Jalopnik: gm trucks

Detroit News Lists Best From GM's First 100 Years

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

In honor of GM's 100th birthday, Scott Burgess from The Detroit News put together a list of the most important and most impressive vehicles from the General's first century. The list includes some obvious examples, like the 1953 Corvette, and a couple of standouts, like the 1991 Saturn SL1. His favorite from this decade is the Cadillac CTS, which is hard to argue with. We've got a condensed version of the list below and want to know if you agree. Additionally, we're curious what you think are the worst GM vehicles from these first ten decades. Chime in after the jump.

GM's Best And Baddest According To The Detroit News

1900s
1901 Curved Dash Oldsmobile

1910s
1912 Cadillac Model 30

1920s
1926 Buick Master Six

1930s
1936 Buick Roadmaster

1940s
1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88

1950s
1953 Chevrolet Corvette

1960s
1960 Chevrolet Corvair

1970s
1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

1980s
1988 Pontiac Fiero GT

1990s
1991 Saturn SL1

2000s
2008 Cadillac CTS

Beyond
Chevrolet Volt

It's an interesting list, but do you agree with it? If these are the best, what are the worst from each decade?

[DetNews, Photo: Concept Carz]

Bob Lutz Talks Future GM Vehicles, Powertrains

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:20:00 EDT

Following GM's morning expectations-management conference, product czar "Maximum" Bob Lutz answered questions about how the future of GM vehicles would be impacted by the announcements. In particular, we were wondering how the General planned to respond to Ford's Eco-Boost turbo four (and in what form that response might arrive), and when we would see the return of a GM diesel sedan. Lutz's responses — and non-responses — after the jump.

As far as propulsion, Lutz likes electricity and isn't so keen on diesel. "The future of the vehicle is electrification." In the meantime, however, GM will focus on small, flex-fuel, direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline engines, while offering diesels. Lutz noted that diesels are subjected to far more extreme emissions requirements in the US, adding 2-3k in cost while deteriorating the economy advantages, all of which may be true, but we'd still like to have the option of deciding for ourselves.

Lutz reiterated GM's support for the extended-range EV concept as seen in the Volt, while alluding to the possibility of vehicles with an on-board engine that existed solely to charge batteries, a-la diesel/electric locomotives.

In product news:

—A 1.4L turbo gasoline engine will power the Chevy Cruze at its 2010 launch, with a target highway economy of more that 40 MPG.

—Regarding Saturn, "We like the brand, we think it's a good brand," said Lutz, noting that Saturn tends to attract a different kind of buyer — just not enough of them. Aura sales are gaining momentum, and Lutz claims the decision not to replace it with an Insignia vehicle was simply a decision not to short-cycle the current design.

—The Buick Invicta will see a Spring 2009 launch, basically simultaneous in the US and China; the name will likely not be Invicta, however.

—The Chevy Beat cannot be made compatible with US crash regulations without significant investment in time and money, and as such will not appear on these shores.

—GMC will benefit from GMC versions of smaller crossovers; don't expect a GMC passenger car, but do look for GMC entries that are crossover in nature but smaller than Acadia, and equipped with 4-cylinder engines. Lutz stated that GMC has new products in the pipeline but did not elaborate further.

Honda Ridgeline The GM Truck Of The Future?

Andrew Stoy — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:20:00 EDT

After disclosing yesterday that the GMT900 full-size truck/SUV platform will likely last beyond its original 2012 expiration date, a new report says that future trucks may appear on the Lambda platform. Using Lambda, the foundation for current GM SUVs such as the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, would mark a shift away from body-on-frame pickup construction, since Lambda uses a lighter-weight unit-body chassis — think Honda Ridgeline. Except attractive, hopefully.

While unit-body construction would likely reduce towing and payload capacity over current GMT900 offerings, reports show that the majority of light-truck buyers rarely use the full capacity of their vehicles. Lambda would provide GM with an opportunity to provide more interior storage space and better fuel economy while still being able to offer 2WD and 4WD packages. Since we know Americans don't want to give up their pickups, moving the "commuter trucks" onto Lambda sounds like another smart choice for the General. Now let's see if it actually happens.
[Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

Hummer Up For Sale, Four Truck Plants Gone?

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:53:21 EDT

The times, they are a changin', and this week GM Chairman and Chieftain Rick Wagoner seems to have noticed. Wagoner announced a "strategic review of our Hummer brand," yesterday. Translation: "Anyone want to buy Hummer? Anyone? C'mon...cheap! Cerberus, I'm lookin' at you." Also included in the statement was news that four truck plants will be making the ultimate sacrifice: Moraine, Ohio; Janesville, Wisconsin; Toluca, Mexico; and Oshawa, Ontario.

The news isn't all doom and gloom, however: Third shifts are coming to the Lake Orion plant that builds G6 and Malibu and to the Lordstown plant spewing Cobalt and G5. In other words, big vehicles out, little econoboxes in. Next up: Chrysler announces new Lean Burn 300C.