Top Ten Trucks for Towing

American car buyers have always been fond of large vehicles such as pickups and SUVs. For those who love the off-roads, the pickup is the best choice. The wide range of choices for pickup trucks can often lead to confusion among car buyers. Not only are pickup trucks numerous, they are also offered in different variants. For example, for General Motors pickup, not only do they offer different cab sizes or different lengths of bed but also different suspension settings.

But there are attributes that truck buyers look for in a truck that is instantly obvious - for example the towing capacity of a truck. For serious off-road drivers, a trucks towing capacity is the measure of how good the truck is in real life off-road driving. Forbes recently ranked ten of the best trucks for towing to help truck buyers chose the right truck.

Coming in at first is the International CXT that is developed by the Navistar International Corporation. The CXT is currently the worlds largest pound and has a very impressive towing capacity of 40,000 pounds. The sheer size of this pickup truck is evidence of how much weight it can tow. While this mammoth of a pickup truck looks like it will pass for a commercial truck, one need not have a commercial license to drive it. Impressively, the tough looking CXT is available with a luxurious interior that is complete with plush leather seats, black walnut trim, and a dropdown DVD system for entertainment. It is, of course, obvious that the CXT offers adequate interior room especially with its rear bench which can be folded down. The CXT has a price tag of $120,000.

Number two on the list is the Ford F-350 Super Duty. The trucks towing capacity is rated at 19,200 pounds. While significantly smaller than the CXT, the F-350 is the largest of Fords Super Duty lineup. Along with the rest of its siblings, the F-Series is the best selling lineup of vehicles in the world for more than 25 years. The F-350 is equipped with features which complements its superb towing ability. The truck uses a special transmission with a gear ratio selection specially designed for towing. A telescoping outside mirror also allows drivers to look around trailers. The F-350 comes with a manufacturers suggested retail price of $23,525.

Ranking third on the list is the GMC Sierra with a towing capacity of 16,700 pounds. Similar to the Ford F-Series, the Sierra is also a lineup of pickup trucks from General Motors?GMC brand. The toughest of the family is equipped with a massive 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel engine. While the Sierra is known for its power, it also offers a luxurious interior for some of its variants. The Crew Cab Denali version for example is equipped with a Bose luxury seven-speaker system and a DVD player with a seven-inch screen which folds down from the ceiling for the entertainment of backseat occupants. For its power and luxury interior, the GMC Sierra starts at $27,340.

Number four on the list is another truck from General Motors - this time, the Chevrolet Silverado with a towing capacity of 16,700 lbs. The Silverados popularity is evident in the fact that it is the best selling vehicle of the Chevy brand. Similar to the Sierra, the most powerful engine in the Silverados lineup is the 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel engine. True to the Silverado being a close relative of the Sierra, it is also offered with the same Bose sound system and a rear-set DVD entertainment system. The Silverado has a starting price of $24,485.

Ranking number five on the list is the Dodge Ram 3500 with a towing capacity rated at 16,400 pounds. The most powerful engine available for the Ram is the Cummins 5.9-liter turbo diesel engine. The company claims that their Cummins 600 is capable of delivering, as the name implies, 600 lb-ft of torque for superb pulling power. The power of the engine is complemented by its reliability. According to Dodge, the engine needs a major overhaul after 350,000 miles. The power produced by this reliable engine far exceeds that of a car equipped with a K&N cold air intake system. The Dodge Ram 3500 comes with a starting price of $47,605.

Next to the Ram on the list is the smaller sibling of the mighty CXT - the International MXT with a towing capacity of 16,000 pounds. Compared to the CXT, the MXT weighs considerably less at five tons while the CXT weighs 7.25 tons. The MXT features a cleaner exterior styling but still exudes the same aura of power that the CXT has.

Number seven on the list is the redesigned Toyota tundra with a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. The redesign of Toyota's pickup shows that they are ready to take on the Big Three at their own turf. Since its introduction, car experts have touted the Tundra as an outstanding redesign but needs more in order for it to become a strong contender to the pickups produced by Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler.

Ranked eighth in the list is another Asian pickup - the Nissan Titan King Cab with towing capacity of 9,500 pounds. This is another effort by another Asian car manufacturer to be a strong contender in the pickup truck market dominated by the Big Three. The Nissan Titan has a starting price of $23,400.

Number nine in the list is the Cadillac Escalade EXT with a towing capacity of 7,300 pounds. While the Escalade has been known for its luxurious interior its powerful engine is enough to land the Escalade at the ninth spot of the top ten trucks for towing. With a wide array of luxurious features including a Bose sound system and a DVD entertainment, towing has never been more in style. The Escalade EXT comes with a starting price of $54,430.

The number ten spot is occupied by the Hummer H2 SUT with a towing limit of 7,000 pounds. The H2 is currently the leader in Hummers lineup and carries on the Hummer tradition of being a superb off-road vehicle with god towing power to boot. The H2 SUT starts at $52,230.

Source: http://rssmznkdaqtjuf.blogspot.com/2007/08/top-ten-trucks-for-towing.html

GMC Sierra Crafted To Do Good Work

The GMC is a brand of vehicles, cars, and trucks that has constantly and continually been described as the Professional Grade? At present, this vehicle brand is the truck manufacturing division of the General Motors Corporation, and this brand also manufactures and markets various kinds of trucks. These trucks could actually range from the light duty pickup trucks to sport utility vehicles to medium duty commercial trucks. Some models that are sold under this brand include the GMC Sierra, the GMC Savana, the GMC Safari, the GMC Envoy, and the GMC Yukon.

However, before this brand became a part of the whole General Motors Corporation, GMC has been known as the Grabowski Motor Company. This company is the manufacturer of the earliest commercial trucks in the automotive business. Come 1909, General Motors then purchased this line of vehicles. Later, this then became the basis of the present line of vehicles that we know today. In 1912, the trucks that were manufactured by the General Motors Company was known to be the GMC Truck? however come the year 1996, these vehicles then carried the name and brand GMC? At present times, this line of vehicles produce and craft medium duty trucks, stylish light duty pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles.

One of the vehicles that run under the GMC brand and mark is the GMC Sierra. The latest vehicle model has been redesigned just for the year 2006. The newest vehicle boasts of new and improved features for its exterior and interior. It also sports a bolder look for its front end. The interior of the GMC Sierra has an improved function and appearance. It also has brakes that received the latest upgrades. This vehicle offers an array of the best and advanced engineering features among its segment, thus also providing a better and quality ride. As per functionality, this vehicle would not want to be left behind in the dust, for it has been given the capacity and capability to do hauling and towing.

This vehicle comes with either as a two wheel drive or a four wheel drive. It has also been manufactured in light duty models and medium duty power capacities. It as short bed and long bed bodies. There is also a choice between fenders or full width beds. The GMC Sierra also has an electronically controlled four wheel steering system, which is known as the Quadrasteer. This enhances the vehicles ability to do high speed with great stability. There are many options that come along with this vehicle. The list includes a special full length console with concealed storage for a personal digital assistant or PDA, a cellular phone, a seven quart cooler, as well as a cooled or heated cup holder.

Auto Parts Information manufactures and sells aftermarket performance products and GMC accessories. Auto Parts Information strives to be the ultimate source for GMC parts, performance products and accessories for most GMC vehicles.
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Source: http://myspace-musicuuqzddvbdnr.blogspot.com/2007/08/gmc-sierra-crafted-to-do-good-work.html

GMC Sierra Crafted To Do Good Work

The GMC is a brand of vehicles, cars, and trucks that has constantly and continually been described as the Professional Grade? At present, this vehicle brand is the truck manufacturing division of the General Motors Corporation, and this brand also manufactures and markets various kinds of trucks. These trucks could actually range from the light duty pickup trucks to sport utility vehicles to medium duty commercial trucks. Some models that are sold under this brand include the GMC Sierra, the GMC Savana, the GMC Safari, the GMC Envoy, and the GMC Yukon.

However, before this brand became a part of the whole General Motors Corporation, GMC has been known as the Grabowski Motor Company. This company is the manufacturer of the earliest commercial trucks in the automotive business. Come 1909, General Motors then purchased this line of vehicles. Later, this then became the basis of the present line of vehicles that we know today. In 1912, the trucks that were manufactured by the General Motors Company was known to be the GMC Truck? however come the year 1996, these vehicles then carried the name and brand GMC? At present times, this line of vehicles produce and craft medium duty trucks, stylish light duty pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles.

One of the vehicles that run under the GMC brand and mark is the GMC Sierra. The latest vehicle model has been redesigned just for the year 2006. The newest vehicle boasts of new and improved features for its exterior and interior. It also sports a bolder look for its front end. The interior of the GMC Sierra has an improved function and appearance. It also has brakes that received the latest upgrades. This vehicle offers an array of the best and advanced engineering features among its segment, thus also providing a better and quality ride. As per functionality, this vehicle would not want to be left behind in the dust, for it has been given the capacity and capability to do hauling and towing.

This vehicle comes with either as a two wheel drive or a four wheel drive. It has also been manufactured in light duty models and medium duty power capacities. It as short bed and long bed bodies. There is also a choice between fenders or full width beds. The GMC Sierra also has an electronically controlled four wheel steering system, which is known as the Quadrasteer. This enhances the vehicles ability to do high speed with great stability. There are many options that come along with this vehicle. The list includes a special full length console with concealed storage for a personal digital assistant or PDA, a cellular phone, a seven quart cooler, as well as a cooled or heated cup holder.

Auto Parts Information manufactures and sells aftermarket performance products and GMC accessories. Auto Parts Information strives to be the ultimate source for GMC parts, performance products and accessories for most GMC vehicles.

Source: http://porn-sexpghypt.blogspot.com/2007/08/gmc-sierra-crafted-to-do-good-work.html

GM to cut 1000 jobs in Oshawa

The housing crisis is being blamed for decreased truck sales. In light of the credit crunch, fewer loans are being disbursed and fewer construction workerss are actually at work. With GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado sales taking the hit, GM has decided to cut a shift at its Oshawa, ON plant in Canada. In a factory that employs 3,000 people, that's a direct loss of 1,000. The indirect job losses won't be known for a while, as GM's suppliers and the businesses around the plant make cuts of their own. It represents the first time the plant has run just two shifts since the early nineties.
The move is more regrettable news for the CAW following Ford's closing its Windsor plant and Chrysler's plan to shed 2,000 union jobs in Ontario. With 85% of the Oshawa plant's output coming south of the border, the 7% drop in sales for the two trucks has made them especially susceptible. The potential light on the horizon is that GM plans to build a state-of-the-art factory next to the Oshawa truck plant to build 500,000 cars per year -- but only after closing one of the two car plants that are currently there. It's quite a fall for the region; GM's Oshawa Plant No. 1 was the most efficient plant in North America in 2004.
Thanks for the tip, Peter!
[Source: Report on Business via Auto North]


Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/gm-to-cut-1-000-jobs-in-oshawa/

Another Large Pickup Truck From GMC - the Sierra

General Motors is the worlds biggest manufacturer of trucks and this reputation shows in their lineup of passenger vehicles. They have a lineup of large and tough pickup trucks making them one of the top choices for buyers who wants a vehicle that can conquer not only natural terrain but also has good off-road driving capabilities. Their trucks are known not only for their high performance rating but more so for their size. The size of a truck after all plays a big role especially for those consumers who need a lot of space for their luggage. The size and the strength of the truck are also essential when towing is called for especially when driving on off-road terrain.

One such truck from the ranks of General Motors is the Sierra Crew Cab. This pickup truck defines large in its 20-foot long frame; it can come with an 8-foot bed if consumer opts for the Sierra Extended Cab Version. This vehicle has cargo space at the back of the pickup truck is good for those who need to carry around a lot of stuff. With the Crew Cab Version the space is down to 6.6 feet, but still offers adequate room for normal cargo loads. The shorter bed of this version is still longer and offers more space than some of its competitors.

Size of the truck is evident in its adequate legroom and headspace for passengers and the driver alike. The Crew Cab can sit up to six, thanks to the large space that is common to GMC produced trucks. Next to the drivers seat up front, a bench is present with a fold-down armrest that can be converted to seat two passengers in the front except the driver of course. The second row of seating also has the same feature meaning three passengers maximum can occupy that space or the armrest can be folded to give more space if only two passengers are present at the back.

The enormous dimension of the truck means that it needs a hardworking powerplant that can give out high power output whenever it is needed. GMC has given this lengthy pickup truck with a massive 6.0-liter V8 engine that can churn out 345 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque which can power the truck through some of the toughest terrain. This much power is what EBC Redstuff brake components are made for. The powerful engine gives the tuck close to a ton of payload capacity. That is where its size and toughness plays a major part. And if the Extended Cab Version is the way a consumer wants to go, the payload capacity goes up to over one ton.

In spite of the trucks power hungry engine, its fuel economy is relatively better than similarly sized trucks with equipped with a V8 engine. It has a fuel economy rating of 14.8 miles per gallon on mixed driving, meaning both on the open highway and for shorter trips or city driving. The trucks powerplant, though it is huge and noisy at times especially on slower speeds is much quieter than a diesel engine that consumers can also go for with the Sierra. The vibration of the engine and the noise it made though does not affect the performance of the truck and the comfort of the engine. This fact is due to the design of the body and frame of the vehicle. To add to the comfort of the trucks occupants especially on extended trips, the Sierra comes with an optional ride control suspension that makes the ride quite car-like.

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Source: http://onetlyofplid.blogspot.com/2007/08/another-large-pickup-truck-from-gmc.html

GM Reports 375682 Deliveries In May

The General Motors Corp. delivered 375,682 vehicles in May in the United States and that amount is up by 0.7 percent as compared with year-ago monthly sales. On an unadjusted basis, sales rose by 8.8 percent. The automakers May retail sales of 279,731 were up 8.5 percent. Also, retail sales increased 12.8 percent compared with a year ago.

May sales reflected the strength of the automakers new product portfolio. Increased sales of the Chevrolet Impala, GMC Acadia, Saturn AURA, Saturn Outlook and the Buick Enclave mirror the companys strong positioning in the market for fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. Additionally, the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks became an instant success. The fuel efficient vehicles pushed GM's large pickup segment sales up ten percent in total and 14 percent retail compared with May in the previous year.

GM brands with significant increases for the month include Saturn which is up 59 percent, GMC 18 percent and the Pontiac with eight. Additionally, Chevrolet was again the sales leader in the industry with a five percent increase.

"Our May results were extremely positive as we saw strong total and retail sales increases. Our significant market share gains in full-size trucks and crossovers validates the decision we made to invest in industry-leading fuel economy in these important segments," said Mark LaNeve, the vice president for GM North American Sales, Service and Marketing.

LaNeve added, "We are particularly pleased with the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, which pushed our full-size truck sales up more than ten percent for the month. As with many of our vehicles, these great all-new trucks offer what the customer is looking for - best-in-class fuel economy, terrific performance and tremendous value. And our newest entry to the crossover segment, the Buick Enclave, is performing ahead of our expectations. Dealers are selling them as soon as they arrive from the plant. Our mid-size crossover segment performance, including the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, continues to grow at a blistering pace."

The product rebirth at Saturn continued to gain momentum with total sales increasing almost 69 percent compared with a year ago, stressing the warm public acceptance of the new lineup of Saturn vehicles including Sky, Aura and Aura Hybrid, Outlook, Vue and Vue Hybrid. Saturn's Ion small car is soon to be replaced with the popular Astra. This year, Saturn is the fastest growing brand in the industry.

The Buick Lucerne; Chevrolet Avalanche, Aveo, Cobalt, HHR, Impala, Malibu, Silverado, and Suburban; Cadillac SRX, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT; HUMMER H3; Pontiac G6 and Solstice; Saturn Sky and Vue; Saab 9-3; GMC Sierra; and Yukon XL all had May retail sales increases compared with a year ago. GMC Acadia, Pontiac G5, Saturn Aura and Outlook, and the Buick Enclave are newly offered products and continue to contribute retail sales momentum.

The GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and the Buick Enclave had retail sales of more than 12,800 vehicles thus pushing a significant retail increase in GM's mid-crossover segment as if powered by Accel plugs. The automakers total sales of more than 16,600 vehicles in this segment pushed monthly performance up more than 211 percent, compared with the same month last year.

"We're seeing positive results, including increased residual values for our products, as a result of staying aligned and disciplined to our North American turnaround and market growth plans. For customers, this means providing industry-leading products in terms of design, segment fuel economy, warranty coverage and performance," LaNeve added. "This translates to a beneficial cost of ownership experience. With new products such as the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu coming to dealer showrooms later this year, we expect to build on this customer enthusiasm."

Source: http://cg-congoamttsjisdn.blogspot.com/2007/08/gm-reports-375682-deliveries-in-may.html

GM Two-Mode hybrid transmission plant goes landfill free

The factory that will be turning out all the Two-Mode hybrid transmissions for General Motors, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz and BMW starting this fall will be doing it without sending anything to the dump. Everything that comes into GM's Baltimore transmission plant for the production process will leave either in the form of product or else it will be recycled or re-used.

Baltimore is the eighth GM plant to go land-fill free with ninety-seven percent of the materials being repurposed and the rest going to energy generation in an on-site waste to energy plant. Metal chips and scrap from machining processes are shipped to GM foundries or other plants to be melted down and re-used, while paper products are recycled and oil is reconditioned for reuse. Full details are in the press release after the jump.

GM's Baltimore Transmission Facility Achieves Landfill Free Status
Plant's manufacturing process wastes are completely reused or recycled

Baltimore, Md – General Motors Corp.'s Baltimore transmission plant, which will build the industry's first two-mode hybrid transmission for GM's full-size SUVs and pickups, announced today that it has officially achieved "landfill free" status – meaning it will no longer send any waste from its production operations to landfills.

Changes at the plant – the new landfill-free manufacturing process and a new hybrid drivetrain – will provide significant environmental benefits.

"Our Baltimore facility is a great example of how GM is working to reduce the impact of both our operations and our vehicles on the environment," said John R. Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing. "Many manufacturing plants generate waste along with their products but here at our Baltimore plant, fuel-efficient transmissions for our vehicles are our only output. All wastes generated here are recycled or reused in some way. We are very proud of the environmentally responsible work that has been done working jointly with the leadership of UAW Local 239 and our Baltimore employees that made this possible."

The GM Powertrain Baltimore plant will be the exclusive manufacturer of GM's all-new two-mode hybrid transmission. This leading hybrid technology will increase the fuel efficiency of GM's full-size SUVs and pickups up to 25 percent over conventional gasoline Powertrain systems. The transmission will debut in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon two-mode hybrids that will be available in the market later this year.

Buttermore added, "With today's announcement, Baltimore becomes the eighth GM facility worldwide to reach zero landfill status. Eliminating waste to this degree is a GM manufacturing priority and is the right thing to do for our business and the environment."

As of May, the GM Powertrain Baltimore transmission facility has been operating with landfill-free status for waste materials generated directly from its daily operations. This year, approximately 97 percent of the waste materials from the site (7,300 tons) will be recycled or reused and 3 percent (215 tons) will be converted to energy at a waste-to-energy facility. In 2006, the plant was close to landfill-free status, with 99 percent of its waste recycled, reused or converted to energy.

Items that are recycled or reused at the site this year will include approximately 510 tons of aluminum, 600 tons of steel, 10 tons of alloy metals, 360 tons of wood pallets, 3 tons of paper, 20 tons in empty totes and drums, 250 tons of used oil, 220 tons waste water residual, and 5,400 tons of returnable packaging.

Part of the challenge in reaching landfill-free status is finding uses for recyclable materials. Today, even the tiniest scrap of trash is put to beneficial reuse. Aluminum is recycled by GM foundries that produce engine and transmission components. Steel, alloy metals, and paper are sent to recyclers for reconstitution into a variety of products. Used oil is reconditioned for use as a manufacturing fuel additive. Wood pallets are given to Baltimore area fire departments or sent to energy recovery. Empty drums and totes are refurbished and used again and again.

The plant's total elimination of waste is having an immediate impact on carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions. Over 13,000 tons of CO 2 will no longer enter the atmosphere each year as a result of the plant's manufacturing operations, which avoid CO 2 emissions normally generated when waste is landfilled.

Additional reductions in CO 2 emissions will occur when GM's hybrid vehicles using the new two-mode transmission begin appearing on roadways late this year. A 25 percent increase in fuel economy, and associated CO 2 emission reductions, will result from the hybrid system. The hybrid system uses both electric motors and a gasoline engine to power the vehicle.

Previously, General Motors announced a goal to reduce CO 2 emissions from its North American manufacturing facilities by 40 percent by 2010, based on 2000 baseline levels. In addition, General Motors recently became the first carmaker to join the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a non-partisan group of companies and non-governmental organizations formed to support a mandatory, economy-wide, market-driven approach to climate protection.

Baltimore Transmission is the eighth GM facility to reach landfill-free status. Other GM landfill-free facilities include plants in Tonawanda, NY; Flint and Wixom, Mich.; Gunsan and Bupyeong, Korea; and Kaiserslautern and Eisenach, Germany. In North America, GM facilities have reduced non-recycled waste by over 76 percent since 1997, by either eliminating the generation of waste or increasing recycling. These same North American facilities currently recycle nearly 88 percent of the waste they generate. Globally, the recycling rate for GM facilities is approximately 86 percent. GM was one of the first organizations – and to date is the only automaker -- inducted into the U.S. EPA WasteWise Hall of Fame. This recognition was the result of continual outstanding waste reduction and recycling efforts at GM. For more information about GM environmental initiatives go to www.gmability.com.

The GM Powertrain Baltimore transmission plant, which is located in White Marsh, Md., employs approximately 400 people. Last year, the plant produced 189,000 transmissions that are featured in the award winning Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups. The 425,000 square foot facility opened in 2001.

Source: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/08/28/gm-two-mode-hybrid-transmission-plant-goes-landfill-free/