PickupTruck.com Interview with GMC Sierra Brand Manager Lorraine Babiar

[91 s-10baja]

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/auto...nterview1.html

[69Firebird400]

The one thing that disappoints me about the GMT-900 Sierra is the death of Quadrasteer.

PUTC: Will Quadrasteer make a comeback?Babiar: (long pause) We had a highly maneuverable truck to begin with. We added on even greater maneuverability with Quadrasteer. The customers just felt what they had was sufficient and didn’t want to pay the first price point ($7,500 total package) or reduced price points ($4,495 then $1,995). So maybe we’re a victim of our own ability to provide a maneuverable pickup, even without Quadrasteer. It’s great technology, no one denies that. But maybe one of our competitors that’s not as maneuverable than us will have better luck.

My dad has a 2004 Sierra Denali extended cab, and he loves that truck. He has already said that he would have bought a new crew cab one, except that Quadrasteer wasn't available. It really makes very long pickups maneuverable! He would always park it with the wheels turned to show off that his back ones also pivoted.

[aznative981]

You are going to see a higher level of differentiation between the ute and pickup than you’ve ever seen. And higher levels of differentiation between Chevy and GMC. And I got to leave it at that.

Good. I was hoping there would be a styling difference between the pick-ups and the sport-utes.

[boblutzfan]

So when are we going to see these trucks?! I am tired of the silence and tired of waiting.

[boblutzfan]

This makes me very nervous:

PUTC: It appears neither Chevy or GMC will make a big show announcement this year with the GMT 900 pickup. It seems like it will roll out organically. I’m wondering, are you nervous about introducing a completely new pickup when the current one is doing so well?

Babiar: What we have in store is fabulous and wonderful. There’s nothing to be threatened by, only awed by. Being quiet doesn’t mean you lack confidence. Sometimes subtle can be away of boasting. Sometimes you don’t have to boast about what you got coming. Sometimes simplicity is elegance.

So no introduction?

[mobyss]

Can anyone answer this question:

Will the new pickups have the same dashboard as the Tahoe and Yukon, with the big center blob that hangs down in the middle with the radio and climate control knobs?

If so - how will they be able to seat 3 in the regular cab, and how will they be able to fit a manual transmission?

Does anyone know anything about the pickup dashboards?

[chevy6.0fan]

Originally Posted by mobyss

Can anyone answer this question:

Will the new pickups have the same dashboard as the Tahoe and Yukon, with the big center blob that hangs down in the middle with the radio and climate control knobs?

If so - how will they be able to seat 3 in the regular cab, and how will they be able to fit a manual transmission?

Does anyone know anything about the pickup dashboards?

Yes. They will be different from the tahoes. They dont have that blob and they will be up higher so someone can actually sit there.

[boblutzfan]

So when will we see these trucks? Tomorrow?

[chevy6.0fan]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

So when will we see these trucks? Tomorrow?

Oh no. Production starts in october. July or August at the earliest is when we might see them.

[ChevroletRevived]

Are you sure about that?...I was thinking more along the lines of April...at the NY show.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by chevy6.0fan

Oh no. Production starts in october. July or August at the earliest is when we might see them.

While I think you might be correct about seeing the production or pre-production models - why couldn't they show us a "concept" like the Enclave which is clearly near pre-production.

The waiting game terrible.

[mobyss]

Originally Posted by chevy6.0fan

Yes. They will be different from the tahoes. They dont have that blob and they will be up higher so someone can actually sit there.

How do you know this? Do you have any proof?

I get the feeling that GM didn't think this through - they only have the one dashboard design (airbag design and crash testing for different designs is very expensive), and now the pickups will all come with bucket seats and automatics.

Maybe GM won't even offer a manual trans?

If you have some proof of what you say - please post it!

[sgfootball2006]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

While I think you might be correct about seeing the production or pre-production models - why couldn't they show us a "concept" like the Enclave which is clearly near pre-production.

The waiting game terrible.

The concept was just that; a concept. They had not decided on an official design yet. Why would they show us a concept of a vehicle that has already been designed? They would have to go out of their way to redesign a truck and hand build it for the public. The design is already set

[bdubsee]

This sounds like a lot of marketing BS (and I am a marketing BS'er myself). The GMC is differentiated from the Chevy by the exciting availability of....wait for it....power windows and door locks on the work truck! And that's not all - don't forget the folding armrest! It's a GMC exclusive and sure to push them up another 5 points in market share. The only bad marketing trick missing after the touting of non-features is excessive explanation points!!!

Seriously, I hope that she is reaching so far because the embargoed features of the 900 are too great to speak of prior to introduction.

[Dusterman]

Originally Posted by bdubsee

This sounds like a lot of marketing BS (and I am a marketing BS'er myself). The GMC is differentiated from the Chevy by the exciting availability of....wait for it....power windows and door locks on the work truck! And that's not all - don't forget the folding armrest! It's a GMC exclusive and sure to push them up another 5 points in market share. The only bad marketing trick missing after the touting of non-features is excessive explanation points!!!

Seriously, I hope that she is reaching so far because the embargoed features of the 900 are too great to speak of prior to introduction.

I totally agree.

This Lorraine lady sounds like your typical corporate, manipulative b-tch. All spin.