America's Top 10 Selling Vehicles in 2010

The U.S. auto sales numbers for 2010 are out and once again, Ford's F-Series pickup truck has been crowned the best-selling vehicle of the year, a title which it has held for 34 years in a row. According to Autodata Corp., the Dearborn-based brand moved 528,349 units of its F-150 light-duty and F-250, F-350 and F-450 heavy-duty trucks in 2010, recording an impressive increase of 27,7 per cent over 2009.

The Chevrolet Silverado took second place with 370,135 units, or some 158,000 less than the F-Series. Sales of GM's pickup truck were up 16,9 per cent from the previous year.

Despite Toyota's recall debacle, the Camry finished third overall earning the title of the best-selling passenger car in the States with 327,804 units, posting an 8.1 per cent drop from 2009. The Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla followed in fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Overall, U.S. automakers had four vehicles on the Top 10 list, while Japanese carmakers took six spots. For more details check out the complete list below that includes percentage changes from 2009.

1. Ford F-Series------------- 528,349 (+27.7%)
2. Chevrolet Silverado ------370,135 (+16.9 %
3. Toyota Camry ------------327,804 (-8.1 %)
4. Honda Accord-------------282,530 (-1.7 %)
5. Toyota Corolla------------ 266,082 (-10.4 %)
6. Honda Civic---------------260,218 (+0.2 %)
7. Nissan Altima-------------229,263 (+12.6 %)
8. Ford Fusion---------------219,219 (+21.3 %)
9. Honda CR-V-------------- 203,714 (+6.5 %)
10. Dodge Ram-------------- 199,652 (+12.6 %)

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2011/01/america-top-10-selling-vehicles-in-2010_05.html?m=0

Automakers Developing Significantly Lighter Trucks to Meet New Fuel Economy Standards

Reuters is reporting that major automakers are tirelessly working on reducing the weight of future generation pickup trucks, in order to meet stricter fuel economy standards without sacrificing key abilities, such as power, payload capacity or towing capability.

Until 2016, when the new mandates take effect, manufacturers must reach an average fleet economy of 35.5 mpg (6.63 lt/100 km), while light trucks will have to return around 30 mpg or 7.84 lt/100 km. Given that around 50 per cent of vehicles sold in the U.S. in the first 11 months of the year were light trucks, it’s clear that the likes of Ford and GM have to act fast.

One way of improving fleet economy is by launching EVs and hybrids, but that’s not enough. The average weight in the pickup segment is nearly 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg) and it’s critical to reduce it if the new guidelines are to be met.

Most of the bulk is due to added comfort, electronic and safety features, which made America’s “workhorses” more enjoyable to own over the past decade. But the same equipment also increased weight by 22%, while fuel economy boost was just 2 percent.

To eliminate the aforementioned added features is not an option, as buyers certainly won’t tolerate poorly equipped or less safe products. Same goes for the powerful engines and solid structures, which define the pickup trucks. That leaves makers with just one option: the use of lighter materials, but comparable in strength or other qualities to traditional solutions.

GM is spearheading these efforts with its upcoming Chevrolet Silverado series, due to arrive in 2014. According to the plan, the Chevy trucks are going to be 500 pounds (227 kg) lighter by 2016, while further reductions are expected in the next decade.

To achieve this, engineers plan to use alongside other solutions, blown-in foam as sound deadening material, instead of a cheaper, but heavier, pad.

“It's a tough task, but we're facing it as grown-ups”, said Rick Spina, who leads full-size truck development for GM. “We're going to do everything we can to keep the customer from realizing we've had to make changes in a fundamental way”.

Meanwhile, Ford is reportedly planning to implement a magnesium alloy frame and aluminum body panels for the next generation F-150. Inside sources revealed that these measures could shave as much as 800 pounds (363 kg) off its hot-selling truck series. GM will also use similar lightweight materials for its trucks according to Rick Spina.

However, building the lightweight trucks is one thing and marketing them, another. Lightweight materials cost more and pickup truck prices are likely to increase, which could affect sales. One thing is certain, though: the U.S. government is keen to further reduce overall fleet consumption, as automakers may have to achieve CAFE standards of 62 mpg (3.79 lt/100 km) by 2025.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Reuters

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http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/automakers-developing-significantly_28.html?m=0

GM Issues Separate Recalls on Cadillac CTS and Escalade, and Chevy and GMC Trucks

General Motors is recalling close to 100,000 vehicles in two separate campaigns. In a posting with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], GM said the first recall affects almost 96,000 Cadillac CTS sedans from the 2005-2007 model years over concerns that some of the vehicles have a condition in which repeated flexing of the passenger sensing system mat in the passenger seat may break the connection. The company said that if this occurs, the sensor may not detect the presence of a front seat passenger and will disable the air bag.

Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge, however, GM has yet to provide an owner notification schedule for the CTS recall.

The second recall from GM concerns approximately 1,260 Cadillac Escalades, Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado 1500s, and GMC Sierra 1500s, all from the 2011 model year. These trucks may have a faulty rear-axle cross pin, which could fracture and become displaced within the axle.

GM said that if the pin shifts out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock, in which case, the driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning.

The company added that this safety recall is expected to begin during January 2011.

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http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/gm-issues-separate-recalls-on-cadillac_23.html?m=0

Chevrolet Video Teases 2010 SEMA Show Tunes

Next up on our motor show calendar is the biggest tuning event of 2010, the SEMA gathering in Las Vegas, and like every year, GM will be there with a huge display of vehicles. This time, the General is video-teasing some of the Chevrolet models that will descend on the Las Vegas convention center next month including several Corvettes, Silverados and you guessed it, a boat-load of Camaro builds. Scroll down to watch the clip.

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Chevrolet Prices 2011 Silverado HD from $28,960

General Motors released pricing for its updated 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD pickup truck range. Base pricing starts at $27,965, which excludes a $995 destination charge, while an upgrade to the 397 HP and 765 lb-ft of torque Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission combination will cost buyers an extra $8,395 for a total of $37,355, which is the same amount as the 2010MY.

The refreshed Silverado HD will be offered in work truck, LT and LTZ trim levels, with production set to start in May. First deliveries are expected in early June, 2010.

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/04/chevrolet-prices-2011-silverado-hd-from.html?m=0

2011 GMC Sierra HD gets New 6.6-Liter V8 Diesel with 397HP and a Denali Edition

About a month after the introduction of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, General Motors released details on the Chevy's twin and the firm's second rival to Ford's 2011 F-Series Super Duty, the 2011 GMC Sierra Heavy-Duty (HD) that will go on sale this summer.

Featuring the same mechanical tweaks as the latest Silverado, the GMC Sierra enters the 2011 model year with a new 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel, suspension and brake upgrades as well as a new Denali version.

We already knew about the 6.6-liter V8 diesel from the Silverado, but GM has now released output figures for the new engine that delivers 397 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm) at 1,600 rpm.

GM is still holding back the mpg numbers, but the company did say that with the diesel engine the Sierra can cover a distance of around 680 miles on the highway from the 36 gallon tank, which comes to 18.8 mpg US.

The Sierra HD is also offered with a 6.0-liter V8 gasoline engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.

GM says that the 2011 model has an increased towing capability of up to 20,000 lbs./9,072 kg) and payload of up to 6,335 lbs./2,873 kg (depending on the version).

For the first time, GMC will offer a premium version of the Siera bearing the firm's Denali nametag.

The Sierra Denali HD comes exclusively on the 2500HD chassis, in a 4WD crew cab standard box configuration and is available with both the gasoline and diesel V8s.

Special features include the four-bar, chrome grille with round air inlets, body-color bumpers, chrome door handles, chrome accents and 18- and 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels.

Inside the cabin benefits from specific brushed aluminum trim, power-adjustable pedals, a Bose premium surround audio system and 12-way power seats. A heated steering wheel, heated and cooled leather-appointed seating is optionally available.

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/03/2011-gmc-sierra-hd-gets-new-66-liter-v8.html?m=0

Chevrolet Bows New 2011 Silverado HD Full-Size Truck at Chicago Auto Show

Boasting a completely new chassis and updated mechanical hardware, the new 2011 Chevrolet Silverado made its official debut today at the Chicago Auto Show. And if it looks no different than the 2010MY, that's because General Motors focused its attention on what matters most for work trucks the chassis and engine lineup resulting in improved payload and trailer capability as well as better fuel economy.

The most significant change to the 2011 Silverado is the all-new, fully-boxed frame assembly. GM says that the bending and beaming stiffness of the frame is increased 92 percent and 20 percent, respectively, with the fully boxed sections enhancing torsional stiffness by a factor of five.

There's also a redesigned independent front suspension system that offers up to a 25-percent greater front axle weight rating – up to 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) front gross axle weight rating (FGAWR), while at the back, there's new, larger asymmetrical leaf-spring design.

The standard four-wheel disc system has also been upgraded with a set of larger 14-inch front and rear rotors while Duramax-equipped models now get a new exhaust brake system.

Under the hood, GM re-engineered the Duramax 6.6-liter V8 diesel delivering more power and torque along with an 11 percent increase in fuel economy on the highway.

The Duramax is linked to an Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission that has been strengthened to handle the higher torque capability of the improved diesel engine.

The company said that with the Duramax/Allison combination, preliminary testing showed 0-60 mph times of less than 9 seconds and quarter-mile times of less than 16 seconds in 2500HD models. That's about 0.3-second and 0.5-second quicker, respectively, than previous models.

For those that prefer gasoline fuel, the Vortec 6.0-liter V8 with variable valve timing returns to the new heavy-duty trucks, along with a strengthened version of the Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic transmission.

Detailed specifications on both engines are to be released at a later date.

So what does all this mean in terms of towing and payload capability? According to GM, the maximum conventional (ball hitch) towing rating has been increased to 16,000 pounds (7,257 kg), while the 3500HD crew cab/long box can tow up to 20,000 pounds (9,091 kg) with a fifth-wheel hitch. The maximum payload capability for the 3500HD is 6,335 pounds (2,873 kg).

As for the styling updates, most will find it hard to spot the differences as they are limited on the outside to a power dome-style hood with a new, louvered design, restyled grille and full-width chrome steel front bumper plus a new lineup of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheel/tire combinations.

The new Silverado will go on sale in the States this summer.

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/02/chevrolet-bows-new-2011-silverado-hd.html?m=0