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I'm the Pickups host here at Edmunds CarSpace.com - be sure to check out the Pickups forums if you have or are interested in one! Recent Posts
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CarSpace The Big RigsWe're gonna talk about the big ones... trucks and buses that require those 3 marker lights front and rear. Everything from dual rear wheel pickups to class 8 trucks to the bus that takes you to work. Oct 31, 2009 - What's been happening?Sorry to have been so long since the last entry... been a wild year for me. Let's see, what's been going on? Well, my friend Vikki who piloted the red Peterbilt in the left margin has opted from the trucking ranks. That Pete spent too much time in her driveway and not enough on the highway. And when you're paid by the mile, that isn't gonna cut it, even for a company driver. So she returned the rig to headquarters this summer and has gone on to other work, although she is keeping her CDL just in case. I stayed away from commenting on the Chrysler and GM bankruptcies (at least here -- I did comment elsewhere at Edmunds), but since they're out and re-establishing themselves, I will say this much... I think Chrysler under Marchionne has a far better chance than GM under Henderson. GM still has too many layers, too many executives from the past, and they are still trying to live on the old mantra of "as GM goes, so goes America." News flash, GM... America moved on without you a while ago. Marchionne assumed control of Chrylser to find a company that had not begun development of anything smaller than the next 300/Charger in nearly 3 years. But unlike the old multi-layered management structure of decision makers, Marchionne put in place a culture of fast action. He gave the design and engineering teams just 18 months to refresh the Avenger and Sebring - normally a 36 month project - which will get freshened product into the mainstream until the fully redesigned models on Fiat platforms can be implemented. GM has tried to look "lean" by dropping or selling brands, while they hang their hopes on a $40K electric compact. Yeah, that'll work. Getting back to trucks, the 2010 Ram HD models are in production, the 2011 Ford Super Duty line was revealed in September for a winter start-up (somewhere around February 2010), and GM... oh yeah, remember them from the above paragraph... will hope that their production stock holds up because between January and March, they will be unable to produce any HD diesel engines. The Cummins used by Dodge was 2010-legal back in 2007. Ford is changing engine suppliers from International to in-house, so they can be up to speed with new engine prouction when the old engines run out. But GM has to shut down the Duramax plant and retool in order to make their 2010-legal engine - which means if a Chevy or GMC dealer doesn't have the HD pickup someone wants in stock, they're going to go to a Dodge or Ford dealer with the ability to custom-order the truck that meets their needs. Way to plan, GM. As for the 2010 Ram vs the 2011 Super Duty... the 2010 Ram is a brand new body on a proven chassis with a proven powertain. The 2011 SD is a new front clip on a proven chassis (the cab and bed have been unchanged since the Super Duty line was introduced in January 1998 as early 99 models) and a completely new engine and transmission. Leem tell ya - in the world of trucks from class 2 and up, no one minds a new body if they trust the metal underneath. This will be Ford's third new engine launch in 6 years... and Dearborn better hope they get this one right, becauise the 6.0 and 6.4 Internationals hit the streets with lots of documented problems. Could be the perfect storm that allows Chrysler to generate badly needed revenue until all the new cars are ready. Stay tuned.
Oct 12, 2008 - GM and Chrysler?
Oct 6, 2008 - How the mighty have fallen, part 4The late arrival to the party could very well be wondering why they bothered.
Jun 30, 2008 - How the mighty have fallen, part 3Can't leave Chrysler out. Today, the Pentastar announced they will close St. Louis South (minivan plant) and cut St. Louis North (Dodge Ram plant) to just one shift. Chrysler has ridden the minivans and Rams for nearly 15 years - for a period time, both plants were open daily with multiple shifts.
Jun 26, 2008 - How the mighty have fallen, part 2GM's stock closed today (June 26) at its lowest (adjusted for splits) price since late 1974... ironically another time of oil turmoil in the US. Two years later, the downsizing began with the full-size (B-body) cars. Analysts note that GM won't reap the health-benefit savings from the new UAW contract until 2009. Some are even calling for GM to be removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, despite their billions in annual revenue - GM is currently the lowest valued company of the 30 DJIA stocks (Alcoa at #29 is 4 times GM's valuation).
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