Archive for the ‘Trucks’ Category
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
When 2008 is all said and done, the auto industry will have marked one of its worst years in decades. A slowing economy, high gas prices, and fickle consumers will be among the top reasons cited for the tough year, though the latter reason may not be fully explained. After all, if the economy stinks and gas prices are high, why wouldn’t consumers avoid big cars, trucks, and SUVs?
Now that gas prices have dropped - at least temporarily - consumers are once again flocking to the pick up truck market, making the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado the two top selling vehicles for October 2007, a position they regularly held month in and month out for years. Yes, pick up trucks are back, but maybe not for the reasons that you may think.
Let’s take a look at this recent phenomenon and whether the sales boost for a key segment in automobile selling will last.
Hammered since the beginning of the year by slow sales, the truck segment has found itself in an unusual position: more passenger cars than trucks have been sold month in and month out for a good part of the year. At the center of this change is high gas prices which pushed well above $4 per gallon for regular gas earlier this summer. That, along with a sour economy, took its toll on the sale of the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra. $100 fill ups scared off even the most loyal buyers, who decided to wait out the market.
Throughout the toughest months, incentives for new trucks reached their highest levels ever as automakers dropped their prices in a bid to bring people to the showroom. Finally, in early September when gas prices began their current retreat, buyers started to show up and sales climbed. In October Ford , GM and Chrysler were rewarded with a nice boost in truck sales thanks to the combination of incentives and fast dropping gas prices.
Indeed, for the month the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado once again finished one-two in sales, easily besting the number three best selling vehicle, the Toyota Camry, by some fifty percent.
The sales increase should also be attributed to something else besides incentives and lower gas prices and that would be pent up demand. Figuring that quite a few owners would have traded up earlier in the year, but hesitated due to market conditions, the latest boost likely reflects the opening of floodgates to meet previously restrained consumer demand. Now has become a good time to buy and the market reflects that change.
Will the sales boost last beyond a month or two? That remains to be seen. If gas prices remain below two dollars per gallon and the economy stabilizes, then truck sales should remain strong. If the economy worsens, then all bets are off; the market could collapse regardless of how low gas prices go.
Not everyone is thrilled that trucks sales have rebounded, particularly those who think it will cause drivers to use more gas, thereby increasing our dependency on foreign sources of oil while causing more pollution. Yet, for the big automakers who are dependent on truck sales to drive profits, the rebound is welcome even if it turns out to be just a temporary boost.
Tags: Chevrolet Trucks for sale, Ford Trucks for sale, pick up truck for sale
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Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
Trucks are generally large vehicles that are used to carry different goods and merchandise in bulk from one location to the other. The history of trucks is a long and interesting one, starting with the year 1769. This was the year when the steam-powered fardier was launched by Nicholas Cugnot. Even if this is considered to be the prime ancestor of the truck, the steam trucks first appeared in the 1800s. These were usually employed for horse and carriages and this is where it all started. The semi trailer was the next important step and this happened in 1890. The very first internal combustion engine was built by the famous Karl Benz in 1895, while Gottlieb Daimler came up with a similar engine three years later, followed by other prestigious car manufacturers in the upcoming years.
Once the engine was well developed, the tires became pneumatic, while before they were made of rubber. Next, the electric starters were added and the power brakes were also included. Meanwhile, the 2 cylinder engines were replaced by 4-6 or even 8 cylindered engines. Semi trailer trucks appeared and closed cabins together with electric lighting were in.
The manufacturing technology as well as the design of the trucks has been modified and improved and there are many variants of quality trucks available. Today, there are several types of trucks, categorized by size: ultra light trucks, very light trucks, light trucks, medium trucks, heavy trucks and off road trucks. Each of these trucks is built for a different purpose, and the truck users should know which the most suitable size of the vehicle they choose to drive is.
As mentioned earlier, there are many truck manufacturers, some of them specialize in manufacturing trucks only, and some of these make small cars as well. The manufacturer with the most sales in trucks is presently Daimler Chrysler, followed closely by Volvo truck. Other top manufacturers are PACCAR truck (the DAF trucks), Man truck, Scania truck, Hino Motors truck (made by the Toyota Group), Iveco truck (made by the Fiat Group), Nissan Diesel truck, Renault truck, Sisu Auto truck, Mercedes Benz truck, Avia Trucks, Mitsubishi trucks, Mahindra and Mahindra trucks, Chevrolet trucks, Volkswagen trucks and many others. As you can see, the manufacturers are spread all around the globe as the trucks are popular all around the globe
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Friday, November 14th, 2008
The Dodge Ram has been Chrysler’s full-size pickup trucks since 1981. Although in the first decade or so of its existence the Ram was an also-ran when compared to the very popular Ford F-150 truck and the Chevrolet C/K series, a dramatic re-design in the early 1990’s caused many truck drivers to sit up and take notice. A bold, in your face style combined with both a powerful Cummins turbo-diesel engine and an eye-popping optional V10 engine brought many converts over to the Dodge fold.
While the V10 may be on its way out for 2009, the muscular good looks and cast-iron workhorse engine remain with the 2008 Dodge Ram. In addition to the 10-cylinder power plant are a variety of V8 engines and 2 excellent 6-cylinder turbo-diesels. Entry-level trucks start with a 3.7 liter V6 engine making a fairly low (for a full-size pickup) 215 horsepower. However, it is easy for buyers to step up to a V8 at the next trim level, and all 4-wheel drive trucks come standard with 310 horsepower 4.7 liter power plant that also makes 330 lb-ft of torque. A 5.7 liter Hemi V8 and the 8.0 liter V10 engine both dual for the hearts and minds of power-hungry truck buyers, while one of the Cummins turbo-diesel engines features an astonishing 600 lb-ft of torque - excellent for those who need to pull a boat, livestock, or even a house.
Aside from engine choices, the trim levels in the Dodge Ram truck reflect the same austere-to-opulent progression that is common with full size pickup trucks. Base models are simple cloth seat and hand-crank window affairs, but the top of line Laramie package adds leather, air conditioning, an improved stereo system and a host of other amenities that transform the vehicle into a highway cruiser suitable for long, cross-country trips – if fuel mileage isn’t a concern. Even the smallest V8’s in the Dodge stable get far less than 20 miles per gallon, making the Ram an expensive vehicle to run as a daily driver. Fuel mileage on the diesel engines is better, but this is largely canceled out by the increased costs of diesel fuel.
Power and luxury aren’t the only variables when it comes to outfitting the Dodge Ram. In addition to choosing between the lighter two-wheel drive version of the Ram and the four-wheel drive edition, it is possible to specify whether the 1500, 2500 or 3500 trim is desired. This increases the overall weight of the vehicle and makes it more suited for heavy duty hauling or towing. An 8 foot bed or a shorter cargo area measuring just over 6 feet are also on the option list, and buyers can of course choose from a variety of towing and off road packages designed to customize the truck for its intended use.
The Dodge Ram is due for a re-design for the 2009 model year, and the new truck has already made the rounds of the auto show circuit. Stylistically, the vehicles are quite similar, but power is up all around for the V8 engines, especially when it comes to the base 4.7 liter. Fuel economy is also improved, but the V10 and one of the current diesel offerings will no longer be on the table. Finally, the suspension system has been completely re-designed and replaced in order to focus on ride comfort and vehicle handling.
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Monday, October 20th, 2008
Antique trucks since long have interested American inhabitants. It has become their favorite pastime. Collecting these trucks is not only a hobby but it is a passion for some. Special groups, clubs and museums have been created to showcase the collected automobiles.
Older trucks were used largely in agriculture. They belonged to the 20th century. The oldest and the most original truck was the Mack truck which was owned by John Mack. They were introduced during the 1800s and since then have seen their expansion to buses, dump trucks, semis and other 18 wheeler vehicles.
The popular brands include Chevy trucks, Dodge trucks, and Ford trucks out of which the Dodge truck is a favorite one. The value and the cost of the truck depend upon its rarity and its present condition. The price ranges from anything few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Many museums and magazines have been designed to house these antique Dodge trucks.
The oldest Dodge truck model was the Dodge Model 30 which as built in the year 1914 by the dodge brothers company. It was a 4 cylinder truck with a body made entirely of steel. The features of this antique truck were 12 volt electrical system and sliding gear transmission. The other Dodge model was model T which had an antique planetary pattern but it was phased out of market very soon by the year 1927. During the years of introduction of the company only light duty trucks were manufactured but later during the 1930s and 1940s the medium and heavy duty trucks were also introduced.
During late 1930s, the Dodge Company introduced the 14 cylinder trucks which proved to be major breakthrough for the company. The company also introduced newer and more improved versions of trucks during the year 1939. But due to the Second World War the company was shut down. Later in the years from 1945 to 1949 a number of 6 cylinder trucks came into being which were named the ‘Power Wagon’.
Antique dodge trucks can be bought from auctions, trade shows, trade magazines or even web site biddings. An American truck Historical Society has been formed specially which deals with the buying and selling of antique trucks. They even have memberships and newsletters to keep the interested ones updated about antique dodge trucks. An antique truck museum can be found in almost all states of USA.
There are a number of antique dodge trucks to choose from. They include Dodge Model 30, Dodge Model T, Series 116 and many more. Even today some of these trucks are on display and even for sale. Interested people can participate in auctions and biddings to own one of the antique Dodge trucks. These trucks for sale are extremely popular and are a symbol of prestige. Hence more and more people have opted for buying these antique Dodge trucks. Even though the Dodge trucks gained more popularity after the Second World War, even today there are many people who want to add these vintage automobiles to their collection.
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Monday, October 13th, 2008
Mack trucks are heavy duty built and made to last. This goes for the big rigs that you see on the freeways every day right down to the Mack dump trucks that many construction companies simply can not live without. The power of the Bulldog is a phenomenal thing and trucks from this manufacturer pack all the power that any driver could want.
Mack is one of the world’s leading truck manufacturers. Based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the company is a subsidiary of Volvo trucks. For years this highly popular and trusted manufacturer has been producing Mack dump trucks that have been used for transporting materials such as sand, gravel and dirt for construction, highway and other vital business tasks.
If you or your company are in need of a dump truck then Mack is by far one of the most chosen breed of truck for this purpose. Whether you decide to purchase your Mack dump trucks new or used, you can find many budget-friendly and heavy duty trucks when you shop online. Of course you wouldn’t simply expect to head over to an auction site and grab one for pennies, but online sites that deal with the buying and selling of trucks, trailers and other aspects of the trucking industry can be very beneficial when you are searching for a new or used truck for sale, whether you need something for the long haul, construction or any other trucking purpose.
If you are planning to shop online, simply find the site that you trust and type in Mack dump trucks into the search bar function. You may be surprised at the many available models of dependable construction type trucks that you will see. One reason that searching online is so highly beneficial, and why it has become so popular, is that you have the opportunity to view trucks from people all over the nation. You are not simply bound to your general area. Thousands of people across the nation are right now attempting to sell a truck and the internet gives them a much greater capacity for audience than any other advertising method.
So, when you get ready to begin your search for a needed construction vehicle, remember that Mack dump trucks are popular for a reason. They are dependable and built to withstand even the most rugged conditions. Find yours today. The power of the Bulldog compels you.
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