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Aluminum Decision Could End Up Crushing GM Trucks

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Top execs at General Motors had to have been hating themselves when Ford announced that the new F-150 would have exterior panels comprised largely of aluminum. After all, it was their idea first. At least that is what one would infer from a report in the Wall Street Journal.

As the story goes, GM was “exploring” the idea of an aluminum bodied pickup as far back as 2008. But as you may recall, things weren’t great in the automotive market in 2008 – in fact, the economy in general couldn’t have been much worse. The high risk of the proposal combined with the general state of the auto biz caused GM to scrap the idea.

Too bad for GM. Because since the announcement was made about the 2015 Ford F-150, the truck has been dominating the headlines. And remember, the Ford F-150 has already been the best-selling vehicle in America for many years running.

2015 Ford F-150

2015 Ford F-150

But don’t fear Chevy and GMC fans, the big G is now finalizing plans for some aluminum bodied trucks of its own…available by late 2018. So that only puts them approximately four years behind in the race for ultimate efficiency in the truck market. The aluminum panels on the new F-150 are expected to shed 700 pounds from the truck – a number that is sure to lead to great fuel economy figures. And the introduction of turbocharged V-6 engines on full-size trucks (like the F-150 will offer) will also add to the high efficiency numbers.

While the jury is still out on how the new F-150 will be perceived, I’m guessing even a slight drop in consumer loyalty would still allow Ford to retain the #1 sales slot. And there’s also a good chance this bold move will catapult the 2015 Ford F-150 even further up the sales and public opinion charts. The latter would be a huge hit for General Motors trucks.

2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

Even more disturbing for GM is that all of this comes on the heels of the announcement that the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel amassed over 8,000 pre-orders in three days once its 28 mpg fuel efficiency was confirmed. Ram appears on the verge of forming its own niche by being first-to-market on a clean diesel, half-ton truck.

General Motors is always chasing Ford in truck sales. If the company would have gambled and pulled the trigger on aluminum bodied trucks in 2008, it could be way ahead of the game by now. Even if it didn’t work, at least it would have been an attempt. But that didn’t happen. And now GM is left scrambling to keep up with Ford’s aluminum body as the Ram brand also puts a clean diesel out there.

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Could this be the start of declining sales for GM trucks? Weigh in below.

 

Wes grew up around cars at the family business. He makes no attempt to hide his love of early 90s GM products, and still repents selling his sweet '94 Pontiac Sunbird a few years back. He is currently a managing partner at phantomcopy.com.

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4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Anon

    Feb 19, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    “Scrap the idea?” Is that a metal joke? Har de har har.

    • John Meise

      Feb 19, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      I may have to steel that one.

    • Wes Lungwitz

      Feb 19, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Boom Roasted

  2. Austin

    Nov 26, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    First with the reaper now with this Chevy is getting really desperate

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Ford Continues to Please Minivan-Skeptic Soccer Moms

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Ford Aerostar Minivan Exterior Does Ford Still Make

If the words Aerostar, Windstar and Freestar mean anything to you, you know that Ford is responsible for some of the best minivans ever made. Beginning with the first model Aerostar in 1986, Ford’s snub-nosed minivan set the standard of what would be created by automotive manufacturers in this class for decades.

The Aerostar was also the first minivan in the United States to feature upgraded, luxury packages. With an XLT package, and Eddie Bauer trim levels, the Ford Aerostar allowed drivers to bring passengers, cargo and more in style. For the first time, drivers could take advantage of the versatile and reliable minivan platform, without sacrificing comfort and convenience.

Does Ford Still Make a Minivan?

The Aerostar continued in the mid-90s as the Ford Windstar. The Windstar was a complete reinvention, shifting the drivetrain from RWD to FWD, and bringing the flagship minivan more in line with current minivan design. The Windstar became the Freestar in the early 2000s, lasting until the 2007 model year, with the final Ford “Star line” minivan rolling off the assembly line in December of 2006.

While we don’t know for sure what was behind Ford’s decision to discontinue their family-marketed minivan, we can take a guess. For starters, Ford has extended their reputation for reliable cars and trucks into the crossover market. With options covering a wide range of size and seating configurations (everything from the subcompact Ford Ecosport to the boxy family hauler Ford Flex), crossovers have become the new favorite for family vehicles.

Ford’s versatile crossover line has a vehicle that can meet almost any need. Do you have a small family? Go with the popular 2018 Ford Escape. Big family with lots of stuff to haul? The 2018 Ford Expedition has your back.

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Although crossovers and SUVs provide some distinct advantages (presence of AWD, higher ground clearance, and uni-body construction), the market for minivans hasn’t completely died, and neither has Ford’s commitment to providing drivers with a competent and compelling option.

Good News: Ford Still Makes a Passenger Minivan

ford transit connect passenger van in solar color_oAlthough Ford’s marketing has shifted toward promoting their incredible range of crossovers and SUVs as family choices, they still offer a more traditional minivan in the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon. Utilizing the same body construction as the Ford Transit cargo van, the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon features up to 7 seats, and plenty of standard safety and comfort technology.

Lower ride height (easier in and out), sliding doors and greater visibility are among the reasons people still prefer vans for transporting their families. Additionally, the more contoured shape of most crossovers (not looking at you, Ford Flex) means that vans provide better cargo room! Family of four traveling cross-state with three suitcases? A Ford Explorer should be a great option.

Family of six, with a dog and 10 bags going cross-country, however, and the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon starts to look a lot more up to the job.

Ford has a sterling reputation across the spectrum of vehicles they manufacture. Although the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon isn’t among their more well-known, it’s among the most competent and best value options in the minivan class.

 

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I Wasn’t Always a Dale Jr Fan – But Now I Get It

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It was the crowning moment of the career of Nascar’s most popular driver. The 2004 Daytona 500. The chosen son, Dale Earnhardt Jr, had won the race that his father tragically died competing in only three years earlier.

Reports of the day say that everyone in the crowd was on their feet, cheering. Grown men were in tears. It was quite the moment, they say.

Well, I can tell you that there was at least one person that wasn’t cheering. That’s because I was that lone defector. (more…)

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The Essence Of 90’s Chevy Truck Commercials

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If you ever watched television for more than an hour at any time during the 90’s, you probably remember Chevy’s “Like a Rock” commercials. They aired on just about every channel, so they were pretty hard to miss—and pretty hard to forget as well. Even two decades later the sound of Bob Seger belting out those now-famous words is still shockingly memorable. (more…)

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