First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GMC, First Drive

Usually whenever we head out to a new vehicle press launch, we have to sit through exhaustive technical and marketing presentations before we get a chance to climb behind the wheel. However, General Motors put us straight into a dual-rear wheel GMC Sierra 3500 crew-cab diesel upon our arrival in Baltimore. On the docket? A 130-mile trek from Baltimore airport to Rocky Gap Lodge in the Allegheny mountains of western Maryland with Vehicle Line Executive Rick Spina sitting shotgun.

We actually appreciated this ‘backwards’ approach, because it gave us the opportunity to develop some ‘gut’ impressions of these new trucks even before we got the attendant sales pitch. For a two-hour, mostly highway jaunt, the duallie SLT proved to be a surprisingly amiable companion, but it was just the first of seven different trucks we would drive over the next couple of days. Read on past the jump find out what GM’s new heavy duty trucks are like when sampled in a range of real-world conditions.

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard

First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AP: Nissan to recall 48k trucks, SUVs over potential suspension issue

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Infiniti, Nissan

The Associated Press is reporting that Nissan will recall 48,700 trucks and SUVs for a suspension problem that could lead to an unforgiving ride. The recall, which could officially begin as early as this week, involves the 2010 Nissan Titan, Pathfinder, Armada and Xterra, along with the Infiniti QX56. The recall is related to a suspension control link that may not have been welded properly. If the weld is insufficient, the bushing collar could crack, leading to the kind of ride that bruises kidneys and rattles fillings.

Nissan spokesman Colin Price reported to the AP that the company is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to get the recall processed as quickly as possible. Once a recall is officially announced, Nissan will provide a fix at no cost to the customer. No accidents have been reported as a result of this potential issue.

[Source: The Associated Press]

AP: Nissan to recall 48k trucks, SUVs over potential suspension issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isuzu Philippines Maintains Truck Market Leadership in 2009

According to the combined official figures released by the Truck Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc., Isuzu trucks again outsold the competition in 2009, as it had the previous 11 straight years.

Last year, Isuzu’s N-Series light-duty trucks sold a total of 996 units, or 56.8 percent of Category 3 of the commercial vehicle segment. Isuzu’s medium-duty trucks, including the Forward, were just as dominant, selling 232 units for 57.9 percent of Category 4. Read more

Dreamco Launches New Light Trucks Series

Dreamco Automobile Company Incorporated (DREAMCO) recently rolled out its initial lineup of JMC light commercial vehicles – 4- and 6-wheeler light trucks – at its assembly plant in Laguna.

Jiangling Motors Company (JMC) is one of the largest automotive brands in China with an annual production of 100,000 units. It exports its line of American and Japanese licensed vehicles to more than 60 countries worldwide in regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, Central and South America, Russia, and Southeast Asia. JMC has also displayed its pickup trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicle lineups at the Frankfurt, Russia, Egypt, and Paris motorshows.

The partnership of DREAMCO with Jiangling-Isuzu Motors Company Limited and Jiangling Motors Import & Export Ltd. marks a commitment to providing excellent automotive products. This is supported by an extensive, nationwide dealership network and aftersales support for long-term reliability and lower owning and operating costs. Read more

Isuzu Still Dominates First Quarter Truck and Pickup Sales

ISUZU Philippines Corp. has managed to successfully defend its throne as the leader in trucks and pickup sales during the first quarter of the year, according to official reports released by the Chamber of the Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA). Based on the figures, Isuzu trucks (F-Series and N-Series) and Global D-MAX pickup topped their respective categories in March and nowlead their classes for the January-March 2008 period.

The F-Series and the N-Series sold a combined total of 108 units for a leading market share of 77 percent and 66 percent, respectively. Isuzu light-duty trucks have dominated the segment for 11 consecutive years now. The Global D-MAX topped the pickup category by selling 287 units in March for a market share of 27 percent. The Global D-MAX was likewise the best-selling pickup in the market in February with sales of 258 units or a market share of 27 percent.

As a result, both Isuzu’s trucks and pickup now dominate the first-quarter sales total in their respective classes. From January to March, the F-Series and the N-Series have already sold a combined total of 267 units for an 86-percent and 67-percent market share, respectively, while the Global D-MAX has moved 741 units (26 percent) during the same period.

The news of Isuzu’s continued dominance comes as no surprise as the company has always been known to be the world-class producer of such excellent workhorses as the Crosswind AUV, the Alterra SUV, buses, Powertrain diesel engines and components, and the above-mentioned D-MAX pickup and F-Series and N-Series trucks. IPC has been a force to contend with in the Philippine commercial-vehicle segment for 11 years already.

“Our sales dominance in March and the first quarter of the year only confirms our strong position in the commercial-vehicle market,” said IPC President Keiji Takeda. “Nothing asserts an automaker’s status like the actual vote of confidence of satisfied consumers.”

Isuzu vehicles also dominated global markets last year. Based on actual sales figures compiled by Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan, the following Isuzu vehicles were tops in 2007: cab-over trucks in Japan (39 percent share); light-duty trucks (58 percent share) and heavy-duty buses (60 percent share) in Hong Kong; commercial vehicles in Malaysia (26 percent share) and Singapore (44 percent share); imported cab-over trucks in the United States (64 percent share); commercial vehicles in Australia (25 percent share), New Zealand (25 percent share) and Papua New Guinea (41 percent share); commercial vehicles in Iran (50 percent share), Ireland (34 percent share) and Israel (55 percent share); and pickups in Egypt (71 percent share).

Visit your nearest authorized Isuzu dealership today and check out one of its tried-and-tested commercial vehicles. You’ll understand why these vehicles have been dominating their categories, and how they can help your business dominate as well.

Isuzu Philippines Media Release