Make it $500 less than the currently same priced 6.2 engine option, and make it available on lowest 'Sierra' trim. Easy peasy.
That would help, as would increasing the tow ratings so that it is at least comparative to the other two half ton diesel rigs from Ram and Ford. It specs well until you get to the tow rating.
I always find these "It should be this price" comments incredibly ridiculous. A new engine requires design, testing, manufacturing, advertising, patenting, etc. There are a huge number of variables involved in bringing a product to market. Also, diesel engines are far more robust than a gas engine due to the compression and that also contributes to the cost difference. Let's stay in reality and keep the naive "I think the price should be this..." out of the comments.
"Incredibly ridiculous" is itself incredibly ridiculous. Pricing is a really tough business decision. If you price a product too high so as to hypothetically have the first small number of buyers pay for ALL of the development you may simply never achieve any reasonable market penetration. If, as a businessman, you had convinced yourself via a business plan that the development would eventually lead to profit, you might need to be patient and strategic in your thinking and realize that profit after a few years and significant market penetration; if you would be a short-sighted bean-counter or profit-addicted sociopathic CEO or CFO, you might possibly convince yourself to jack up the price high, way high. The original point was a good one - the differential price on the Duramax engines is too high for truly significant market penetration. GM should calculate their manufacturing and other running costs on the Duramax, add a modest profit margin on top of that, and allow the market to respond. I bet it would sell more than 20% and more importantly would drive up market share for GMC/Chevrolet over Ford/Chrysler/etc.
Price is a huge driving factor, so let's not leave it out of the comments. Let's not sensor the consumer. The sale price and ROI schedule is one of the initial conversations before a program gets the green light.
Engine option price being the same as a 6.2 with a lot less spunk, diesel is typically as expensive as 91 octane (recommended fuel for the 6.2, but can run 87) in much of the US, and while you do get much better efficiency, gas is cheap right now and most people don't care.
How about you actually market it!
Just like everything GM does good, blackwing etc nobody knows it exists except enthusiasts like us! Frustrating!
Market it! I've spoken to people who didn't even know GM made a 1500 Diesel!
Make it optional in the lowest trim! Even if it cost $5000 IK people that would pay for it! Mainly fleets, ya know how much time it would save not filling up twice a week?! and how much better the MPG would be loaded down(compared to the 4.3).
Get dealerships to stock in in configurations other than "Denali, CC Short bed"!!
Improve the HP output and the towing capacity to make it a legitimate option to pull something of significant weight. 30 foot RV or Two Horse Trailer come to mind. The current tow rating is extremely low. The Ford 6 cylinder gas engine has a higher tow capacity. Embarrassing to have to say that as a GM guy.
470 footpounds ain't enough for you? Come on and get serious. I own one and couldn't be happier with its abilities.
I test-drove one, didn’t feel particularly different than the 5.3. It cost more and couldn’t tow as much as the 5.3. The increase in mpg wasn’t enough to recoup the increase in fuel price when the premium for the engine is included. It just didn’t make sense, so I got the 5.3.
Why are you solely looking at MPG? That's just one difference between the gas versus diesel version of the truck. The other important differences include the diesel torque when towing, the exhaust break that comes with the diesel engine. the better fuel mileage when towing using a diesel versus gas and the better fuel mileage with the diesel versus gas when not towing, the high resale value for diesel engines, better engine longevity with the diesel engine, etc.
All valid points; if looking at the 6.6 HD, they hold true. With the 3.0, it isn't rated for towing as much as the 5.3. (And, I'm not towing anything that would even be close to needing an HD, or a diesel, I'm not regularly towing anything at all... I might occasionally tow a trailer, but nothing heavy, and not even monthly.) A diesel is overkill for my needs.
I wanted to love the 3.0, but I don't know that it is all that.
And truth be told, I really don't like the smell of diesel fumes either.
What fumes? There are ZERO exhaust fumes from a modern diesel in a consumer truck
I test drove the 3.0, and I didn't like the exhaust smell. It still smells like a diesel. I was hopeful it'd have been okay, but I wasn't keen on it.
I have to ask. I own one and work on diesels. You smelled diesel inside the cab of the truck?? I haven't smelled anything from the exhaust. But will say all the trucks gas or diesel do have a chemical smell/taste when you sit in them from the plastics used in the interior. Goes away with use.
I previously had a Sierra (a 5.3 double-cab), had decided to return to one. I went to the dealership specifically to drive a series of 4x4 crew-cabs back-to-back: a 5.3, a 3.0, a 6.2, and also drove an HD with the 6.6 (gas not diesel). I left out of the dealership, ran down the highway a couple of miles, turned around and came back with each of them.
Driving the 3.0, as I was returning to the dealership, pulling into the center-lane awaiting oncoming traffic to pass, I could smell the diesel exhaust. Didn't notice it on startup or while driving down the highway, but while sitting still awaiting for a break in the traffic, there it was. They all had the 'new car' smell, I understand what you mean; this was a distinctly different aroma than any of the gas engines had. I mean, I do know what diesel smells like, I had a job driving around a Chevy Luv truck long ago, I work in mining, I'm used to diesel equipment. I did not expect to smell the exhaust as much with a new truck as I did at that moment. It caught me by surprise that I was noticing it that much.
Years ago when questions were repeatedly asked about new car smells, it was finally answered. Every piece of hot injection molded plastic continues to cure in the form of outgassing as various chemicals evaporate and give off that new car smell. If driving with windows open all the time, curing/outgassing proceeds quicker. I had a two door sports car with ac and used ac in hot summer weather, rarely cracked open windows except in slow moving traffic - my car still smelled new ten years later.
I own the Silverado with the 3.0 Duramax and absolutely love it! The tow capacity is not an issue, as I would never attempt to tow anything over 8k pounds with a half ton vehicle, regardless of stated capacity - this comes from experience. The suspension and handling are the issue. Anyone needing to tow 10k pounds should be buying a 2500. GM can easily boost tow ratings by simply offering higher rear end gearing.
Agreed: you want to have a buffer, and not tow at the limit. My Sierra is rated for 9800lbs, so not going over 7500lbs sounds about right. I don't have anything to tow close to that. If I did need to tow 10k, I agree, would have gone w/ a 2500. If I towed weekly, would have gone w/ a 2500. But a 5k trailer, w/ 1k of stuff, maybe once every few months... a 1500 can handle that.
The tow rating on the GMC is a joke. I was forced to buy Chevy HC which has the max towing package. I sold my 2010 Denali Sierra for a 2019 High Country. I wanted to stay in the GMC family but they didn’t have the towing I needed (didn’t want a 2500).
GMC has the max trailering package too.....Just like Chevy.
How about quit the 4.3 and 5.3 afm, then contractors will consider the diesel when all they see they have to pick from is an I4 or the 5.3 dfm.
The way GM is being run now I would be surprised if the company last 10 more years.
I made a foolish decision and purchased a dodge 3.0 diesel engine that blew up, but besides that, I would never purchase a small engine for a heavy truck. Its all a lie; the fuel economy is not their because the engine has to work so much harder to go uphill and at her speeds. Besides that...diesel gas prices fluctuate at a higher price than gas. This is all a gimmick and should be placed in a smaller SUV and or car to see the benefits. Never again
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Make it $500 less than the currently same priced 6.2 engine option, and make it available on lowest 'Sierra' trim. Easy peasy.
That would help, as would increasing the tow ratings so that it is at least comparative to the other two half ton diesel rigs from Ram and Ford. It specs well until you get to the tow rating.
I always find these "It should be this price" comments incredibly ridiculous. A new engine requires design, testing, manufacturing, advertising, patenting, etc. There are a huge number of variables involved in bringing a product to market. Also, diesel engines are far more robust than a gas engine due to the compression and that also contributes to the cost difference. Let's stay in reality and keep the naive "I think the price should be this..." out of the comments.
"Incredibly ridiculous" is itself incredibly ridiculous. Pricing is a really tough business decision. If you price a product too high so as to hypothetically have the first small number of buyers pay for ALL of the development you may simply never achieve any reasonable market penetration. If, as a businessman, you had convinced yourself via a business plan that the development would eventually lead to profit, you might need to be patient and strategic in your thinking and realize that profit after a few years and significant market penetration; if you would be a short-sighted bean-counter or profit-addicted sociopathic CEO or CFO, you might possibly convince yourself to jack up the price high, way high. The original point was a good one - the differential price on the Duramax engines is too high for truly significant market penetration. GM should calculate their manufacturing and other running costs on the Duramax, add a modest profit margin on top of that, and allow the market to respond. I bet it would sell more than 20% and more importantly would drive up market share for GMC/Chevrolet over Ford/Chrysler/etc.
Price is a huge driving factor, so let's not leave it out of the comments. Let's not sensor the consumer. The sale price and ROI schedule is one of the initial conversations before a program gets the green light.
Engine option price being the same as a 6.2 with a lot less spunk, diesel is typically as expensive as 91 octane (recommended fuel for the 6.2, but can run 87) in much of the US, and while you do get much better efficiency, gas is cheap right now and most people don't care.
How about you actually market it!
Just like everything GM does good, blackwing etc nobody knows it exists except enthusiasts like us! Frustrating!
Market it! I've spoken to people who didn't even know GM made a 1500 Diesel!
Make it optional in the lowest trim! Even if it cost $5000 IK people that would pay for it! Mainly fleets, ya know how much time it would save not filling up twice a week?! and how much better the MPG would be loaded down(compared to the 4.3).
Get dealerships to stock in in configurations other than "Denali, CC Short bed"!!
Improve the HP output and the towing capacity to make it a legitimate option to pull something of significant weight. 30 foot RV or Two Horse Trailer come to mind. The current tow rating is extremely low. The Ford 6 cylinder gas engine has a higher tow capacity. Embarrassing to have to say that as a GM guy.
470 footpounds ain't enough for you? Come on and get serious. I own one and couldn't be happier with its abilities.
I test-drove one, didn’t feel particularly different than the 5.3. It cost more and couldn’t tow as much as the 5.3. The increase in mpg wasn’t enough to recoup the increase in fuel price when the premium for the engine is included. It just didn’t make sense, so I got the 5.3.
Why are you solely looking at MPG? That's just one difference between the gas versus diesel version of the truck. The other important differences include the diesel torque when towing, the exhaust break that comes with the diesel engine. the better fuel mileage when towing using a diesel versus gas and the better fuel mileage with the diesel versus gas when not towing, the high resale value for diesel engines, better engine longevity with the diesel engine, etc.
All valid points; if looking at the 6.6 HD, they hold true. With the 3.0, it isn't rated for towing as much as the 5.3. (And, I'm not towing anything that would even be close to needing an HD, or a diesel, I'm not regularly towing anything at all... I might occasionally tow a trailer, but nothing heavy, and not even monthly.) A diesel is overkill for my needs.
I wanted to love the 3.0, but I don't know that it is all that.
And truth be told, I really don't like the smell of diesel fumes either.
What fumes? There are ZERO exhaust fumes from a modern diesel in a consumer truck
I test drove the 3.0, and I didn't like the exhaust smell. It still smells like a diesel. I was hopeful it'd have been okay, but I wasn't keen on it.
I have to ask. I own one and work on diesels. You smelled diesel inside the cab of the truck?? I haven't smelled anything from the exhaust. But will say all the trucks gas or diesel do have a chemical smell/taste when you sit in them from the plastics used in the interior. Goes away with use.
I previously had a Sierra (a 5.3 double-cab), had decided to return to one. I went to the dealership specifically to drive a series of 4x4 crew-cabs back-to-back: a 5.3, a 3.0, a 6.2, and also drove an HD with the 6.6 (gas not diesel). I left out of the dealership, ran down the highway a couple of miles, turned around and came back with each of them.
Driving the 3.0, as I was returning to the dealership, pulling into the center-lane awaiting oncoming traffic to pass, I could smell the diesel exhaust. Didn't notice it on startup or while driving down the highway, but while sitting still awaiting for a break in the traffic, there it was. They all had the 'new car' smell, I understand what you mean; this was a distinctly different aroma than any of the gas engines had. I mean, I do know what diesel smells like, I had a job driving around a Chevy Luv truck long ago, I work in mining, I'm used to diesel equipment. I did not expect to smell the exhaust as much with a new truck as I did at that moment. It caught me by surprise that I was noticing it that much.
Years ago when questions were repeatedly asked about new car smells, it was finally answered. Every piece of hot injection molded plastic continues to cure in the form of outgassing as various chemicals evaporate and give off that new car smell. If driving with windows open all the time, curing/outgassing proceeds quicker. I had a two door sports car with ac and used ac in hot summer weather, rarely cracked open windows except in slow moving traffic - my car still smelled new ten years later.
I own the Silverado with the 3.0 Duramax and absolutely love it! The tow capacity is not an issue, as I would never attempt to tow anything over 8k pounds with a half ton vehicle, regardless of stated capacity - this comes from experience. The suspension and handling are the issue. Anyone needing to tow 10k pounds should be buying a 2500. GM can easily boost tow ratings by simply offering higher rear end gearing.
Agreed: you want to have a buffer, and not tow at the limit. My Sierra is rated for 9800lbs, so not going over 7500lbs sounds about right. I don't have anything to tow close to that. If I did need to tow 10k, I agree, would have gone w/ a 2500. If I towed weekly, would have gone w/ a 2500. But a 5k trailer, w/ 1k of stuff, maybe once every few months... a 1500 can handle that.
The tow rating on the GMC is a joke. I was forced to buy Chevy HC which has the max towing package. I sold my 2010 Denali Sierra for a 2019 High Country. I wanted to stay in the GMC family but they didn’t have the towing I needed (didn’t want a 2500).
GMC has the max trailering package too.....Just like Chevy.
How about quit the 4.3 and 5.3 afm, then contractors will consider the diesel when all they see they have to pick from is an I4 or the 5.3 dfm.
The way GM is being run now I would be surprised if the company last 10 more years.
I made a foolish decision and purchased a dodge 3.0 diesel engine that blew up, but besides that, I would never purchase a small engine for a heavy truck. Its all a lie; the fuel economy is not their because the engine has to work so much harder to go uphill and at her speeds. Besides that...diesel gas prices fluctuate at a higher price than gas. This is all a gimmick and should be placed in a smaller SUV and or car to see the benefits. Never again