GM has announced it will remove the single whip antenna from newly produced units of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. Typically found on just one fender of The General’s immensely popular full-size pickups, the whip antenna will now be deleted in order to provide greater vehicle balance and a more aerodynamic shape. While the deletion of the whip antenna may seem like a relatively minor change, GM engineers assure state that the update is backed by rigorous testing.
According to extensive scientific studies conducted at GM’s wind tunnel facility in Michigan – the largest automotive wind tunnel in the world – the passenger-side whip antenna was identified as contributing to uneven tire wear, increased fuel consumption, and an imbalanced chassis. Apparently, the antenna’s extra weight and aero drag resulted in a 0.0401-inch offset in ride height, leading to the minute but measurable deleterious effects on the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.
GM Authority sources indicate that one solution would be to re-tune the passenger-side spring and shock. However, it was later determined this change would likely end up costing GM far more than company brass would accept, and thus, GM opted for the more cost-effective solution – deleting the antenna outright.
The change aligns with GM’s Winning with Simplicity strategy, which aims to reduce vehicle complexity and save millions through streamlined production.
While some fans may be upset that the whip style antenna is going the way of the dodo, GM will still offer the classic antenna style with dual whip antennas. The dual antennas are expected to provide the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra with a more balanced and symmetrical layout, although the fuel efficiency effects are doubled due to increased drag. Nevertheless, for some customers, it’s likely a price worth paying.
“I was admittedly skeptical at first, but the moment I saw the dual whip prototype, I said, ‘That’s it. That’s the look,’” said Chevy VP Westcott Carillon. “We think this will capture the spirit of the original whip antenna, without the uneven effects of a single application.”
And yes – Happy April Fools’ Day!
Comments
Not sure if this will get a good reception or not. At least they’re trying to get back in tune with customers.
Um… consider what day today is. You might also want to look at the last line of the article as well.
Problem is, if you read my reply again, you will see clues it was tongue-in-cheek. It makes me laugh that ppl here cannot pick up on subtleties when reading replies. I was accused of the same thing last year… falling for April Fool’s jokes. LOL.
Definitely April Fools
.04″ is the effect of a chip bag in my hand when I’m driving or not. I don’t even have a tape measure that is that accurate. What is certain is someone at GM wants the whip gone, thinking it’s archaic, and asked engineers to find literally any reason to remove it. The fact that the had to put calipers on a trucks ride height shows that the benefit is negligible, and now our radio reception will suck substantially. Is there an aftermarket add back?
Don’t read at 4am. I thought it was still March 😂😂
XM radio.
This was a ridiculous waste of time and effort to do all of that testing for a silly antenna. The fender mounted antenna was cool, now we’re going to get an offset pimple on the roof which may or may not get as good of radio reception. I remember when it was a big deal when GM moved the antennas from the rear fender (cars) to the windshield and then to the front fender.
Methinks you might have missed the point of the article (and the date).
Haha you’re right I forgot about April Fools. LOL, glad to know this wasn’t serious!
Some of the 60’s Impalas had dual rear antennas that were angled to the rear that were really cool.
Haha, I get it now, read it too early in the morning.
some of yall readers are ridiculously gullible
Well, this article in particular was too close to reality where Ford has dumped the whip antenna and their reception now sucks. Also, it would be in typical today’s GM fashion to have a team of engineers to over scrutinize an antenna. Toyota had a 3 person team working on their vortex spoilers on the tundra, which netted them +.1 mpg, but completely missed the fact their engines self grenade.
I’m so irritated in myself I fell for this ALL THE WAY TO THE END! Well played GMA.
I hate this antenna. Makes cleaning the windshield on the passenger side a pain
April Fools!
Every year there are people who fall for stuff they read on 4/1.. Laughable.
The actually funny thing that no one picked up on is that in the spy shots of the next-gen Silverado/Sierra, there is no mast antenna…..nor an OnStar sharkfin on the roof.
I love my sharkfin. It makes my car look like a cat in a Batman outfit riding a Roomba.
Ever drive inside under ground parking in a pickup truck. The antenna hits the ceiling from start to finish in those under ground parking lots. Scraping noise is heard inside the truck. A reception wire in the windshield or puck style antenna is much better than whip style antenna.
GM tried the windshield wire antennas years ago and abandoned them for some reason.
I think the reception sucked, but at least the Grand Prix looked sleeker without one.
You can fool some of the people some of the time…………..
Almost as good as the Milwaukee ai triggerless drill/driver released yesterday, that only turns when you press the bit against something.
Happy Liberation Day. God bless.
My new Tahoe and my previous Yukon didn’t have an antenna either so what’s the big deal? For many many years some cars had antennas in the windshields….
The in-windshield antenna was John DeLoren’s idea, it went before he did.
HILARIOUS! I loved reading this to my husband. It took him about 10 seconds until he questioned…then I read that fun, “April Fools!” Awesome!