GM to cut truck production by 300K units by 2009, cuts V8 development
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jul 15th 2008 at 11:35AM 
Click above for more images of the 2007 Chevy Silverado
We have been covering the amazing decline of the pickup truck in America over the past few months, but General Motor's recent announcement that it will be cutting truck production by some three-hundred-thousand units by next year puts quite a cap on it. The General makes a hefty profit on each full-size truck it sells, and this production cut will have a huge impact on the bottom line of America's largest automaker. Of course, GM is probably quite pleased that it's not releasing a brand new model of its full-sizer this year like some other less fortunate competitors.
In addition to the production cuts, GM CEO Rick Wagoner has also announced that the company will delay the pending redesign of its largest trucks and SUVs. The automaker intends to save a whopping $7 billion by putting off its next truck and will also cut the development of V8 engines. A few years back, nothing seemed more American than V8 engines and great pickup trucks. While nobody expects these two icons to go the way of the Dodo, it's clear that development money is now much better spent elsewhere.
[Source: GM]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 12:12PM (7/15/2008)
Makes a lot of sense given the public shift in demand for less trucks and more stylish smaller cars. Now....if ALL the manufactures continue to make smart decisions based on the econmic conditions and consumer demand changes we should have much more stylish, attractive small cars that get, hopefully, greater mpg than what they are currently publishing. I hope the manufactures can make the shifts and decisions quickly.
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Brent 12:46PM (7/15/2008)
The Beat isn't coming to the U.S. I don't care about GM anymore. lol
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a.brien 2:07PM (7/15/2008)
Your president have cease everything since year 2000. More tax, war, high gas price and high petrol consumption, security, patriot act, burning of the foods and inflation of the price of foods no more private property everything is for credit only like cars that you cannot buy and possess for your own. All the finance of the contries, naturals ressources, big corporations have been trick
and it doesn't respect the laws anymore. Americans peoples will be bankruck soon and life might look like the mad max II movies where your life might depend of the last gallon of gas that you can find. GM is a financial corporation not really a car manufacturer like ford and chryler use to be. If they close theirs doors it won't hurt them because they have put tons of billions in the pokets of theirs owners, big oil and state natural ressources
ownerships. It's gm that have started the monopolisation of the auto industry everywhere in the world by credit, sub-contract, subsidies, weird branding name. It's just the arm of bigger corporations. Thay won't put an hydrogen generator inside any of their car and truck because it will help you breat better and keep some money in your pocket.
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Nick 9:33PM (7/15/2008)
I don't think trucks need to be killed altogether, after all, they are utilitarian vehicles. I own a truck myself, and looking at it, I can see it it hasn't been designed with 'efficiency' in mind.
Massive side-view mirrors (HUGE air drag)
Exposed Windshield wipers
Very rough, un-aerodynamic underside
Recessed windshield (not flush with body)
Deeply recessed fog lamps
Recessed Grille
Enormous wheel wells that could accommodate 27" wheels easy
Heavy wheels (do they really need to be THAT heavy?)
Full-size, heavy spare wheel (thank you, but not)
Belt-driven engine fan (instead of electric)
...I would think that these minor design changes alone could already add a few MPG on the freeway.
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SkiD666 10:01AM (7/16/2008)
Mirrors - they are large to see around stuff they tow and to see all the little cars so that they don't run over them
Wheel wells - articulation, the range of movement on trucks is a lot more than cars (although the wells on GM trucks could be a bit smaller)
Heavy Wheels - well if the truck is actually used for work, they need to be strong (heavy)
Full Size Spare - again if used for work, a little doughnut spare or can of foam is not going to work
dm789 3:33AM (7/16/2008)
All they need to do is relocate all their resources and be more flexible to the current market. Make 70% small to medium cars and crossover then the rest 30% trucks SUVs They need to act quick before lose more customers
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dm789 3:35AM (7/16/2008)
Just hope the chinese not going to over take US auto companies
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Nobody Special 9:33AM (7/16/2008)
Feel sorry for the workers who got let go because GM kept up with the huge profit making gas-sucking mega-trucks.
I say make the bosses take a HUGE pay-cut, throw out the golden parachutes - oh screw that - just can their arses'.
I remember the year after the Bears won the Super Bowl they were in the Hall of Fame Game, I taped it. During a time-out, there was a Ford Truck ad talking about Ford's leadership in pick-up trucks. They showed a computer generated design of a stream-lined aero-dynamically efficient pick-up. It was really advanced. What happened to that? Like most other good designs by the Big Three - it was shelved - Idiots.
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Urban Auto 2:13PM (7/16/2008)
There was a time when people that bought Pick-Up trucks, and large SUVs, did so because they had a real business need for those vehicles. We are now at the tail end of a wave of consumers buying these over-sized trucks because "They look cool"
With The price of gas in 2008 hitting $5.00, there has been a major turn away from these large trucks to a car that will get twice the miles per dollar spent.
http://urbannewsblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/price-of-gas-in-2008.html
A lot of people are really hurting, and anything that can be done to lower costs, is going to be looked at with great care.
http://www.UrbanInsuranceAgency.com
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notamoliku 9:58AM (7/20/2008)
hey a brien,
You're stupid and don't know what you're talking about! My president kept me safe from another 911. My president lowered my taxes. My president wants to drill for more oil and make gas cheaper for this great country. My president wants to protect my right to own a gun. My president wants to protect my right to worship God. My president is a capitalist not a social/communitst like you. Just in case you don't know what that is... a capitalist believes in reward for hard work. You believe in rewards for other peoples hard work. You are a leach on society and to any nation. You take free health care, free food, free shelter and then complain about the system which gives you this and the freedom to speak against it. Shut your stupid mouth when it comes to MY PRESIDENT!
by the way... Europe and the left wing press villified Ronald Reagan, just like George W. Bush; history will by much kinder to Bush, because the facts are the facts. Not your bull sh__ lies and propaganda!
God Bless America,
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