Wild-Ass Rumor Of The Day: GM Considering Front-Drive Pickup?

by Edward Niedermeyer

March 23rd, 2011 3:19 PM

wild ass rumor of the day gm considering front drive pickup

Reflecting on the recently-previewed Chevy Colorado Concept, Automotive News [sub]’s Rick Krantz notes

During an interview this year at the Detroit auto show, Jamie Hresko, then vice president of GM global powertrain engineering, strongly suggested the automaker was exploring a new mid-sized pickup. He resigned in late February to pursue other opportunities.

To meet proposed higher U.S. fuel economy and lower emissions standards, automakers that sell in the United States eventually will need to develop a leaner range of pickups, Hresko said.

At some point, especially with the likelihood of higher gasoline prices down the road, a smaller, lighter-weight pickup is inevitable…

But just because something is inevitable doesn’t mean GM is going to lead on it. And, as Krantz reveals, the departed powertrain boss never said anything about specific plans.

As you look around the industry, Hresko said, “what you have seen is a massive shift to smaller, more efficient [vehicles], so I think it applies to every segment,” including pickups.

An increase in energy costs is “inevitable with the expansions in China and other regions. Logic would say prices will go up” and some pickup buyers will be looking for a more fuel efficient alternative, he said.

“My point is the general population will eventually walk there. I do believe that. I am not sure what the marketers think. To me it is logical,” Hresko said.

OK, so Hresko is only hinting at a front-drive pickup in the most vague terms possible… and he’s no longer at GM. Even by our wild-ass standards, this is one wild-ass rumor. Still, it’s been a long time since any auto exec has even entertained the possibility of a front-drive pickup, most surviving examples of which are headed to the crusher. Besides, when GM already builds a rear-drive “ute” pickup based on the Holden Commodore chassis that gets 27 MPG (non-EPA), why go front-drive at all? One thing is for certain: with CAFE increases coming, GM can’t afford to do nothing about its truck lineup.

#FuelEconomy #FutureVehicles #Trucks #WAROTD

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The Luigiian on Mar 24, 2011

Oh, c'mon. We don't need FWD to make a compact truck. Ford-Take Mustang platform. Shorten wheelbase or keep the same. Reduce hood length for four cyl/six cyl rather than six cyl/eight cyl duty. Keep live rear axle. Increase headroom (heighten cabin space). Raise suspension 1"-2". Replace backseat and trunk with pickup bed. Name "Ford Ranger", "Ford Courier" or "Ford Ranchero." You have an excellent compact truck platform in the Mustang, Ford, it just happens to be being used in a ponycar rather than a useful little pickup. Chevy: Do what Ford should do, only do it with the Camaro.

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Psarhjinian on Mar 24, 2011
Besides, when GM already builds a rear-drive “ute” pickup based on the Holden Commodore chassis that gets 27 MPG (non-EPA), why go front-drive at all? One thing is for certain: with CAFE increases coming, GM can’t afford to do nothing about its truck lineup. Going front-drive makes sense, but you need to redefine what you're calling a pickup. The Zeta platform is huge and heavy, as are the unibody platforms that comprise most crossovers. There's not much of a win there. Now, a trucklet based on the Sonic or Fiesta, or even an open-bed Transit Connect, that's another story. Whether or not such a thing would make sense (or if notoriously macho North American truck buyer would support it) is unknown and unlikely. Recall that North American truck buyers scoffed at the Ridgeline and the Baja; I doubt they'd take such a think seriously unless their backs were up against the wall. Gas would have to be astronomically expensive for it to make sense.

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