MSN Autos have placed the 2009 Dodge Ram vs. 2009 Ford F-150 and 2009 Chevy Silverado head to head in four separate tests which include a head to head battle, 20 plus miles per gallon test, top sellers comparison, and a towing challenge. The review drives through the truck-pocalypse and answers the big question: who's got the toughest truck?
Toyota's residual values have taken a beating this past year, specifically the Tundra pickup truck. Diving from 59.5 percent down to 40.1 percent, the Tundra has experienced one of the largest drops of residual value for pickup trucks. However, the Tundra's resale value still remains higher than it's domestic competitors such as the Chevrolet Silverado at 39.8 percent from 49.6 percent, and the Ford F-150 from 45.6 percent to 32.2 percent. The increase in depreciation values have slaughtered Detroit's automakers and is now beginning to conquer the Japanese.
General Motors' Chevrolet Silverado 3500 heavy duty pickup truck has received a minor face lift for the 2011 model year. The grille has been changed up slightly to a mesh style, a new lower valance was added, along with a larger front opening for additional cooling to accompany GM's new diesel Allison transmission.
The affordably priced Discus DKH116 6.5” 2-Way Coaxial Speaker System delivers all the undisputable pure sound quality that is expected from MB Quart. One reason for the high performance can be attributed to MB Quart’s exclusive 30mm WideSphere tweeter assembly that fully addresses the inherent speaker problem of directional sound dispersion in a vehicle – making every seat, the best seat. According to Ted Henricks, Vice President Sales, “WideSphere is the result of many years of acoustical research, exhaustive engineering and the use of innovative materials.” Henricks continued by stating, “WideSphere takes tweeters from a very linear approach into a new, expansive direction so that the need for staging or imaging is far less necessary.”
Mitsubishi have issued a recall of nearly 40,000 2008 to 2009 Outlander sport utility vehicles. The recall involves an incorrect material composition of the brake booster check valve that may cause the valve to stick closed even when the engine is off, causing an insufficient braking assist. The lack of brake assistance may increase the stopping distance of the vehicle, potentially leading to an increased risk of crash. Owners are encouraged to contact their local dealer as soon as possible via Mitsubishi at 800-222-0037.
ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc.), manufacturer of the Access®, LiteRider®, Lorado™ and Vanish™ Roll-Up Covers, now offers roll-up tonneau covers for the all new 08-09 Dodge Dakota with Utility Rails. Each cover is made model specific for the tightest fit with your truck and are available for most Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Mazda and Toyota pickup trucks. Following their tradition of innovation and quality, ACI now offers model-specific roll-up tonneau covers for the following truck model.
General Motors announced earlier this week they will indefinitely be producing the highly anticipated 4.5 liter diesel motor. News has spread now that GM's inline five cylinder gas motor will return to production. Built for the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Hummer H3T, and Hummer H3 pickup trucks, the 3.7 liter inline 5 will take production this summer.
Toyota Motor Corporation announces it has developed a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) rear-seat center airbag-the first*1 in the world-to help reduce the severity of secondary injuries incurred by rear-seat passengers in a side-on collision. The new airbag is fitted in a large, fixed, rear-seat center console that comes in a version of a Toyota model to be launched in Japan in the near future. When the vehicle is hit side-on, the airbag deploys from the top of the console to act as a barrier that helps lessen injuries caused by passengers colliding with each other or into the console.
Toyota is in trouble over a 1996 recall involving a series of pickup trucks with defective relay rods. The rod connects the steering wheel to the front spindle and can possibly fracture, resulting in an increased risk of crash or death. An NBC investigation video uncovers Toyota's failure of issuing a recall notice about the defective part for nearly ten years, originating in 1996, and ignoring the recall until 2005. You can view NBC's investigation below.
Pickuptrucks have caught a new image of Ford's "Scorpion" 6.7 liter diesel V8 engine slated for production this fall to replace the current 6.4 liter diesel. Known for it's clean diesel technology, the 6.7 liter's power targets are more than 390 horsepower and 720 foot pounds of torque, up from a previous 350 and 650 specification. Fuel efficiency is also expected to increase nearly 3 miles per gallon in conjunction with Ford's new six speed automatic transmission.
The Ford F-Series Super Duty once again took Work Truck of the Year honors at the National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show, March 4. Ford also earned the 2008 Work Truck of the Year honor, the first year of the award program, sponsored by Work Truck magazine. The fleet industry professionals among Work Truck readers determined the winner though online ballot.
General Motors is recalling 1,738 2009 Hummer H3T trucks due to a condition where the fuel tank front support strap may fracture and allow the fuel tank to separate from the truck, increasing the risk of a crash or explosion. Owners are encouraged to contact their local dealer as soon as possible via Hummer at 800-732-5493 or www.gmownercenter.com.
Given the current economic climate, GM has reviewed and updated its U.S. product portfolio and has decided to place on indefinite hold its previously announced plan to add a Duramax 4.5L V-8 diesel engine in 2010 to its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty trucks.
Chevrolet and GMC will continue to offer a heavy duty Duramax 6.6L V-8 diesel, which is class-leading in both horsepower and torque. Light-duty truck customers can also choose from several fuel-efficient gasoline engines with GM’s Active Fuel Management mated to a six-speed transmission or a new 2-Mode hybrid that provides up to 40 percent improved city fuel mileage and 25 percent improvement in overall fuel efficiency. In fact, no other full-size pickup has better fuel economy.
GM remains optimistic that the Duramax 4.5L V-8 diesel may be a viable option in its future portfolio.
Kelley Blue Book announced that Ford Motor Company is the winner of the 2009 Brand Image Award for the “Most Rugged Truck Brand,” the Ford F-150. The 2009 Brand Image Awards are based on consumer data collected from more than 12,000 shoppers on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. These customers are in the market for a new vehicle. “The winners of this year’s Brand Image Awards exemplify automotive brands that are on the right track, making a great impression with consumers not just on a specific model level, but across the entire brand lineup,” said Jack P. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.
The dude in this YouTube video managed to get his Jeep stuck in mud so badly that while pulling the truck out, his entire front suspension gets twisted and ripped apart from underneath the Jeep. His buddy then yells out "Damn Dude, Holy Fuck" in reaction to the carnage. Talk about having a bad day.
According to an article on The Detroit Free Press, AT&T announced they will spend $565 million dollars on 15,000 Ford Motor Company hybrid and natural gas powered vehicles over the next ten years. AT&T will spend $350 million on nearly 8,000 natural gas trucks like the propane powered trucks from Roush.
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson commented on the decision "While there are no easy solutions to the challenges facing our nation, this investment is a first step on our part to help boost other industries while at the same time encouraging wider use and production of efficient vehicles and domestic fuel alternatives".
Ford Motor Company have come to an agreement with the United Auto Workers over employee benefits and compensation at $55 dollars per hour, down from a previous $70 per hour two years ago. However, the new figure won't officially adjust until 2011. The agreement brings wages closer to those of foreign automakers Toyota and Honda, who only pay their employees $50 per hour. The cutback will save Ford up to $500 million per year.
The Banks Sidewinder S-10 Duramax pickup just seems to get faster every time it runs! And on Saturday March 7, the dark red truck with a brand new Sidewinder snake supergraphic on the side charged into the record books once again with a 180 mile per hour run that made it the first ever diesel pickup to that speed in the quarter-mile. The record took place at the NHRDA Desert Diesel Nationals at the Speedworld Dragstrip in Wittman, Arizona and in front of a packed house of some very serious diesel drag racing fans.
