[Mentat Bashar]

The issue was, they were in trouble, when they closed the perfomance division it was with a view of reconstituting it at a future time, but the way things are GM performance is doing well, they need a team though to focus on things like a bonkus Sonic etc, perhaps unite OPC and the US performance division.

I think we are both on the same page but we came at it from different directions.

 

[XCR440SP]

I've got to agree that the ceiling needs raised on the trucks, particularly the 1/2 tons. From the Ford side, we're selling more Platinum's/Limited's than we are XL's by a LARGE margin, At our dealership Lariat is our volume model with XLT next and Platinum/KR/Limited selling almost the same volume as XLT. With this large of volume on the highest end trucks, it proves that there is room to move upmarket even further. That said, I look for the next F-150 to do this (maybe 2nd year if not on release) and offer a trim above Platinum that will command an even larger price premium, and likely sell in small volumes, I'm thinking something wild like the Atlas show truck.

As to the Mark LT, that's not a fair comparison, It was handicapped from the start. It was nothing but an F-150 with no unique features (seems like there were some options in 2006 you could get on F-150, but not Lincoln). That said it was also about the same price as an F-150, so it was a good buy (better resale). We don't have the Lincoln franchise, so I'm not certain why they didn't sell more (possibly intentionally limited production to maintain F-Series sales leadership), but I can say we sold tons of used ones we picked up at the Factory auctions and they sold great for us.

The Platinum in 2009 had much more change from a regular Lariat F-150 than a Lincoln did from a Lariat in 08. I believe they still sell the Platinum as a Lincoln in Mexico, but I'm not sure.

 

[63GrandSport001]

We already have pickup trucks in which sell in the $60,000 price range, so this would be no shock to me if they started to make trim levels up in that $70,000 range.

 

[hdmax]

With the reckless way the federal reserve is printing money with nothing to back it up, I can see prices going up until everything comes crashing back down to earth. This false sense of security people feels right now, will be short lived in my opinion. But until that day comes, prices will continue to sky rocket, so $70K and beyond is just around the corner, assuming the economy holds long enough.

 

[swagled]

You watch, offer a $70K truck and there will be people working the Bakken oil deposits who will buy them just because they can.

 

[ChrisNJ]

It does but MSRP is MSRP. $70K MSRP 1/2 ton trucks will be out there soon.

Besides the Luxury crew cab 4X4 truck is the new luxo-cruisers for today's Baby Boomers. Their parents would drive full size V8 car loaded up top end models when they were younger. The Eighty Eights, New Yorkers, Town Cars, etc. New era, different players but same basic market. Large RWD V8's with the largest road footprint. Size matters to them.

The day is coming for these. I'd guess within the next 5 years.

IMO, you nailed it. I am 47, my peers drive mostly trucks, with the rest in Chargers. And this is not in TX, but in NJ, and these are men, not posers. I don't consider the opinions of posers warranted. There are a smattering of the beemer type wall-street, lawyers etc.... too.
We buy and drive trucks because there are no large cars anymore. Large like described above. We mostly do not care about mpg. I would trade my truck in for the Chevy PPV (long wheelbase) tomorrow, as probably most of my truck driving peers would too. I would consider the Jag J-L and Merc S large, Caddy has nothing (yet), and us normal folk can't afford them anyway. so trucks it is, then you make a little money later in life, and what are you going to buy........... a nicer truck. I'm on my 7th? truck since the Impalla SS died (probably the last big car).
And HDmax is correct too. As more money is printed, everything will keep going up. I will add that bureaucracy costs a lot too, in our 'special' new engines to get 2-4mpg, air-bags for our balls, etc..... I've said it before, but what would a 1997 1500 cost to build today? Think about it, it only got 2-4mpg worse than today. The numbers speak for themselves.

 

[Sweepspear]

$70,000 for a luxury truck is retarded. Ugly word. Sorry not to be more P.C. Maybe it's me. My pickup has a stick and crank windows and cost $6,000 used. Great for doing work. Not so great for being a Candy A$$.

I'm with you.
People are free to buy what they want, no skin off my nose. But a posh pick up truck is not for me.

 

[F14CRAZY]

IMO, you nailed it. I am 47, my peers drive mostly trucks, with the rest in Chargers. And this is not in TX, but in NJ, and these are men, not posers. I don't consider the opinions of posers warranted. There are a smattering of the beemer type wall-street, lawyers etc.... too.
We buy and drive trucks because there are no large cars anymore. Large like described above. We mostly do not care about mpg. I would trade my truck in for the Chevy PPV (long wheelbase) tomorrow, as probably most of my truck driving peers would too. I would consider the Jag J-L and Merc S large, Caddy has nothing (yet), and us normal folk can't afford them anyway. so trucks it is, then you make a little money later in life, and what are you going to buy........... a nicer truck. I'm on my 7th? truck since the Impalla SS died (probably the last big car).
And HDmax is correct too. As more money is printed, everything will keep going up. I will add that bureaucracy costs a lot too, in our 'special' new engines to get 2-4mpg, air-bags for our balls, etc..... I've said it before, but what would a 1997 1500 cost to build today? Think about it, it only got 2-4mpg worse than today. The numbers speak for themselves.

Shouldn't you and your peers be driving XL's and W/T's with crank windows and rubber floors?

 

[MisterMe]

Shouldn't you and your peers be driving XL's and W/T's with crank windows and rubber floors?

What you don't seem to get is that ChrisNJ has given you and accurate description of today's typical pick-up truck owner.

 

[DGA]

Badge swapping one of GM's twins into a Cadillac would be a big mistake in my mind, unless they do something along the lines of the new Escalade, new sheet metal and interior.

 

[NoStopN]

If you are considered as a "rugged" man & some others are not, then say it like that. But, let's be considerate of everyone else. Consider this a notice. The next time, I might not be so generous with the discipline.

 

[TruckMan]

What you don't seem to get is that ChrisNJ has given you and accurate description of today's typical pick-up truck owner.

Oh lordy...

And all Camaro and Pontiac owners have mullets. And all Vette owners are having a mid-life crisis.

How about the fact that there aren't many larger, safer cars available? I'll take my truck/SUV over anything on the road for raod trips and in an accident. I have 3 kids. You won't catch me in a minivan or small sedan.

And why can't a truck be expensive and luxurious? Because you wouldn't buy one?

 

[samy1691]

That must mean they have 69000.00 in the grill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[samy1691]

They will have 70000 trucks stuck in their lots

 

[samy1691]

They will lose 70000 sales

 

[Orbit Orange]

I'll just say it again. Size matters to a lot of folks. Mass wins in a 2 vehicle accident. Luxury pickups of today are the luxury full size sedans of yesteryear. Most Americans have a larger is better mindset. More for your money. Now with 20% more and so on. That's fine, we have plenty of space here. The luxury pickup market is bound to increase as that is the only place to get these big RWD based vehicles. On top of that the height of these vehicles tickles many peoples fancy as well. Gives them the sense of "command" over the road and their surroundings. A luxury pickup satisfies all these cravings for those so inclined.

Frankly I'd rather have the smaller, more nimble, fast and good handling vehicle out there, but that's just me. I understand why people want what I described above. And if the demand is there, supply will meet it.

 

[ChrisNJ]

If you are considered as a "husky" man & some others are not, then say it like that. But, let's be considerate of everyone else. Consider this a notice. The next time, I might not be so generous with the discipline.

I assume this was directed towards me in my 'men vs ??' comment. While I understand your edit, I disagree with it. I am not husky. I was trying to describe real men vs 'your word posers'. And hopefully most understand the meaning, because it does matter to this thread, IMO.

 

[NoStopN]

I misused the term husky, & I changed that word. But for the record, anyone can choose to drive a truck, whether they are the Sam Elliott type of personality or the Nathan Lane personality. The comments about fewer large cars being available is a valid point.

 

[red_rider]

I'll just say it again. Size matters to a lot of folks. Mass wins in a 2 vehicle accident. Luxury pickups of today are the luxury full size sedans of yesteryear. Most Americans have a larger is better mindset. More for your money. Now with 20% more and so on. That's fine, we have plenty of space here. The luxury pickup market is bound to increase as that is the only place to get these big RWD based vehicles. On top of that the height of these vehicles tickles many peoples fancy as well. Gives them the sense of "command" over the road and their surroundings. A luxury pickup satisfies all these cravings for those so inclined.

Frankly I'd rather have the smaller, more nimble, fast and good handling vehicle out there, but that's just me. I understand why people want what I described above. And if the demand is there, supply will meet it.

I agree with this, as well as ChrisNJ's large car point. Of course so many full size 4x4's with the tall bodywork of today's trucks makes it more of a pain for people like me with my girly B-Series 2wd to see or maneuver around them And once everyone and their brother has one, the whole mass and commanding view advantage starts to become less likely. Maybe I should graduate to a big rig so I can get away unscathed in a collision vs a half ton..

 

[SierraGS]

I wouldn't rule it out returning as super duper Sierra Denali

That is exactly what GM should do.

GMC can offer a premium trim level of Sierra Denali trucks and could offer the Denali EXT it never got before, GMC products can easily be added to all Cadillac dealers if need be (most already are in SoCal) and we already know the brand can handle the $70K pricetag.

GMC can also easily replace HUMMER with equally capable products with far less "baggage".