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Print ArticleThere is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that the auto manufacturers are flushed with trucks and vans, and their dealers are looking to sell them off their lots. Because of that, the manufacturers and dealers are offering incentives galore. This means if you need to replace some of the trucks or vans in your fleet, or add to your fleet, now is the time to do it. And because of the high inventory, you will have a lot to choose from.
The bad news is that because the sales of trucks and vans have tumbled with the high gas prices, the manufacturers will be scaling back their production of those vehicles. This means that in the future you will have a smaller selection to choose from once the current glut is sold.
"We really have been hit by the perfect storm," claims Dave Gutman, commercial truck sales and marketing, Ford Motors. "We were hit by the run up in oil prices where everyone pulled out of the market, partly because they thought the price per gallon would go up to $6. But now we've noticed that as gas prices are coming down, they are coming back into the market. But now is a good time because contractors also can take advantage of tax deductions that were recently passed by Congress as well as all the incentive programs available from the manufacturers."
Anyone visiting a dealer's lot will notice row after row of sitting pickups and vans. Soon, though, that will not be the case.
"Now is the time to buy because there will be less inventory down the line as we batten down the hatches," concurs Steve Higgs, GM Fleet and Commercial, medium duty marketing manager. "We are working to reduce our inventory, slowing down production and maybe even taking some vehicles off the market."
In other words, the manufacturers will be producing fewer trucks and vans as they close plants, end extra shifts and basically adjust their production to more fuel efficient cars. Of course, trucks and vans will still be produced, manufacturers will just make fewer of them. But, that will be then and this is now.
"Pricing is competitive and deals are to be had," says Pamela Niekamp, senior manager, Dodge Commercial Vehicles Marketing and Planning. "There are excellent values out there for contractors."
While representatives from the Big 3 U.S. auto manufacturers proclaim that now is the time to buy because of the incentives, deals and tax breaks, it also isn't quite that easy. There is that other little problem other than high gas prices affecting the economy: it's a "little thing" called the credit crunch.
"The credit crunch is largely the basis for where we are at today in the economy," Higgs notes. "Those businesses that have the dollars, though, can buy the products. But the credit crunch is having on effect on the OEMs and their own financial arms, but we are also doing what we can to get the best possible programs out there to help with the purchases."
Ford's Gutman concurs that if the business has cash on hand and decent income coming in, they should be able to get financing. He adds that Ford Credit is committed to the market and for its dealers to be able to sell to its consumers. After all, they are in business to sell their trucks, vans and cars. But the tight credit market is having a negative impact on the market.
"I am optimistic about the fourth quarter, though," Gutman says.
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2009 Trucks/Vans Chevrolet Colorado The Colorado features improved gas mileage, with 25 mpg expected on the highway with the four-wheel drive model. A new 1VL Value Package is offered in 2009. It is available on all extended and crew cab models and includes the 2.9L engine paired with either a manual transmission on the extended cab or an automatic transmission with the crew cab. Additional equipment includes power windows and locks. |
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A FlexFuel E85 version of the 5.3L V-8 is available. It delivers the same horsepower and torque as its gasoline counterpart, while running on E85 ethanol fuel or a mixture of E85 and gasoline. E85 is comprised of 85 percent ethanol, which is a renewable fuel produced. The Express features the Duramax 6.6L engine, which enables the van to have a maximum GVWR of 12,300, with a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds (4,538 kg) — specifications that meet or exceed those of the primary competitor. A 3.73 axle ratio is standard and the locking rear limited-slip differential is optional. |
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New features for 2009 Silverado 1500 include six-speed automatic transmission with 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L engines (interim availability on regular cab and extended cab models); more powerful, E85-capable 6.2L V-8 available on crew cab; and On-Star 8.0 with Turn-by-Turn navigation and Destination Download. |
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Vehicle highlights include up to 40-percent improved city fuel mileage; a two-mode hybrid system; 6.0L V-8 with active fuel management and auto stop mode; and 6,100-pound (2,767 kg) towing capacity. EPA-estimated fuel economy for 2WD models is 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway; 4WD models are estimated at 20 mpg in both city and highway driving. That mileage, combined with the Silverado Hybrid's 26-gallon (98 L) fuel tank, delivers a cruising range of more than 500 miles with 2WD models and more than 470 miles with 4WD models. |
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The 2009 Dodge Dakota features distinctive exterior and interior styling, and many best-in-class capabilities, such as the only available V-8 engine in its class, best-in-class towing capability of up to 7,050 pounds, the greatest interior room of any mid-size truck, with 30 cubic feet of interior space in Extended Cab models and 37.1 cubic feet for Crew Cab, and the largest and longest standard cargo bed in its class: 6-foot 6-inches in the Extended Cab. It is offered in two body styles – Extended Cab and Crew Cab. Four trim levels are offered: ST, Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas only),TRX4 and Laramie. |
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An all-new Ram 1500 Hybrid model to be introduced in 2010 model year — up to 40 percent fuel economy improvement in the city and 25 percent overall. |
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Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo The Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van showcases a spacious, yet compact interior, along with a commercial suspension for heavier cargo without sacrificing ride quality. In addition to dual-sliding doors for ease of loading and unloading, the Grand Caravan cargo van features abundant upfitter and storage capability. For fleet customers, new premium options include daytime running lights, power eight-way driver seat, power equipment group, security alarm, uconnect phone, and uconnect GPS with satellite radio, voice-activated capability, touch-screen and real-time traffic and navigation. Also available to fleet customers is a security alarm, smoker's group and heavy-duty engine cooling system. |
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The new Dodge Sprinter features best fuel performance in the full-size van segment, best-in-class cargo capacity (up to 600 cubic feet), highest maximum payload (5,649 lbs.), lowest side step-in height (19.9 inches), greatest interior roof height (up to seven feet) and widest rear-door opening (270 degrees). Its pallet-friendly cargo sliding door offers a best-in-class loading width of 51 inches. Delivering more than 25 advanced safety and security features — most in the full-size van segment, standard features include power windows and locks, integrated wide-angle mirrors, halogen headlamps, 16-inch wheels, tilt- and height-adjustable steering wheel, CD radio, one-touch triple-flash function turn signals and Adaptive ESP (Electronic Stability Program) for improved functionality and safety. |
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The E-Series also features an improved interior for 2009, along with new tools designed to help customers manage their fleets more efficiently, track and secure tools and better serve customers. Updates include a redesigned instrument panel and console, door trim panels with more storage, built-in auxiliary switches users can customize, wider-opening rear doors, more comfortable seats, a factory-installed navigation system and Ford Work. |
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The improvement starts with the 2009 F-150's fully boxed frame constructed with hydro-formed and high strength steel side rails. The lightweight frame delivers 10 percent more torsional rigidity, which delivers increased durability and safety. The sturdy chassis also paved the way for the new 2009 F-150 to improve upon the current model's class-leading towing and hauling capability across all cab configurations. "The new, improved chassis helps deliver additional payload and towing capacity as well as improved fuel economy, which we know is top of mind for customers," O'Leary said. |
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With EPA-estimated fuel economy at 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for the 2.3-liter I-4 engine, Ranger is the most fuel-efficient pickup on the market today. Plus its 7,500-mile service intervals for routine maintenance, such as oil changes, help Ranger rank number one for lowest cost of ownership among all compact pickups. It has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds to suit customers' work and play needs, even in extreme conditions. Ranger has been tested in blazing desert heat, Arctic cold temperatures, up steep 20 percent grade hills and on torturous off-road conditions — to assure it measures up to the 'Built Ford Tough' promise, even with maximum loads. |
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The new Express/Savana 4500 is offered with a gas V-8 and GM's popular 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V-8, offering better fuel economy over larger engines. With the new, strong frame and robust powertrains, the Express and Savana 4500 offers up to a 20,000-pound (9,072 kg) GCWR, for exceptional towing and RV capability. The frame enhancements are numerous and strengthen an already sturdy chassis, but the chassis was carefully engineered to minimize mass. In other words, the frame reinforcements and other provisions for upfits were targeted to provide the most benefit with minimal impact on capability. |
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The 2009 Nissan Frontier continues to offer an unmatched level of on- and off-road performance with the use of a 4.0-liter DOHC V6 engine with best-in segment horsepower, torque, towing and payload specifications. It features fuel mileage of 17 mpg city, 21 mpg highway. |
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The Toyota Star Safety System includes the anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC). An Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto-LSD), which uses brake intervention in place of a mechanical-type LSD to help reduce tire slippage at the rear wheels, is standard on all Tacoma models for 2009 (with the exception of models equipped with TRD Off-road packages, which will be equipped with a separate locking rear differential). The Auto-LSD replaces the mechanical LSD in all applications where it was previously available. |
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A new TRD Rock Warrior Package is specially tuned and equipped with dynamic appearance features for off-road adventure and a powerful look, while a new TRD Sport Package is optimized for an aggressive street appearance. The TRD Rock Warrior and Sport packages add to Tundra's versatile lineup offerings by appealing to image-conscious truck buyers. In addition to the demand for traditional truck attributes, these buyers like to reflect their personal tastes through a truck with a strong street or off-road image. The TRD Rock Warrior Package enhances the performance of the Tundra 4x4 with the addition of a tuned suspension and many performance and styling enhancements, inside and out. The TRD Sport Package adds an array of unique exterior and interior features to give the Tundra 4x2 the look and feel of a custom street truck. In addition to their styling and performance attributes, both packages are built off of the value-driven Tundra grade, providing buyers with an attractive price. |
