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OEMs Showcase Updates at NTEA
The light and medium-duty truck segments will have vastly different looks beginning in 2010, with original equipment manufacturers making major changes to their lineups and new emissions regulations that affect every new diesel engine on the road.
Some truck makers are adding models and others are cutting back, but every manufacturer that appeared at the National Truck Equipment Association’s annual New Model Truck Product Conference in Dearborn, Mich., last week said they were committed to the commercial truck market, a reassurance that was probably welcomed after the events of the last year.
With bankruptcy proceedings behind them, both Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corp. move forward with major revisions of their truck lineups. For Chrysler, the choices have expanded. At GM, the demise of their its medium-duty business leaves their its class 1-4 pickup trucks and chassis-cabs to carry the load in the commercial segment.
Dodge’s 2010 model-year trucks are largely carryovers from 2009. Dodge will begin taking orders for the 2011 models January Jan. 1, 2010.
Ford has not provided power details yet for the new V-8 Power Stroke diesel engine it introduced in September. The Ford-built engine will go on sale next spring in the new 2011 Model Year Super Duty truck series.
The current Super Duty’s 19-gallon fuel tank is being replaced with a 28-gallon tank and manual transmissions will not be offered with the 2011 Super Duty models.
General Motors stopped producing medium-duty trucks July 31, but the company still has more than 5,000 medium-duty units covering 2007-2009 model years in stock, said Bob Briedis, medium-duty business center manager. Dealers are selling between 500-600 per month, he said.
GM’s 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500-series trucks will be available for a shortened 2010 model year as the company prepares its 2011 diesel models to comply with 2010 emissions regulations.
Toyota is introducing a work truck package to the Tundra lineup geared towards commercial buyers. The package features a vinyl bench seat, rubber-type flooring, and black matte front and rear bumpers and grille.
Rear more details about OEM updates in the November issue.