Ford, GM upgrade their heavy-duty pickup profit machines

DETROIT, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co (F.N) on Tuesday took the wraps off the newest model of its Tremendous Obligation pickup, offering a have a look at how the U.S. automaker will handle one of many greatest challenges confronting Detroit.

The issue: Find out how to modernize the most important combustion pickups to maintain demand sturdy and income flowing, with out over-investing at a time when automakers have to spend on creating electrical autos and battery factories.

At Ford, most of the latest issues concerning the new Tremendous Obligation relate to connectivity and enterprise productiveness software program that Ford hopes will generate income over the lifetime of the car. Ford Chief Government Jim Farley has burdened the significance of software-driven options and is hiring extra executives with digital commerce expertise.

Ford will set up 5G modems in 2023 mannequin Tremendous Obligation vehicles to allow companies resembling driver habits monitoring and digital paperwork programs for fleet operators. Dashboards have been reprogrammed to make it simpler for firms that set up specialised tools resembling hoisting arms to attach controls for his or her gear into the truck’s shows. Onboard scales will measure payloads and the brand new Tremendous Duties can have extra energy plugs.

The Tremendous Obligation, Basic Motors Co’s rival Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD heavy obligation pickups and heavy obligation variations of Stellantis NV’s Ram pickup are among the many most worthwhile autos offered right this moment by the Detroit Three automakers, or any rival.

Ford stated the Tremendous Obligation franchise generates “extra income than many Fortune 500 firms, together with Southwest Airways, Marriott Worldwide or Nordstrom.” Southwest (LUV.N) reported $15.8 billion in income for 2021.

Powered by massive diesel or gasoline engines, Tremendous Obligation costs begin at $41,240, however can vary as much as greater than $100,000 for a totally loaded mannequin.

Heavy-duty pickups such because the Tremendous Obligation and Silverado HD do soiled work in oil fields and on building websites. However many are offered to people who use them to tow giant trailers, and need the identical connectivity and luxury options they’d anticipate in a luxurious SUV.

For now, battery electrical powertrains can’t present the identical towing functionality and driving vary for heavy-duty pickups as combustion powerplants. Each Ford and GM are upgrading current engines and transmissions, however not investing what it could take to develop new powertrains from scratch.

Ford on Tuesday unveiled the newest technology of the Tremendous Obligation at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, not removed from the manufacturing facility the place most Tremendous Obligation vehicles are constructed.

Ford stated Tuesday it is going to spend $700 million modernizing the Kentucky Truck plant, and expects to rent one other 500 staff on the plant to assist Tremendous Obligation manufacturing. learn extra

In the future forward of Ford’s Tremendous Obligation reveal, Chevrolet outlined a listing of enhancements to its Silverado HD heavy pickup line, which trails the Tremendous Obligation in gross sales.

Chevrolet stated it is going to now supply solely a 10-speed Allison transmission on its heavy obligation Silverado vehicles. The 6.6 liter diesel engine’s horsepower and torque get a lift, and sure fashions get upgraded interiors with larger show screens.

Reporting By Joe White; Enhancing by David Gregorio

: .