At this year's 2008 Chicago Auto Show, GMC is showing off a dramatic new four-door pickup concept. What's interesting about this truck is not its four doors, or even its hybrid powertrain, which is GM's two-mode system made E85 capable for the first time and uses a new direct-injection small-block 4.9L V8. What's interesting is that it sits on a platform related to the upcoming Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Camaro. As a design study for future GMC products, this truck is a home run.

That's right, this is a rear-drive unitbody car platform, developed primarily by Holden in Australia (in fact Holden lead the design and construction of the Denali XT). Down Under, Holden has been selling, with terrific success, four-door Crewman and two-door Ute trucks for years. In today's climate and increased pressure to build vehicles delivering better fuel economy, lower emissions, and power, GM is exploring unitbody trucks for the States. (Act II is expected to be a two-door Pontiac G8 ST at the 2008 New York auto show; the Pontiac may already be approved for production.)

GMC may find themselves with the right product concept at the right time here. Consumers who don't really need the full towing and off-road capability of a traditional truck SUV are very happy with car-based versions. Despite the mixed response to the Honda Ridgeline, which is both expensive and less attractive than this Denali XT, the idea may apply to pickup trucks as well. Work-truck needs ensure unitbody pickups aren't likely to take over the pickup market as thoroughly as they did the SUV market, but there may be room for a product such as this.

Continue reading "GMC Denali XT: Redefining a GMC Truck?" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 07:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The new GMT900 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty Pickup is the Ideal vehicle in this workhorse class. The Sierra is highly rated for its tough-looking exterior styling and handling. In a class that appreciates the General Motors Duramax diesel and Allison 6-speed automatic transmission, Sierra gets high marks for power and acceleration. Wheel and tire size and appearance rate a bit low and might be an aftermarket opportunity, however.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Owner ratings give the GMC Canyon a win as the Ideal Compact Pickup. GMC designers and engineers have provided a vehicle that has the styling, size, passenger space, power, acceleration and technology GMC buyers in this class require.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Motorist Choice Award is in its second year and is a collaboration between AutoPacific and IntelliChoice.com. AutoPacific, widely known for its industry expertise and research, and IntelliChoice, known for its comprehensive cost of ownership information, designed the Motorist Choice Award to help consumers identify the most satisfying cars and trucks that are also the least expensive to own.

Using data from AutoPacific's national Vehicle Satisfaction research and the IntelliChoice Best Overall Value information, AutoPacific and IntelliChoice have developed a unique tool that can be used by consumers to help them sort through the myriad of choices in today's automotive marketplace.

Here are the 2007 Winners of the 25 individual segment awards:

SEGMENT - Winner

Aspirational Luxury Car - Lexus IS
Compact Car - Mazda3
Compact Crossover SUV - Chevrolet HHR
Compact Pickup - Toyota Tacoma
Compact Sport Utility/ORV - Toyota Tacoma
Economy Car - Honda Fit
Image Compact Car - Volkswagen GTi
Large Car - Toyota Avalon
Large Heavy Duty Pickup - Chevrolet Silverado HD
Large Light Duty Pickup - Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Large Luxury Car - Cadillac DTS
Large Sport Utility - GMC Yukon XL
Luxury Crossover SUV - Acura MDX
Luxury Mid-Size Car - Nissan Maxima
Luxury Sport Utility - Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Mid-Size Car - Volkswagen Jetta
Mid-Size Crossover SUV - Honda CR-V
Mid-Size Sport Utility - Toyota 4Runner
Minivan - Honda Odyssey
Premium Luxury Car - Lexus LS
Premium Mid-Size Car - Nissan Altima
Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV - Nissan Murano
Premium Sports Car - Lexus SC
Sports Car - Porsche Boxster
Sporty Car - Scion tC

The press release can be found below the fold.

Continue reading "2007 Motorist Choice Awards Announced" »

Posted by George Peterson at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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AutoPacific Take on GMC Yukon XL Win – The all-new Yukon XL wins the Large Sport Utility Motorist Choice Award®. It is owners’ ratings of reliability, feeling safe while driving, power and acceleration that make the GMC Yukon XL a class act. For a vehicle the size of the Yukon XL it also has strong ratings for being fun to drive with high scores for braking and handling. The overall quality and brand reputation contribute to the class win while owners praise the visibility and seating capacity.

IntelliChoice take on GMC Yukon XL win - The GMC Yukon XL’s strong retained value helped propel it to the top of the 2007 Motorist Choice Award.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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GMC Yukon XL Wins AutoPacific 2007 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Large Sport Utility Vehicles:

“The Yukon XL is part of GM's new GMT900 big truck program. A traditional Large SUV with body-on-frame construction and powered by large V8 engines, the Yukon XL is capable of the toughest towing and hauling duties that a SUV can be called upon to do," says AutoPacific president George Peterson. "Yukon XL owners rated their Large SUV highly for Power/Acceleration, and Durability (both traditional Yukon XL strengths), and Overall Quality. Perhaps just as important, the only area where the Yukon XL was rated significantly below the segment average was Cupholder Design and Size. Pretty impressive, given that there are 46 attributes measured!”

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 09:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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General Motors has now completed the launch of its Lambda platform Large Crossover SUVs. The Lambda platform includes vehicles from Saturn - the Outlook, GMC - the Acadia (not ARcadia) and Buick - the Enclave). Eventually, a Chevrolet version will be added as well.

These are the landmark vehicles that represent the end of the classic body-on-frame V8 powered SUV. They are that good.

I just returned from a driving event for the recently introduced Buick Enclave in St. Louis, Missouri. When I got into the office there was a Saturn Outlook in the parking lot for the AutoPacific and VehicleVoice staff to evaluate. Great opportunity for a back to back comparison of two Lambda crossovers. This story will concentrate on the Enclave - a future story will showcase the Outlook.

Buick Enclave - First Drive

First, lets talk about the Buick. This is a vehicle that I have been waiting to drive for two years now. I think I have been to three events where Enclave was a featured subject, but this was the first opportunity I have had to drive it. Why was I looking forward to the Enclave? From my perspective it is a good size, has expressive styling inside and out, and is an example of the latest General Motors platform architecture.

Was it what I was expecting? Yeah, I guess so. First, I had to calibrate myself to the fact that the Enclave is a BUICK and what General Motors was attempting to achieve when they developed the vehicle. They wanted a vehicle with Buick ambiance - expressive, upscale styling inside and out. They wanted a spacious crossover capable of seating seven or eight passengers in three rows of seats. It was to have excellent ergonomics and be very pleasant to drive. It was to be very quiet. Check the boxes and the Lambda design and development team appears to have achieved their objectives.

Continue reading "2008 Buick Enclave - Top Line GM Lambda Crossover SUV" »

Posted by George Peterson at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

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The Saturn Outlook is a large Crossover SUV based on the General Motors' Lambda platform. The Lambda platform is shared with the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and also with an upcoming Chevrolet large Crossover.

Has GM Nailed Crossover SUV Execution?

First, you might be asking "what is a Crossover SUV"? For years, we at VehicleVoice have been avoiding using the "crossover" word because, frankly, our research shows that consumers are not yet using the term widely. In our eyes, an SUV is an SUV is an SUV. Our chief industry oracle, Jim Hall, always referred to Crossovers as "mongrelhalfbreedbastards". But, with vehicles like the Outlook hitting the market we've decided to use the Crossover moniker.

Basically, a Crossover SUV takes the basic SUV theme and civilizes it. SUV drivers have for decades been asking for more maneuverable, more economical, more easy to live with SUVs. Crossover SUVs are the answer and the GM Lambda vehicles are the latest examples of Crossover SUV design and execution. We think GM has pretty well nailed it.

Pricing Makes Outlook a Persuasive Proposition

The Saturn Outlook XR that we evaluated is a mid-priced model listing at about $33,250. When you check the boxes you really want - like all wheel drive and a navigation system the price slips over $41,000. When you check ALL the boxes and add a moonroof and rear seat entertainment system you can touch $45,000. For a Saturn!

While you might think that is a high price, the base, base, base price of the FWD Outlook XE (the lower model) is about $28,000 including destination. This puts it mid-way between the base price of a Ford Explorer and Expedition. Given that Outlook is about the size of a Chevrolet Tahoe - priced about $4,000 more with a V8, the Saturn looks like a good deal.

Continue reading "2007 Saturn Outlook - Lambda Crossover SUV" »

Posted by George Peterson at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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American icons like the Statue of Liberty or John Wayne conjure up images of patriotism and true grit. But the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France, John Wayne’s real name is Marion Morrison and this is an automotive web site. So, that leaves us with things like John Deere and the new GMT900 trucks from General Motors, which have a long history, heritage and iconic status.

AutoPacific and VehicleVoice staffers have been evaluating a 2007 GMC Sierra with a list price of $47,135... WOW! Looking at the LA Times this weekend, I saw some full size half ton pickups offered in the mid-teens. Let's see if there is enough "product" in the Sierra we are evaluating to justify the price.

Sheet Metal
With the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado roping in Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year we thought it would be interesting to saddle break the 2007 GMC Sierra; the Silverado’s supposedly more ‘posh’ counterpart. If we start with the exterior of the truck we notice that the overall styling is ‘boxier’ than that of the GMT800. The fender flares are no longer plastic/composite extensions stuck on with double-sided tape and a couple screws; they are integrated into the sheet metal of the fenders. Gaps between body panels, headlamps, grills, bumpers, etc., are much improved over the last generation.

Continue reading "2007 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Crew Cab SLT - Every Good Cowboy Needs a Good Horse" »

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

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SUVs are NOT DEAD - Sport Utility Vehicles Remain Top Considered Vehicle Segment

For as long as I can remember, the New York Times and eastern media have been taking SUVs to task. While many of the people writing these stories don't own a vehicle or even drive a car or truck, they have decided that the Sport Utility Vehicle is the poster child for social irresponsibility. No matter what they say, folks continue to gravitate to SUVs. We have the data.

For the past thirteen years, Sport Utility Vehicles have been the product segment that is most considered by American driving public. 2006 was a traumatic year for SUVs. High fuel prices dampened demand for large truck-based SUVs, but in 2006 as for more than a decade, demand for SUVs was highest among AutoPacific’s seven macro product segments. When consideration for contemporary SUVs – Crossover Sport Utility Vehicles or XSUVs – is included, consideration goes even higher.

Clearly America’s love affair for this Swiss Army Knife of vehicles has not waned, nor has demand by Americans for a vehicle type that can do many different things. We used to say that people bought SUVs because they can go anywhere, go anytime, go with anything, go with anybody… an SUV could do it all. Meeting these criteria – especially the go anywhere aspect of the equation yielded SUVs that were too capable. They could go off-road over rough terrain through tough climate conditions. Even though most buyers never used them for what they were capable of, they were designed to have off-road credibility.

Let it be XSUV: Let's officially coin our term for Crossover SUVs. These are not simply "crossovers", after all, you could have a crossover of almost any two products. We don't want to call them CUVs - Crossover Utility Vehicles - because that dilutes what they really are supposed to be. The right term is Crossover SUV. This clearly defines that this is an SUV based on a car platform - something not quite as capable as body-on-frame traditional SUVs. So, for now on, it's XSUVs.

Carmakers Responded to Buyers with Crossover SUVs: By the end of the ‘90s, manufacturers began to respond to buyers’ demand for slightly softer product characteristics. For awhile terms like “soft-roaders”, “cute-utes” were used to describe vehicles like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and even the Lexus RX300. Inside the car companies engineers and designers were referring to these types of vehicles as Crossovers. And while the buyer rarely refers to his Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, or Honda Pilot as a Crossover SUV, that is what they are. They are not designed for off-roading, but they are designed to provide comfortable, maneuverable, efficient transportation in the suburbs and on vacation.

VehicleVoice internet survey panel members and respondents to AutoPacific's annual Future Vehicle Survey have responded about what type of transportation they will consider next time they buy. Selected details are below the fold.

Continue reading "SUVs are NOT Dead" »

Posted by George Peterson at 09:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Major Change; Improved, but Not Yet Perfect

Ford showed an array of 2008 model year Super Duty Pickups at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. This is a really important vehicle for Ford - both for sales/market share reasons and, more important yet, for profitability reasons.

The Exterior

The exterior appearance is enhanced. More masculine, but not overdone. Very appropriate. Give 'em an A.

ED: OK, give 'em an A, but I would have loved to have seen a bit more Super Chief in the new Super Duties. With the public gaga over the Super Chief, it would have been great if Ford could have pulled off more Super Chief styling cues.

The Interior

The interior appearance is significantly updated, and looks great - fully competitive with the all-new GMT 900 series Silverado and Sierra pickups from General Motors. Maybe an A-.

The Powertrain - New 6.4L Turbo Diesel

The powertrain news is all related to the new 6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel from International, which replaces the prior star-crossed 6.0L. More power (350 HP) more torque (650 lb.-ft.). Hopefully the early 6.0L reliability problems are behind us now. The diesel mix in the Super Duty is pretty high (about 85%) so this engine is really important.

Diesel engine pricing was not announced, but is rumored to be +$1,500 over 2007. That's to cover the increased cost of 2007 diesel exhaust emissions gear. The diesel vs a gas price differential which was about $5,300, will now be about $6,800. And diesel fuel is now selling for $0.40 per gallon over regular grade gas in many parts of the country, largely negating the better fuel economy of the diesel.

So, what will happen to diesel sales and mix this year? I don't know...that remains to be seen.

Line extension to F-450 pickup

Ford introduced the F-450 Pickup. That will help both sales and profits. While F-450 pickups were previously available on an aftermarket conversion basis, here comes Ford with a factory offering - a better truck at a lower cost. Well done Ford! With the move to ever larger and heavier RVs, boats and horse trailers, this is likely to be a profitable niche for Ford. Imagine, 24,000 pounds towing capacity - with brakes to match!

The new Super Duty also has an optional Tailgate Step. Clever! Maybe not the answer to a maiden's prayer, but one more feather in Ford's cap.

Continue reading "2007 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Ford Super Duty" »

Posted by Jim Hossack at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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As anyone reading this VehicleVoice news section knows, GMC has an all-new crossover SUV. With Acadia, and its Saturn Outlook sibling, GM's approach for innovative people-moving solutions still relies on a large basic vehicle. The package is well done, but the extra length GM had to work with versus true mid-size competitors helped make it possible. Acadia has the overall length of a Yukon or a long-wheelbase Chrysler Town & Country, about ten inches longer than the Envoy. With Acadia, GMC is targeting mid-size and crossover SUVs. In reality, they will pull buyers from the minivan set and full-size SUVs right along with buyers of the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, or Toyota Highlander.

GMC invited VehicleVoice and AutoPacific along as they showed off their new baby to journalists along a four-hour drive from Palo Alto to Hollister, California, with a stop at Leal Vineyards (minus a wine tasting), and back again. The weather was spectacular, the roads varied and challenging, and the Acadia a comfortable and willing steed. We've also had the opportunity to drive the Saturn Outlook around our town, where it performed about the same as the Acadia around Palo Alto, but roads more challenging were added to the Acadia experience.

The Acadia and Outlook are powered by the same 275HP 3.6L DOHC 24v V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with a self-shift feature operated by an up/down switch on the gearlever. There isn't much difference between Acadia and Outlook suspensions. The engine was tuned for optimum torque and power response geared toward stronger low-end acceleration, enabling the 4720-pound front-drive (4925-pound AWD) Acadia the power to satisfy in its primarily urban jungle environment.

Continue reading "First Drive: 2007 GMC Acadia" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 01:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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General Motors is rolling out three new crossover SUVs that share an all-new, purpose-built platform. GM has called this platform Lambda for internal purposes. The Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia are on sale now and the Buick Enclave arrives in summer 2007 as a 2008MY vehicle. These crossover SUVs are taking on not only traditional and crossover mid-size SUVs but also full-size SUVs and minivans due to their large size and dimensions (they are nearly as large as the Chevrolet Tahoe). They do not have the towing capability of truck-based SUVs, but do have the other attributes for which buyers go to SUVs, or minivans. They have high seating positions, available AWD, and interiors big enough to hold seven passengers or lots of stuff.

Following the roll-out of the Lambda crossover SUVs, General Motors will kill their conventional minivans (similar to Ford's strategy of killing the Monterey and Freestar minivans). The Pontiac Montana SV6 is already history and its demise will be followed by the Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay and Buick Terraza. Oh, yeah, Chevrolet will get a Lambda Crossover SUV in the next year or so as well.

AutoPacific and VehicleVoice analysts have been included in the reviews of these critically important General Motors vehicles.

General Motors describes their current state as an interior renaissance, and these products are examples of smart interior thinking. They include a level of interior detail not before seen from the General. As these products were developed with a clean slate, new platform, new interiors, new powertrain, GM took the opportunity to make sure they will be easy to live with.

The second- and third-row folding operations are simple and easy to use and the overall package is terrific. One could buy any one of these vehicles and spend the life of the vehicle discovering all the little things that will add up to a product that enhances and eases daily life. It's taken GM a very long time to get to such a solid package design, but they have finally succeeded.

Continue reading "A Three-Row Triple From GM: 2007 Saturn Outlook, 2007 GMC Acadia, 2008 Buick Enclave" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 09:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Which cars and trucks are planted to the dealer's floor? In other words, which vehicles take the longest to sell? Who cars? Why does it matter, anyway?

Well, while it may not seem that important to you, it's critically important to the industry s a whole... from the manufacturese, component suppliers, dealers and quite a few financial institutions. First, if you know the time it takes to sell a vehicle, you know how much it is dragging on the dealer's floorplanning costs. Floorplanning is the term for the amount it costs the dealer to finance the a vehicle in inventory waiting to be sold. If a vehicle has been hanging around for weeks, he'll be more likely to deal aggressively to get rid of it. Also, vehicles that have high days supply may be less popular. From that perspective, they may be the ones you want to stay away from.

Continue reading "Stuck to the Dealer's Floor - Inventory Numbers Tell the Story" »

Posted by George Peterson at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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2007 Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra HD Pickups

GM rolled out the 2500HD and 3500HD versions of the new Silverado and Sierra at the Texas State Fair. Good looking trucks, and improved in every way; body, chassis and powertrain. Some observations:
- Extended cab versions have rear hinged doors, but they open a full 170 degrees, and they have power windows that go fully down. A power sliding rear window is also available.
- No manual transmission available on any models. GM says the demand just isn't there anymore, and the up-down shift capability of their new 6-speed automatics makes a manual unnecessary
- The 8.1L Vortec V8 has also dropped.
- The Duramax now has 365 HP and 660 lb.-ft. of torque. price increment over a V8 gas not yet announced, but get ready, diesel costs are clearly up significantly.
- Tlectronic navigation and integrated trailer brake control are both available.

2008 Ford Super Duty

If the GMT 900 trucks are classified as all-new, the Super Duty might be called a major change. Some highlights include:
- The F-450 is now availabile from the factory as a pickup, not just as a chassis cab. BIG payload and trailer tow capability.

- The new 6.4L Powerstroke Diesel has 350 HP and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, just shy of the Duramax numbers. While the automatic that goes with it is a 5-speed, unlike the 6-speed Allison behind the Duramax.
- Manual transmissions continue to be available. My favorite. I know, I'm in the minority, but I still prefer to shift for myself.
. Ford's big gas engine (the 6.8L V10) is still available. Might be important, depending on the price increase for 2007 CY Diesels and their engine emissions requirements.
- Extended Cab rear doors are still rear hinged, still open only 90 degrees, and still do not have power window availability. Even my dog objects. A worst-in-class feature.
- The tailgate has a cool easy-in/easy-out feature. Wish my pickups had this feature! Must be seen (tried) to be believed.

2007 Dodge Ram

- Essentially carryover, except for the revised 6.7L Cummins I6 Turbo Diesel. 350 HP; 650 lb.-ft. Both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic available.
- Dodge claims a life-to-major overhaul interval of 350,000 miles, "providing more than a 100,000 mile advantage over the competition". Annecdotal evidence seems to support their claim. This is one tough engine! And a factory installed optional exhaust brake is now available.

2007 Toyota Tundra

Toyota showed the regular cab and extended cab versions of their Light Duty ("half ton") 2007 Tundra. It looks great.
- The regular cab has the right amount of room behind the seats for a brief case, duffle bag or tackle box - just what consumers say they want, and more than Ford, GM or Dodge offer. The extended cab has the preferred front-hinged doors, complete with power windows. Again, just what the market wants. These guys do their homework - and appear unconstrained by expenditures or engineering workload!
- No manual transmissions available, but three engines (4.0L V6, 4.7L V8 and 5.7L V8), three cab types (regular, extended and crew), and sereral bed lengths.
- Feature availability looks fully competitive (leather, nav system, independant climate control, 10,000 trailer tow capacity etc).

Continue reading "It's Trucks, Trucks, and more Trucks at Texas State Fair" »

Posted by Jim Hossack at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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AutoPacific Take on Avalanche Win - Owner ratings of styling and image help propel the tough-looking Chevrolet Avalanche to the top of its class. Its flexible cargo area combined with its innovative mid-gate design make it the Swiss Army Knife of full size pickups. Power and acceleration provided by big V8 engines are icing on the Avalanche cake.

IntelliChoice Analysis – The Avalanche 1500’s Cost of Ownership over the course of 5 years was $42,431, $3300 less than comparable vehicles in its class. Factor in the amazing versatility and passionate owner base, and this is one huge Avalanche whose benefits snowball the competition.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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