Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck

[Garandman]

It's fascinating to watch the marketing approaches. The new Chevy Colorado seems to be a brilliant idea, grabbing the slot that Dodge and Ford left and Toyota/Nissan have left stagnant. However, those ads showing the "sexy" urban guy driving the Colorado make me never want to set foot in one.

Mahindra has plans to introduce a small diesel pickup in the US - like the Toyota HiLux sold pretty much everywhere else.

They discovered meeting safety and emissions laws would be too difficult and dropped their plans: and were promptly sued by their distributor.

 

[wawajake]

Some posts in some treads get removed when there isn't a comment about other members and the post is purely factual, neither negative or positive towards the subject matter.

Good point Tom !..........but I am realizing now that posts must paint Ford as good , and some special folks are allowed to bash GM and Dodge

 

[houstonscott]

SD, Can it break 40mpg, you missed the whole ground breaking difference in this car, nothing new about 700hp going fast, a third grader could do do that! HS

 

[Copperhead]

It is because of existing, and new CAFE standards, of course.

They have taken all the weight out of them they can, without doing something drastic.

There is no doubt, smaller engines, more aluminum, and other light weight materials, will be used in the future.

They have to save the planet for God's sake!

Well, the CAFE stuff is probably true, but I spec aluminum most everywhere in my semi trucks primarily because I can then haul more. I contract with a carrier out of Nebraska. I can haul 2000 lb more in my semi truck than they can in their company semi's. They just use basic spec'ing standards when they spec their trucks. Now that does mean I haul a lot of stuff that they can't load on a company truck, but it also means I make more money doing so. Nice to be in demand. It is a great negotiating place to be!

These pickups are also on capacity and towing wars with each other. By going with aluminum, that is just more that can be thrown in the box. There are many good reasons for aluminum truck bodies. Some not so good, but the overall benefits would tend to outweigh the negatives.

I realize that change is the only constant in the universe, and that many have serious issues with change. But when one steps back and analyzes things, change can be a pretty good thing.

 

[Egon]

Correction noted. Loved that car and really missed it. Too much fun blowing the doors off a "Muscle Car" with two car seats in the back.

Chris

Many a a year ago the doors on the car I was driving just about came off while being passed. Maintaining my mundane pace allowed me to catch up and pass that speedy vehicle. He was enjoying himself sitting in the ditch. Seems blowing snow and ice are real equalizer's !

 

[houstonscott]

Many a a year ago the doors on the car I was driving just about came off while being passed. Maintaining my mundane pace allowed me to catch up and pass that speedy vehicle. He was enjoying himself sitting in the ditch. Seems blowing snow and ice are real equalizer's !

Why do the jealous always have to chime in with some "they got theirs" my truck is better than your BMW fake story. HS

 

[sd455dan]

SD, Can it break 40mpg, you missed the whole ground breaking difference in this car, nothing new about 700hp going fast, a third grader could do do that! HS

Can it break 40 mpg, No it can't- but you posted (nothing stays with my 335d) it certainly can more than (stay) with a 335d until the hellcat runs out of fuel which won't take to long-
the Hellcat can manage 21-22 highway which is still much better than old muscle cars.

40 mpg highway is very impressive for Any car producing that kind of power, Outstanding efficiency/performance combo no doubt about it

enough de-rail lets get back to au vs. steel or chev poking fun at ford haven't seen the ad but I agree with other posters that it may come back to bite chev in the---

 

[houstonscott]

Can it break 40 mpg, No it can't- but you posted (nothing stays with my 335d) it certainly can more than (stay) with a 335d until the hellcat runs out of fuel which won't take to long- the Hellcat can manage 21-22 highway which is still much better than old muscle cars. 40 mpg highway is very impressive for Any car producing that kind of power, Outstanding efficiency/performance combo no doubt about it enough de-rail lets get back to au vs. steel or chev poking fun at ford haven't seen the ad but I agree with other posters that it may come back to bite chev in the---

You are right but I don't think that ad makes a one bit difference to people, and I think chev will be forced to lighten also and will have AL bodies too. Get your real truck now in next few years, they are going away. I would prefer an AL body, my self. Wish the new 3500HD suburban was to have AL body on steal frame. HS

 

[ray66v]

Well, the CAFE stuff is probably true, but I spec aluminum most everywhere in my semi trucks primarily because I can then haul more. I contract with a carrier out of Nebraska. I can haul 2000 lb more in my semi truck than they can in their company semi's. They just use basic spec'ing standards when they spec their trucks. Now that does mean I haul a lot of stuff that they can't load on a company truck, but it also means I make more money doing so. Nice to be in demand. It is a great negotiating place to be!

These pickups are also on capacity and towing wars with each other. By going with aluminum, that is just more that can be thrown in the box. There are many good reasons for aluminum truck bodies. Some not so good, but the overall benefits would tend to outweigh the negatives.

I realize that change is the only constant in the universe, and that many have serious issues with change. But when one steps back and analyzes things, change can be a pretty good thing.

Making pickup trucks haul more is easy. They don't hit the weight limit restrictions semi trucks do.

They could theoretically put big enough drive trains in them, they could haul anything they want.

But, they can't. Why? CAFE standards. Fleet mileage requirements.

 

[bcp]

Yeah, nothing stays with my 335d, 425 foot pounds of torque at 1700rpm is sweet


I wouldn't mess with a new Charger Hellcat... capable of 204 mph, now the fastest 4 door sedan available- with 11 second quarter mile times and 707 HP

But, at $65,000+ they aren't exactly giving them away either

But they only tow 1000 lbs.

2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Technical Specifications and data. Engine, Dimensions and Mechanical details. | Conceptcarz.com

Bruce