As gas prices stay relatively low across these 50 states, pickup truck sales have boomed. Big time. GM, Ford and FCA have all pocketed profits from the truck boom, as well as the crossover explosion. And it doesn’t seem to be dying down.
Our sister sites, Ford Authority and Fiat-Chrysler Authority, have both reported on new pickup trucks inbound by 2018. The Ford F-150 will see a major refresh regarding its powertrain, while the 2018 Ram 1500 will be an all-new truck.
The 2017 model year will usher in a new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine for the F-150, now producing an extra 30 lb-ft of torque. It also gains the all-new, ten-speed automatic gearbox. General Motors will be plopping the co-developed transmission into the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to start.
As for Ram, the new truck will get a full redesign, likely with upgraded powertrains, transmissions and even greater engineering. There’s also the likelihood of a split-folding tailgate, along with Stow ‘N Go seating, too.
General Motors recently refreshed the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and 2016 GMC Sierra family of trucks, while special editions have rounded out the niches. A next-generation of pickups from GM will likely debut towards the end of the decade, and do expect aluminum bodies.
Comments
I bet we see a light refresh of both the Silverado and Sierra by end of 2017 as 2018MY, infotainment and technology, minor cosmetics, maybe the 10 spd and hopefully the 6spd is gone across the line and the 8spd is standard. Maybe even start teasing aluminum body panels, like doors+tailgate shell, where tooling could carry over for the next generation.
Then the same slow roll out for the next gen that we saw with this current generation in 2013/14. Showing up on lots mid 2019 as 2020MY and by end of 2019 be in full swing offering all configurations.
I see the present models running till 2018 and in late 2018 the new trucks will be out to replace it. Could even move up to early 2018. GM is not letting this segment stagnate as there is too much money to let it.
I am not sure they will go heavy on aluminum. They may add some but look for more High Strength steel and other weight savings measure to come in like on the Omega where they use a number of materials to lower weight and not add as much to cost or repair difficulties.
GM has been investing much in mircro steels that are stronger then normal steel and lighter than aluminum. I am not sure how close we are to it but they have invested heavily in this material. The cost is similar to Boron steel.
Lets face it GM has shown they are not in favor of all aluminum bodies yet as the Omega they went to great lengths to master the technology of using multiple materials and the ability to weld high strength steel and Aluminum together.
Aluminum is not the great savior as while it does help weight it does give up other qualities that Steel have in it’s favor. The use of both in critical areas makes for a stronger, stiffer and lighter structure.
If they did not use all aluminum on the CT6 I would not expect the trucks to get all aluminum either.
Ford has marketed Aluminum like they invented it. Many commercial trucks have used it for years. It may be light but to get it strong you have to use some trick engineering or more of it that helps negate the weight savings. Lets face it the Fords are not all that much lighter than the GM trucks now.
Ford has great marketing as the Turbo Di engine they have many people think they were the first to have them. Audi and GM used them years before but Ford really did a good job marketing them and now they are seen as the innovator of them.
Don’t get fooled with materials. The trick to lighter vehicles is in engineering and the use of many different materials. That is where the savings comes in.
It is easy to use lighter materials but to do it with engineering take some hard work and that is why we now have lighter Camaro’s and the Malibu that has dropped a lot of weight recently and not had to resort to much more expensive materials yet are stronger and stiffer platforms.
I’d expect the new trucks to be out sooner as mentioned above. There’s just too much riding on them. I believe the 2014 model was actually supposed to be out around 2010 but the BK delayed literally everything. It’s leapfrog time for Chevrolet/GM. I’d actually prefer aluminum to the steel they have now simply for mil spec thickness. It may not weigh less to have thicker aluminum vs. thinner steel but you add more durability in the panels. That’s important in a truck. I’ll go further though and say I myself would just assume skip steel and aluminum both for the beds and have a composite bed. You get durability, weight savings and no rust. With the current high strength steel beds, you have to replace the whole bed when they rust over the rear tires. It can’t be cut and welded. Mentioned in another thread, the lack of a sunroof/moonroof option on the midsize trucks is a let down. I’ve been looking at the new Colorado but I wanted that option. So I’ve also been looking at the Tacoma which has that as an option. The other thing I liked about the Tacoma was the composite bed. It’s a big plus for me personally. I think it would be great in a fullsize model. I know Chevy did offer one in the early 2000’s but the timing wasn’t right yet. Though I’d rather have the looks of the Chevrolet over the Toyota. It’s a tough call.
I’d skip both if for the next fullsize Chevy did a modern take on those 67-72 C-10 models though! Those were such good looking trucks! Add in a black leather High Country model and I’m sold. I love that classy trim, just not the color.
The 2017 High Country finally has another choice other than saddle in jet black/medium ash gray.
notice ford no longer says in its TV ads that their truck passed govt crash tests because they are insurance company crash tests. they also don’t state that the aluminum gives them a big MPG advantage as people who buy the TC V-6 find that the MPG only apply when hauling air in the beds.
Depending on the configuration you can get a steel GM truck 80 lbs lighter then fords aluminum body
Is that a regular cab short bed Silverado versus a crew cab Platinum Ford? Not really the same vehicle at that point.
Can someone with GMA look into the High Desert edition?
Available in LT, LTZ and HC.. with a 5.3 or 6.2 and mag-ride!
I would like to know more about the 2017 hd Silverado duramax.
Chevy’s paper thin steel sucks it dents and warps just by looking there paint is paper thin to GM’s body department needs a major revamp thicker steel panel’s are a must!