Chevy Truck Reviews

This is a guest post by Jason Sakurai of EON - Enthusiasts' Online Network, Inc. and Truckworld.com. General Motors’ focus on four brands -- Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC – indicates for the near term that light-duty trucks and SUVs will continue to be a part of the product mix, with new SUVs in the form of a Cadillac SRX crossover, Chevy Equinox compact SUV, and the GMC Terrain compact SUV among six new models announced for 2010.While touting leading-edge design, technology, engineering excellence and quality in their ‘re:invention’ strategy, GM might see a glimmer of hope in a recent survey from J.D. Power & Associates, entitled “Automotive Emerging Technologies Study”, released this month. The study, which is designed to measure familiarity, interest and purchase intent for emerging automotive technologies, polls consumers before and after an estimated market price is revealed. For example, in the survey, 67% of the 19,249 respondents indicated that onboard navigation systems to guide them to the nearest Starbucks or other destinations were of interest.When the cost of a factory-installed navigation system was revealed at $1,600, interest dropped to 20% overall, while 45% of those who owned premium vehicles still chose the factory onboard systems versus lower cost off-board systems. Mike Marshall, J.D. Power director of emerging technologies said, “Although the factory-installed options are considerably more expensive than an off-board navigation system, the price difference is not reflected in a proportionate decrease in consumer interest levels. Among consumers who express interest in both types of navigation system, seven out of ten indicate they would choose a factory-installed navigation system rather than an off-board version—despite the cost premium.”Other technologies fared about as well, and among consumers who listen to their portable digital music player in their vehicle, more than one-half use an auxiliary input jack, while approximately 20% use a wireless FM transmitter. Nearly 2/3s of consumers indicate that they would like the ability to listen to a portable digital music player through their vehicle’s speakers, while 27% express a desire to use a smartphone’s music capabilities in conjunction with their vehicle’s audio system.Among consumers currently utilizing their vehicle’s Bluetooth functionality, initial interest for wireless connectivity in their next vehicle is 68%, compared with just 47% among those who have the feature but do not use it in their vehicle.Premium surround sound systems garner the highest interest rate among near-term vehicle intenders at 72%, while just 61% of consumers who plan on purchasing a new vehicle in two years or more indicate interest in this feature. “Consumers nearing the final phase of the vehicle purchase process are often more well-versed on vehicle options and features than those in the early stages of shopping, and likely have recently researched the available vehicle specifications,” stated Marshall, who added, “The increased familiarity of the possible benefits and conveniences of these technologies may lead to an increase in interest.”How this bodes for an industry accustomed to making their profit on all the bells and whistles, and GM in particular with a plethora of trim levels and options, remains to be seen. In addition, how does the automotive aftermarket deal with consumers who are increasingly more interested in having the OEMs integrate these entertainment and connectivity technologies into the new vehicles? Time will certainly tell – but that’s one luxury automakers don’t have, and a gamble they can’t afford to take.

The big news from General Motors this year hasn't been its great new trucks and cars. It's been a constant drumbeat of dire news, down to the "substantial doubts" about its ability to stay out of bankruptcy. There's no need to fear, though. As long as there is a General Motors, there will be Chevy trucks. Unfortunately for GM, there won't be much from Saturn, Pontiac, HUMMER and Saab. A few weeks ago, GM announced it would cast off Saturn by 2012 and would trim Pontiac to a few “niche” vehicles sold through Buick/GMC dealerships.  This is on top of decisions which the public has known about for months: to sell or shutter HUMMER, and to off-load Saab to whomever might want to buy it. Saturn might live on as its own company, with manufacturing licensed out to another automaker.  An Indian or Chinese manufacturer eager to enter the U.S. market in one form or another might find Saturn the perfect foot in the door. Meanwhile, Pontiac will lose most of its models--probably the ones that actually sell in volume, like the G6--and will offer a stable consisting of small cars like the 2009 Pontiac Vibe and the 2009 Pontiac G3. Say goodbye to hotness like the G8; GM won't bother importing it from Australia since its powerful, gas-guzzling performance is the opposite of the image GM needs to portray (never mind how sales are about 1/100th of expectations). Regardless of the plight at Saturn and Pontiac, Chevy trucks still bring home the bacon.  No matter how the Feds try to cut into civilian sales of the Silverado, Chevy will still be the best place for you to find a work truck that meets all kinds of hauling needs--and the American economy can't get by without trucks that do this kind of work. And for those civilians who need a bed, I'd gamble on a smaller, more economical Colorado. You might wonder about GMC. GM says it will be one of the core brands. And for good reason--GMC does a lot of the company's commercial-truck business and in the best of years, it turned in nearly $1 billion in profit. I’m a fan of GMC trucks and quite honestly, I’ve always seen the positives to selling the same car in two or three different skins.  It’s cheap to do and allows customers some leeway in looks and dealer networks. That's still going to work for Chevrolet and GMC, even in a 35-mpg world. Frankly, I can’t imagine bow-tie pickups going away--ever. The powertrains may change and the size may shrink, but as long as there's a General Motors, there's a reason to keep building trucks.

I like Howie Long.  I trust his picks on Sundays.  And when he tells me only little old ladies need steps and a handle to get up into their pickup bed--as in the new Ford F-150--I believe him. Howie’s new TV ads for Chevy trucks definitely speak to the American pickup buyer, showing a tough working man who hops up into the bed, and jumps down from it, and stands on the back tires to access things in it.  I imagine most pickup buyers aren’t worried about breaking a heel getting in and out of bed -- the pickup bed. Some innovations are ground-breaking.  Some are just gimmicks. Actually, I’m being a little harsh on the Ford F-150.  I’m sure by the end of the day, on your fortieth hop up into the pickup bed, the Ford ladder/handle gimmick is probably pretty welcome.  And if nobody’s looking, you just might use it.  Ford’s recent TV ads make this point. The 2010 Chevy Silverado Hybrid, which I review here at ChevyTruckReviews.com, is a MAJOR innovation.  I probably don’t need to get into all the finer points here, because there are far too many, and the technology is way too complex.  Suffice it to say, any advancements that yield 20 mpg city/20 mpg highway in a full-size 4X4 pickup truck qualifies as a huge innovation.  And the 2010 Chevy Silverado Hybrid is the undisputed leader in this category. Other full-size pickups are not to be left out of the innovations race though.  The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram boasts their new RamBox (TM) Cargo Management System atop the rear fenders, and also including a box extender/cargo divider.  Better than any storage boxes in the bed, the accessing of which would require feats of athleticism or some type of step-up ladder/handle gimmick, the RamBox (TM) allows easy access from the ground, beside the truck.  This is a pretty good idea, and a clever use of otherwise wasted space. What clever little ideas will the next generation Chevy Silverado include?  Hopefully we won’t have long to wait. Kick off the conversation here in our comments and tell us what YOU think. Meanwhile, enjoy the Howie ads from YouTube: