Depending on where you live, a hiccup in GM’s truck supply lines might make buying a pickup from your local Chevrolet of GMC dealer difficult.

With its current line of Silverados and Sierras remaining unchanged since 2006, GM is falling behind the pack. There will be a new RAM pickup in the fall and Ford’s F-Series came on the scene two years after the current GM line. That line will be refreshed to remain competitive, but that means a full production halt for a total 29 weeks between all the plants affected.

Of course in that time, there will be a lapse in normal production, something the company tried to soften by ramping up production in anticipation. While that might seem like a solution in theory, problems started to rise when it became apparent that dealerships wouldn’t all have a positive disposition to bulking up truck supplies ahead of time.

Some dealerships are going with the plan, but according to Automotive News, there are also stores saying no to the trucks. As AIS Rebates, an Ann Arbor, Mich., firm that provides incentive data to dealers reports, there is a $3,000 incentive for dealers on crew cab versions of the Silverado and Sierra 1500, but anything beyond that is unlikely because the gap in production will already be squeezing GM’s profits.

That leaves dealerships in one of two places, which inevitably affects the consumer. Dealers will either find a stockpile of trucks that might not move given the impending approach of improved trucks, and those turning the vehicles away may find customers flowing to new dealerships or brands over the unavailability.

Either way, it could spell out a sweet situation for customers who play their cards right. On the one hand, your local dealer might put cash on the hood if there are too many trucks getting sun tans on the lot. In the other scenario, where that dealership runs dry, you might find another dealership eager to sweet talk new customers away from the competition.

[Source: Automotive News]

According to brand CEO Fred Diaz, the 2013 Ram 1500 was due to receive a mid-life freshening. However, what’s ultimately emerged is an extensively re-engineered truck, despite looking familiar on the outside.

Key developments, many in a gesture toward improved fuel economy, include a re-designed frame that’s both lighter and stronger than last year’s true. In addition, there’s also an eight-speed automatic transmission (the TorqueFlite 8), that’s teamed not only with the base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 but also the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. There’s also a rotary shifter on the center stack designed to make engaging gears easier and free up additional interior room.

But perhaps even more significant, is the introduction of active air suspension – the first time seen on an 1/2 ton pickup. Although there’s no question it improved ride quality, the coil sprung rear axle, first seen on the 2009 truck, was still a compromise in that Ram wasn’t able to match some competitors when it came to payload and towing capacity. Now, with air suspension, the idea is to significantly reduce that compromise, providing a setup that’s able to cope with a wide variety of conditions. It can lower the truck to facilitated easier cab and box access, as well as improving fuel economy and stability at cruising speed. It can also raise the vehicle as well to provide better clearance when running off-road, while enabling substantial payload and towing capability.

Other new features, include active grille shutters (also designed improve fuel economy) a thermal management system that warms up vital fluids faster, to reduce friction and improve efficiency, plus width cooling fan and electric fuel pump to improve reliability, engine stop/start technology and an upgraded UConnect system that essentially transforms the Ram into a rolling wireless hotspot.

Electric power assisted steering reduces parasitic loss, while an upgraded security system that allows the driver to lock all doors, plus the Ram Box and tailgate at the touch of a button and revised interior trim, colours and fixtures are also included.

According to Diaz, in terms efficiency, the new Ram, which boasts a 6 percent lower drag coefficient than its predecessor, is also said to deliver around 20 percent better fuel economy with the V6 motor (10 percent with the Hemi), while adding improved overall capability.

GALLERY: 2013 RAM 1500

Is your car using too much gas? Price for gasoline is getting up there, and if you’re not careful enough while driving, you could be spending a lot more than you have to on fuel.

There’s some good and bad news for those looking to get better mileage with each tank. First, the good: it is possible to squeeze out more miles per gallon, even without having to spend money on a new hybrid car, or extra maintenance. The bad news: it’s going to require a change in your driving habits.

Nick Chambers, Green Car Specialist tells us that “even small changes such as driving a bit slower, anticipating traffic lights, trying to come to a full stop as little as possible, accelerating in a steady/relatively slow manner, using cruise control and planning trips to have the least amount of travel and stops, can make big differences.” In fact, these changes can account for as much as a 15 to 20% improvement, he says.

Focused on saving money and the environment from behind the wheel, ecodriving.org lists five “Golden Rules” for gas tank friendly driving, and have some reasoning behind why they work. Let’s take a look at a few tips they provide.

First and foremost they advise to “Anticipate traffic flow.” This means look ahead and act instead of react. Try to increase the distance between your car and the vehicle ahead of you, so you can drive smoothly. For example, stepping off the accelerator before the traffic flow is slowing down, is more effective than braking strong, which wastes kinetic energy. The overall goal of anticipating traffic flow is to let the vehicles roll and drive at a steady speed whenever possible instead of braking and accelerating quickly.

Another tip for optimizing fuel economy is to maintain a steady speed at low RPM. Driving at high engine speeds increases fuel consumption. As a result, you can save fuel by driving in the highest possible gear, and the lowest possible RPM. Ecodriving.org says “Especially for city driving there is nearly no chance to increase average speed or gaining time advantage with strong acceleration and speed peaks.”

In fact, many modern cars with automatic transmissions come with an ‘eco’ button that, when pushed, will ensure your car is in the highest gear possible gear for that speed, and help smooth out your actions on the gas pedal.

One habit based tip to increase fuel efficiency is to obey the speed limit, and drive sensibly. Weaving through traffic uses more gas than staying straight, and accelerating above the speed limit usually involves high-revving antics. Also avoid accelerating up inclines. Keep the speed steady and coast down hills.

Other tips include proper outfitting of your vehicle. For example, extra weight can cause significant decreases in fuel economy. Some drivers use their car like a backpack, and don’t empty them out frequently enough. If possible, van owners should consider removing the back seats if they aren’t going to be in use. Losing the extra weight will help increase mileage. For pickup truck owners, you can reduce wind resistance by putting your tailgate down. Just make sure you don’t have anything loose back there which could fly out. Reducing wind resistance also includes removing roof, ski or bike racks.

Lastly, make sure your car is working properly. Tire pressure should be properly inflated and ensure your car’s alignment is correct. Tire pressure can cause up to a 3% difference in your fuel economy. These sorts of tips are echoed by the experts at fueleconomy.gov. The website has several tips that help drivers eke out that last MPG.

More detail oriented drivers will appreciate fueleconomy.gov’s mobile site which allows users to track their usage from their smart phone. Using the “Your MPG” section of the site, visitors can log their miles per gallon right at the pump, allowing you to comment on the routes, conditions and details of every mile in your tank.

These tips will certainly be useful as prices for gas increase. Analysts estimate that gas prices could spike up to record levels this summer, so be sure to remember these tips if you’re looking to save some money. In fact, the group behind ecodrive.org is looking to teach eco-driving classes so enjoy these tips while they’re free!

When last we spoke to Scion boss Jack Hollis, his interest in a small truck for the youth brand was undeniable. Now reports of increased production at the automaker’s RAV4 facility in Woodstock, Ontario have spawned new rumors about the as yet unconfirmed sixth model in the Scion lineup.

Increased production of the RAV4 (up by 25%) could simply be a method Toyota is using to keep costs down by reducing the number of RAV4 models it imports from overseas. However, it also supports the possibility that Toyota will build a Scion truck based on the compact crossover platform.

Currently compact pickups are a dying breed, with CAFE rules penalizing smaller trucks that still aren’t tiny. Toyota has bucked this trend with the Tacoma, due mostly to the compact pickup’s dominance in the segment and Toyota’s continued efforts to be a player in the truck segment.

A unibody “truck” that is designed more as a lifestyle vehicle and less as a work machine would continue to help out Toyota’s fuel economy, and could also be rebaged as a Toyota model and sold overseas.

With Toyota currently offering both a 4-cylinder and a V6 in the RAV4, this might also make way for Scion’s first-ever six-cylinder model.

[Source: TacomaHQ]

Back in 2002, a special edition Ram 1500 pick-up truck was launched specifically for Texan truck buyers. Called the Lone Star edition, it quickly became the top selling Ram model in the vast state.

“The Ram 1500 Lone Star was the first pickup truck designed by Texans and built specifically for Texans. Native Texans are very proud to be from the Lone Star State. For the last 10 years, this truck has given us the authentic opportunity to proudly connect Ram with Texas’ very proud state motto,” said Ram Trucks president and CEO Fred Diaz.

In the last 10 years, over 80,000 Lone Star edition trucks have been sold in Texas, and the automaker hopes to continue the trend with the new 2012 Ram 1500 Lone Star 10th Anniversary Edition.

The Lone Star 10th Anniversary edition gets new, larger “Lone Star” badges with the prominent red, white and blue Texas state emblem on its front doors and tailgate. The new badges are also part of an exclusive appearance package and replace the “Ram 1500” badging that other models wear.

More than just the badges set this truck apart from other Rams, inside you’ll find Katzkin perforated leather seats with Texas Lone Star logo’s. The glove box and floor mats also get the 10th Anniversary logos.

Powering this truck is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, which produces 390 horsepower and 407 lb/ ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Offered only in the Crew Cab body style, you can choose between black, bright silver, bright white, deep cherry red, flame red, mineral gray and true blue for the exterior.

If interested, you can pick up this pickup sometime around June though a specific date wasn’t mentioned. Pricing for the Lone Star edition starts at $36,440. You also need to be in Texas as this is a Texas only truck.

Following the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Colorado, speculation quickly cropped up about the new Colorado that debuted at the Bangkok Motor Show last year.

Early on, many people assumed the truck would immediately succeed the recently discontinued generation as a 2013 model, but those assumptions are turning up false. In fact the new Colorado, pictured above, will take another two years to make its North American debut in 2014 as a 2015 model. While it might seem odd that the small truck is being delayed for this part of the world, there are good reasons for the decision.

GM probably couldn’t bring the new Colorado to market right away, even if it wanted to. Last November the company announced its plans to use the Wentzville, Mo. assembly plant to produce the truck, but preparing for that production is time consuming. While it may be possible to get the plant ready in time, it probably isn’t cost-effective.

Even if it were, the world-marketed Colorado isn’t designed for North Americans. Right now, it’s sold with a 2.8-liter diesel engine and is designed with worldwide customers in mind. The company used much of the same strategy in marketing and designing its Cruze, Spark and Sonic — first selling them globally only to redesign them for the U.S. It seems GM is going about the new Colorado in much the same way.

As is often true, it won’t come as a surprise to find different engine options for the North American Colorado than the version sold globally. Even still, it isn’t clear what to expect when the truck finally launches. According to GM Inside News, the company plans to offer its new 2.5-liter four cylinder or 3.6-liter V6, though there isn’t any word on a diesel variant Stateside.

[Source: GM Inside News]

It seems like the Ford F-150 is going to keep its current look, despite a Chevrolet Silverado update slated for the next couple years. 

“Segments like the midsize car, where we need to make a big noise against Honda and Toyota, are much better places for Ford to make strong gains, but where we already have a strong presence and people are holding onto their trucks longer than ever before, we’re likely to continue giving customers what they want,” Eric Merkle said at the Motor Press Guild monthly meeting at the Ford Design studio in Irvine, Calif.

That doesn’t mean Ford fans will have to deal with dated drivetrain tech. Merkle was clear in telling the Chicago Tribune that updates will still happen, though cosmetic changes will be minimal. Instead, major changes will be focused on powertrain updates.

Those updates will probably include smaller, more efficient engines given that the company is talking about doing the same with the Mustang, which probably comes the closest to rivaling the pickup truck community’s V8 fanaticism.

There’s another budding branch in the Ford family tree of pickup trucks, one that we reported in August of last year.

“You know we announced the partnership with Toyota,” Merkle said, “to explore the idea of a hybrid pickup truck. … I think it would be kind of cool to use whatever electric generator that might include to run a bunch of power tools or set up a well-stocked campsite,” Merkle said.

Despite what the hardcore truck community might think, there are changes on the horizon for all gas-thirsty vehicles, pickups included. For now, the loyal old school can take comfort in Merkle’s prediction that the F-150 will stay true for the coming years.

GALLERY: 2012 Ford F-150

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

Despite some of the lineup having off-road capability, Volkswagens in North America rarely sport off-road tires.

The same isn’t true in Europe where the German automaker sells its Amarok pickup truck which has serious off-road prowess. VW chose the 2012 Geneva Auto Show to debut its Amarok Canyon concept, which is a beefed up version of the pickup.

It sits on Mickey Thompson all-terrain tires and a 1.6-inch lifted suspension that give the truck a total 3.4 inches of extra ground clearance over the standard model. Tough-looking 18-inch wheels painted “Adamantium Dark” add further to the truck’s muscular appearance.

Other accenting features add more to that theme, like the tubular roll bar that runs along the bed and over the cab.

Unlike American pickups, the Amarok drivetrain is influenced by European sensibility with a 180-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel instead of the large engines most North American trucks of similar size have.

The bed is small but functional, with lots of tie-down handles available for securing goods. Realistically, the Amarok Canyon isn’t meant for the same construction site work horse life of an F-150 or the like. It’s crew cab setup and shorter-than-average short box are more designed for ferrying passengers between kayaking trips, which is probably why the concept shown above had that equipment in the bed.

In keeping with the European mentality, the Amarok is available with a six speed manual. That might throw most American truck buyers a curve ball, but it doesn’t matter because this truck isn’t meant for the U.S. market. The Amarok Canyon is still a concept but a more practically oriented version may be available as early as this summer to Europeans.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Amarok Canyon concept

Hyundai‘s U.S. CEO John Krafcik has said that “because the brand resonates with families,” and feels “this is a segment where we have the lowest market penetration,” company product planning, at least in the short term, is focused on crossovers, especially seven-seater CUVs which seem to be the hottest thing going right now.

As a result, the possibility of a Hyundai van or pickup isn’t something that’s likely in the cards. That said, given that Hyundai and sister company Kia are attempting to differentiate their lineups to avoid stealing sales from each other, there’s a better chance of the latter introducing a truck, as Kia attempts to become a bit more of a “niche” brand with sportier and slightly more off-beat product offerings. Kia isn’t entirely a stranger to trucks, having unveiled a mid-size concept back in 2004 called the KC-4 Mojave (shown above).

However, due to shrinking demand for smaller trucks and fluctuating gas prices, the Mojave was left stillborn. Nonetheless, with the recently unveiled utility themed Soulster concept creating a buzz and Kia more firmly established as a legitimate player in the U.S. volume vehicle segment, could the idea of a pickup be floated again?

With the retirement of the Ford Ranger and fuel prices creeping upwards, the idea perhaps makes more sense now than it did in 2004, especially as today, Kia also has far more resources and engineering expertise at its disposal.

[Source: Pickup trucks.com]

Trucks aren’t known for fuel economy, but finding a pickup that isn’t a gas hungry beast is a top concern for many truck shoppers. So if you’re looking for a good way to save money, both in terms of overall vehicle cost and especially at the pumps, check out this list of our Top 10 fuel friendly pickups.

The six cylinder Nissan Frontier can achieve a solid 17 mpg when packaged up with the either transmission, or drive-train. That’s right, it doesn’t matter which model of the 4.0 Frontier you choose, you’re looking at exactly the same EPA numbers: 16 mpg city, and 20 mpg highway. That V6 gets 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. The V6 Frontier starts at $22,620 and while it’s not the most fuel efficient, most powerful, or cheapest car on this list, it does offer a nice balance of the three.

There’s a new teaser video for the RAM Laramie Limited pickup on YouTube, featuring the same scantly clad bikini babe as last week, but with more automotive footage.

Dodge‘s truck division released a teaser video last week, but the footage showed little more than a bodacious bikini model stepping from the ocean.

Captions after the actual video revealed that the new line will be featured in conjunction with this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, but that was all the info we got.

It turns out that the footage is of RAM’s new Laramie Limited pickup, which we reported on during our coverage of this year’s Chicago Auto Show. Coincidentally, our pictures have a pretty girl in them too, but we’re guessing our photos probably can’t compete with a soaking-wet supermodel, so have a look for yourself after the jump.

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Dodge is jumping on the bikini band wagon, but can you blame them? There’s no denying that sex sells, especially with most of the pickup truck crowd.

That’s why Ram pairing up with Sports Illustrated and releasing a teaser ad just makes sense. The 37-second spot features a slender woman clad in diving gear and a black bikini walking out of the ocean and pulling a cloth from a Ram pickup. Nearly all the footage focuses directly on the model. The ad actually cuts out before you see more than a silhouette, but it’s got us wondering what’s up the shirt sleeves over at the Ram division.

You can watch the video after the jump.

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