What Would You Pay For A 100-MPG Via Full-Size Pickup Truck?

This is a perfectly serious question.


A basic 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 full-size pickup truck starts around $23,000, and the rear-wheel drive XFE model is rated by the EPA at 18 mpg combined.

The Silverado Hybrid model, a 1500 twin-cab, starts at around $40,000, and the RWD model is rated at 21 mpg.

So how much would you pay for a 100-mpg Silverado pickup?Via Motors, a company that plans to convert GM pickup trucks, full-size sport-utility vehicles, and vans to plug-in hybrid powertrains, has a number in mind. The company debuted its products, sold under the Vtrux model name, at the Detroit Auto Show 10 days ago. Bob Lutz, not only a Via board member and industry eminence grise but also a plug-in vehicle convert, shared presenting duties with Via COO Alan Perriton. The company has arranged to buy "glider" trucks from Chevrolet, which it will then fit with a range-extended electric powertrain.

400 horsepower
The wheels are powered by a rear-mounted 300-kilowatt (402-hp) electric motor, powered by a liquid-cooled 24-kilowatt-hour battery pack that sits between the frame rails and contains lithium-ion cells provided by A123 Systems. This gives the pickup an electric range of up to 40 miles using no gasoline at all. Once the pack is depleted, a 4.3-liter V-6 engine kicks in to power a generator that feeds electricity to the drive motor for an additional 400 miles of range.

100 mpg for 60-70 miles
That 100 mpg, by the way, assumes daily use of no more than, say, 60 or 70 miles: 40 on electric, the other 20 or 30 miles covered using 1 gallon of gas. More gas-fueled miles lowers the effective mileage. That electric traction motor, incidentally, weighs only 108 pounds, leading to photos of Via executives holding it in front of them to show just how compact it is. Total added weight of the entire drivetrain is about 300 pounds over an equivalent gas-engined truck.

Power takeoffs appealing
One added feature of the Via electric conversions is a set of 110-Volt power takeoffs provided as standard.
These allow workers to run electric tools, light work sites, and even export 15 kilowatts of power to a house if the utility grid is down. Electric, water, gas, telephone, and cable-TV utilities, Via said, find it appealing that they won't have to use a gasoline-fueled generator or keep a diesel truck running--removing a source of customer irritation.

Military too
Another potential customer: the various branches of the U.S. military, which is working hard to reduce its fuel consumption with prototype plug-in tanks, development of a clandestine extended-range vehicle, and even a hybrid Humvee. Via's first vehicle will be an extended-cab pickup truck, set to begin production this summer. A large sport-utility based on the Chevy Tahoe (or Suburban) is to follow, with full-size vans after that. So far, Lutz said, the company has built seven prototype trucks. Via is targeting production of 20,000 conversions a year once it's up and running, meaning it may well offer the first plug-in pickup truck to go into (low-volume) production.

All about fleets
"We're getting lots of orders from the nation's largest vehicle fleets," Lutz said in his presentation. Those are not only utilities, but also businesses that make routine light deliveries, including Verizon, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Frito-Lay.

GUESS WHAT WE GOT!!

This one isn't going to last long at all. We traded for it yesterday and I am already getting calls on it. EVERYONE in the market for a diesel Duramax better take a long close look at the shape of this one. Bought here - serviced here - maintained like no other. This one truly looks like it has about 30,000 miles on it. But it doesn't. If you have even thought about a Duramax, then you know how hard they are to find. Ford's diesel just cannot keep up with the Duramax and we all know what kind of trouble the 6.0L has been for them. Enough about that, let's talk about this one! It's a 4x4 with leather and heated seats. Equipped with Bose too! Back seat looks almost new and the common area on the driver's seat is hardly worn. I took a few pics for you to enjoy!



Seats in GREAT shape!



Let's cut to the chase with questions I am bound to get:
HOW MUCH? That's easy - $27500. Bet your saying "What?!" Well, let's look at that for a minute. I did an online search for 2007 Duramax Diesel Crew Cab 4X4's within 100 miles of my dealership, guess what I came up with? Exactly 8. Average mileage was 127K, this one has 96,343. Good news? HECK YES!! Still has Powertrain Warranty!! Check this out......

Anyone shopping for a Duramax knows how hard they are to find. And in this good of shape - being a CarFax Certified ONE OWNER?? That's does it all right there. Check it out -

Will the bank loan me that much? YES. We can (based on your good credit of course) get it done right here at Ryan Chevrolet. You can get great terms and rates without having to run all over the place.

What's the loan value? Can't buy this truck at loan. Just cannot be done. Bottom line. If we could buy them at loan, we would have a hundred ready to sell. What you really need to ask is "What's the bank going to carry on this?" That (again) depends on your credit - but I can tell you that the Retail Value set by NADA (which nearly all the banks use) is a whopping $29875! We won't try that one...but considering the condition, mileage, warranty, and extras - $27500 is a great deal on the most sought after Diesel truck on the market.
 

Chevy Equinox tops rival small crossovers in Cars.com SUV Shootout

The new "family car" star of the auto showroom is technically not a car. It's a compact crossover SUV. By Ian Merritt, Cars.com

 

The Lawrence family, Chandie, Joey (not pictured) and daughter Charli are part of our USATODAY/ MotorWeek/ Cars.com SUV Shootout.

 

No. 1 2011 Chevrolet Equinox; 797.3 points

(See the scorecard or Monroney sticker)

GM's most recent SUV (along with its GMC Terrain sibling), the Equinox wowed both our experts and our family. "The Equinox is the clear winner in my book," Varela wrote, "seemingly belonging to a completely different category of cars: the luxury category." Even a mildly sluggish engine couldn't slow down the praise.

Pros: "For $28,500, this car is loaded with family-friendly features," Newman wrote. Among them were dual fold-up DVD screens, a backup camera that could be viewed in the rearview mirror and the only powered liftgate in the group. "There's a real premium feel throughout the interior," Robinson wrote. Varela agreed: "The fit and finish go way above and beyond the others." "The Equinox is one of the most comfortable of the bunch from the driver's seat," Thomas wrote. "For a four-cylinder, it's great," Lawrence said. "It's so much more substantial."

Cons: Given its high EPA-rated 32 mpg highway estimate, it was no surprise that acceleration was where the Equinox, er, lagged. "There's a real delay when you press on the gas pedal that I find incredibly annoying," Robinson wrote, and it "felt a little boaty at times,"

 

Key Equinox Points

• As-tested price: $28,560
• 22/32 mpg city/highway, 26 mpg combined
• IIHS Top Safety Pick
• Leather seating
• Industry Exclusive Turn-by-Turn directions through OnStar
• Rear DVD system
• Backup camera
• Bluetooth connectivity

Sales are booming for small-to-midsize vehicles that have the space of a truck but the driving ease and lighter weight of a car. They are roomy but not gargantuan. Engines are peppy but not guzzlers. "Small crossovers are becoming the new family car," says Alexander Edwards, president of consulting firm Strategic Vision. "With strong styling cues and added innovative features ... it is definitely a segment of vehicles here to stay and one that will continue to grow."

That's why we picked the segment for our latest family-focused vehicle showdown:the $29,000 SUV Shootout, sponsored by auto information site Cars.com, USA TODAY and PBS' MotorWeek automotive magazine program.

The testing by experts and a family aimed to see which compact crossover offers the best value — the best package of convenience, features and performance at a price within reach of middle-class families of no more than $29,000.

That's a higher window sticker than a typical midsize sedan, but families seem to be voting with their wallets for the added space and features. The goal in the $29,000 SUV Shootout was to pit nine of the most popular models against each other to see which one has the best combination of ride, room, family-friendly features and handling. The scoring was tight, but the top scorer was the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, followed by the Dodge Journey, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.

General Motors says compact crossover sales industrywide rose 74% last year. The segment's best seller, the CR-V, has broken into the top 10 U.S. sales list over the past few months. Crossovers overall have risen in sales share from 14.2% in 2007 to 21.2% last year, IHS Automotive says. "The vehicle itself is what Americans are looking for because they can carry people, carry stuff, have good visibility and versatility," says Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor for IntelliChoice.com. Surprisingly, at that price they came with a variety of family-friendly features previously found only on larger vehicles. Many had backup cameras. Four had back-seat DVD systems for kids.Becaue they weigh less than traditional SUVs, smaller crossovers don't need big power. Eight of the nine crossovers tested had four-cylinder engines.

Violence in OPEC Nation Libya Pushing Oil Prices Up

Violence that is tearing apart Northern African nation of Libya has devastating humanitarian implications – and causing oil prices to soar . BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley is watching this very closely, as petroleum futures surged to record levels in mid-2008. Oil market could easily jump another $10 in the short term if violence continues, said David Cohen, director of Asian Economic Forecasting at Asian Economics

Libya is 1st OPEC member state to be struck by wave of populist uprisings that has spread through Mideast. It is also 1 of biggest petro-exporters, w/ single largest oil reserves in all of Africa. W/ much of country in turmoil, and militias opening fire on anyone moving in capital of Tripoli, experts predict could be disruptions in production and delays in oil shipments Disruptions and delays quickly being factored in as everyone from oil producers down to local service stations start setting prices


Already up about 20% across most of US when compared with what gallon of regular unleaded went for year ago. AAA reports the average pump price is $3.17 gallon, though some markets are already nudging $3.50. Oil Price Information Service predicts the national average could be $3.75 by Memorial Day. Industry officials, including former Shell Oil chairman, have forecast that $4 and even $5 gallon could be coming — even w/out push of political revolt in Mideast. Oil is being bought on risk contagion will spread through Middle East, said Jonathan Barratt, managing director of Commodity Broking Services, in Sydney.