Ford launches ad campaign for 2015 F-150 trucks

This is one of three new commercials, released on December 30, for the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 full-size trucks.

Clean Sweep: Chevy wins 2014 NACTOY Awards

2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year winners.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (left) and Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (right).

Corvette Stingray, Silverado pickup represent brand’s first double win  

DETROIT (GM) – The all-new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Silverado 1500 are the 2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year.

It is the first time Chevrolet has won both awards in the same year. The Silverado was last named Truck of the Year in 2007 and the Corvette was last named Car of the Year in 1998.

“Chevrolet is in the midst of the most aggressive product transformation in the brand’s more than 100-year history,” said Alan Batey, General Motors senior vice president, Global Chevrolet. “The Corvette and Silverado truly embody the passion, commitment and focus that is driving us to deliver the most expressive designs, innovative technologies and engaging performance in every vehicle that wears the bowtie,”

The Corvette received 211 points topping the Mazda3 with 185 points and the Cadillac CTS with 94 points. The Silverado received 219 points to the Jeep Cherokee with 174 points and the Acura MDX with 97 points.

GM Kicks Off 2014 NAIAS with 2015 GMC Canyon Unveiling

DETROIT (GM) – GMC revealed the 2015 Canyon Sunday night at an event kicking off the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  Canyon is an all-new midsize truck that redefines the segment and raises the bar for everything from horsepower and efficiency to quietness and refinement.

2015 GMC Canyon SLT Crew Cab
Photo: GM Media

When it goes on sale later this year, the all-new Canyon will give GMC one of the only three-truck lineups in the industry, similar to its corporate cousin, Chevrolet, which also will have a three-truck lineup with the recently introduced 2015 Colorado joining the Silverado 1500 and Silverado 2500 HD.

Canyon is expected to deliver class-leading capabilities with the GMC's signature refinement – all in an efficiently sized, maneuverable package for customers who want the cargo-hauling and trailering versatility of a truck without the size of a full-size pickup.

GM Unveils 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup Truck

I don't know why GM dumped the the previous Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon midsize pickups after the 2012 model year before they had replacements ready to sell, but we are finally getting a look at what the new midsize truck offering that will join the Bowtie's full-sized Silverado and Silverado HD models.

2015 Chevorlet Colorado Crew Cab
Photo: GM Media

Chevy unveiled the upcoming 2015 Colorado at the recent Los Angeles International Auto Show, filling out what GM calls the industry's only three-truck portfolio.  

According to GM, the new Colorado is built with the DNA of a true Chevy truck and is expected to deliver class-leading power, payload and trailering capabilities.

“Our strategy is simple: meet the needs of the broadest possible customer base, and let them choose precisely the right truck to meet their needs,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president and president of GM North America. “The all-new Colorado benefits from the solid foundation established by the Silverado, and it reinvents the midsize truck while reinvigorating the segment at the same time.”

2012 Ram 1500 and 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Win "Best for the Money" Accolades from U.S. News & World Report

AUBURN HILLS, MI (PRNewswire) -- The 2012 Ram 1500 has been named U.S. News & World Report's "2012 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money" and the 2012 Jeep® Wrangler has been named the "2012 Best Off-Road SUV for the Money." The Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler took top honors for outstanding value and availability of features buyers want.

RAM 1500

"The Ram Truck brand is meeting the needs and expectations of our customers with the best trucks in the market," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO of Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico — Chrysler Group LLC. "U.S. News & World Report's 2012 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money award is a powerful, independent accolade, standing as an endorsement for the 2012 Ram 1500 and its value for the money."

Don't Tread Lightly On Winter Tire Safety

(NewsUSA) - With winter upon us, tire safety in cold weather is something every car owner should be familiar with. Most drivers concentrate on tire safety in hot weather to avoid blowouts, but the same precautions should be exercised in the winter. One of the most effective ways to be safe on the road is to use a winter tire specially designed for cold weather.

Common all-season tires contain a tread compound that gradually hardens when temperatures dip below 45 degrees, resulting in a decrease in traction. These tires also tend to collect winter road debris, like snow and ice, which can impact a vehicle's performance on wintry roads.

Mark Ballard, spokesman for Discount Tire Company, America's largest independent tire and wheel retailer, advises motorists to replace all four tires with winter tires if they can expect to encounter snow and ice during the winter months. "It's best to use winter tires, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions where temperatures are below 45 degrees on a consistent basis," he explains. "Relying on an all-season tire to do the work of a winter tire can be dangerous to you and other motorists."

Test Drive: 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum

I was excited to learn that I would get a chance to review the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum. I love the current generation Escalade and have often fantasized about owning one.

GM sent me the vehicle while I was in Greensboro, North Carolina teaching at the National Association of Black Journalists Multimedia Short Course held each year at NC A&T State University.

This is a very large truck with lots of luxury and nice little features that add creature comforts. For example, this Escalade ESV Platinum has front cup holders that will keep your warm drinks warm and your cool drinks cool. You will also find a long list of expected features like a navigation system, premium sound system and Bluetooth connectivity for your cell phone.

GM to end HUMMER after sale to Chinese company fails

DETROIT – General Motors today announced that Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (Tengzhong) was unable to complete the acquisition of HUMMER. As a result, GM will begin the orderly wind-down of the HUMMER operations.

“One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest HUMMER, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for HUMMER along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed," said John Smith GM vice president of corporate planning and alliances. "GM will now work closely with HUMMER employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner."

GM first acquired the marketing rights to HUMMER from AM General, manufacturer of the military HUMVEE, in 1999.  In 2000, a HUMMER concept was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  That concept became the H2 which began sales in 2002 alongside the HUMVEE-based H1 through a nationwide network of HUMMER dealerships.  GM later introduced several other HUMMER models including the H2 SUT, H3 and H3T.  The H1 was discontinued after the 2006 model year.

GM will continue to honor HUMMER warranties, while providing service support and spare parts to current HUMMER owners around the world.

Test Drive: 2010 Ram 1500 Laramie Edition

Pickup trucks are not just for hauling construction supplies and towing horse trailers anymore.  While sales were down in 2009 for every major manufacturer, U.S. consumers still purchased more than 1.4 million pickup trucks.

Trucks remain popular and therefore, automakers continue to give consumers options ranging from small to large and basic utility to sheer luxury.  The 2010 Ram 1500 Laramie Edition is clearly in the big and luxury columns.

As a former HUMMER H2 owner, I like big vehicles.  There is something about their practical utility and bodacious image that make you feel invincible.  When I stepped into the 2010 1500 Laramie that Ram sent for review, I felt like I was back in my old H2 but with upgrades.

The leather seats are comfortably wide and—like the H2—they can warm your body when it’s cold.  However—unlike the H2—the Laramie seats can also cool your body when it’s hot because, in addition to being heated, they also are ventilated.

Another advantage the 1500 Laramie has over my former HUMMER is very good rear access.  This crew cab has large rear doors making it easy for passengers to enter and exit.  Rear leg room and shoulder room are quite ample allowing three-- maybe four, depending on size-- guests to ride in comfort almost matching the driver and front passenger.

Of course, the true mettle of a pickup truck is its utility.  In the case of the Ram 1500 Laramie edition, the crew cab configuration allows for the shortest payload length in the 1500 lineup; just 67.4 inches.  However, my test model was equipped with an extender allowing you to open the tailgate to accommodate and secure longer items.

This truck also provides several storage options including two glove compartments; a deep, split-level center console; and map pockets on the inside.  Outside, the 1500 Laramie has fairly deep, lockable side storage boxes on both sides of the payload area providing good space to securely keep tools or other items.

Under the hood, the Ram 1500 Laramie has the venerable 5.7-Liter HEMI V-8 engine which produces 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque.  Acceleration is brisk; cruising is smooth.  And, if you have something to tow, the muscular powertrain allows you to pull up to 9,900 pounds and carry a maximum payload of 1,430 pounds.

Features

Standard features on the Ram 1500 Laramie Edition include remote keyless entry, security alarm, tire pressure monitor, SIRIUS satellite radio, heated and leather wrapped steering wheel, 20-inche chrome wheels, and more.

Optional features on the test model included leather-trimmed bucket seats, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear park assist system, RamBox cargo management system, and more.

Summary

The Ram 1500 Laramie Edition is a good combination of size, strength and suppleness.  It provides the comfort you expect from a luxury SUV and the utility you expect from the average pickup truck.  If you are in the market for a truck, do not write this one off before you give it a serious look.

Editor’s Note:  While the Ram series is America’s #3 selling full-size pickup behind the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, MotorWeek—television’s original automotive newsmagazine—has named the Ram series its 2010 Drivers’ Choice Award winner for the second consecutive year.