see some smoothing of body lines and grill changes along with some interior freshening every so often.

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by 1gkek

30 isn't good enough any more. I think the "casual" pickup and SUV driver is gone for good. Some will be able to afford them and can justify based on their situation, but everybody else is fleeing.

Will the "El Camino/UTE" actually stand a chance now???

30 ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR A FULL SIZE 4WD 8 PASSENGER SUV???
What planet do you live on. For people that actually need that or a full size pickup those numbers would be astounding!No one to date has bettered 24 for a BOF full size suv or truck. Some people will continue to drive these and eventually the market will straighten itsself out just like it always has.

[neshapop]

Interesting detail on similar topic from yahoo news

"New designs of GM trucks and SUVs had not been expected to be released until at least 2012, the newspaper said.

GM also has considered cancelling one future Hummer SUV product and shutting down another brand, the paper said, citing people briefed on its strategy."

Source: Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition on Thursday

[neshapop]

Originally Posted by prototype66

30 ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR A FULL SIZE 4WD 8 PASSENGER SUV???
What planet do you live on. For people that actually need that or a full size pickup those numbers would be astounding!No one to date has bettered 24 for a BOF full size suv or truck. Some people will continue to drive these and eventually the market will straighten itsself out just like it always has.

The planet has changed, my friend, so North Americans will change their ways too (urban planning, driving habits and purchasing or consumer addiction to "supersize everything" items). In Europe we have human beings with same DNA as us here able to fit into smaller cars who are quite all right with 150 HP as beast on the wheels.

North Americans have to go on HP diet with their cars and purchase trucks when they really need them. SUV and Crossovers are redundant and with oil hitting $300 simple math will kill all those products very quickly or make them niche as Maybach or Bentley.

[nascarnate326]

Originally Posted by 1gkek

Will the "El Camino/UTE" actually stand a chance now???

As long as GM doesnt half ass it and it has a starting price around 15k, I think it would be a HUGE hit. Many people (like me) like a truck bed, and 4x4. Throw a 4 cyl in the G8ST and put a bowtie on it and I am sold. I don't need more then 200 hp to drive to the mx track every weekend and through the snow.

[TruckMan]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

With talk of the Tahoe as we know it being killed, it sort of leaves the question of what will happen with the Suburban?

The only talk I've seen of the Tahoe, or any full-size vehicle, being axed is by people on this site. And that was only by the haters/greenies/doom mongerers. Most normal people know that there will always be a market for full-size BOF vehicles - regardless of gas prices. They'll just get better and sell in slightly fewer numbers.

[plane]

Originally Posted by 1gkek

30 isn't good enough any more. I think the "casual" pickup and SUV driver is gone for good. Some will be able to afford them and can justify based on their situation, but everybody else is fleeing.

Will the "El Camino/UTE" actually stand a chance now???

The same factors that drove consumers to embrace SUVs still exist.
Stating that 25/30 isn't good enough any more is a bit over the top.
This is mid-size sedan mileage territory.

Effectively, if GM can double SUV fuel economy, that's equivalent to $2-$2.50/gallon gasoline.
Certainly not the SUV heyday of $1/gallon gasoline, but nevertheless a tenable market.

[KingElvis]

Originally Posted by plane

Want to drive the sales of the GMT-900's through the roof?
1. Get the 4.5L diesel now.
2. Follow up with the direct injected gasoline version of the 4.5L.

How many full-size trucks would sell if consumers could regularly see 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway? Or even better?

Fuel economy is now king lynchpin in selling full-size trucks.
Conquer the fuel thirst and you conquer this market.

I'm not sure you could even do a gas version of this engine. It's all set up around the turbochargers. It's kind of 'inside out' (exhaust manifolds go toward the middle of the V) and then where would you put spark plugs and a distributor.

[TruckMan]

Originally Posted by neshapop

The planet has changed, my friend, so North Americans will change their ways too (urban planning, driving habits and purchasing or consumer addiction to "supersize everything" items). In Europe we have human beings with same DNA as us here able to fit into smaller cars who are quite all right with 150 HP as beast on the wheels.

Most europeans also have 80% to 150% sales tax on cars that affects their buying decisions. That's the main reason they drive econo boxes - not gas prices.

Originally Posted by neshapop

North Americans have to go on HP diet with their cars and purchase trucks when they really need them. SUV and Crossovers are redundant and with oil hitting $300 simple math will kill all those products very quickly or make them niche as Maybach or Bentley.

I call BS on $300 oil. $200 is even a stretch.

[plane]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

I'm not sure you could even do a gas version of this engine. It's all set up around the turbochargers. It's kind of 'inside out' (exhaust manifolds go toward the middle of the V) and then where would you put spark plugs and a distributor.

Would it be cool for economies of scale if just by changing a few parts, GM has a fuel-efficient direct injected DOHC V8 based on the diesel design. Absolutely.

My point more than anything was that most people don't need a 5.3.
A 4.5 or even a 4.0 properly engineered would provide plenty of power for just about any work conditions while providing much better fuel economy.

Look at the horsepower and torque ratings for a Chevy C/K. Ten years ago, drivers survived with much less than 350 horsepower.

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by neshapop

The planet has changed, my friend, so North Americans will change their ways too (urban planning, driving habits and purchasing or consumer addiction to "supersize everything" items). In Europe we have human beings with same DNA as us here able to fit into smaller cars who are quite all right with 150 HP as beast on the wheels.

North Americans have to go on HP diet with their cars and purchase trucks when they really need them. SUV and Crossovers are redundant and with oil hitting $300 simple math will kill all those products very quickly or make them niche as Maybach or Bentley.

I think you are completely off......There is 3X the taxes on fuel and vehicles in europe , oil will NEVER hit $300 and americans will always purchase what they NEED . You are right that wasteful driving is a thing of the past but the vehicles will change to cater to the customers not viseversa. Also can someone please tell me where the link is to where they are planning to kill off the Tahoe/Burb??? I never heard that, I thought the Traverse was going to replace the ageing Trailblazer.