http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...TO01/806180443



Wednesday, June 18, 2008
GM postpones full-size truck overhaul plan
Sharon Terlep / The Detroit News
General Motors Corp. has put off plans to re-engineer a next generation of full-size pickups and SUVs amid plummeting sales of large trucks, the automaker said today. Instead of overhauling big trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado pickup and GMC Yukon SUV in a few years, GM will save money by improving on the current models launched in 2007. Delaying a remodel of the trucks also gives GM time to factor in the effects of new federal fuel economy mandates.

The next generation of full-size trucks was scheduled to go into production in 2013, according to GM's labor contract with the United Auto Workers.

"We're going to focus on improving the current trucks until we see where the market goes," GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said.

Sales GM's full size pickups are down 24 percent through May compared to last year. Large SUV sales have fallen 51 percent for the same time period as consumers grapple with the reality of $4-per-gallon gasoline.

GM last month announced plans to idle four North American truck factories as part of restructuring moves designed to move away from a traditionally truck-heavy portfolio.

The move likely frees up cash and engineering talent that can be used to develop more fuel-efficient vehicles such as cars and crossovers, said analyst Jim Hall of 2953Analytics LLP in Birmingham.

 

Smart move IMO. The current GM trucks are as good as or better than all the others and will stay that way for several years. If the sales in the light truck sector continue to drop then the competition won't be making model changes either, after Ford. Save the money for projects needed now in fuel efficiency and new technologies.

 

Good move. They should put some of that money into making the next Colorado nicer more fuel efficient truck. Or maybe work on getting the next generation Chevy LUV import ready.

 

I'd consider a new Silverado if GM offered a DI V6/A6 package.

 

Good move, imo. I agree that they should focus on the Colorado and Canyon. It's almost as big as past full-size trucks already...and if I was in the market for a truck, I can guarantee you I'd be looking at it moreso than the new Silverado (even though I do love that truck). Aren't they putting the 5.3 in it this year? Maybe they are starting to focus on it........


Is this the reasoning, perhaps, behind the closing of the Oshawa (among the other 3) truck plant? They were told they'd get a new truck in 2011/12...but if the Company's postponing it due to market conditions, that would explain a lot.

 

Good - this money needs to go elsewhere. Trucks don't need a full-on redesign every 6 years, and GM needs to make sure that its passenger cars don't get stale.

 

Exactly. The resources freed up for other programs would be substantial.

 

yea like cutting some of that 40K pricetag from the Volt????

 

I think GM is just high-balling the price to prepare the public for a high price and when it is introduced, they can list it at 34k or so and look like it is a bargain.

 

I hope you are right man..cus I was looking forward to buying one but not at 40K..a G8 at 31 I was looking at fits my "limit" much better..yea I was cross shopping the two..actually more than just those two but just was looking at the G8 again..so brought it up

 

As wierd as it sounds, I was thinking about those 2 cars also (the G8 GT and the Volt). I guess I'll have to wait and see how the Volt turns out when it comes out. And see what my driving habits are at that time.