Around the Industry 4WD198 - Part 2

GM SURUS - Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure

4WDrive Magazine

GM SURUS - Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure

GM introduces SURUS — a fuel cell powered, four-wheel steer concept vehicle on a heavy-duty truck frame that’s driven by two electric motors. With its capability and flexible architecture, SURUS could be used as a delivery vehicle, truck or even an ambulance — all emissions free. GM introduced the vehicle at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in October. The platform could be adapted for military use.

SURUS leverages GM’s newest Hydrotec fuel cell system, autonomous capability, and truck chassis components to deliver high-performance, a zero-emission heavy-duty truck. Benefits include quiet and odour-free operation, off-road mobility, field configuration, instantaneous high torque, exportable power generation, water generation (essentially the ‘exhaust’ produced by hydrogen fuel cells) and quick refuelling times.

Mid-Size Pick-up Truck of Texas

Continuing on with the theme of mid-size pick-ups, Texans love the Tacoma. To be specific, the TRD Pro, as 75 journalists with the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at the TAWA Truck Rodeo chose it over all others. "The Tacoma has built a reputation for quality, durability and reliability, and we're honoured that TAWA has named the Tacoma TRD Pro the Mid-Size Pickup Truck of Texas for the second straight year," said John Myers, Toyota vehicle marketing and communications national manager.

While we love the Taco too, the award would be more credible if we didn’t know that Toyota Motor North America headquarters opened in Plano, Texas in July. Coincidence? Doesn’t matter the Tacoma is still a solid, reliable performer.

Mercedes Benz X-Class

What? A mid-size pickup from Mercedes-Benz? New for 2018 this pickup truck ‘unites the typical traits of a pickup - robustness, functionality, strength and off-road capabilities - with the classical characteristics of a real Mercedes - design, comfort, driving dynamics and safety’ say the PR people at Mercedes Benz. The truck will be available in three trim levels; Pure is the basic version, followed by Progressive for improved quality and comfort, and Power for ‘high-end urban lifestyle’. A top-of-the-range V6 diesel with 258 horsepower will be released mid-2018 however the market launch will start with the diesel X 220 d (163 hp) and X 250 d (190 hp) as well as a gas engine (165 hp) in selected markets. Customers can add a styling bar, side bar, canopy, various covers as well as numerous cargo and off-road solutions. Thanks to the wide track, the spring and damping system tuned for the comfort typical of a Mercedes, and the coil springs as well as internally vented disc brakes on the front and rear, the X-Class is expected to offer great on-road handling, while the engageable 4MATIC all-wheel drive with low-range gearing and optional differential lock should provide solid off-road performance.

However, we won’t get it Canada. I put a call into Mercedes Benz Canada to politely say WTF? I was told, “Target markets for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class are Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe. The fact that North America is, for the time being, not among the target markets is due to the positioning of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class. While we may be a big pickup market, one usually thinks of a full-size model when referring to a premium pickup.” Just sounds like cowardice to me.

Ford Ranger due 2019

A prototype and heavily camouflaged Ford Ranger was seen cruising the Colorado highways recently. Aside from aggressive looking wheels, a front skid plate and front tow hooks, very little is known about the nameplate that hasn’t seen in production since 2011. As of the end of August, the Toyota Tacoma leads US sales in the midsize pack with the Chevy Colorado, Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline and GMC Canyon following. In fact, the Tacoma with 129,362 units sold, bests the Colorado (71,763 units) & Canyon (20, 347) combined. Is there any more than market share table scraps left for the Ranger?

We believe so. Although the Ranger is late to the table by a few years, Ford has the advantage of being able to learn from its competitor’s mistakes. They can learn which interiors sell best, which parts of the country they sell best in, which marketing is effective (something Ford excels in), and which powertrains sell best. And they have the Ford F150 engines and transmissions to draw from to meet driver demands. Rumours indicate that there will be a Ranger Raptor to compete with the successful Chevy ZR2. Ford is learning.

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