Chevrolet (and GM as a whole) has a well-documented history of poking fun at its rival Ford, especially when it comes to pickup trucks. However, it seems that the brand (and automaker) may be caught with its foot in its mouth.
New patent filings, reported by AutoGuide, show that General Motors has patented a tailgate step similar to what Ford introduced in 2009 as the StepGate system. At the time of its introduction, Chevrolet produced an ad mocking the “man step”, but it looks like the brand is ready to introduce the feature itself.
The first patent, titled “Multi-Panel Hinged Endgate Assembly With Edge Support For Step Panel”, shows a hinge-operated step folding down from the tailgate to allow easier access into the bed of the truck, while the second patent filing shows a “Step Assist Handle,” allowing owners to help hoist themselves into the bed itself. Though Ford’s solution utilizes a step that slides out of the tailgate, GM’s patent and Ford’s current solution are certainly very similar.
We’d expect the feature to debut on the next-generation of GM pickup trucks on the T1 platform, alongside an explanation as to why The General felt it was necessary to add the feature, rather than make fun of it years later.
In the meantime, check out how Ford’s StepGate system works in the video below.
Comments
My 65 year old dad swears by the step of his Ford, uses it all the time.
If you can’t beat ’em join ’em 😛
Oy! The problem with these is that it is impossible to use whenever you load anything longer than the tailgate. Load up some 12 foot lumber and try to use the step to get in to tie down the front. You can’t. That is why I like corner steps. At least Ford learned to hide the handle inside the tailgate when not in use. The first gen always filled with dirt and crap whenever someone hauled soil, gravel, rock, etc.
The current corner bumper steps are a little higher than a “man step” to get up onto. But why not look at a quick release kick down corner step that could be used all the time no matter what is in the box? Integrate it into the bumper corner so a step insert would drop down with a quick push of the foot or hand and retract with a quick push up by a foot. I have an aftermarket one on my ’13 Silverado and love it. I can always get up into the bed no matter what length of materials I am hauling.
If they go with something like this, they better keep the corner step bumpers too.
O boy a man step. I have never liked these.
Now the corner steps on the bed are great, No need to stop what you are doing to pull out anything,
It used to be that most two wheel drive truck were so low that there was no need for a step. Today they are as high as a 4×4. Put the 2 wheel drive back to where it once was and no step is needed.
I was just using the corner step on our Z71 the other day and admired how easy and fast to use vs. a man step.
The corner step is nice but I’ve never had a problem stepping at the licence plate area.
For people that have arthritis or a disability, it’s nice to have options, GMs in a good position to offer both.
Options are a good thing.
Ford mocks GM when it comes to sales. That ends the discussion right there.
Since GM sells more trucks, I doubt it.
They only sell more because they are combining GMC and Silverado sales. Ford alone out sells each brand independently. Just saying…
They’re the same truck with different names on them. You can’t just ignore the sales figures because you can’t handle the truth. That’s like saying they sold Crown Vic’s and Mercury Grand Marquis along side each other so therefore the Crown Vic’s were never sold at all.
F-150 outsells Chev and GMC combined.
That’s false. The F-150 outsells both the Silverado and Sierra combined. And when you add the 250, 350, 450, 550 and 650 in areas where GM doesn’t even play Ford’s numbers are significantly higher. They will soon enter the mid-sized market which has been a mistake for Ford and a big win for GM.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2017/01/best-selling-pickup-trucks-december-2016.html
No, you’re false in some respects. Look at your own link. F-series comprises all the F-X50 trucks, not just the F-150. So yes, the F-series outsold the Silverado/Sierra, but not by the margin you’re thinking.
You are accurate on your claim. Ford counts anything with a F in front of the number. They also offer more sizes mid weight trucks than GM.
But GM also offers a mid size Ford does not offer too at least yet.
The truth is they sell close to the same amount each year and arguing over it is just pissing in the wind. Both have loyal groups and seldom change in sales numbers.
Might note Ford sells a lot of fleet sale truck and generally at very low cost. This add much to their total sales but it takes away from the profits. Of the two GM usually secures more profits from their trucks by a small margin. That is the number that really counts.
Take Bill Ford’s comments exactly as written. “Ford mocks GM when it comes to sales”.
Absolutely incorrect!
Ford sold 6,635,000 vehicles worldwide in 2015.
GM sold 9,840,786 vehicles worldwide in 2015.
End of discussion!
The majority of GM’s sales are in China where 50% of those profits are shared with their Chinese partner and Chinese sales are extremely low margin. GM makes almost all their profits in the USA.
Mercedes Benz sells one fifth of GM’s total vehicles yet makes 3 to 6 times more profit depending on the year.
Pre-bankruptcy GM lost money on every vehicle sold for decades, yet they out-produced everybody else. The end result was obvious and predictable. You see bud, it’s all about profit. Total sales mean nothing in this global industry.
Do I even need to mention that GM had higher production than Ford when they went bankrupt?
Anything else you want to bring which are off topic?
I was completely on topic in replying to your post.
“Ford mocks GM when it comes to sales. That ends the discussion right there.” I believe you said that.
You are COMPLETELY WRONG! Ford wishes they sold as many vehicles as GM.
If you would like to talk P&L I’d be happy to.
Further, how many F150s does Ford sell per year? You cannot say. Ford lumps all F-Series sales together. They do not break out sub models. If you can find that information please share it AND the link to where you found it.
Why not have both? Already making bumpers with the step. The tooling is paid for.
PLEASE! DONT!
I don’t need a step. I’m in shape.
I’m with dpach, GM should just come out with a new generation of corner step that would hide in the corner of the bumper and released by a button of some kind. It would come down lower then the current corner step, not have the ugly cut outs and won’t require the goofy stick.
I work at a snow mobile dealership and when a Ford with a step tailgate is equipped we have to fire up the fork lift lift to remove a dead sled from the box. If you just pull the sled out and have it drop on the ground the end cap of the tail gate will come with it or will damage the grab handle in the process. This can be time consuming if it’s -40 and the fork lift has to run 20 minutes to warm up. I am not impressed with the design. GM steps in the corner of the rear bumper is a smart idea that works.
Love the current GM corner steps. Works way better and easier than what I had on my Ford. The only other thing I’d ask GM for is something that could be inserted into the corner piece of the bed rail that pops up – for a bit more leverage. In any event Kiss System – Keep It Simple Stuipd – that works perfectly