TOYOTA TUNDRA

The History of the Toyota Sequoia

December 4, 2019 by admin 4 Comments

The 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro in Army Green.

The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV, based on the platform underpinning the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. This SUV competes in a narrow segment, one dominated by the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition and represented in later years by the Nissan Armada.

Toyota released the Sequoia in 2001. That first-generation model was built for seven years, then replaced it with the second-generation Sequoia for 2008. That model remains in production until this day, an uncharacteristically long time for a manufacturer to stick with the same generation.

First-Generation Sequoia

Upon its debut, the 2001 Sequoia offered a 4.7-liter V8 engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. It is rated at 240 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque. Its fuel economy is abysmal, making just 12 mpg in the city, 16 mpg on the highway, for a combined 14 mpg. At least it runs on regular gasoline.

As always, the Sequoia offers standard rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive. Its original towing capacity is 6,500 pounds. Its 11-inch clearance beats the competition. Optional stability control and side-curtain airbags are two other features of note. The Sequoia seats eight, while its domestic competitors seat as many as nine.

A Refreshed Sequoia

In 2005, Toyota refreshed the Sequoia by refreshing the front fascia and grille, updating the taillamps, and rolling out new packages. Other new features included push-button engagement for the four-wheel-drive system and an optional navigation system.

Performance improved that year too as the V8 engine makes 282 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic replaced the previous four-speed. The fuel economy also improved with the 2005 Sequoia rated as high as 14/17/15 mpg city/highway/combined.

Second-Generation Sequoia

With the second-generation Sequoia, Toyota took another page out of the domestic challenger’s playbook by replacing the original model within the usual 6-7 year timeframe. As before, the Sequoia is based on the Tundra’s latest platform. The 2008 Sequoia gained four inches between the wheels although its overall length is extended by just over one inch.

The big news was the addition of a second V8 engine, this one displacing 5.7 liters and making 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This one works with a six-speed automatic transmission and makes 14/19/15 mpg city/highway/combined.

Among the improvements rolled out were a rear independent suspension and a locking differential on four-wheel-drive models. Other improvements and options included navigation, a rearview camera, a rear entertainment system, Bluetooth, upgraded audio systems, and laser cruise control. The towing capacity also rose to as high as 7,400 pounds.

Changes down through the years included a new 4,6-liter base engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission beginning in 2010. In 2012, blind-spot monitoring became optional on the top-trim model. Beginning in 2013, the Sequoia offered just one engine, choosing to keep the larger of the two V8s.

A Refreshed Sequoia, Take Two

Instead of replacing the second-generation Sequoia, which had already lasted a full decade, Toyota refreshed the model beginning in 2018. Among the new features were standard LED headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lights. Expanded trim levels and new safety features such as automatic emergency braking rolled out.

For 2020, the Toyota Sequoia benefits from additional changes, including expanded driver-assist features, a new TRD Pro trim, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility.

The Future

We doubt Toyota will roll out a new Sequoia. Sales are quite small, averaging 12,000 to 13,000 units annually. That’s less than half the sales the Sequoia commanded when the latest model rolled out and a far cry from the peak 70,817 units sold in 2002. We expect the Sequoia to have at least a few more years left before it rides off into the sunset.

2020 Toyota Sequoia Specifications

Toyota	2020 Sequoia
Segment	Fullsize SUV
Price Range	$49,905 to $65,945
Destination Charge	$1,395
Standard Engine	5.7-liter, V8
Horsepower	381 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.)	401 @ 3,600 rpm
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Seating	8
Curb Weight (pounds)	5,730 to 6,000
Wheelbase (inches)	122.0
Length (inches)	205.1
Width (inches)	79.9
Height (inches)	77.0
Headroom (f,r…inches)	34.8, 34.9, 34.5
Legroom (f,r…inches)	42.5, 40.9, 35.3
Shoulder room (f,r…inches)	66.4, 65.6, 65.7
Hip room (f,r…inches)	62.5, 59.9, 50.4
Storage (cubic feet)	18.9, 66.6, 120.1
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	7,100 to 7,300
Towing (pounds)	7,000 to 7,400
Payload (pounds)	1,300 to 1,405
Fuel	regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	26.4
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined)	13/18/15 (2WD) 13/17/14 (4WD)
Manufacturing Plant	Princeton, Indiana

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

See Also — Iconic SUV: 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser

Photo copyright Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Midnight Edition: 2018 Nissan Titan

May 21, 2018 by admin 5 Comments

On the road with the Titan of all trucks.

2018 Nissan Titan Crew Cab SL Midnight Edtion.

Pickup trucks are the meat of the auto industry, supplying the profits manufacturers need to shore up their operations. This fact is much more pertinent to the traditional US truck manufacturers — GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler — than to competitors such as Nissan, Toyota and Honda.

Indeed, all three traditional Japanese companies have done well with cars and their respective luxury brands, but they also must supply pickup trucks to meet customer demand.

Nissan has two offerings in the mix: its midsize Frontier and full-size Titan/Titan XD. The latter pair fulfills most of the models customers want. Like Toyota, Nissan still leaves the heavy-duty market to the Big Three, with maximum tow ratings and dual axles among them.

2018 Nissan Titan

Nissan Titan: Then and Now

The Nissan Titan rolled out in 2004 and was the first full-size Japanese pickup truck capable of taking on the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra and the Dodge Ram 1500.

Initially, demand was strong, although sales never approached Detroit levels. Nissan kept with this model for 12 long years, with sales bottoming out at 12,140 units in 2015 — less than one-seventh of the peak number attained in 2005.

Fortunately, two new models were in the planning stages, beginning with the 2016 Titan XD, a vehicle occupying the white space between light- and heavy-duty pickup trucks and the 2017 Titan, the official replacement for the first-generation model. Nissan did not offer a 2016 Titan.

2018 Nissan Titan

2018 Nissan Titan Overview and Updates

The 2018 Nissan Titan delivers a few changes, including an all-new King Cab, joining the previous Crew and Single Cab models. A few appearance packages are new too, including the Midnight Edition on my test Titan Crew Cab SL model.

Nissan offers the 2018 Titan with standard rear-wheel drive (4×2) and available four-wheel drive (4×4) configurations. The bed length availability varies by cab length. Nissan supplies one powertrain choice: a V8 engine paired with an automatic transmission.

As I have covered this model and the Titan XD extensively before — here, here and here — this time we will drill down and review some of the finer points about Nissan’s largest model. As you might imagine, there is a wealth of details of interest to pickup truck shoppers.

1. A Titan of Flavors

While the first-generation Nissan Titan offered extended (King) and Crew Cab configurations, it lacked a Single Cab option. It was not a big deal for most shoppers as only a small number opt for regular cab models anyway. Still, to be considered a serious player in this business, offering all three means Nissan has something for everyone.

The single cab offers a three-place bench seat, the King Cab has bucket seats up front and a three-place bench seat in the rear (although the rear seat can be deleted), while the Crew Cab matches the King Cab and delivers more cabin room to go with it.

Naturally, the Crew Cab is the roomiest of them all, delivering large knobs, big storage areas and lots of room to maneuver. If you are making the move from a competing brand, you will find the Titan matches up nicely with the best. It stops short of some of the excess offered (here is looking at you, F-150 Platinum), but you can get leather, heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

2018 Nissan Titan

2. Choose Your Trim

Most Nissan products offer upwards of four trims. With the Titan, you have five: S, SV, PRO-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve. On SV and SL models, you can layer the Midnight Edition trim, but only on Crew Cab Models.

The Midnight Edition is new this year, advancing a now common “blacked out” look found on special editions of most full-size pickup trucks. Here, you will find a body-color grille with dark insert, dark headlamps, black fog lamp finisher, black exterior badging, black mirrors and door handles, 20-inch black wheels, body color front and rear bumpers, black step rails and a dark charcoal interior trim. The ME supplies an aggressive look, although some may find it too overpowering for their tastes.

I generally avoid recommending the base model for any vehicle and that holds true for the 2018 Titan. The base model lacks the chrome exterior trim, available satellite radio and trailer sway control common to this segment. Therefore the SV is a good place to start, with the SL offering perhaps the best bang for the buck. That said, expect your sticker price to approach $50,000 for a Crew Cab four-wheel drive model. Discounts are available, so educate yourself about the current offers.

3. One Powerful Powertrain

2018 Nissan Titan Choose a full-size pickup truck and you will find a powerful engine paired with a capable transmission. Nissan keeps things simple by offering just one powertrain combination: a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission routes power to the wheels.

This combination delivers the performance you need, moving the Titan a long at a steady clip. Of course, this model weighs nearly three tons, so the engine must be up to the task. We have been waiting for Nissan to sign off on a V6 engine for the Titan, but it has not happened yet. Likely, it will be most suitable for lighter duty applications, but we shall see.

Nissan makes it easy to dial in four-wheel drive, with the expected high and low ranges available. The one thing about taking the Titan off-road is that this truck is so darn big! It can handle light and moderate off-road work just fine, but if you intend to punish it, then opting for the PRO-4X version equipped with all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, and an electronic locking rear differential with the included active brake limited slip (ABLS, what senses wheelspin and brakes accordingly) is the best course of action.

4. Payload and Towing

2018 Nissan Titan Payload and towing are important numbers for any pickup truck. When it comes to the full-size Titan, the big numbers are where you expect to find them: with the Single Cab.

The Single Cab delivers a payload rating of 1,940 pounds (1,950 with 4WD) and towing of 9,740 pounds (9,470 with 4WD). King Cab payload numbers are 1,600/1,630 pounds and towing comes in at 9,400/9,240 pounds. With the Crew Cab, your numbers are 1,590/1,610 pounds for payload and 9,400/9,230 pounds for towing. Customers expect at least a 1,500-pound payload limit and trailering of at least 8,000 pounds with their big trucks. Happily, the 2018 Titan gets the job done.

As a side note, if you need payload pushing 3,000 pounds and towing of about six tons, the Titan XD is your better choice.

5. A Mixed Bag of Technologies

What is the Nissan Titan’s weakest link? Surely, all manufacturers have one. In this case, I found the infotainment interface disappointing. Ram and GM offer much better and easier to use systems; Ford has come along way with its SYNC interface. Toyota is perhaps the weakest of all, especially with its available Scout GPS directions app. That app is not dependable as our family has learned with our 2017 RAV4.

As for the model at hand, the screen is smaller than what we like and has a dated appearance. The standard screen measures five inches, while the available larger screen measures seven inches. You still cannot have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone compatibility and there is just one USB port at the ready. The standard six-speaker audio system is what you would expect to find in a pickup truck. The available 12-speaker Rockford Fosgate package turns things up nicely.

Bluetooth is standard and a 110-volt power outlet is an option. Navigation is another option. All models have a rearview monitor and you can get blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert.

Parting Thoughts: 2018 Nissan Titan

So, where does the Nissan Titan stand in a highly competitive segment? In some areas, the Titan is in the thick of things with its powerful V8 engine. Its transmission, however, now trails some models, including Ford with its 10-speed automatic.

Moreover, if you want a different engine choice, you are out of luck. Toyota offers two V8 engine choices, while the US competitors have as many as five options for consumers, including a turbo-diesel. The Cummins diesel in the XD might work here, but it is geared toward power, not efficiency. Notably, Ford, GM and Ram each offer a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 engine available with highway mileage approaching 30 mpg.

Although the Titan gets it done in most areas, it trails the top competitors. That fact might not matter much with Nissan faithful, but it makes it nearly impossible for Nissan to poach shoppers from the Big Three.

2018 Nissan Titan

2018 Nissan Titan Crew Cab Specifications

Nissan	2018 Titan Crew Cab
Segment	Full-size pickup truck
Base Sticker Price	$35,680 ( plus $1,295 destination charge)
Price as tested	$51,610 (SL Midnight Edition 4×4)
Standard Engine	5.6-liter, V8
Horsepower	390 @ 5,800 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.)	394 @ 4,000 RPMs
Transmission	Seven-speed automatic
Seating	5
Curb Weight (pounds)	5,911
Wheelbase (inches)	139.8
Length (inches)	228.1
Width (inches)	79.5
Height (inches)	76.0
Head room (f,r…inches)	41.0; 40.4
Leg room (f,r…inches)	41.8, 38.5
Shoulder room (f,r…inches)	63.3, 63.6
Hip room (f,r…inches)	60.8, 60.3
Storage (inches)	66
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	7,300
Towing (pounds)	9,230
Payload (pounds)	1,610
Fuel	Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	26
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway)	15/21
Manufacturing Plant	Canton, Mississippi

See Also — Bestseller: 2018 Nissan Rogue

New Pickup Truck Shopping Tips

April 3, 2018 by admin 2 Comments

Find the right truck at the right price.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Centennial Edition. — 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Centennial Edition.

If you are in the market for a new pickup truck, you may be considering a brand you are already familiar with. That’s a sensible approach as pickup truck buyers are typically brand loyal. In particular, they are more likely to stick with what they already know and like. For everyone else, shopping for a new truck requires research in an effort to make an informed decision. The following points are worth considering as you undertake your quest.

When Size Matters

When shopping or purchasing a new truck, there are essentially three size categories to consider: medium, full-size and heavy duty.

These days, your medium truck options include the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and the slightly larger Honda Ridgeline. Models from Ford (Ranger) and Ram (Dakota) left the market in recent years, although the Ranger is set for a return.

The smaller models offer extended and crew cab choices. You’ll also typically find standard and extended beds.

The main segment for pickup trucks are the full-size models. The Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan compete in this segment, with each supplying a variety of cabin configurations and truck bed sizes.

The heavy-duty truck market is essentially controlled by the American truck manufacturers. The Ford Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD and the Ram 2500 and 3500 occupy this segment. Each heavy duty line has oversized gasoline or diesel engines.

Nissan also offers a model that straddles the standard full-size and heavy-duty lines, the Titan XD. This truck has a higher towing capacity than the standard Titan, although models such as the light-duty F-150 now match or beat those limits.

2WD vs. 4WD

What you use your truck for will go far in helping you determine what type of drivetrain layout that is right for you. Two-wheel drive trucks come with the rear wheels while four-wheel drive trucks can activate all four wheels as needed. Choose the latter and your truck can give you the traction and off-road prowess as you desire.

The Honda Ridgeline is the lone exception to the 2WD vs. 4WD debate. This model is all-wheel-drive or powered by its front wheels most of the time with its rear wheels activated as needed.

Payload and Towing

Of big concern to many pickup truck owners is how much weight a truck can carry (payload) and how much weight it can pull (towing). These numbers vary from truck to truck and even from model to model. It is advisable to find the manufacturer’s payload/towing capacity chart, usually supplied right on its sales page.

The payload includes the weight of the driver, his passengers, fluids and what’s stored inside the pickup and in the bed. Towing is the ability of any truck to pull something behind it when hitched — such as a boat, a trailer or a camper. Add towing and payload together and you get your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight.

Consider all three numbers when buying a new truck.

Convenience Features

Today’s pickup trucks come well equipped and outfitted with many of the luxury appointments you can find in a premium sedan, such as leather seats, a heated steering wheel and wood trim. Still, when buying any new vehicle, you should determine which amenities are important to you.

Most pickups offer standard equipment such as an automatic transmission, power accessories, cloth seating surfaces, climate control, an audio system, multiple storage compartments and important safety features such as airbags and antilock brakes.

Popular options include fog lamps, off-road tires, power side mirrors, a navigation system, a rear backup camera, folding rear seats, an overhead console, a rear DVD entertainment system and a lined cargo area.

Truck Fuel Economy

There was a time when buying an economical pickup meant choosing the smallest truck and opting for the manual transmission. These days, your choices have improved considerably, although few trucks get 30 mpg on the highway. These come with a turbo-diesel engine.

What you will usually find are trucks that get 25 mpg on the highway, something both the smaller Toyota Tacoma and larger Ram 1500 achieve. The smaller trucks come with inline-four or V-6 gas engines, while the larger trucks are usually equipped with a standard V-6 or optional V-8 gasoline engines. Again, only select models offer diesel engines.

As for transmissions, you’ll find very few manuals. Most pickups have six-, eight- or even 10-speed automatic transmissions. The few manual gearboxes available come with the median-sized trucks.

Other matters to consider when buying a new pickup is its price, with your cost ranging from just over $20,000 for a basic medium pickup to well over $65,000 for a fully optioned heavy-duty model. Each manufacturer offers a dizzying array of model variations, enabling you to customize your truck to suit your needs and budget.

See Also — How to Buy a Repo Vehicle

Bigly Pickup Truck: Nissan Titan Crew Cab

April 19, 2017 by admin 8 Comments

Nissan’s all-new Titan strikes a responsive chord.

2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4x4 — 2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4×4.

Of the six major automakers with a presence in the US, Nissan is easily outpacing the other five. General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota and Honda looked on in envy last year as Nissan posted double-digit sales gains. Even as the market begins to pull back slightly, Nissan continues to outpace the pack.

The Nissan Rogue is the biggest contributor to the brand’s success, so much so that March’s sales tally was close to 40,000 units. Through the first quarter this year, Nissan has sold more than 111,000 Rogues, outpacing the Toyota Camry — America’s perennial best-selling car.

Not all models sell anywhere near as close to the Rogue, but not a few are contributing records sales. The Nissan Titan, a full-size pickup truck, topped 5,500 units sold last month, a record. Although this number is roughly equal to the number of F-150 trucks Ford sales every three days, it is still noteworthy.

After all, until the 2017 Titan redesign — following the introduction of the Titan XD in 2016 — achieving monthly sales of 1,000 units was no small feat. Today, large pickup truck shoppers see the Titan/Titan XD and like what the duo offers.

2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4x4

Nissan Titan or Nissan Titan XD

I’ve spent ample time driving and reviewing both the Titan XD and the Titan. If you follow these pages, you already are familiar with my explanation outlining the differences between the two — the Titan is the standard pickup truck, while the Titan XD fills the white space between light- and heavy-duty full-size pickup trucks.

That also means Nissan isn’t participating in the heavy-duty class, continuing to allow Ford, Chevrolet/GMC, and Ram to control the market. At the same time, the Titan XD provides upwards of 12,000 pounds of towing capacity without the steep price of the heavy duties.

Following the Titan XD’s introduction in 2016, the redesigned Nissan Titan launched in 2017. The first-generation model lasted an uncommonly long 12 years — from 2004 to 2015 — there was no 2016 model.

2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4x4

2017 Nissan Titan Trims

The 2017 Nissan Titan comes with standard rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive. Single and crew cab options are available; there is no extended cab. At least not as of this writing.

The Titan single cab is available in two trims: S ($29,580) and SV ($32,460) plus a $1,195 destination charge. Add $3,030 for four-wheel drive.

2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4x4 The Titan crew cab is available in five trims: S ($34,780), SV ($37,670), PRO-4X ($45,020), SL ($46,380) and Platinum Reserve ($52,310). The same destination charge applies here, but the four-wheel drive premium ranges from $3,030 to $3,090, depending on the trim. The PRO-4X does, by the way, come in four-wheel drive only.

My test model was the four-wheel-drive crew cab dressed in SL trim. Nissan was tame with the packages, including offering only the towing convenience package ($360), pushing the final price to $51,015. At this trim, there are three other packages available: chrome ($1,200), Texas ($1,250), and off-road ($400). I should point out the chrome and Texas packages are an either or proposition — both make important changes to the exterior, with one geared toward fanciness along the lines of GMC’s Denali trim and the other advancing a southwestern look commonly available in this segment.

The off-road package is, by the way, rolled into the chrome and Texas packages. All told, you could pay as much as $52,265 to drive away in a 2017 Nissan Titan Crew Cab SL 4×4.

My test model came with a broad front fascia amplified by LED lights, a massive hood, side vents with “Endurance” badging, and alloy wheels. At the rear is a locking tailgate with a retractable step bumper. A bed management system with rails and hooks is also present.

If there is anything of concern I would have about the exterior is the strength of the retractable step. It held my near-200 pound weight just fine, but some of you guys are beefier, topping 300 pounds…easily! I couldn’t find any information about a weight limit. Personally, I like GM’s corner step bumpers the best in this segment.

2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4x4

Sizable Interior and Generous Amenities

The Titan Crew Cab seats five with generously portioned and comfortable bucket seats up front and a 60/40 split fold-up seat in the second row. That second-row seat also conceals an in-floor storage compartment, ideal for hiding tools and other pricey items out of the sight of prying eyes. Sure, you could still use an in-bed toolbox, but if you’re concerned about theft, the in-floor storage compartment is a nifty feature.

Full-size pickup trucks offer the most interior room of any two-row vehicle on the market. Nearly everything seems larger too — from the massive instrument cluster to a sizable center stack. I especially liked the oversized covered storage area between the seats — it is a great place to stash a laptop or a purse. You’ll also find in-door storage areas with two drink holders and a storage pocket. Four cup holders and seatback pockets are also present.

The Titan SL comes well equipped, adding leather seats, heated front seats, a 12-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, a power-sliding back window with defroster, and a power tilt and telescoping steering column to the list of features.

This model already comes with full power accessories and six airbags. You’ll also find trailer sway control, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and a front and rear sonar system for ease of parking.

Under the Hood and On/Off the Road

For now, the lone powertrain choice is a 5.6-liter, V8 gasoline engine, also available in the Titan XD. The V8 makes 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque and comes paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. A V6 engine arrives later, but it will be available with the single cab only. The EPA rates this model at 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4x4 No, the Cummins 5.0-liter turbo-diesel available in the Titan XD is not available in the standard Titan. I asked a Nissan spokesman about this discrepancy and his answer was decidedly noncommittal. That means either the diesel will stay with the larger model or arrive later. Personally, I think Nissan would do well to make the Cummins as widely available as possible.

As for the V8, it is entirely suited for the task. No, I didn’t have anything to tow, but with 9,730 pounds of towing capacity and a 1,930-pound payload limit, for the single cab, you have a hard worker at the ready. Choose the crew cab and those numbers fall to 9,390 and 1,610 pounds, respectively. But still highly competitive.

Some pickup truck engines seem to strain under the load or offer long shift points between gears. Not so with the Nissan. The Titan isn’t quick off the mark, but as speed builds, it moves with authority. Passing power is excellent and I imagine if you were to tow, you’d be happy with the Titan just as you would with a Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra or Toyota Tundra.

If you choose the four-wheel-drive model, you’ll find a switch-operated two-speed transfer case for shift-on-the-fly action — at speeds up to 60 mph. I’ve taken both the Titan and Titan XD off road several times and can vouch that each one is up to the task.

Parting Thoughts

The 2017 Nissan Titan in Crew Cab form should meet the needs of most buyers. It is a highly capable truck with a ladder frame and the on- and off-road credentials to go with it.

As with any large truck, prices can jump very quickly. For a well-equipped four-wheel drive model, expect to shop in the $45,000 range. At the same time, discounting in this segment is rampant — knocking $5,000 off your price shouldn’t be that difficult, especially as we head further into the model year.
2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4x4

2017 Nissan Titan SL 4WD CC Specifications

Nissan	Titan
Segment	Full-Size Pickup Truck
Base Sticker Price	$49,460
Price as Tested	$51,015
Standard Engine	5.6-liter, V8
Transmission	Seven-speed automatic
Horsepower	390 @ 5,800
Torque (lb.-ft.)	394 @ 4,000
Seating	2+3
Curb Weight (pounds)	5,684
Wheelbase (inches)	139.8
Length (inches)	228.5
Width (inches)	79.5 (without mirrors)
Height (inches)	77.2
Head room (f,r — inches)	41.0, 40.4
Leg room (f,r — inches)	41.8, 38.5
Shoulder room (f,r — inches)	63.3, 63.6
Hip room (f,r — inches)	60.8, 60.3
Storage (bed length)	67.0 inches
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	7,300
Towing (pounds)	9,230 (tow package)
Payload (pounds)	1,620 (tow package)
Fuel	regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	26.0
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway)	15/21
Manufacturing Plant	Canton, Mississippi

2017 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab 4x4

The Full-Bodied 2016 Toyota Tundra Pickup Truck

May 30, 2016 by admin 16 Comments

Behind the wheel of Toyota’s largest pickup truck.

How do you like your pickup truck — small, medium or large? Small pickup trucks are no longer sold in the US, having morphed into midsize trucks beginning about two decades ago. With the Ford Ranger’s retirement in 2011, consumers were left with a bevy of large models and then just two midsize trucks after the temporary discontinuation of the Chevrolet and GMC duo.

Although the midsize truck segment has rebounded — thanks in large part to the reintroduction of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon — most consumers are still buying large. For Toyota, the full-size Tundra and the even better selling midsize Tacoma are offered, accounting for at least 300,000 sales annually in the US for the brand.

The Pickup Truck Market

This writer has had ample behind-the-wheel time with both Toyota models and I must confess my personal preference is with the smaller truck. That’s no slight to the Tundra, but my pickup truck needs come in smaller and lighter.

Oh, for the return of the days when tiny trucks once defined the lower end of the market — compact 4x2s providing room for two and just enough payload capacity to carry a stove or to haul yard waste to the dump. You haven’t “trucked” until you have worked a 4-speed manual gearbox with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder carbureted engine — what also presents an ideal way to learn how to row your own!

Meanwhile, in the large pickup truck arena the product choices include a generous selection of models for your consideration, including the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, an all-new Nissan Titan, and the Toyota Tundra.

The Tundra name has been around since 2000 when it replaced the earlier T-100. The original Tundra is nearly the same size as the current Tacoma before it transmuted in 2007 to its current footprint, to match what the Detroit manufacturers were offering.

The current-generation Toyota Tundra was released in 2014, offering an evolutionary update to the previous model. As before, customers have 4×2 and 4×4 options; three bed sizes; two V-8 engine choices; as well as regular, double, and CrewMax cabins.

2016 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4×4 1794 Edition

With the current-generation model, Toyota also expanded the Tundra’s trim levels to include SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 editions. A 2016 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4×4 1794 Edition was a recent weekly driver, a western-themed conveyance and style also popular among the competing manufacturers. Both the Platinum and 1794 Edition share top billing and prices, and are offered with the CrewMax only.

The Platinum has a more conventional luxury presence with it, while the 1794 showcases its take on luxury with distinct badging, a massive 38-gallon fuel tank (up from the standard 26.4 gallons), a western-themed interior with brown premium perforated leather-trimmed seats, unique floor mats, and still more badging.

So, how did Toyota settle on the 1794 name and what does it mean? Well, 1794 marks the year when one Juan Ignacio de Casanova left the Canary Islands (Spain) and settled in what is now the state of Texas. Señor de Casanova acquired rolling pasture land south of San Antonio, built the JLR Ranch, with that property remaining in his family for more than two centuries before Toyota acquired 2,600 of the 4,000 acres still owned by his descendants.

Sprawling, Well-Equipped Interior

Regardless of which CrewMax model you choose, you’ll find a cavernous interior with room for five adults. Up front are two of the plushest bucket seats you’ll find in this segment — the driver gets a 12-way power operated recliner. In the rear is a 60-40 split-folding bench seat with the seats folding up instead of flat. Just imagine the interior storage possibilities available with this arrangement.

As for the trim level, call it premium — while there is leather everywhere, there are soft touch materials across the top of the dashboard, surrounding the center console, and on the doors — standard Toyota fare with the soft leather expression paralleling what you might find in a Lexus.

Another luxury touch is the steering wheel — wood with leather grips. Behind that is the instrument panel with two large and two small analog displays, with a digital driver information center hemmed in.

Just above the center stack is an open storage compartment, more than sufficiently sized to hold your smart phone or other small device. The center stack is dominated by a 6.1- or available 7-inch color touchscreen display where the automaker’s Entune telematics system is accessed. It is easy to read and is enhanced with a premium JBL audio system with integrated navigation and an app suite. Buttons and switches are at the ready too.

Toyota outfits the 1794 with a boatload of standard features, including power accessories, dual-zone climate control, a rear view monitor, a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, Bluetooth, HD radio and traffic, hands-free phone connectivity, and satellite radio. All models come equipped with two 12-volt power outlets; a third outlet is in the rear. You’ll also find a USB port with iPod connectivity and an auxiliary audio port. Siri Eyes Free is included; neither Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is available.

This model also has a power tilt/slide moonroof with a sliding sunshade. Got thirst? The Tundra makes quenching that easy as it comes with four cup holders (three in the 1794 edition) and four drink holders up front and two cup holders and four drink holders in the rear passenger compartment.

Two V-8 Engine Choices

Unlike competing manufacturers, Toyota doesn’t offer a V-6 engine in the Tundra. That’s not a bad decision because no V-6 can handle what is required of it unless performance boosting is offered, such as turbocharging. The fuel economy advantage of the smaller engines is negligible — expect to average 15 mpg at best regardless of your engine choice. I averaged 14.9 mpg for the week I had the Tundra.

As for the Tundra, you have a choice of a standard 4.6-liter, V-8 making 310 horsepower and 327 foot-pounds of torque and a 5.7-liter, V-8 making 381 horsepower and 401 foot-pounds of torque. Both the 1794 and Platinum editions get the larger engine only. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The larger V-8 delivers ample power throughout the band curve, especially noticeable when picking up speed on a highway entrance ramp. A standard 4.10 differential ratio gives way to a 4.30 ratio with the available tow package, enabling this truck to pull up to 9,800 pounds.

This truck comes outfitted with an independent high-mounted double-wishbone front suspension with a stabilizer bar and a live axle rear suspension with trapezoid multi-leaf springs. Nitrogen gas shock absorbers are at the corners. Opt for the TRD Pro upgrade available with the 1794 and this model gains an independent TRD coil-spring high-mounted double wishbone front suspension with a thicker stabilizer bar and more robust TRD Bilstein shocks.

As for the tires, standard 18-inch wheels elsewhere give way to 20-inch wheels set within Bridgestone or Dunlap tires. A pair of 6-spoke wheel choices are available. Front and rear mudguards are standard across the model line. An engine skid plate, gas tank skid plate, and running boards are available.

The Off-Road Less Traveled

My off-road time was limited to covering a winding, hilly three-quarter mile dirt road coming and going. It was enough to demonstrate to me that the Tundra 4×4 tackles the toughest terrain with authority, pushing through the washed out areas with ease. Bumpy ride yes, uncomfortable no. Today’s trucks can take a beating while delivering a reasonable level of cabin comfort along the way.

You’ll find the off-road and trailer controls to the lower right of the steering wheel. Switching from 4×2 to 4×4 high takes just a few seconds for the adjustment to kick in. And if you’re stuck in a muck, 4×4 low is at the ready. Sorry, no “crawl control” feature along the lines of the Tacoma is available in any Tundra model.

Payload comes in around 1,500 pounds, therefore if your human cargo collectively adds 1,000 pounds you still have 500 pounds of truck bed capacity to carry wood, bricks, concrete, and the like. This truck comes with a deck rail system with four adjustable tie-down cleats. An easy drop lift gate is present. The only thing I would like to see changed is the inclusion of step bumpers along the lines of the Chevrolet Silverado for ease of access to the bed.

Toyota Tundra Considerations

Toyota’s Tundra sizes up well against the competition. It doesn’t have the seemingly infinite number of build considerations of the F-150 and the other Detroit models, but it offers enough choices to satisfy most pickup truck buyers. On the other hand, no heavy-duty version is available.

Perhaps the most significant challenge to the Tundra comes from within — the Tacoma is such a strong and capable player that the Tundra is likely overlooked by some Toyota shoppers. But that’s still a win for Toyota and its effort to support a healthy slice of the pickup truck market.

King of the Pickup Trucks? Why, That Would be GM.

January 7, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

GM sells more pickup trucks in the US than any other manufacturer.

2015 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab.

For the 39th consecutive year, the Ford F-Series was the best selling pickup truck model. For 2015, Ford sold 780,354 units of its full-size truck in the US, once again besting all comers. Ford likes to champion its F-150 model, but the blue oval isn’t the king of all pickup trucks. Instead, that title belongs to GM.

Indeed, GM also had a banner year selling its full-size pickup trucks, but its sales are split between two models: the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Chevrolet registered 600,544 units sold for the Silverado, while GMC sold 224,139 copies of its Sierra. That’s a total of 824,683 full-size trucks, giving GM an edge of 44,329 units over Ford.

GM also sells a pair of midsize trucks in the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. Last year, Chevrolet dealers moved 84,430 copies of the Colorado, while GMC dealers sold 30,077 Canyons. That’s 114,507 midsize pickup trucks Ford doesn’t match as its Ranger was discontinued in 2011.

2015 Ford F-150 SuperCab

GM: King of the Pickup Trucks

Add the 44,329 full-size truck edge for GM to its 114,507 midsize truck sales and GM’s lead widens to 158,836. So, in 2015 GM sold 939,190 pickup trucks to Ford’s 780,354 total and although both are excellent numbers, GM is the indisputable king of pickup trucks.

Ram, like Ford, is another brand that does without a midsize pickup truck. The Ram (formerly Dodge) Dakota was also discontinued in 2011 and there is no replacement pending. Nevertheless, in 2015 Ram sold 451,116 units of its full-size truck, putting it in third-place among pickup truck retailers.

Fourth place belongs to Toyota whose midsize Tacoma pickup truck outsells its full-size Tundra model. In 2015, Toyota sold 179,562 copies of its Tacoma, good for first place in that segment. It also sold 118,880 Tundras, the fifth best selling full-size truck model. Together, the two models accounted for 298,442 Toyota pickup trucks sold last year.

2015 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 4WD Crew Cab

Bringing up the Rear: Nissan Titan

Nissan is another manufacturer where its best selling pickup truck is a midsize model. In 2015, Nissan sold 62,817 copies of its Frontier, finishing behind the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, but ahead of the GMC Canyon. Its nearly invisible full-size Titan model registered only 12,140 units for the entire year, representing less than a week’s worth of sales for Ford.

Titan took the sixth and final place among the large trucks; Nissan’s truck sales totaled 74,957 units for 2015. The good news for Nissan is that an all-new Titan XD and Titan are rolling out this year. A new Frontier model is expected to follow in 2017.

2016 Nissan Titan XD Crew Cab

Upcoming Honda and Hyundai Offerings

One more manufacturer registered truck sales in 2015 and that was Honda. Last year, Honda sold 520 units of its discontinued Ridgeline, a midsize unibody model dropped in 2014. An all-new 2017 Honda Ridgeline debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week.

In the short term, both Toyota and Nissan look to benefit from sales as each brand fields new models. Depending when the Ridgeline appears in Honda showrooms, it will once again register its share of sales, although its overall impact on the market may be minimal.

Hyundai also plans to jump in to the pickup truck market, by offering the Santa Cruz, a model that will compete directly with the Honda Ridgeline. Hyundai is expected to debut a production ready model at a major auto show this year, but we probably won’t see it until 2017. The Santa Cruz is more of a crossover than it is pickup truck, so it won’t be ideal for towing.

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD.

See Also — US Auto Sales Set New Record in 2015

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

GM Beats Ford in Pickup Truck Sales

July 7, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

The Ford F-Series is the indisputable sales leader by model, but GM has the upper hand in overall pickup sales. Looming changes in the segment, including the dissolution of the “chicken tax” may shake up the market further.

Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck sales.

Chevrolet Silverado sales are outpacing the market in 2015.

It has been nearly four decades since the Ford F-Series assumed leadership in the large pickup truck category. Year after year, the F-Series continues to outsell its chief rival, the Chevrolet Silverado, as well as the Ram 1500/2500/3500, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra, and the Nissan Titan.

But Ford is not the top seller of large pickup trucks, at least not now. Indeed, the combined forces of Chevrolet and GMC have conspired to outsell Ford through the first six months of 2015. Specifically, GM has sold 376,672 Silverados and Sierras through June, while Ford has sold 357,180 F-Series (including F-150, Super Duty, and commercial trucks).

This was supposed to be the year when Ford put some distance between itself and its rivals. An all-new aluminum-bodied pickup truck hit the market and analysts expected that vehicle light weighting would give Ford an unbeatable advantage, one that consumers would embrace.

Instead, Ford is still working on getting its manufacturing plants up to full capacity. As a result, F-Series sales are down 2.4 percent year to date. Meanwhile, Chevrolet Silverado sales are up a robust 14.6 percent and the GMC Sierra is up by 8.2 percent. And that’s for a pair of pickup trucks that have relied on traditional styling to win new customers.

***Please continue reading after the chart***

2015 Pickup Truck Sales -- Jan. - June 2015

The large pickup category only tells part of the story about customer demand for these types of vehicles. While Ford is relying exclusively on the F-Series for pickup truck sales, GM has two brands and four model lines to serve customers.

This time last year, GM began to sell a pair of midsize pickup trucks — the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. Combined, these two models have added 56,592 units to the market. Ford, which discontinued its small Ranger pickup truck in 2011 for the US market, has nothing to offer North American customers. A new unibody and larger Ford Ranger is built and sold overseas, but Ford has no plans to sell it in the largest pickup truck market in the world.

GM’s pickup truck advantage through the first six months of the year exceeds 76,000 units. Prior to the release of its new pickup truck lines and its recent sales surge, Ford outsold GM for several years. Now GM leads Ford in the most profitable category and also battles Toyota and Nissan for midsize truck buyers.

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is all-new for 2015.

The rest of the pickup truck segment shows Toyota is continuing its lead in the midsize segment, even as the Chevrolet Colorado has pushed past the Nissan Frontier. Tacoma sales are up 18.2 percent and that’s especially significant as Toyota readies its next generation model for release this fall.

Ram 1500/2500/3500 and chassis cab sales continue to edge up as do sales for the full-size Toyota Tundra. Nissan will release an all-new Titan pickup truck this fall, in a bid to stoke interest in a product that is woefully outdated and outmatched by the competition. With a 5.0-liter Cummins diesel in the mix, the Titan may surprise some.

Additional Changes Forthcoming?

As buyers continue to flock to pickup trucks, a number of manufacturers find themselves on the outside looking in. Honda is preparing its next generation Ridgeline, a unibody pickup truck that has been marginally successful.

But there is another factor that might bring in additional competitors and that is the coming expiration of the so-called “chicken tax,” what has long placed a 25 percent tariff on imported pickup trucks. Set to expire when two new trade laws kick in, manufacturers such as Mazda, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen that once served the US market might find it easier to return. Furthermore, India’s Mahindra Motors could very well renew its earlier effort to enter the market with models of its own.

Lastly, the repeal of the chicken tax could very well have Ford rethinking its Ranger strategy. With the tax removed, factories in Argentina, South Africa, and Thailand, which are currently tasked with building the global Ranger, could be tapped to supply the North American market. That move would gladden not a few Ranger fans who have since departed to competing brands.

Sales data supplied by the respective manufacturer.

Will Ford Continue to Lead in Pickup Truck Sales?

October 16, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

The Ford F-150 is the perennial leader in pickup truck sales. For 37 consecutive years it has been the top-selling nameplate among pickup trucks, easily surpassing the top-selling car in most years. Ford will soon be releasing an all-new model, one with an aluminum body. That lighter weighing truck is transformative, one that has Ford’s competitors carefully watching its progress.

The 2015 Ford F-150 has been placed in the hands of a number of journalists over the past few weeks. Auto Trends has yet to test the new model, waiting for a likely Dearborn media meet up or weekly test fleet inclusion. Certainly, I am not holding my breath about the latter!

Even so, we don’t need to test the next generation Ford F-150 to know that it is a game changer. Ford wants to continue dominating the segment, but General Motors, the Chrysler Group and to a much lesser extent Toyota and Nissan also want to have their say. Indeed, Ford’s aluminum initiative may not mean that it has sealed its place as the No. 1 truck model for the next generation, although it looks that it might have. Still, its competitors may strike back in other ways, effectively eroding Ford’s place as pickup truck kingpin. Let’s take a look at how that could shape up.

General Motors

Chevrolet Silverado pickup.

The current generation Chevrolet Silverado.

Ford has long been a thorn in GM’s side, especially with the F-150. The Chevrolet Silverado routinely trails the F-150 and has never overtaken its nemesis.

Despite its routine second-place finish, GM has a bigger picture in mind. This manufacturer sells its large pickup truck as two models — the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra. Combined, sales of the two models will sometimes outsell the F-150. That happened this past Sept. when GM’s large trucks beat out the F-150 by 4,000 units.

GM also believes that its new line of midsize pickup trucks — the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon — will make a dent in competing model sales. Both trucks are available now; GM had advance orders for 42,000 units — 28,000 for Chevrolet and 14,000 for GMC. There are enough previous Colorado and Canyon owners out there who have been anticipating the new models.

Also, it is likely that most 2015 Colorado and Canyon shoppers currently own GM products, especially considering that owners of the competing Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks are very brand loyal. But with Ford’s Ranger no longer made, GM may lure Ranger owners who don’t want to trade up to the F-150.

GM also has a 1-2-3 pickup truck punch that Ford does not have. That punch represents a range of heavy duty, large and midsize pickup trucks, the only manufacturer with a presence in all three categories.

Ram 1500 Diesel — Increased diesel production should help Ram increase its sales.

Chrysler’s Ram Brand

The Chrysler Group has Ram, what are sold as regular and heavy duty pickup trucks. Like Ford, Ram discontinued its midsize pickup truck, the Dakota, and is employing a different strategy to seize sales by offering an optional diesel engine with its regular duty pickup trucks.

At present, Ram is the only manufacturer to offer both heavy and regular duty diesel engines. Nissan will soon enter the fray with its own Cummins-supplied engine, but it only sells light-duty trucks. Chrysler recently worked with its Italian diesel engine supplier to boost production to meet strong demand.

Toyota and Nissan Pickups

Both Japanese manufacturers have tried to increase sales in the ultra-competitive pickup truck market. Over the past three years the companies have had the midsize truck market completely to themselves as Ford, GM and Chrysler made their exits. That advantage is now gone thanks to GM.

Toyota Tundra pickup.

The Tundra may be tough, but its sales are weak.

As far as large pickup trucks, neither Japanese manufacturer has posed much of a threat to the domestic-based manufacturers. Both have fallen far short of their original and subsequent sales goals.

Indeed, Toyota told Auto Trends in summer 2013 that it expected Tundra sales to increase 30 percent for 2014. Unfortunately, the company opted for a modest generational update even as its competitors had recently completed or set in motion plans for much more extensive changes. Through September, Tundra’s year-to-date sales were up by 8.6 percent, well below its forecast. Likely, it will be several more years before we see the next generation Toyota Tundra.

Nissan Titan sales have never been much to talk about. Introduced in 2004, this full-size pickup truck is still a year away from its second edition. That’s an uncommonly long time to keep a truck in place without a change. Titan sales are down by more than 20 percent through September and it seems likely that Nissan will fall far short of 20,000 units sold for the year or what Ford routinely sells every 10 days with the F-150. Still, Nissan has a new truck planned, one that may leapfrog Toyota in design, engineering and technology.

GMC Canyon. — This GMC Canyon might help GM outsell Ford.

The Coming Years

Stiffer corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) ratings over the coming decade will force manufacturers to produce more efficient models. Pickup trucks are notoriously poor performers, with large trucks typically averaging no more than 20 to 25 mpg on the highway. Manufacturers must offset these vehicles with an assortment of lightweight, fuel efficient models elsewhere — hybrids, fuel cell vehicles and a greater number of diesel-powered models in the overall product mix will help.

The company that will struggle the most to reach these goals is the Chrysler Group. Ram sales represent a big slice of what this manufacturer makes, skewing the CAFE numbers accordingly. Jason Lancaster, editor of TundraHeadquarters.com, believes that Ram will have to increase its mix of diesel and V-6 engines to meet the ever tougher requirements. Said Lancaster, “While Ram can cheap sell Pentastar V6 powered 1500s all day long, they cant do that with the diesel. Whats more, truck buyers who are eager to lay down $30k on a half-ton with a decent (yet somewhat lumbering) V6 arent as common as Ram would like them to be.”

As for Ford’s pickup truck leadership, Mike Rabkin, President, From Car to Finish believes that the four GM models will outsell the Ford F-150. However, Rabkin wasn’t sure how GM would take its position as “most selling pickups of any manufacturer,” and turn it into a marketing advantage. Rabkin also believes the F-150 will retain its place as best-selling pickup truck model no matter what GM does.

Both experts had different takes on what Ford and its competitors should do in the coming years. Rabkin is for Ford bringing back the Ranger, a model it sells in other markets, while Lancaster is adamantly opposed to that move noting, “Ford needs economies of scale to maximize the investment theyre making in the F-150, and as we saw when Ford eliminated Ranger sales, the Ranger mostly competed with the F-150. Getting rid of the Ranger allowed Ford to invest more in the F-150.” The foreign sold Ranger, incidentally is of unibody construction, the same as the poor-selling Honda Ridgeline. Competing trucks from GM, Toyota and Nissan retain the body-on-frame characteristics that truck owners prize.

It probably will take until next summer to fully appreciate the new F-150’s impact on the market. Should Ford stumble, its competitors will look to jump in. Even so, Ford has been carefully protecting its position for decades and will do its part to ensure that the F-150 remains the first choice for pickup truck buying consumers.

Photos courtesy of Ford and GM. Remaining photos property of Auto Trends Magazine.

Big Incentives Await Pickup Truck Shoppers

February 27, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

If youve been holding back on buying a new pickup truck consider this: March 2014 may be the start of something big, as in incentives, and on a wide variety of vehicles.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado. — Big March 2014 incentives for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Chevy Truck Month

General Motors has thrown the gauntlet down as it intends to make March a Chevy Truck Month in a bid to reduce bloated inventories. Chevrolets incentives are expected to extend to other Chevrolet products and will most likely cause competitors to respond in kind.

Deep discounting got GM, Ford and Chrysler in trouble before the last recession, leading two of the companies to declare bankruptcy, while the third avoided a similar fate by hocking its assets in advance of the historic downturn. Without a doubt, all three domestic-based automakers are in a much stronger position in 2014 than they were in 2009, but the stepped-up discounting will eat into profits.

Chevrolet Truck Month spans from March 1 through March 31, enabling Silverado truck buyers to snap up a new pickup truck at supplier pricing. That means you can buy a truck for the dealer invoice price plus the destination charge and a $150 program fee reports Automotive News. Essentially, youll see at least $4,000 to $5,000 shaved off of the sticker price, perhaps much more for super duty models.

***Reference — Automotive News: Chevy to Boost March Incentives in Unprecedented Promotional Assault***

The Toyota Tundra seeks its own place in a competitive segment.

Pickup Truck Competition

The Chevrolet incentives come as GM wrestles with a segment that is increasingly tilted toward the Ford F-150. The Ford F-150 outsells the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado combined, leading GMs big pickups by about 100,000 units annually. Both GM trucks were all new for 2014 while Ford is on its last year with the current generation model. Sales for the GM trucks are not meeting expectations while Ford continues to succeed with its six-year-old model.

GM is also faced with the prospect of falling further behind when the 2015 Ford F-150 is released later this year. The new Ford model embraces lightweighting, utilizing aluminum to drop up to 700 pounds without losing its overall strength. That will give Ford a five-year jump on GM which just this past week made its own commitment to vehicle lightweighting, an effort that wont kick in before 2019 when newly redesigned Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks hit the market.

***Reference — Auto Trends: GM Pickup Truck Lightweighting to Follow Ford’s Lead***

Ford F-150

Vehicle lightweighting could tilt the market further for Ford.

Rethinking Incentives

It isnt just truck sales that have GM and other manufacturers worried: new vehicle sales are not growing nearly as fast this year as they have in the past five years. Indeed, Jan. 2014 sales fell by 3.1 percent over Jan. 2013, with GMs sales dropping by nearly 12 percent. Feb. 2014 sales are expected to come in flat at best as bad weather across much of the eastern half of the US, effectively offsetting the usual Presidents Day incentives.

Manufacturers are also coming to terms with their rosy sales projections, but they aren’t slashing production, at least not yet. Instead, the pricing discipline of the past five years seems threatened a boon for consumers, but a bane for company profits. GM intends to protect its large pickup truck market share even as demand slows and as it readies a pair of midsize trucks to supplement its two truck lines.

Expect that Toyota with its Tundra and Nissan with its Titan will also be discounted. Sales of the Ram 1500 remain strong, but Fiat Chrysler may respond if market share is threatened. Lastly, Ford wont let its sales slip even as a lighter and more efficient F-150 is prepared for the market.

***Reference — Reuters: Global Auto Sales Forecast Rosy, With Reservations, for 2014***

GM Pickup Truck Lightweighting to Follow Ford’s Lead

February 20, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

Next generation GMC and Chevrolet pickups will include more aluminum.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country. — The Chevrolet Silverado may see a big weight
reduction in five years.

Fresh off of a new design, the next generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks wont hit the market for about another five years. When those trucks arrive, theyll likely include vast amounts of aluminum, following a path that the Ford Motor Company is taking beginning with the 2015 Ford F-150.

Aluminum Contracts Signed

The Wall Street Journal has reported that GM recently inked an agreement with two aluminum suppliers, Alcoa and Novelis, to supply the automaker with aluminum sheet for pickup trucks. It takes several years to align production with demand, giving GM enough time to secure the supply while it develops a new design.

GMs switch to aluminum is prompted by Fords move, what effectively gives its largest pickup truck competitor an edge in this highly competitive and lucrative segment. The automaker is also being pressured by federal regulators intent on raising fuel economy across the board including for pickup trucks. These trucks average about 20 mpg, but typically make just 15 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

Expanded Truck Line

Unlike Ford which has poured its entire resources into advancing its full-size truck line, GM has sought improvements in fuel economy by reintroducing a pair of medium-sized trucks: the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Both models hit the market this year as 2015 model year vehicles.

All three of the other truck manufacturers are also taking steps to make their trucks more efficient. For Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the 2014 Ram 1500 now offers a 3.0-liter six cylinder diesel engine, the first manufacturer to offer such an engine in this class. That engine is rated at 28 mpg on the highway providing best-in-class fuel economy.

Nissan has reached an agreement with Cummins, Inc. to supply its next generation Titan pickup truck with a 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Cummins also supplies a 6.7-liter inline six cylinder engine for Rams heavy duty trucks, while Ford and GM super duty trucks take a similar approach. Reports have also indicated that Toyota may tap Cummins for the same diesel engine destined for the Titan for its own Tundra line.

Lightweighting Done Right

Vehicle lightweighting means that manufacturers are also able to go with smaller engines as they shed excess heft. The 2015 Ford F-150 loses about 700 pounds and will also offer a 2.7-liter V-6 engine, what previously was considered too small. The new engine is turbocharged and uses direct fuel injection, the same technology found in a 3.5-liter Ford V-6 engine on the market since 2011.

While Ford and GM compete for pickup truck sales, the two manufacturers are also collaborating on new 9- and 10-speed transmissions what will be used in a variety of vehicles including pickup trucks. The current collaboration builds on an earlier one where the companies jointly developed six-speed transmissions.

Raising large pickup truck mpg is an important step toward helping manufacturers meet a 54.5 mpg equivalent fuel economy average federal mandate for its fleet by the 2025 model year. That threshold was adopted in Aug. 2012. An assortment of alternative fuel vehicles including hybrids, electric vehicles, and hydrogen-powered models will help raise those averages, but improvements in pickup truck efficiency must also be realized. Lightweighting may yield the biggest savings up front with smaller engines and more efficient transmissions following.