Duty Auto
Gm to Build Diesel for Light-duty Pickups
The General Motors Corp. said last Friday that it will spend $100 million at its Tonawanda, N.Y., plant to build a new diesel engine for its light-duty pickup trucks. The move is anchored on the burgeoning need for diesel-powered pickup trucks in the auto industry.
Generally, diesel engines are more fuel efficient than its gasoline counterparts. They also generate more torque. This is why diesel engines are widely used in the heavy-duty pickups. While diesel engines usually cost more than gasoline engines and need treatment for emissions and particulates, they perform better with heavy tasks like towing and hauling. Adding diesel as an option in more pickup models could augment automakers lineup to meet more stringent fuel-efficiency mandates at the same time satisfying the increasing demands of true truckers. With the rise of global warming concerns, EBC Active Brakes Direct could prevent the implementation of more stringent fuel mandates along with environment-friendly vehicles.
GM said that it will offer a new 4.5-liter V8 diesel engine in its North American light-duty pickup trucks, such as the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra, and in Hummer H2 SUVs built after 2009. The diesel engine will fit in the same space as its small-block, gasoline V8 engine.
Last year, the Silverado was the second-best selling vehicle in the United States. When combined with platform-mate GMC Sierra, they outsell Ford’s bread-and-butter vehicles – the F-Series. The Hummer H2 SUVs, on the other hand, is the second product line sold under the Hummer division of GM. Other automakers are also following the trails of the largest American auto manufacturer. The Ford Motor Co. and the Nissan Motor Co. are also working on diesel engines for light-duty pickups.
GM said that it will retain about 150 hourly jobs at its Tonawanda, N.Y., plant to build the new diesel engine. The investment will include a 200,000-square-foot facility renovation, as well as new machinery, equipment and tooling. GM also has allotted $41 million at other locations to support the Tonawanda operations.
The automaker said that its success with the larger Duramax diesel engine in the heavy-duty versions of its pickup trucks led it to add the option for light-duty pickups. “They’re forced right now to buy a full heavy-duty truck to be able to have a diesel available to them,” said Charlie Freese, the executive director of diesel engineering for GM. “This will satisfy a major market demand.”
According to the Detroit-based 4.5-liter V8 Duramax diesel will deliver a 25 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over a similarly powered gasoline engine with “regular” use. It also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 13 percent.
But the fuel-efficiency comparison goes even higher when used in towing, hauling and driving uphill, Freese said. Additionally, the new diesel engine will be compliant with emission regulations in all 50 states and will meet 2010 emission standards. It will use some new technologies, such as new emission filters.
The automaker would not say how much the engine would cost, but as expected, it will be more costly than a gasoline engine. But the consumer should get a payback due to its fuel efficiency, Freese said. He added that diesel engines can increase the resale value of a pickup truck.
Besides GM, Ford also is developing a 4.4-liter diesel engine to be manufactured in Mexico starting late this decade. The engine will be fitted in the next generation of the Ford F-150 pickup truck. The information was divulged by people familiar with the company’s engine program.
Like GM, Ford now offers diesel engines only in the Super Duty versions of its F-series pickup truck. Ford and Navistar are embroiled in lawsuits over the diesel engines.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Xbox Live: Does Call of Duty 4 or Grand Theft Auto 4 support split-screen online multiplayer & what games do?
Halo 3 supports split-screen online multiplayer, which I really enjoyed. I was wondering what other games do besides Gears of War.
Neither of those games support split screen online multiplayer, which is really lame imo.
|
|
RULE Heavy Duty Auto Body Sealant Lot of 9 – 3oz Tubes $4.99 |
|
|
Meguiars Car Auto Boat RV Vinyl Heavy Duty Cleaner $10.49 |
|
|
Boat / Auto Heavy Duty Momentary Push Button Switch 12V $8.95 |
|
|
Heavy Duty 3″ Battery Clip Clamp Boat Marine RV Auto $4.95 |
|
|
Boat / Auto Heavy Duty Momentary Push Button Switch 12V $8.95 |
|
|
Viking 912600 8-Way Heavy Duty Spray Nozzle $3.99 Viking 8-Way Heavy Duty Spray Nozzle gives you eight unique spray patterns for all your cleaning and watering needs. The soft rubber handle provides comfort, while the sturdy metal base is built to last. This nozzle attaches to any standard hose…. |
|
|
Park Smart Heavy Duty Clean Park Garage Mat 7.5×20 $229.99 The Heavy Duty Grade, available in ribbed or the new coin pattern, is significantly tougher than the Standard Grade. It is thicker, stronger and generally more durable. It is excellent for high-impact applications, such as with the storage of snow mobiles, tractors, trailers and other heavy machinery. It insulates and cushions better, and is just generally the premium version of the original stand… |
|
|
NEW MEYER MEYERS MOTOR SNOW PLOW E47 E-47 PUMP PUMPS $49.95 New 3 Inch Snow Plow Motor for Meyer 12V CCW – Permanent Magnet – Heavy Duty 3″ Motor fits Many Meyer Snow Plows and some others. Replaces: Meyer 15054 Prestolite 46-2415, MKW-4007 American Bosch MM48826 United Technologies MO351046A… |
|
|
Neiko 20′ Ft Heavy Duty 10,000 Lb Tow Strap with Hook $11.95 *Highly-versatile tool for work; invaluable safety measure for every vehicle*High-stress, incredibly strong polyester webbed-strap with give, multiplies ‘tugging’ force*High-quality, heat-hardened galvanized steel hooks with secure-lock clip mechanism*Compact and light (4 lbs) to stow in every vehicle yet has 5 tons pulling capacity*Resin-coated, moisture- and mold-resistant 2″ polyester webbed st… |
|
|
Coleman Cable 08471 12-Foot Medium-Duty Booster Cable with Non-Polar Glow Clamps, 8-Gauge $16.85 * Booster cables for medium-duty applications * Fits top and side post batteries * Ergonomically designed handle * Engineered for warm and cold climate * Limited lifetime warranty * 8 gauge * 12′ length… |
|
|
Black & Decker (1) Heavy Duty Scouring Pad & (1) Teflon Safe Scrub Pad Part No. PKS-HDNS $3.99 Sold as each. For use with Power Scrubber SKU # 6115992, mfr. no. PKS150. Includes 1 heavy duty and 1 non-stick surface scrub. Polybagged. Manufacturer number: PKS-HDNS. SKU #: 6124259. Country of origin: China. Distributed by Black & Decker US, Inc…. |
|
|
American MuscleCar: Pontiac Firebird Trans Am/Pontiac Super Duty Cars $6.94 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: TRANS AM A bundle of Herb Adams engineering a little help from Penske and SCCA s trademark name (which to this day still costs Pontiac $5 a car for every one they make!). The most famous of all Trans Ams is not the one they raced… it was the T/A with the behemoth 455 Super Duty engine which was about 150 cubic inches over the displacement limit for Trans Am racing! ‘… |
|
|
Starchem #420104 GR Gallon Heavy Duty Floor Wax $16.96 Grand Rental Station, GAL, Heavy Duty Floor Wax, Contains Prime #1 Liquid Carnuba Wax That Is Highly Resistant To Scratching & Powdering, Dries To A Dull Haze, Produces A Lustrous Satin Gloss When Buffed, For Use On All Resilient Tile Floors & Sealed Wood & Stone Floors, Excellent For Use On Dance Floors…. |
|
|
GO-JO INDUSTRIES Scrubbing Wipes, Heavy Duty Hand Cleaning, 10 1/2 x 12 1/4, 72/Canister $10.04 Scrubbing Wipes are meant for heavy duty hand cleaning. They’re dual-textured and formulated to lift heavy dirt and grime from skin pores. Portable, convenient and easy to use. Contains skin conditioners to help prevent dryness and irritation. Global Product Type: Towels & Wipes-Wet Wipes; Towel/WipeType: Wet Wipes; Application: Hand; Applicable Material: N/A…. |
|
|
Merkur Heavy Duty Safety Razor with Slant Bar-#198- Made in Germany The Merkur Heavy Duty Razor with Slant Bar caters to the experienced shaver. The slanted edge replicates the cutting angle of a straight edge razor. The head of this razor is able to glide along the difficult curves of your face. This provides an extremely close shave. This razor is recommended for the experienced safety edge razor user. It is not for beginners. The Merkur Heavy Duty Safety Razor… |