Last week we bought you two new SEMA project trucks, the Turbonetics 2009 F-150 and ICON's Toyota FJ45 classic pickup truck. The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab truck was put to the test, as well as Toyota placing the Tundra Heavy Duty under its own tests of whether or not the truck will survive. General Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation both announced huge savings deals on new vehicles, and Ford's new 6.7 liter diesel engine was spotted.
The New York Times are reporting that General Motors and Chrysler LLC are in preliminary talks with one another about a possible merger of both companies. Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm that owns Chrysler LLC, have been in talks with General Motors for over a month however the "negotiations are not certain to produce a deal".
Oil prices continue to plunge just like automotive sales have to a 13 month low last Friday, closing at $77.09 per barrel, the lowest price experienced since September 11, 2007. The government released a report last week stating a 5.3 percent decline in consumer demand for motor gasoline during the same month time span compared to a year ago. "Supplies of cruise in the United States grew by 8.1 million barrels" as well. OPEC have released their response to the government's report stating "The rapid decline in crude prices...
Pickuptrucks.com spotted the 2010 GMC Sierra 2500 heavy duty diesel pickup truck on the road again in Michigan last Friday. Slated to feature GM's updated 6.6 liter Duramax diesel eight cylinder motor that can produce over 700 foot pounds of torque, the truck also features an upgraded grille, head light assembly, and front bumper.
Washington is a beautiful state but it's also full of a lot of weird and sickening people (like Mort), that would create distasteful products like the following: BrakeNutz. As if the TruckNutz concept wasn't bad enough, some dude had to go out and make a lighted version of the man jewels. There are even 50 different types according to their website including "camo truck nuts and chrome plated truck nuts, glowing truck nuts, pink truck nuts, flourescent orange truck ntus, truck nut keychains, and my personal favorite: lighted truck nuts".
Famous turbocharger manufacturer, Turbonetics, chose a 2009 Ford F-150 as their project truck at the 2008 SEMA show this year. Loaded with a ceramic ball-bearing turbo, the factory 5.4 liter eight cylinder motor will be woken up with an additional 100 horse power. A Spearco intercooler was also added in front of the bumper to help cool down the truck. The truck features a Suspension Max lowering kit laying on a set of GAC 24x9.5 inch wheels with Yokohama Prada Spec-X 295/35R25 tires.
General Motors and OnStar today launched Stolen Vehicle Slowdown on more than 1 million model year 2009 GM vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is the latest enhancement to OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Assistance service and enables OnStar to further help law enforcement in the recovery of subscribers’ stolen vehicles, while helping to reduce fatalities and injuries resulting from police chases. Working with law enforcement and utilizing its unique built-in technology, OnStar can remotely send a signal that interacts with the vehicle’s engine, gradually slowing it down, aiding in a safe recovery.
Toyota Technical Center (TTC) celebrated the grand opening of its new engineering and safety testing facilities here today with Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Congressman John Dingell, as well as several hundred government officials, community leaders, suppliers and Toyota team members. TTC, a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA), already has a site in Ann Arbor. With the expansion in York Township, TTC is adding 400 new jobs and will boost its employment to 1,100 by 2010.
Gizmodo have posted the new Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio "A La Carte" options. The new plan offers a selection of channels for $10 per month, where XM and Sirius channels are shared together. Sirius is also offering a $7 per month plan where you are able to receive 50 "non-premium a la carte" channels, instead of every channel Sirius and XM offer for the typical $12 pricing. Additional channels outside of the "A La Carte" option are available to purchase for 50 cents each per month. Half the price, half the channels, not bad! For more information visit www.sirius.com.
Mercedes Benz are recalling 102,954 M-Class sport utility vehicles due to a problem with the power steering system. A clamp securing the cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may come loose and can result in a total loss of control of the vehicle, potentially causing an accident. The recall has started immediately and Mercedes Benz urges customers to have their vehicles serviced as soon as possible. Owners with any questions can contact their local dealer or visit www.mbusa.com. Reported by MarketWatch.
According to Freep, General Motors Corporation have initiated another a new campaign that offers zero percent financing for up to six years or the option of $7,000 cash back on all 2008 model vehicles. The new campaign expires November 3rd and replaces the current employee discount pricing. GM is also offering free financing for up to 72 months on their popular sport utility vehicles including the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL.
Pickuptrucks obtained the latest image of Ford's next generation diesel motor slated for the F-Series Super Duty pickup truck. Dubbed "Scorpion", the 6.7 liter diesel eight cylinder engine was found driving around the factory in Dearborne, Michigan. The new motor is expected to replace the current Navistar 6.4 liter "Power Stroke" by 2011 and is said to produce nearly 390 horsepower and 720 foot pounds of torque. If you look closely at the photo, you'll notice that the motor is actually slanted back, almost to allow for an even larger radiator. What do you think?
Ford Motor Company continues to restructure their manufacturing operations across the United States, this time concerning their sport utility vehicle production. Group Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs at Ford, Joe Hinrichs, stated “Ford Motor Co. is undergoing a transformation in its manufacturing operations and both Kentucky Truck and Louisville Assembly plants play key roles as Ford transforms three of its truck plants to car plants". The plants affected by the transformations are Ford's St. Thomas Assembly plant, Kentucky Truck Plant and the Louisville Assembly plant.
Toyota Motor Corporation have decided not to engage in the traditional "pickup truck wars" experienced between Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge every four years. With the launch of the 2009 Dodge Ram this summer and Ford's new re-designed F-150 this November, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc President, Jim Lentz, decided to hold back on their once popular Tundra pickup truck. "I don't want to get stuck in the middle of Ford and Chevy battling for the No. 1 truck this year, and Dodge launching the Ram," Lentz stated in an interview. Toyota had forecast a sale of 20,000 Tundras per month this year after a successful record last year, although September sales were in the tank with just 7,696 trucks sold.
Off Road pioneers, ICON 4x4 are debuting one of their two vehicles for the 2008 SEMA show, a Toyota FJ45 pickup truck. The old FJ has been renovated to its original specifications, replacing the old body panels and rusty frame with new parts. ICON then upgraded the front end with a custom bumper and winch assembly, ICON grille, added BFGoodrich tires, 17 inch black off road wheels, canvas pop top roof, Dynatrac axles, aftermarket leaf springs, off road lights with light bar, Chevrolet Vortech eight cylinder motor, custom seats and more.
Ford Motor Company, building on its safety and technology leadership, announced it will offer a new advanced "active" collision-avoidance technology, Collision Warning with Brake Support, on certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles next year. Collision Warning with Brake Support uses radar to detect moving vehicles directly ahead. When the danger of a collision is detected, the system warns the driver with an authoritative beep and a red warning light projected on the windshield above the instrument panel. The system also automatically pre-charges brakes and engages a brake-assist feature that helps drivers quickly reach maximum braking once the brakes are engaged.
After letting the rule time frame expire, the Bush Administration have requested more time to rewrite the current government's rulings on vehicle roof strength and rigidity. Transportation Secretary, Mary Peters, said "she has notified Congress of the need for additional time" but did not offer any explanation as to why the Bush Administration needed more time. "We must ensure that any final rules we issue are as successful as possible. Accordingly, we have informed Congress today that we need more time to complete a new roof strength standard that effectively protects motorists" said Secretary Peters.
Ford Motor Company have moved the release date of the 2009 F-150 pickup truck one month earlier from December 2008 to November 2008, in efforts to increase sales of the new pickup since gasoline prices have dropped from all time highs experienced this past July. Ford's executive vice president of marketing and communications, Jim Farley, stated "The sell-down of old models has progressed faster than we thought" and that new 2009 F-150s are currently "on their way to Ford dealers already".
