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Tag: trucks

  • Chevrolet Colorado Takes 2016 Motor Trend Truck of the Year

    For the second year in a row, the Chevrolet Colorado has won the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award.

    Motor Trend called it a “Jack-of-all-trades, a Swiss Army knife.”

    Jack-of-all-trades. Swiss Army knife. There are many descriptors for the immensely versatile Colorado. With the new Duramax, Chevy’s midsize workhorse delivers best-in-class fuel economy (we expect the EPA to certify it at 31 mpg highway), superb drivability, and up to 7,700 pounds of towing and 1,547 pounds of payload capacity. Can we call it a Swiss-Army-jackknife-of-all-trades? Opt for the V-6, and towing and payload adjust to a still impressive 7,000 and 1,580, respectively. Want to take a run at the Rubicon? The new Trail Boss with an automatic locking rear diff, transfer case shield, and gnarly Goodyears is ready to give it a shot.

    Need a commercial truck without a box? The Colorado is the first in its segment to offer a box delete package for custom body upfits. Want to jump online or power up multiple devices? The Colorado offers a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot and up to four USB ports. Carry an iPhone? The Colorado’s MyLink now touts Apple CarPlay, enabling the use of myriad apps through the center-mounted multicolor touchscreen.

    “The Colorado performed well in all the tests,” the magazine said. “Towing, hauling, cruising, hustling, soft-roading—it impressed thoroughly. The torquey, nicely sorted powertrain, its handsome design, the long amenities list, its superior fuel economy, and the handy versatility push the Colorado marque—and the popular segment it occupies—further.” And ultimately, that’s more than enough to make the 2016 Chevy Colorado a pickup worthy of the Motor Trend Truck of the Year title two years running.

    Chevrolet also took the award for Motor Trend car of the year, with the Camaro.

  • 2015 Chevy Colorado Is Motor Trend’s Truck Of The Year

    The 2015 Chevy Colorado does a lot of things that are very un-truck like. After all, you typically imagine trucks as the workhorse of American farmers, construction workers and other blue collar jobs. It doesn’t always have to be that way though with modern trucks adding a lot of modern conveniences. It’s this progress that has Chevrolet’s latest drawing attention.

    Motor Trend announced this week that 2015 Chevy Colorado is its 2015 Truck of the Year. The editors were impressed by its design, handling, MPG and more. The truck also offers a touch screen radio dial, 4G LTE and 305 horsepower in some models.

    “After days of testing, hundreds of miles on the road, and our most rigorous truck testing program to date, our editors unanimously selected the Chevy Colorado as our 2015 Truck of the Year,” said Edward Loh, Motor Trend’s editor-in-chief. “Colorado is a smart, capable, and refreshingly honest truck that makes a strong value and efficiency statement. It’s perfectly sized and suited for the needs of many of today’s truck users.”

    As you can imagine, Chevrolet is thrilled by the honor. The company points to its size and MPG as defining factors in this year’s model:

    “The Chevrolet Colorado offers customers the versatility of a pickup in a powerful, refined, fuel-efficient midsize package, with up to 27 mpg EPA highway,” said Sandor Piszar, Chevy Trucks marketing director. “For Colorado to emerge from Motor Trend’s thorough evaluation as the 2015 Truck of the Year shows how Colorado is changing the game by offering truck customers fresh new choices.”

    If you’re interested, here’s the competition the Chevy Colorado vanquished in its quest to become 2015 Truck of the Year:

    Chevrolet Colorado WT and Colorado Z71
    Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD
    Ford F150 2.7L EcoBoost and 3.5L EcoBoost
    Ford F-450
    Ford Transit 350 HR and Transit 150 MR
    GMC Canyon SLT
    GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD

    For a second opinion, here’s Auto Guide’s review:

  • Walmart Truck Prototype Is Eco-Friendly And Badass

    Walmart Truck Prototype Is Eco-Friendly And Badass

    Have you seen Walmart’s new prototype for their trucks? You should definitely take a look because the design is very impressive.

    The prototype was unveiled at the Mid-America Trucking Show. Walmart wanted to show off the truck as proof that the company is making sincere steps to be more eco-friendly.

    It remains uncertain if the Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience or WAVE trucks will ever become the norm. Even so, there are potential positives to take away from the prototype’s existence.

    “[It] may never make it to the road,” wrote Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillion, “but it will allow us to test new technologies and new approaches.”

    McMillion blogged about the project back in February, however the effort to make Walmart trucks more fuel-efficient goes back nearly a decade.

    The company pledged in 2005 that the fuel efficiency of its massive fleet would be doubled by the year 2015.

    The organization claims it has achieved greater fuel efficiency over the last ten years, improving to 84 percent over their 2005 baseline. With a fleet that contains approximately 6,500 tractors and 55,000 trailers, that is impressive.

    In order to meet its original goal, Walmart must look at other ways to improve.

    Enter the WAVE initiative.

    The prototype is actually 4,000 lbs lighter than other trucks on the road and has 20 percent less aerodynamic drag.

    The truck would grant drivers greater space and visibility. It’s ultra futuristic design makes it easily distinguishable, which could be an added bonus of generating buzz and attention for Walmart.

    As for fuel efficiency, the WAVE trucks are meant to run on gas and electricity while cutting back on emissions quite considerably.

    The concept is an exciting one, though it’s going to take a lot of money and adjustments to make it happen on a unanimous level.

    For now there is no set date for WAVE trucks to be integrated by Walmart into their fleet of trucks.

    Image via YouTube

  • GM Recalls Affect 3.1 Million Vehicles

    GM Recalls Affect 3.1 Million Vehicles

    On Monday, General Motors CEO Mary Barra released a video message for GM employees announcing the recall of 1.5 million vehicles due to faulty engineering.

    In her message, Barra stated that “Something went wrong with our process in this instance, and terrible things happened.”

    Those terrible things include at least 12 deaths and more than 30 injuries of those who were driving vehicles involved in the recall.

    The 1.5 million vehicle recall on Monday applies to multiple sectors of the GM brand:

    – Multiple cross-over SUV’s, including the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, are being recalled due to faulty construction of the air bags which does not allow them to deploy when the service light is lit on the dash.

    – More than 300,000 vans are being recalled due to the material on the instrument panel not being protective enough during a crash.

    – 63,900 Cadillac XTS’s are being recalled due to a faulty brake plug, increasing the likelihood of an engine fire.

    Unfortunately for GM, this is its second recall in as many months. In February, GM announced a recall for more than 1.6 million vehicles due to an ignition failure which would allow one to turn-off the vehicle while driving, disabling the air bags in the vehicle.

    In all, these recalls will cost GM upwards of $300 million during the First Quarter of 2014. However, there may be much larger consequences.

    GM currently finds itself in the midst of an investigation from the Justice Department of the United States due to how the company handled the initial recall announced last month.

    Reports have surfaced indicating that GM knew about the faulty ignition switch in the Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and the Saturn Ion and Sky as early as 2004.

    If the Justice Department finds that GM did not respond to the faulty ignition switch promptly enough, it could face a $35 million fine.

    Despite the losses, Barra believes that GM is doing its best to handle the situation, stating “The bottom line is we will be better because of this tragic situation if we seize the opportunity. And I believe we will do just that.”

    Image via Facebook

  • Gregg Allman – A Remarkable Southern Rocker

    Gregg Allman – A Remarkable Southern Rocker

    Gregg Allman is best known for his 44 year love affair with the Allman Brothers Band that originally began with two brothers, and some special friends, who loved to play the blues.

    After decades of playing, recording and creating some of the most memorable music ever performed; the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

    Allman is not only one of the founders of the band, he is the unmistakable raspy but soothing voice that lures those who listen into a deep and “soulful” place that not many other artists can reach.

    In his recent biography, My Cross To Bear, he definitely bears his life, misgivings, marriages and everything else that a soulful southerner with unrelenting notoriety since the early 70’s might experience. This biography is set to be turned into a biopic titled “Midnight Rider” with William Hurt playing Gregg Allman.

    (image)

    His remarkability was honored in a recent concert in Atlanta, and after singing a few songs from his Hammond B3 – Allman was joined and applauded by not only fans, but also fellow artists.

    An all-star lineup of musicians celebrated Gregg Allman Friday night at a tribute concert heralding the southern rock luminary and the blues rock that influenced many artists to follow his band’s early 1970s success.

    Some of those famed artists included Vince Gill to Robert Randolph to Jackson Browne to Eric Church to John Hiatt. And they all played with Allman bringing the fans a treat they may never forget.

    And in typical humble appreciation, Allman simply stated: “I try not to think about it just directly. It’s kind of like we all came to the gig together. It’s pretty overwhelming but I’ve got the music to hang onto, to keep me on the ground. Otherwise they’d have to take me out of here on a string, like a balloon.”

    Taj Mahal said it was an easy decision when he was asked to join the tribute because the Allman Brothers Band is part of the fabric of American music.

    “Anybody who listens to American music is going to have to hear them,” Mahal said. “They just went with good music and stayed with good music.”

    Sadly the event had a purpose as the announcement came that two members, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks are leaving the band at the end of 2014. Haynes joined the group in 1989, and Trucks became a member in 1999. Trucks’ uncle Butch Trucks was the drummer and one of the founding members of the Allman Brothers Band.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons 2

  • Amish Buggy Accident Results in 2 Fatalities

    An Amish mother and her 11-year-old daughter were killed when a truck hit the back of their horse-drawn buggy in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, around 4:20 p.m. on Saturday. The accident occurred on Pulaski Mercer Road, close to the intersection of Angel Road, where Mary and her daughter were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by Brad McGonigle, who is the coroner for Mercer County. Mary’s adult son (35-year-old William Byler) was the driver of the buggy. When officials arrived, Byler was taken to Saint Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, Ohio. A spokesperson for the hospital said that Byler remains in critical condition. The horse pulling the buggy was so severely injured from the accident that officials had to euthanize the animal.

    According to Pennsylvania State Police, William Byler was directing the buggy along the road when a truck driven by 36-year-old Matthew Coulter ran into the back of the moving buggy. Coulter then called 911 to alert officials. The Pennsylvania State Police are presently in the middle of an investigation utilizing techniques such as accident reconstruction, and have not released additional details at this time. Present reports have not revealed whether any charges will be filed.

    (image)

    [Image Via Wikimedia Commons and Courtesy of Ad Meskens]

  • Jean-Claude Van Damme’s New Volvo Ad Is Mind-Blowing

    There are splits, and then there are epic splits. I’m going to say that this new Volvo Trucks ad featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme has some of the latter.

    Bonus Enya below:

    Holy crap. That dude is 53 years old. And he’s doing the splits for everyone.

    According to Volvo, the ad is supposed to demonstrate “the precision and directional stability of Volvo Dynamic Steering — a world first technology that makes the new Volvo FM easier to drive.” Ok, whatever. I can’t comprehend actual concepts right now – Jean-Claude Van Damme just blew my mind.

    Image via Volvo Trucks, YouTube

  • Dodge Ram Recall: 1.2 Million Trucks Being Recalled

    Chrysler recently released a statement saying they will be recalling approximately 1.2 million Dodge Ram trucks after accidents were reported due to the loss of steering.

    In the statement, Chrysler said they were “aware of six accidents and two injuries involving model-year 2008-2012 2500 and 3500 trucks and one additional accident with no injuries involving the remaining models.” The problem is the tie rod assembly. The trucks listed in the recall have tie rod connectors that can fracture and lead to steering problems. The campaigns were created to target 453,000 vehicles that may have tie rods that were not aligned correctly during assembly.

    The customers affected by the recall are expected to be notified by mail in December and will need to schedule appointments to have their trucks serviced. Chrysler is hoping to begin working on the trucks in January, but some models, including the 4500 and 5500, may have to wait until later in 2014 when Chrysler can receive the replacement parts. The owners of these models can still bring their trucks to Chrysler to have them services in the meantime.

    The United States customers are not the only customers who were affected. Customers in Canada and Mexico will also be receiving letters concerning the recall. Concerned customers can call 1-800-853-1403.

    Image via Twitter

  • Colorado Road Closures Present Dangers

    The devastating floods have led to multiple power failures, cancellations of recreational sporting events, and even, in many cases, there have been counties experiencing periodic flash-flood watches. These difficulties are not the only concerns residents have confronted as a result of the dangerous floods. Travelers have also suffered from the weather-inflicted damage. Businesses needing to utilize transportation on the roads which were impacted by the flooding have also been affected.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56TU0AjuOw

    According to the spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Transportation, Bob Wilson, there is a multifaceted level of destruction caused by recent flooding episodes where unique approaches have been needed in order to handle specific concerns and considerations. “It’s creating havoc for so many different areas,” Bob Wilson said before continuing, “will have to hold off where the roadways are closed.”

    Wilson expressed time-sensitivity expectations regarding the process for repairing the roads. While residents are unlikely to expect the roads to return to fully operable service overnight, various routes will be more readily accessible. “They’ll have to wait to try to get to Lyons or Estes Park. Luckily, the tourist season for Estes Park is over,” Bob Wilson said.

    Even though authorities are working to improve conditions as quickly and efficiently as possible, truck drivers needing to travel on routes damaged by the flooding have seen their workload increase while the ease of completing job duties has drastically decreased. Santiago Robles expressed his frustration at driving a ten mile trip that took a total of four hours. “Today I probably did half the work I was supposed to get done, because it took me so long to get across town. I-70 going east was stop-and-go all day,” he said.

    The frustration for drivers like Santiago Robles has occurred partly as a result of unexpected delays, but also due to the maneuvering of slow, tedious detours which leads to immeasurable time delays, restricting daily job duties. The initial flooding presented dangers; however, the aftermath is demanding patience from residents.

    [Image and Video Via YouTube]

  • Ford F-150 Tremor Coming This Fall

    Ford F-150 Tremor Coming This Fall

    Ford Motors that its new Ford F-150 Tremor truck will be coming to market sometime this fall.

    Ford is calling the Tremor the “world’s first EcoBoost-powered sport truck.” The truck will come with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and an electronic locking differential for its rear axle. It will also come standard with HID headlamps and Ford’s Sync technology with MyFord Touch connectivity, though the interface is physical, rather than touch-based. Ford is marketing the truck as a solution for “street truck enthusiasts looking for high-performance V8 power with V6 fuel economy.

    The interior of the truck has a flow-through center console, bucket seats, and a floor shifter. The interior seats have a black leather surface with red piping.

    “The new Tremor gives F-150 customers yet another option to drive a highly capable, distinctive performance truck with features typically found only in the aftermarket,” said Brian Bell, product marketing manager for the F-150. “Plus, the Built Ford Tough EcoBoost engine is available for the first time in a short-wheelbase F-150.”

  • Ford Shows You Can Have Your Office in Your Truck

    Ford Shows You Can Have Your Office in Your Truck

    As we discussed before, Internet-ready vehicles were one of the more interesting themes throughout the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. One vehicle in particular that WebProNews got an up-close look at was the 2011 Ford Super Duty, which the company refers to as a "contractor’s dream."

    Checking out the truck, it’s not hard to see why they would call it that. It has a computer in it running Windows-embedded software, built specifically for Ford by Microsoft.

    The software allows businesses to essentially carry their offices with them right in the truck. It has:

    – Internet connectivity
    – Word processing
    – Spreasheets
    – Bluetooth-enabled Keyboard and Printer
    – hands free, voice activated controls
    – It can send and receive phone calls

    That’s in addition to all of the actual truck-related features. Ford suggests that contractors can use the truck to print up invoices on the spot, and generally manage their businesses. Pretty cool stuff.

    This isn’t the first cool web-related effort we’ve seen from Ford, however. They’ve already been turning cars into mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. The company has also shown how web-savvy it is with its efforts in social media marketing, which Ford Motor Company head of social media Scott Monty discussed with WebProNews at another recent event.
     

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    > Ford Turning Cars Into Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots

    > How Ford Does Social Media