Seriously, Where Is The GM Ford Raptor Rival?
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Rumors are great and all, but sometimes they build hype without any payoff whatsoever. And we enthusiast types aren’t exactly all that patient, either. Which brings us to the topic at hand – in the name of the Baja 1000, trophy truck jumps, and the holy suspension travel, where in the hell is the GM Ford Raptor rival?
Frustration, you could say, is coming to a boil. Ford is selling a mountain of Raptors, laughing all the way to the bank as it rakes in piles of cash thanks to its highly profitable, high-performance pickup model. Off-roaders are insanely popular right now with the movement having not end in sight, and yet, there’s no GM Ford Raptor rival in sight.
Ford F-150 Raptor
It gets worse. Forget the money for a second, as the Ford F-150 Raptor is much more than a profit machine. The Raptor is also a huge halo car for the Blue Oval, illuminating the entirety of the F-150 line and the Ford brand in general thanks to its eyeball-grabbing style and impressive performance specs. The fact the F-150 Raptor exists at all makes folks want to own a Ford, and it enables Ford to be a part of that conversation. Yes, the halo effect is very much real.
And guess what – GM simply isn’t part of the conversation, full stop. No cash money rewards, no image boost, no nothing.
Which, of course, begs the question: where is the GM Ford Raptor rival? Heck, it’s now been a year since the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra have gone on sale, but there is still no Raptor fighter to speak of, not even in the rumor mill or as a developmental prototype.
2019 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 Trail Boss
Well, how about kitting-out the Chevrolet Silverado and/or the GMC Sierra? We’re waiting, GM.
And why not? The new-generation T1 platform Silverado and Sierra are the perfect opportunity to make a high-spec off-road performance pickup. Not only are they are lighter and more technologically-advanced, they’re also really good trucks that serve as a very solid base on which to build a true offroad pickup truck. If GM put in the effort, it could definitely turn these machines into some serious desert runners, while attracting attention and making a healthy profit on every one it makes.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
Granted, we do have the Colorado ZR2, but it is not at all a rival to the 450-horsepower F-150 Raptor.
To make matter worse, this isn’t the first time we’ve written on this topic. Back in 2017, we asked the community if GM should make a hardcore offroad version of the as-of-then-up-and-coming fourth-gen Silverado. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of poll-takers answered in the affirmative. Then in 2018, we took a look at Ram’s plans to produce the Rebel TRX, all while GM, Chevy and GMC remained silent.
So what exactly is the flippin’ deal here? Where the hell is the GM Ford Raptor rival?
What do you think, dear reader? Should GM finally throw some desert-runner performance into its pickup line to bring the fight to the F-150 Raptor? Let us know in the poll, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, GMC Sierra news, Chevrolet news, GMC news and 24/7 GM news coverage.
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2010: 7,085
2011: 11,135
2012: 13,784
2013: 19,688
2014: 22,409
These are the only real numbers for production I can find for the Raptor. Ford is not very willing to post numbers. I had seen one posted around 22,000 around 2017 but could not confirm.
For a specialty truck like this with all the work that goes in it is a very small part of the F truck production. Even at the price they are charging I really wonder how much they really make per unit. Cost have to be high to build and develope this truck.
It would be really intersting to see the real world numbers on cost vs income on this truck.
My feeling is if Ford was really making a ton of money on this everyone would have a competitior in class. Even the Rebel holds back much from where Ford has gone in modifications.
Lets face it if there was big money in it like the CUV models everyone is tripping over each other to build everyone would be doing the same here. That may be why we just do not see GM making much of a move here.
With slowing of the automotive market growth and the slowing of the global economy everyone will be watching the return on the dollar.
2010: 7,085
2011: 11,135
2012: 13,784
2013: 19,688
2014: 22,409
These are the only real numbers for production I can find for the Raptor. Ford is not very willing to post numbers. I had seen one posted around 22,000 around 2017 but could not confirm.
For a specialty truck like this with all the work that goes in it is a very small part of the F truck production. Even at the price they are charging I really wonder how much they really make per unit. Cost have to be high to build and develope this truck.
It would be really intersting to see the real world numbers on cost vs income on this truck.
My feeling is if Ford was really making a ton of money on this everyone would have a competitior in class. Even the Rebel holds back much from where Ford has gone in modifications.
Lets face it if there was big money in it like the CUV models everyone is tripping over each other to build everyone would be doing the same here. That may be why we just do not see GM making much of a move here.
With slowing of the automotive market growth and the slowing of the global economy everyone will be watching the return on the dollar.
Not saying they should or shouldn’t but these are things web people tend to consider when we complain about what they do or don’t do.
Remember the Trailblazer SS? great vehicle but it did not save them from Chapter 11.
It appears some fear real numbers as it may not support their ideas?
First off I would love to see a fulls size that competes with the Raptor or even the power wagon (I understand one is a desert runner while the other is geared more toward rock crawling).
But Second, GM already has the best “off road” truck in my opinion. The ZR2 is the perfect sized truck for true off road. IMO, the size of the full size trucks today do not lend themselves to off roading. Seems to me the ZR2 is a better pick throughout most of the country compared to a desert runner that truely only shines in the southwest.
Johnathan
Since you wrote this story and state the truck is crazy profitable. Could you dig around and get us the actual production numbers for the last few years.
Can you also come up with just how much Ford makes on each truck less the cost of develolment, added content and materials and what other added cost there may be.
Not being a Smart A$$ here but I would like to get some real numbers invovled here vs just the statment crazy profitable. It would really put this whole thing into light as to why GM should or maybe should not build a vehicle like this. We can build a real case as to why they should or at least understand why they don’t. Just to go with the assuption that they make a ton of money is not enough as are just the emotions of this.
Are they making more money with the investment here or is GM taking this money and putting it into a CUV that may be making more money from 275,000 units.
Numbers would settle this pretty quick.
I would love to see this data too. It’s really perplexing. There was a national auto journalist/reviewer ranting a month or so ago about this exact topic and how the AT4/TB were just GM being cheap and trying to do the bare minimum in that segment.
Does the fact Dodge is jumping into this segment show anything in terms of viability? 2 out of the big 3 will be making these halo baja full size trucks in about a year.
The crazy thing to me is with this current truck (and power train options) scaled up with the Colorado ZR2’s suspension (and looks) would be arguably superior to the Raptor (even with the Raptor going back to a v8 in a couple of years). With the added benefit of making the semi-divisive Chevy design now “cool” across all trim levels.
I just would like to see real numbers vs just someone saying it is profitable. If it is profitable well how much? It may answer some questions we have.
GM moved over 18,000 ZR2 models last year based on the volume I found and the 15% they claimed. The Colorado was a minimum investment too. So it is pretty easy to see they are for sure making money at this low volume.
To be more specialized they did the Bison as a joint venture to save the developmenrt cost. Smart way to get a lot of parts made and only having to invest into the testing and some minor invesments as the other company ate the cost of the other parts and shared in development cost.
GM covered crash testing while the parts mfg covered the parts development. It worked for both.
100% Agreed , the answer could be in the numbers. It could be as simple as the profit of selling Trail Bosses is greater than the opportunity cost of adding the Silverado ZR2 because of bigger margins for the TB.
Dodge joining the fight kinda tells me that they (and their analyst) feel like there is still money to be made in the segment and they understand the power a halo vehicle brings to your line up.
GM could very well be making prudent financial choices (based off conservative estimations) but if they forget to make special vehicles that people want and that turn heads, every once in awhile, then that badge becomes less special generation by generation and the bow-tie stops being associated with achieving automotive excellence and more with practical prudence.
GM is putting out a couple of really exciting vehicles just not in their biggest most important product and I find that odd.
Best article I have seen here so far, thanks.
Come on man. The Raptor is a niche vehicle and there isn’t much more room in the market for competitors. Each manufacturer has their performance niches. GM has a wide range of performance vehicles, its not necessary to have an entry in every single segment, especially the small ones that are already cornered by another manufacturer. GM has Corvette, Ford doesn’t. Does that mean Ford is dying? I think not. GM has Colorado ZR2. GM has the track enthusiasts with Camaro. Ford has the more streetable GT car crowd.
GM has an AT4 Sierra that, gasp, does basically the same stuff as a Ford Raptor for 20,000 less. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. If GM thought it would be profitable to have a Raptor competitor they would’ve done one. Here’s my theory: Ford tends to get younger, more poser-ish buyers as far as trucks go. It makes sense to sell them a ridiculously over-priced F-150 because they’ll actually buy it. GM truck buyers are more discerning, care more about real trucks doing real truck things (not driving around a desert at 60 mph), and thus I don’t think GM would even sell many of such a truck.
I say “F” the Ford Raptor. It’s a complete rip off and kind of a useless vehicle, in my mind. Do you know how many posers in Raptors you can find at all the big name off-roading trails doing all sorts of “insane” stuff? Dime a dozen.
GM doesn’t need that business.
I’m a Chevy guy and own a Silverado but if I was going off-road I’d buy a ZR2 Bison. Have you seen the reviews where they beat Raptors. I can’t imagine going high speed over rough terrain. I’d take a mid-sized truck that is capable of having more than 1 wheel suspended. Seems the ZR2 wins that fight. If I want to drive 100mph getting to the boonies maybe I’d consider a Silverado with a 6 liter.
The Raptor is Ford’s most profitable vehicle and it basically has no competition at the moment.
FOMOCO is real pleased with this.
GM probably figures Ford beat them to the punch and the Raptor has all the desert runners covered. I know I don’t do a lot of desert running anymore so if GM put one out I would probably pass.
The majority of the Raptors never see the dirt. They’re just 100K status symbol toys with every conceivable option.
Honestly I don’t want to see a v6 turbo GM full-size, I’m happy with my V8 that after off-road use I can haul my camper home without overheating)
Didn’t Ram build a Ram Runner prototype truck to compete with the Raptor? Whatever happened to that…
its behind the 8 ball like all the other dumb ideas that they’re doing
Okay, how to start…I’m a GM truck guy through and through, even tried the Hummer back in 07 and loved that vehicle, thank you Obama administration for shutting that line down, state run industry, seem very Kremlin’esc.
Just picked up a new Silverado RST Black Widow (thank you SCA), in April 2019, love the SCA Black Widow package, it is nasty awesome! That said, when the hell will GM catch up with Ford and Mopar and add the panoramic moon roof? I mean it’s only 2020, and Ford has been offering the panoramic moon roof for years while GM continues with the 1962 moon roof, get real GM.
Next, the interior of the 2019 Silverado, for all trim levels, is the same tires all black hard plastic, minus some very sparse use of softer vinyl on minimal trim work. If I look at the inside of the Ford or Mooar, I see a LOT of refinement and really nice materials and trim.
Up next, the infotainment display looks almost exactly like the one in my 2013 Tahoe LTZ, tired and old. Again, looking at the infotainment systems in the Ford and Mopar and the Mopar looks like a display out of Star Trek, really nice.
Not sure what the hell GM is thinking with power plants, the 5.3L and 6.2L are still two (2) valves per cylinder, one exhaust and one intake. The only upside is the 5.3L is now variable valve timing, but still the same tires 1962 engines, of which the 5.3L has always been a power pig, not sure why, but all 5.3L engines don’t produce anywhere near the power/torque they should. On the flip side, I do like bother the new 8 and 10 speed transmissions that the 5.3L and 6.2L are mated to. By the way GM, dump the crap dynamic fuel management system, I buy GM’s because the are first, normally aspirated engines and not crazy turbo concoctions generating tons of heat and thermal stress. I buy the V8’s because that’s what they are, pure raw Detriot power, so stop with the cylinder deactivation, I’m not buy a Yugo, though with much of the old tired interiors and infotainment I do feel at times like I’m in a Yugo.
Okay, so why am I down on GM and still buying g GM, because I’m a GM guy who lives normally aspirated pure Detroit power, and I really like the new body style and the SCA Black Widow package. However, I need GM to time travel their designs out of 1962 and into 2020. I need multi valve V8’s with vvt, I need, desperately, a friggin panoramic moon roof, likewise, I need a modern LARGE screen impressive infotainment system, and last but not least, I need an impressive modern refined interior with less, MUCH less hard plastic.
I know this sounds like a tall order order, but Ford did that it s many years ago and are selling F150’s like Big Mac’s. Similarly, Mopar has every year improved Ram. Now it’s your turn GM, show us what you can do.
So, now that I’ve gotten the venom out, on to the GM Raptor beater. It would seem to me that with some additional engineering in body, suspension and drive system, that along with help from SCA, that GM could make a quick and interesting push into the Raptor space. GM, don’t over think things, your into some really good stuff with SCA, now you just need to work on the performance aspect.
By the way, loving my 2019 Silverado RST Black Widow, it just needs the aforementioned refinements and you’ll have a move complete competitor to the Ford F150 series as well as the Mopar Ram series.