MT Previews '16 Silverado: Steel Going, And Going, And...

[El Kabong]

Minor touch ups mostly, as the eight-speed continues to trickle it's way down through the lineup. Interesting to see the High Country undercut the competition on price so aggressively.

It bodes well for the market-share Kings.

[ocnblu]

The LT is the best looking new Silvy.

[El Kabong]

They're all pretty nice. The eight-speed will doubtless help with FE, keeping pace with the competitors in the segment and possibly beating them in the real world.

Furthermore, it appears that GM still does not feel compelled to go aluminum-intensive to keep pace with the demands of the marketplace. It is not the most radical truck. But it is clearly the most successful one.

[ccap41]

I was disappointed to hear that the 8spd will only be offered on LTZ and High Country trims with the 5.3. I really wanted to see what mpg and performance they could get out of that 5.3 with their 8spd in lighter trims.

Other than that, I think the update if the GM twins look great.

[El Kabong]

I too am a bit perplexed by the slow buildup of the eight-speed (capacity issues? Production contract numbers for thre old six-speed?). But at least they're here, and based on what we've seen in the big SUVs they are quite effective.

Several posts and one forum ago I was accosted by a troll moderator who was all excited because he thought the refresh would bring more aluminum, which would somehow justify Ford's lack of success capitalizing on its qualities in the F-150. I simply replied that if it happened it would be better-executed, but I only expected bolt-on components, if that.

I haven't read a word about aluminum-intensive anything. By the looks of it I was right on that score, too.

Edited September 25, 2015 by El Kabong

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

I hope silvy does well, but the competition is back on their game and about to 'steel' back a lot of market share lost.

Edited September 25, 2015 by Wings4Life

[Suaviloquent]

It looks terrible to me in the trims other than the LT, and again market share gains at the loss of segment leading margins. It's a trade-off, not a win-win.

 

Each side has its advantages. GM's probably depreciating the capital very quickly to manufacture so much more trucks comparatively than the past. while Ford has maintained the same sales volume but charges more per truck. 

 

Different means to increase cash flow and raise capital, but looking at the success of high margin auto sales - namely luxury sales; high profits per unit have handily trumped incremental profit through volume time and again.

 

But, GM gets its trucks on the road, people see more of them, and they might join the herds; but then they're only still catching up to Ford. They still can't command the higher prices Ford charges.  

 

In the long run, it isn't as much about how much each vehicle development program costs, as much as the profitability of a product line and getting the favorable mix, while still being a sales leader.

 

I think Ford could easily relinquish the top sales crown by tightening the vice-grip on the high margin sales. In that case they free up capital to invest into other products, not into just churning out more F150s.

 

GM on the other hand should increase their prices. It's a logical step to increasing profitability. 

[Frisky Dingo]

I like it. I just wish they were putting the 8AT across the board. I'll be posting a review as soon as we get our first one in. A new Tacoma review is coming soon too, btw.

[Drew Dowdell]

The 8-Speed is so good, I too wonder why they are holding it back for now.  Maybe make it an added-value option?

[ccap41]

Probably to get people to buy the higher trims. If people test drive and LTZ and love it then hop in a leser trim and don't like it quite as much they might try and justify the added cost. Not a bad strategy, kind of crappy.. but I understand.. They will probably be doing the same with the 10spd when it comes out too then. Only put it in the 6.0. Then the High Country and LTZ while the lower trims have the 8spd.

[El Kabong]

Drew, Suave, and CCAP combine to hit upon the answer, methinks.

Edited September 25, 2015 by El Kabong