GM News: Rumorpile: Next-Generation GM Full-Size Trucks To Have Carbon Fiber In Their Beds

[William Maley]

General Motors had a field day when Ford switched from metal to aluminum for their truck beds. The company ran a series of ads showing how their metal beds could stand up to the rigors of a pickup truck's life compared to the Ford's. So it seems slightly ironic that GM is planning to use a lightweight material for their next-generation truck beds.

The Wall Street Journal and Automotive News have learned from sources that GM is planning to use carbon fiber in their full-size pickup beds. According to one source, carbon fiber will be part of a mix of different materials, including aluminum. The move makes sense as stricter fuel economy regulations come into effect. Finding ways to cut down on weight is a good way to boost fuel economy.

There is a big issue with carbon fiber, price. The material is very expensive to produce due to the long, labor-intensive process. The Journal reports that at first, the beds would be used on the premium versions of the trucks (High Country and Denali). It would trickle down to lower trims as "more efficient production processes" come online.

The new beds are expected to debut within the next two years.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required)

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[smk4565]

I wonder how much more cost would be involved with a full carbon fiber bed compared to steel or aluminum beds used in trucks now.  A carbon fiber bed would be stronger than a steel one, but probably crazy expensive.

[G. David Felt]

I have to question the statement of expensive. Having been to the Giant Carbon Fiber plant in Moses Lake Washington and seen how much they produce for Boeing and BMW and the BMW testing site next door. I have to figure in the quantities of production GM would do for all their trucks, that the cost would be on par with Steel or Aluminum production.

Agree with @smk4565 that the bed would be crazy strong and you could start by rolling it out on the high end models till production got up to speed to support all models.

[daves87rs]

That would be cool...swear I could be like dropping everything into those beds...

[ocnblu]

I got a lead on base MSRP for the 2025 Silverado 1500 WT 2WD regular cab carbon fiber shortbed with standard 4.3L V6 with e-assist:  $83,995.  Power windows and an extra radio speaker come in a package for an extra $3000.  Of course it will have the same 17" silver painted steel wheels, a Chevy tradition since 1953!

[riviera74]

4 hours ago, ocnblu said:

I got a lead on base MSRP for the 2025 Silverado 1500 WT 2WD regular cab carbon fiber shortbed with standard 4.3L V6 with e-assist:  $83,995.  Power windows and an extra radio speaker come in a package for an extra $3000.  Of course it will have the same 17" silver painted steel wheels, a Chevy tradition since 1953!

Whatever happened to the semi-affordable trucks?  $84K?  That is Escalade/CT6 territory.

[smk4565]

I am pretty sure the 2025 Silverado will have a 4-cylinder standard.  

[G. David Felt]

55 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

Whatever happened to the semi-affordable trucks?  $84K?  That is Escalade/CT6 territory.

Have you not heard, the 2025 EV only versions from Cadillac will start at $119,995 and go up from there. We are in a new era of accelerated inflation and expectations. 

40 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

I am pretty sure the 2025 Silverado will have a 4-cylinder standard.  

Nope, you did not listen to the 2025 plan. All auto's will be EV and select will have a hydrogen generator. 2025 Silverado and Sierra will come in all the normal configurations with a standard EV powertrain, Denali trims will have higher power output software and the Hydrogen Generator compared to lower level trims that are EV only.

@ocnblu will be training all the new folks how to repair Carbon fiber beds and body panels.  

[balthazar]

LOT of knee-slappers in the last handful of posts...