GM Debuts New Light Duty Pickups

Photos

Introduced at GMs Milford Proving Grounds, a veritable herd of GM pickups burst onto the scene for the crowds viewing pleasure. (Photo: Dan Fritter, American Auto Press)

Introduced at GMs Milford Proving Grounds, a veritable herd of GM pickups burst onto the scene for the crowds viewing pleasure. (Photo: Dan Fritter, American Auto Press)

With the traditional myriad of drivetrain, comfort, suspension, and body choices, the new GMT900s have much to offer. (Photo: Dan Fritter, American Auto Press)

The one they dont want you to see; the Heavy Duty models are scheduled to join the GM pickup ranks in five months time, completing the lineup in less than a quarter of the time it took to introduce the GMT800 lineup. (Photo: Dan Fritter, American Auto Press)

Introduced at GMs Milford Proving Grounds, a veritable herd of GM pickups burst onto the scene for the crowds viewing pleasure. (Photo: Dan Fritter, American Auto Press)

GMT900 Pickups GMs Largest Gamble Yet?

In 1909, a truck from the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company became the first vehicle to climb the now-famous Pikes Peak. That same year, Rapid was bought by a fledgling General Motors Corporation, eventually transforming to become GMs truck-only brand, GMC. Nine years later a successful car company called Chevrolet folded into GM, releasing their first ever pickup truck to celebrate GMs acquisition of the popular brand. Designed to compete directly with Fords Model T; the 1918 Chevy 490 Light Delivery was based on the 490 car, with one exception: there was no cab or body.

Since then GMs truck divisions have come a long way, with the most recent iteration of the GM full-size truck lineup being introduced to the world earlier this week. Coined the GMT900 series, the new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra truck lines are GMs most important models; accounting for 30 percent of total sales. As such, these new trucks represent a big gamble on GMs behalf, with the struggling automaker working hard to recover from the massive (and much talked-about) loss suffered last year. But from the figures, the new Silverado and Sierra look promising; posting class-leading towing capacities and excellent fuel mileage figures, both important specs in todays hard-working/hard-playing, fuel-conscious society.

And with these conservative good looks, the GM pickups should attract window shoppers that find the competition just a little too aggressive looking, while the wide range of powertrains, options, and configurations should go far towards making those window shoppers Silverado or Sierra owners.

From the 4.3L veteran V6 (producing 195 horsepower) all the way up to a Sierra Denali-specific (and Escalade-sourced) 6.2L producing 400 horsepower, theres a GM pickup for everyone from the weekend warrior simply looking for basic dirt bike transportation all the way up to the successful contractor with extreme towing requirements.

Inside, the new trucks are a success over the previous models too, with two separate interior designs. The more basic “pure pickup” interior, standard on lesser models, is similar to the outgoing models layout, with a few unique additions like the double glovebox and below-seat storage under the center position. Opting for one of the upper level models nets a new luxury-SUV inspired interior that features massive quantities of leather and wood grain; and as such is sure to be a huge hit among those looking for pickup truck utility with honest-to-goodness luxury overtones. Both are very comfortable and boast an impressive array of features, such as stadium-style rear seating, class-leading interior storage capacities, and power rear glass with optional luxuries like a DVD player and touch screen navigation system moving the Silverado and Sierra into previously uncharted luxury truck territory.