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Home::Trucks SUVS
GMC to Launch All New Pick Ups Early
Author : Matthew C. Keegan
Published reports are indicating that General Motors will move
up the production of their updated line of GMC and Chevrolet
pick up trucks by three months with the new models making their
debut in October 2006. Some are calling this move an act of
desperation on the part of GM which has been socked by extensive
criticism over its product line, while others are hailing it as
a bold, strategic initiative. Regardless, this is an unusual
move for the world's number one automaker, one that could help
the company get back on its feet. Let's take a look at the new
trucks and what they will offer to you, the consumer.
High gas prices, quality problems, and a perception that the
company offers products that no one wants has been plaguing
General Motors for much of the past year. With plant closures
coming, layoffs pending, and market share decreasing, little
good news has been focused on "the general" by the automobile
press. Fortunately, GM is battling back with fresh models set to
be released including SUVs and trucks, which are the "bread and
butter" vehicles of the company. Here is what you can expect to
see when the new trucks enter the market in Autumn 2006:
1. Fresh sheetmetal. All new exteriors with a modified and
sportier front end.
2. Modified engines. Traditional work horse engines which have
powered GMC trucks for much of the past decade are expected to
return. However, displacement on demand technology, which shuts
down unneeded cylinders at certain times [city traffic being one
example] is expected to be incorporated on some motors. This
technology effectively increases gas mileage without sacrificing
performance.
3. New steering. Just as the SUVs will receive new rack and
pinion steering when they make their debut in Spring 2006, the
large pick up trucks should receive similar enhancements.
4. Interior upgrades. Changes to the trucks' interior as well as
to packages offered will be some of the "inside" changes noticed
by consumers.
General Motors has its work cut out for itself as an eroding
market share is threatening the very viability of the company.
Part of the reason for the move up of production is to thwart
the new models expected from Nissan and Toyota that compete
directly against the GMC pick ups. Both Japanese automakers have
stated that they, too, are moving up the production of their
popular full sized pick ups, therefore General Motors is
reacting in part to their anticipated moves.
Beyond GMC trucks, the automaker will be releasing the Saturn
Sky convertible, revamping its entire line of full sized SUVs,
and overhauling several other lines of vehicles in a bid to win
over customers. All of these changes are steps in the right
direction, but the unanswered question remains this: how will
consumers respond? The answer isn't likely to be known for at
least one more year.
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