GMC Introduces 2016 Sierra with eAssist

Technologically advanced premium truck 

offers greater efficiency, capability

DETROIT – Building on GMC Sierra’s advanced powertrain technologies, new eAssist technology enhances its position as one of the industry’s most innovative and capable trucks, helping it achieve up to 13 percent greater city fuel economy – and solidifying its segment-best ranking for V8 efficiency.

Starting this spring, the new eAssist system is exclusively available on the already well-equipped 2016 Sierra 1500 SLT crew cab 2WD model with the SLT Premium Plus package. For 2016, we will monitor the market closely, producing 200 Sierra eAssist models for California, and adjust as appropriate moving forward.

“Innovative technology that enhances capability is at the core of everything we do at GMC and the new Sierra with eAssist takes it to a higher level,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “Its advantages are delivered in a compromise-free package that enables real-world fuel savings with premium content that provides a very high level of refinement, comfort and connectivity.”

Compared to a comparable Sierra 1500 with a 5.3L/eight-speed powertrain, the Sierra with eAssist offers an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city – a 2-mpg improvement – while highway fuel economy improves 2 mpg to 24 mpg. The combined estimate improves 2 mpg to 20 mpg. The 5.3L eAssist V8 has a GM estimated 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.

The new eAssist powertrain is available in the Sierra SLT crew cab with the up-level Premium Plus package, a package that is also available with the standard 5.3L non- eAssist engine and the 6.2L V8 engine.  The SLT Premium Plus package includes an extensive list of premium technologies and features:
•    High-performance LED headlamps, LED taillamps and thin-profile LED foglamps
•    Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (subject to their terms, privacy statements and data plan rates, as well as a compatible smartphone)
•    IntelliLink with navigation and 8-inch-diagonal color touch screen
•    Bose premium audio system
•    Wireless phone charging
•    Heated and vented leather-appointed seats
•    Heated steering wheel
•    Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert
•    IntelliBeam headlamps
•    Front and Rear Park Assist
•    Rear Vision camera.

The max trailering rating is 9,400 lbs. and the Eaton locking rear differential is standard, for sure-footed traction on slippery surfaces.

eAssist details
The Sierra’s eAssist powertrain is a light electrification system leveraging General Motors’ latest electrification technologies. It builds on the advanced technologies of the 5.3L V8 engine, including direct injection, variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), complementing them with a compact lithium-ion battery pack to enhance efficiency through:

•    Stop/Start capability: Additional fuel savings are achieved by turning off the engine when stopped at a stop light or heavy traffic and restarting the engine when the driver lifts his or her foot from the brake pedal
•    Electric power boost: The on-board electric motor provides a power boost during acceleration and passing, while enabling the engine to operate in four-cylinder mode for longer periods, for additional fuel savings
•    Regenerative braking: By using the on-board electric motor as a generator, the energy recovered while braking is converted to electricity to recharge the onboard battery system
•    Aero enhancements: A 6 percent improvement in aerodynamics contributes to fuel economy due to a standard soft tonneau cover and automatic grille shutters, which can close at speeds over 30 mph in order to further reduce drag and fuel consumption.

The eAssist system includes a 24-cell, air-cooled 0.45 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, located under the center console (or front bench seat). It adds only about 100 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight.

A compact induction motor, located on the accessory drive, provides 15 kW of peak regenerative capability, thanks to advanced software controls based on the Chevrolet Volt. It performs like an electric torque booster, providing up to 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) and up to 13 hp (9.7 kW) of additional boost in high load situations. There’s also a liquid-cooled power inverter module located under the hood.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

GMC Expands Android Auto Availability

Software upgrade available for consumers of compatible models

DETROIT – A software upgrade enabling Android AutoTM phone compatibility for 2016 GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon models equipped with the 8-inch IntelliLink system will now be offered in the U.S. The upgrade will be performed by GMC dealers at no cost to consumers. 

Android Auto joins Apple CarPlay, which was unveiled last year, offering phone compatibility via the available IntelliLink screen.

“Providing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility ushers in a new era of staying connected in a convenient manner,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president, Buick and GMC.

GMC’s availability of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will continue to expand this year with the arrival of the all-new 2017 GMC Acadia when it arrives in showrooms this spring.

Each system builds off select features smartphone users rely on most. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto.

Many system features can be controlled by voice commands through a button on the steering wheel, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Connectivity has become a central component of GMC’s interior technology features. Just last year, many GMC vehicles also began offering available OnStar 4G LTE connectivity and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The connection allows occupants to connect up to seven personal devices.

This new compatibility stands to make connectivity even stronger. Specific market availability for Android Auto can be found here. Current Apple CarPlay markets can be found here.

Using either application is simple in a compatible 2016 GMC Canyon, Sierra or Yukon. A “Projection” icon on the IntelliLink screen is visible when a phone is not connected, and then changes to indicate either CarPlay or Android Auto (whichever is applicable) when a compatible phone is connected via USB. Android Auto requires a phone running the Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system or above, while Apple CarPlay requires an iPhone 5 or later.

Compatible third-party apps need to be downloaded to a phone before using. Vehicle user interfaces are products of Apple (for CarPlay) and Google (for Android Auto) and their user terms and privacy statements apply. Each requires a compatible smartphone and data rates apply.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

GM Delivers Most Segment Awards in Dependability Study Eight models ranked most dependable in segment

• ·    Four Chevrolet segment leaders most of any brand
• ·    Buick Verano ranked most dependable vehicle in the industry
• ·    11 GM models place in Top 3 of their segments

DETROIT – For the second consecutive year, General Motors’ brands deliver the most segment awards in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study.

“GM’s customer-centric focus on quality and dependability is yielding results for our customers,” said Jeff Wrona, General Motors executive director, Global Quality. “These awards reflect our ongoing commitment to delivering the industry’s best ownership experience.”

The 2016 study tracks 2013 model year vehicles in their third year of ownership.
All GM brands ranked above industry average with Buick, GMC and Chevrolet ranking third, fifth and sixth respectively.

Chevrolet delivered the most segment leaders of any industry brand, led by Malibu as the segment leader for the second year in a row in the highly competitive Midsize Car segment. Camaro ranks highest in the Midsize Sporty Car segment for the fourth consecutive year and Silverado HD ranks first in the Large Heavy Duty Pickup Segment for the second year.  Equinox ranks first in the popular Compact SUV segment.

Buick Verano becomes the industry’s most dependable vehicle and segment award recipient in Compact Car.  Encore leads the Small SUV segment, adding to the popular SUV’s 2013 JD Power Initial Quality Study and Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study segment awards. LaCrosse also receives an award for the second year in the Large Car segment. 

The GMC Yukon ranked first in the Large SUV segment for the third year in a row.

Model Highlights by Brand

Chevrolet

• ·    Malibu – Segment Award, Midsize Car (2nd Year in a Row)
• ·    Camaro – Segment Award, Midsize Sporty Car (4th Year in a Row)
• ·    Equinox – Segment Award, Compact SUV
• ·    Silverado HD – Segment Award, Large Heavy Duty Pickup (2nd Year in Row)
• ·    Tahoe – Ranks Second, Large SUV
• ·    Silverado – Ranks Third, Large Light Duty Pickup

Buick

• ·    Verano – Segment Award, Compact Car
• ·    Encore – Segment Award, Small SUV
• ·    LaCrosse – Segment Award, Large Car (2nd Year in a Row)

GMC

• ·    Yukon – Segment Award, Large SUV (3rd Year in a Row)
• ·    Sierra – Ranks Second, Large Light Duty Pickup

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com. 

Highway Products Tonneau Cover

                                           The new Tonneau Cover by Highway Products

GM to Make More 6.2 Liter V-8's for Pickups and SUV's

In case you've had trouble finding that crew-cab Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 or a full-size GM SUV with the powerful and efficient 6.2-liter V-8 and eight-speed transmission, you're likely to have more options in the future.

GM has announced it will invest $148 million to repurpose machinery at its Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee to create a third production site for the popular 6.2-liter small-block V-8. It says the move will retain 200 jobs at the plant.

The larger V-8 for full-size GM vehicles (some of which also are offered with the 5.3-liter V-8) currently is built at Tonawanda, N.Y., and St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, but with fuel prices likely to stay low for a while and demand for half-ton pickups and full-size SUVs (such as the GMC Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade) high, GM decided to make the investment.

The Spring Hill plant currently produces four-cylinder engines, but GM has invested there in recent years in flexible equipment and machining capability. That will allow, GM said, the new engine line to be up and running much faster than the typical two or three years for a new line. GM said the 6.2-liter V-8 production is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/02/gm-to-make-more-62-liter-v-8s-for-pickups-and-suvs.html

ACT Expo May 2-5.2016 - More Diverse than Ever

 ACT Expo May 2-5.2016 - Long Beach, CA

The fast-approaching Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, Calif. May 2-5 will be the most diverse ever, with co-hosts including the California Hydrogen Business Council, the Electric Drive Transportation Association, NGVAmerica, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, and the Propane Education & Research Council.

ACTExpo2016_Graphic“One size does not fit all when it comes to the myriad duty-cycles, climates, load and scheduling demands and regional infrastructure availability faced by North American fleets,” Neandross said.

Multiple Vehicle Showcases
CHBC, EDTA, NGVAmerica and PERC will each host vehicle showcase areas in the ACT Expo 2016 exhibition hall, highlighting the offerings of their member companies. A Trucking Efficiency Showcase will be hosted by NACFE in partnership with the Carbon War Room.

“At ACT Expo, all of the options are represented,” Neandross says: “all weight classes and vehicle types, powered by hydrogen, electricity, natural gas, propane autogas, and biofuels.”
Telematics and Autonomous Vehicles, Too

ACT Expo attendees will also learn about the increasing role played by telematics-based fleet management techniques, and even the emerging autonomous vehicle technologies.


Source: http://www.fleetsandfuels.com/fuels/cng/2016/02/act-expo-2016-more-diverse-than-ever/

NTEA Enhances Work Truck Show for 2016

The NTEA has announced three new features at The Work Truck Show 2016 (held March 1-4 in Indianapolis), which are designed to give a glimpse into the future of vocational trucks.

A demo truck displayed near the Show entrance highlights the lifecycle cost benefits of spec’ing trucks that weigh less and use less fuel. A bright red, life-size Shelby Cobra convertible replica on the Show floor will draw attention to the power of 3-D printing to reduce manufacturing and R&D costs, and maximize innovation. And, outside, attendees can test drive commercial vehicles incorporating the latest advanced technologies and alternative fuel applications to identify those that might work in their fleets.

The Lightweight and Advanced Technology Demo Truck display consists of an Isuzu NRR diesel Class 5 truck upfitted with lightweight components. The truck itself is lightweight — weighing 760 pounds less than a conventional cab — and equipped with a driver feedback reporting system, speed limiting and idle shutdown to maximize fuel efficiency.

The truck is upfitted with:

•     Alcoa one-piece forged aluminum wheels with corrosion-resistant Dura-Bright finish. These wheels are typically about 50 percent lighter than the same size steel wheel.
•     A Switch-N-Go hoist system from Deist Industries Inc. This detachable body system permits total unloading of a full, partial or empty body onto the ground, removing body weight and load. Switch-N-Go equipped vehicles operate with no body at all during transport trips. Utilizing a detachable truck body system may allow fleets to use one chassis for multiple applications, such as dump, dumpster, chipper and flatbed.
•     Voth Truck Bodies’ lightweight aluminum detachable dump body. Aluminum bodies provide an average weight reduction of 50 percent compared to steel units, which results in reduced fuel consumption and greater payload capacity.

The GTA, an NTEA affiliate division, teamed up with its Lightweight Materials Technology Council to build the lightweight concept truck. To analyze the vehicle’s life cycle costs, GTA worked with the National Renewable Energy Lab, which is part of the Department of Energy and is associated with the Clean Cities program that seeks to cut petroleum use in transportation. The results of the National Renewable Energy Lab’s in-depth analysis will be available in the display at The Work Truck Show.

To demonstrate the potential of 3-D printing technology, The Work Truck Show will feature a full-size 3-D-printed replica of a Shelby Cobra convertible and an SAF Holland truck and bus suspension in Booth 3400 next to NTEA’s booth. Both models were built by Cincinnati Incorporated. The company will have representatives on hand to answer questions about 3-D printing and its Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) product line.

Formerly known as the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive, the NTEA is expanding the focus of this popular Show feature to include the latest advanced productivity technologies as well as alternative fuel applications. The Work Truck Show Ride-and-Drive is open to all Show attendees on Wednesday, March 2, and Thursday, March 3, from noon to 4:30 p.m. The event gives Show attendees the opportunity to drive a variety of vehicles on city streets or in a closed course.

The vehicles available to drive in The Work Truck Show Ride-and-Drive include:

•     Alliance AutoGas — Bi-fuel propane autogas Ford Transit 15-passenger van equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 engine running on propane autogas.
•     BEAU-ROC/Palmer Power & Truck Equipment — Kenworth T370 with a municipal BEAU-ROC body and bed.
•     Cummins Inc. — Greenhouse gas 2017 compliant ISB6.7 high-efficiency diesel box truck, optimized for pickup and delivery.
•     Eaton — International DuraStar 4300 crew-cab chassis with the all-new Procision 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
•     Eaton — Kenworth dump truck featuring an automated VCS UltraShift PLUS transmission.
•     Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation — S2G propane-powered medium-duty truck featuring an 8-liter engine with a CleanFUEL USA liquid injection propane fuel system and equipped with a bobtail bulk propane delivery tanker body.
•     Hino Trucks — Hino COE 195H Class 5 electric hybrid truck.
•     Hino Trucks — A second Hino COE 195H Class 5 electric hybrid truck.
•     Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc. — Isuzu low cab forward N-Series Class 4 truck upfitted with an IMPCO bi-fuel system.
•     Kenworth Truck Company — Kenworth T-880 straight truck equipped with a roll-off system and powered by a Cummins ISX12-G natural gas-fueled engine.
•     Lightning Hybrids — Ford E-450 cargo truck featuring the company’s energy recovery system for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
•     Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc. — FUSO FE E-Cell prototype all-electric, battery-powered medium-duty cabover work truck.
•     Peterbilt Motors Company — Peterbilt 337 tractor equipped to operate on natural gas utilizing a Cummins Westport ISL-G engine and Agility CNG fuel system.
•     VIA Motors Inc. — 2015 Silverado with VIA’s eREV electric hybrid powertrain.

Participation in The Work Truck Show Ride-and-Drive is free, and no advance registration is required. The Ride-and-Drive is sponsored by Hino Trucks.

Produced annually by NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry, the 2016 Show will be held March 1–4 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Educational sessions begin March 1, and exhibits open March 2.


Source: http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/story/2016/02/ntea-announces-new-work-truck-show-features.aspx