Blog Posts
We're Looking Forward to a Happy New Year
There's no question that 2018 was a good year for pickup trucks, what with the all-new Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 hitting the marketplace. We also got a closer look at two new mid-size models in the form of the 2019 Ford Ranger and 2020 Jeep Gladiator. Of course, knowing that new-model cadence never slows down anymore, we're looking for 2019 to
We're Looking Forward to a Happy New Year
There's no question that 2018 was a good year for pickup trucks, what with the all-new Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 hitting the marketplace. We also got a closer look at two new mid-size models in the form of the 2019 Ford Ranger and 2020 Jeep Gladiator. Of course, knowing that new-model cadence never slows down anymore, we're looking for 2019 to be full of three-quarter and one-ton news for us from at least three manufacturers (Chevy, GMC and Ram) if not all four (adding Ford).
In the meantime, here are six reasons we think 2019 will be even more exciting than last year:
1. The Heavy-Duties Are Coming
We've started to see quite a few submissions from our remote spies sending us images of both the Chevrolet and GMC HD models as they run around and near the Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan. We've heard speculation about all sorts of upgrades coming to the powertrains, but we're still a little fuzzy on how thoroughly GM engineers are diving into the frame and suspension. We should know more in the next few months.
2. The Return of the Bronco
Now that we've seen and driven the returning 2019 Ford Ranger, all eyes are likely to turn to the returning 2020 Ford Bronco (to be built from the same production facility as the Ranger). Can Ford create a lightning strike twice in two years? Although we don't know much at this point, if they've shared any amount of Ranger platform, the Bronco could be a serious Jeep Wrangler fighter.
be full of three-quarter and one-ton news for us from at least three manufacturers (Chevy, GMC and Ram) if not all four (adding Ford).
In the meantime, here are six reasons we think 2019 will be even more exciting than last year:
1. The Heavy-Duties Are Coming
We've started to see quite a few submissions from our remote spies sending us images of both the Chevrolet and GMC HD models as they run around and near the Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan. We've heard speculation about all sorts of upgrades coming to the powertrains, but we're still a little fuzzy on how thoroughly GM engineers are diving into the frame and suspension. We should know more in the next few months.
2. The Return of the Bronco
Now that we've seen and driven the returning 2019 Ford Ranger, all eyes are likely to turn to the returning 2020 Ford Bronco (to be built from the same production facility as the Ranger). Can Ford create a lightning strike twice in two years? Although we don't know much at this point, if they've shared any amount of Ranger platform, the Bronco could be a serious Jeep Wrangler fighter.
3. Next Nissan Frontier
We're not alone in thinking this redesign is long overdue. In fact, even if you spoke to those in charge at Nissan, they too would tell you this is the project they've been wanting to get completed. All over the world, the global Navara is selling in significant numbers, but here in the U.S., we're stuck with the oldest platform of any pickup truck sold. The next-generation Frontier is likely to be revealed sometime this year, and we can't wait.
4. Crossover Pickups to Debut
We've been hearing and seeing a lot about the coming wave of urban niche pickups, very likely based off an existing SUV or large crossover platform. Hyundai and VW are the two most likely brands to show us something production-ready relatively soon (we're guessing the Chicago Auto Show in February) because both have already shown us full concept models at previous auto shows (the Santa Cruz at Detroit in 2015, Atlas Tanoak at New York in 2018). We've always been skeptical about these "hybrids," but we're willing to stay open-minded.
5. Medium-Duty Chevy
We're also expecting to get more information about new versions of the work-duty-oriented Chevrolet Silverado 4500 and 5500 models as more of them get into the fleet and commercial markets. It's our guess that it won't take long before the Chevy one-ton guys start moving over to the medium-duty chassis and use them as a blank canvas for their latest big towing and hauling dream machine project trucks. We're likely to see quite a few at the 2019 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas in November.
6. Pickups as the Profit
And our last submission of big news items to expect for the coming year is actually very similar to what we saw in 2018: The most underreported story of 2018 was how lifesaving it was to the auto industry that pickup truck sales soared so high. In fact, if full-size pickup sales did not exist, none of the major automakers would have a solvent company. And we don't expect that to change for 2019; if anything, it will magnify -- without pickup truck sales and the corresponding profits for Ford, GM, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, it's possible none of them would be in business today.
