"GM readying aluminum-body fullsize pickups"

[MotoMedic]

"Ford's extensive use of aluminum in its 2015 F-150 is a big deal. A really big deal. Big enough, in fact, that General Motors is reportedly changing its fullsize pickup strategy. According to The Wall Street Journal, The General has locked in partnerships with Alcoa Inc. and Novelis Inc. – companies that will supply aluminum for the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.

"Ford's introduction of the 2015 F-150 pickup truck was a game changer, and it's the first, not the last, conversion of this type," Novelis spokesperson Charles Belbin told the Journal. The switch to aluminum has allowed Ford to shave roughly 700 pounds off its fullsize truck's curb weight. And while official mileage ratings have not been announced, the weight loss should go a long way for improving efficiency, especially when combined other efficiency-minded improvements including better aerodynamics and new, turbocharged V6 engines.

Of course, aluminum-bodied cars are nothing new. But extensive use of aluminum in a major, best-selling product like the Ford F-150 is expected to kick off widespread use of this weight-saving material as availability rises and cost decreases. The WSJ reports that GM had originally explored the idea of moving to aluminum pickups back in 2008, but abandoned the idea due to cost concerns amid economic woes.

The General's next-generation, aluminum-bodied pickups are due to arrive by late 2018, so Ford would appear to have a massive head start."

 

-Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/19/gm-readying-aluminum-body-fullsize-pickups/

[Coppertone]

The 2015 F-150 looks like a homerun on paper. If prices are on par with the Big 3 average, I see Ford widening the lead on best-selling pickup.

[cobrajet84]

Technology is good, lets just hope they make it as strong as the steel, find a way to keep towing a payload up, oh and not make this an excuse to make their trucks cost even more than they do now.

[newdude]

If GM were to do this, they would be 100-300lbs lighter than Ford thus taking away Ford's 100-300 lbs advantage over GM for their 2015 F-150. Ford is losing UP TO 700lbs depending on cab over their current truck.

[Coppertone]

The 2014 Silverado/Sierra truck hoods are Aluminum.

[sk]

The article is just guessing that it's for the trucks. My bet is that it's for the CTS, ATS, and upcoming Cadillac "halo" car. Aluminum will also be used in various other GM products, but I don't think this is for the trucks.

 

Since GM is already using aluminum in the vehicles I mentioned, and Ford stated that they are buying up all the aluminum for use in the new F150, my guess is that GM is just doing this to secure the aluminum they need for the other platforms, not the trucks.

[EX-F150 owner]

Lets just hope GM figures out a way to keep the paint on it! Hope they do their homework on the best primer to use. Their track record is not that great.

[EX-F150 owner]

Which is what 3-4 years away?

[Chris]

There should be a slight refresh then?

[j-ten-ner]

I'd skip aluminum and go straight to carbon fiber.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[Coppertone]

I'll skip carbon fiber, and go straight to self healing super advanced polymer.

[MikeNH]

I'd rather elect politicians who could overturn stupid CAFE regulations and keep trucks made of steel and having V8s instead of the awful trash that is surely in the pipeline.

[Daryl LBZ]

^ I'm with this guy ^

 

[truckofwinandawesome]

I just read the Motor Trend article about the '15 F-150, and it looks like Ford is pretty much FORCING the EgoBoost to be the Engine of choice (they only have ONE V8 in the '15 engine Lineup, and the the Top Spec Engine is the 3.5L EgoBoost!)

[j-ten-ner]

I'll skip carbon fiber, and go straight to self healing super advanced polymer.

 

lol

 

so long

j-ten-ner