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GM may end truck-based SUV design

GM may end truck-based SUV design

Ralph Hanson May 8th, 2008 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author May 8th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Sharp increases in demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles has seen customers ditch cumbersome fullsize SUVs in droves. For years, American carmakers had a stranglehold on the market for gas-guzzling SUVs and pickups, but as sales dwindle and market share continues to erode executives are keen to develop a new range of lighter and more efficient SUVs in the hope to bring some of those customers back. One solution that’s quickly gaining favor in Detroit is to develop new SUV models based on car-like ‘unibody’ designs. GM has been building passenger vehicles based on its pickup trucks for close to 70 years but according to latest reports this practice may soon come to an end. According to Bloomberg, GM is designing lighter replacements for its fullsize SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade (pictured) without using heavier pickup-truck frames. The Tahoe, for example, has been based on the Chevy Silverado pickup since its introduction in 1965 but its replacement – due in 2012 – will likely feature car-like construction. Unibody construction relies on a frameless shell and is used to build most passenger cars and some small SUVs. Unibody vehicles are usually lighter and offer smoother driving than frame-built truck designs but they often can’t tow as much. For that reason, GM will keep same frame-on-body vehicles. Another problem with unibody design is that it’s harder to share components across different model lines.
GM may end truck-based SUV design

GM may end truck-based SUV design

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Sharp increases in demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles has seen customers ditch cumbersome fullsize SUVs in droves. For years, American carmakers had a stranglehold on the market for gas-guzzling SUVs and pickups, but as sales dwindle and market share continues to erode executives are keen to develop a new range of lighter and more efficient SUVs in the hope to bring some of those customers back.

One solution that’s quickly gaining favor in Detroit is to develop new SUV models based on car-like ‘unibody’ designs. GM has been building passenger vehicles based on its pickup trucks for close to 70 years but according to latest reports this practice may soon come to an end.

According to Bloomberg, GM is designing lighter replacements for its fullsize SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade (pictured) without using heavier pickup-truck frames. The Tahoe, for example, has been based on the Chevy Silverado pickup since its introduction in 1965 but its replacement – due in 2012 – will likely feature car-like construction.

Unibody construction relies on a frameless shell and is used to build most passenger cars and some small SUVs. Unibody vehicles are usually lighter and offer smoother driving than frame-built truck designs but they often can’t tow as much. For that reason, GM will keep same frame-on-body vehicles. Another problem with unibody design is that it’s harder to share components across different model lines.

Tags: General Motors

Posted in: News, SUVs


Comments (3 total)

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  1. By Renton #1, Posted: 5/9/2008

    8 to 10 years too late!

    Idiots.

  2. By chris #2, Posted: 5/9/2008

    how is it 8 to 10 years too late? trucks and full on frame SUV's have been selling like made up until only a year or two ago. people liked SUV's cause they were huge and cheap. the mechanicals weren't very sophisticated, when compared to even a minivan.

    I think it's just on time. the added costs of going unibody will be easily swallowed by any consumer still in this market because the difference in mileage and the price of gas will definitely warrant it.

    I wish they would just say that they will make more purpose built and stronger crossovers. still not comfortable with the idea of a unibody "SUV". I cringe every time i hear a ford commercial talking about the escape being the "only SUV with 30mpg" what ever

  3. By Gus #3, Posted: 5/9/2008

    Renton just wants to call them idiots, that's fun for him...

    I agree, the profits those trucks rolled in were astronimical. Toyota and others were kicking themselves for not having a full size pickup for years. Now, times have changed, and it takes a while for any car company to turn their ship in a different direction.

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