Nissan's CEO Carlos Ghosn has stated the company "will build a successor to the current Titan half-ton pickup" as well as "Titan will have a replacement, we are staying in the large pickup truck market". Mr. Ghosn did not state whether or not the automaker will build in the next generation pickup truck themselves or with a partner. Plans with Chrysler to build a new pickup truck fell through over the summer. Nissan might also enter the heavy duty pickup market, but competition for the spot would be awfully fierce with Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge dominating the category. Judging how sales have gone for the Titan pickup over the past 5 years (which have sucked), I wouldn't bet on a competitive heavy duty truck any time soon.
General Motors began production of the 2010 Hummer H3 again late last week after a short delay earlier this year due to the economy. Just how low was their inventory of Hummer H3 SUV's? Only 1,183 units nation wide with sales down more than 50 percent, a figure that is phenomenal in comparison to just a couple years ago. Hummer fans can find a new biofuel option on the new 2010's, two new colors added, and should see the new H3's arriving at dealerships next month.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., (TMS) has generously donated a 2010 Toyota Tundra to the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® Program. The full-size, 4-door pickup will travel the Midwest, transporting Foundation staff and supplies to farm safety training events, farm shows and other farm safety education opportunities. "Toyota and Progressive Ag Foundation share a similar philosophy about the importance of educating the entire family about safety awareness. We are privileged to support the expansion of the Progressive Ag Safety Day Programs as they reach more communities than ever before," says Michael Rouse, TMS vice president of philanthropy and community affairs. Toyota is a premier sponsor of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation and also provides funding for roadway safety education.
Ford's wide-ranging, customer-driven in-vehicle technology and features continue to gain recognition and awards from industry experts. Both Ford Work Solutions and SYNC – two Ford-exclusive technologies – will be honored with International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2010 Innovations Design and Engineering Awards. Ford Work Solutions' in-dash computer won 2010 Best of Innovations in the category of In-Vehicle Accessories. SYNC's latest application, Traffic, Directions & Information, was honored in the category of In-Vehicle Navigation/Telematics/ITS (Intelligent Transportation System).
EcoBoost engine technology is driving younger, more affluent customers to Ford showrooms. And many of these buyers are hot to trade in their competitive-make vehicles to get their hands on one equipped with the fuel-efficient direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engine. “EcoBoost technology is helping bring in a new customer to Ford dealer showrooms,” said Amy Marentic, Ford group marketing manager. “This customer is younger, more affluent, and more often trades in competitive products.”
A new photo of the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 Heavy Duty has been released on the internet this week, showcasing a new hood with louvers, 6.6 liter Duramax emblems hinting at a new motor, and emblems for Duramax's new 6 speed Allison transmission. You can expect the Chevrolet Silverado HD to receive the same features and upgrades.
Toyota will make history by entering its 2010 Model Year Fifth Generation 4Runner in the internationally renowned SCORE Baja 1000. With over 672 miles in length and a time limit of 31 hours, the Baja 1000 is one of the toughest desert races in the world. Over 325 entries are expected from around the world to compete in the 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 – the last desert race of the season scheduled for November 20-21, in Ensenada, Mexico.
To meet strong current and future market demand for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, CAMI Automotive is investing $C90 million for a substantial project that includes the re-tooling of the facility’s West Body Shop resulting in increased capacity and the recall of approximately 150 employees.
Jeep is launching an all-new advertising campaign with a new tagline that communicates the Jeep brand’s unique lifestyle and re-establishes one of the most recognizable brand names in the world with a new look, feel and attitude.
If you were around this weekend for any of the football games you undoubtedly saw Chrysler's new "Ram" brand commercial, which is promoting their "Dodge" Ram pickup truck line. The commercial itself sounds more like a political campaign but we'll let you decide that one. Either way, it's still a Dodge... just kidding :)
The growing popularity of retro/old school hot rods in the aftermarket world has inspired Toyota to take a Texas-built Tundra Regular Cab full-size pickup and prove that a present day economical work truck could realistically be made into an American hot rod. Toyota also wanted to show consumers that Tundra is a truck that not only works hard, but plays hard too. The result is the Tundra Hot Rod, which takes a fun look at what a Toyota Tundra pickup truck might have looked like if it had been part of the iconic 1950s and ‘60s hot rod era.
The Tacoma TX Package Concept was developed for the 2009 SEMA Show to gauge public reaction to its unique design themes and multiple performance modifications. The Tacoma TX is equipped with an impressive list of Toyota Racing Development (TRD) performance accessories and two unique graphics along each side of the truck. SEMA attendee reaction to the Tacoma TX will help enable Toyota to make necessary refinements and finalize a package available for Tacoma buyers in future model years.
The Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer (ATG) combines outdoor sports activities and video games to create the ultimate active lifestyle vehicle for young Tacoma pickup truck owners. The special vehicle was designed to take Tacoma owners to their favorite remote locations where they can pursue their passion for outdoor sports activities and also provide a haven at the end of the day to play their favorite interactive video games.
Just one year after Ford unveiled the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor at the SEMA show, Ford today is announcing the long-anticipated power figures for the all-new 6.2-liter premium V-8 engine now available in this ultimate high-speed off-road performance truck. When this optional powertrain in the Raptor arrives in showrooms in early 2010, the 6.2-liter V-8 will produce 411 hp and 434 ft.-lb. of torque, making Raptor the most powerful half-ton pickup available. Customers will now have the choice of two V-8 engines in the Raptor, Ford’s proven 5.4-liter Triton V-8 or the new 6.2-liter V-8, which can be ordered beginning Dec. 1, with an MSRP of $41,995 including destination and delivery.
If you want to check out what's going on at the SEMA Show right now in Las Vegas, check out the MOTORZ TV Live Webcam and see the Ford booth and Central hall being set up right now!
Also check out the Live Webcam page for a show schedule of live installations being performed by the MOTORZ TV crew during the week of SEMA!
If you are looking to purchase a pickup truck this weekend, now is the time! Huge savings are available this weekend on all major brands including Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, and Nissan with discounts ranging from $3,500 off to $5,000 as well as 0 percent interest rates! Check out the full listing inside.
Hot rodders have always lived by the motto "There's no replacement for displacement," indicating that the more cubic inches an engine has, the better the resulting performance. Ford Powertrain and Detroit Street Rods are out to prove that thinking out-of-date with their EcoBoost™-powered '34 Ford hot rod.
The Jeep “Lower Forty” takes the Jeep Wrangler platform to a new extreme. The vehicle is equipped with massive 40-inch x 13.5-inch tires mounted on Mopar’s 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels. Mopar added aggressive wheels and tires to a stock, two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon without the use of a suspension lift. The team’s goal was to achieve added ground clearance without dramatically altering the vehicle’s center of gravity. The team removed copious amounts of body metal in order to provide room for 40-inch meats. Three inches are chopped from the windshield frame and a 10-degree rake is added.
