truth about domestics

According to a Wall Street Journal article, GM Chairman and CEO, Ed Whitacre Jr., has approved around $1 billion for the revamping of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra light duty pickups.  The reason for the substantial update is the fierce competition GM is facing in the truck market, from newer trucks like the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram.  Another reason is the impending fuel economy requirements that will force light duty trucks to improve their mileage in the near future.  The redesigns are expected to see the light of day around 2012-2013.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

The 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon is one mean off-roading machine.  It has the looks, the capability, and the down-right immense brawn to overcome just about any obstacle.  The video above gives you a sample of what I mean.

(Video source: PickupTrucks.com)

So it’s not super exciting.  It is meant to be more inspirational.  Here’s to hoping that it is a success for Ram, or the Ram brand…or the Ram truck?  I don’t know, this is getting confusing…

Dodge originally had two hybrid offerings, the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs.  Those two vehicles were killed before many could be produced, but that hasn’t stopped Dodge from moving ahead with other plans.  According to the Detroit News, Dodge plans to put their two-mode hybrid powertrain in the Ram for the 2010 calendar year.  This is the same system that was jointly develped with GM, BMW and Daimler.  For more, head on over to the Detroit News.

(Image source: Chrysler)

With the ever changing economy, many buyers have switched from their trucks and SUVs to cars and crossovers.  However difficult the times get though, there will still be those out there who need a massive truck with which to do their work.  For those lucky few, there is the new 2010 Dodge Ram HD.  This truck is mammoth, offering superior towing, hauling, ride and handling to its forebearer, as well as some interesting new features.  Head on over to Autoblog for their full review.

(Image source: Chrysler)

Chrysler has decided to split the Ram off into its own brand, making the 2010 Dodge Ram HD the first model to do so.  Not only does the new model come with revised sheetmetal and capability, but it also starts out cheaper than the 2009 model!  Also new is the Ram Power Wagon which is built for serious off-road duty.  For all of the details, as well as the official press release, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Chrysler)

I don’t even really know where to begin with this one, but it’s made of parts from American automobiles, so it deserves a spot on this site!  For more photos of this amazing…thing, head on over to Jalopnik.

The new Dodge Ram features fresh sheetmetal, revised powertrains and now word that a new Power Wagon model will appear in 2010!  This model is designed to appeal to the off-road enthusiast, which means hopefully we’ll soon see a comparison test between this new Power Wagon and the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor!  Stay tuned for more news, but for now head on over to Peterson’s 4 Wheel & Off-Road.

Back in the day (which was a Wednesday by the way), DaimlerChrysler was involved in a Global Engine Alliance, designed to put forth world class 4-cylinder engines for Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai.  Several products (like the Jeep Compass above) featuring this engine are already on the market, but with Chrysler’s new partner Fiat, it looks as though Chrysler might be leaving the Global Engine Alliance.

The reason being that Fiat makes many of its own smaller engines, which would make more sense in Chrysler vehicles to help improve the economies of scale for both automakers.  Automotive news is also reporting that the Ram could get a Fiat diesel, so stay tuned for more news on that front.  For the details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Chrysler)

I’m so tired of people stating that the American 3 don’t make quality products.  Then to make matters worse, people continue to spout garbage about how great Toyota and Nissans’ products are.  If their products are so great, then how do you explain the fact that they both lost market share to the pickups offered by Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge?  That’s right folks, Toyota and Nissan both lost market share year over year on their pickups while Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge all picked up market share.

Toyota had one of the hardest drops, watching sales of it’s new Tundra (from a billion dollar plant recently built in Texas specifically for this truck) fall from 76,516 to 36,106!  For all of the numbers, head on over to Pickuptrucks.com.