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Pickup trucks in America are one of the popular choices in the American car industry. Not just American car makers, Japanese like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Mazda has also entered this market segment, without or with failures. Even continental brands like Mercedes Benz is trying to enter this market with it's new X calss, which has not been introduced in the North American market yet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickup_truck Once a work tool with few creature comforts, in the 1950s consumers began purchasing pickups for lifestyle reasons and by the 1990s less than 15 percent of owners reported use in work as the pickup truck's primary purpose.Today in North America, the pickup is mostly used like a passenger car and accounts for about 18 per cent of total vehicles sold in the US. While in the United States and Canada most pickup trucks are used primarily for passenger transport, agriculture, and commercial uses, pickups are also used in law enforcement, the military, fire services, and for pickup truck racing, a form of auto racing using modified versions of pickups mostly onoval tracks. Race pickup trucks are mechanically similar to coupé-shaped stock cars. More reads: https://www.americantrucks.com/a-history-of-the-classic-pickup-truck.html The recent Detriot Auto Show has show cased some of the new models for 2018/19. Let's look at them in the following posts.

2020 GMC Acadiahttps://www.edmunds.com/gmc/acadia/2020/ 2020 GMC Acadia First Look The Acadia Is Finally the SUV It Should Have Been at LaunchWhen GMC redesigned the Acadia a few years ago, it made a host of improvements to quality, comfort and technology. Unfortunately, the new Acadia retained the old six-speed automatic transmission, which hurt acceleration and fuel economy, and it came standard with a somewhat overmatched four-cylinder engine. The Acadia's fraternal twin, the Chevrolet Traverse, launched with a nine-speed automatic and the GMC's optional V6 as the standard powertrain. Coupled with the fact that it's larger and it offers more interior space, the Traverse seemed like the default choice for a midsize three-row SUV from General Motors. In the years since, the GMC folks have come up with a few solutions that debut on the refreshed 2020 GMC Acadia. With a new look, better powertrain options, technology upgrades, and even an off-road-themed trim, the Acadia finally has an identity all its own. Playing Catch-UpThe outgoing six-speed automatic got the job done, but we like the new nine-speed unit for 2020, and there's no denying that it offers an advantage in terms of fuel economy. Although the non-turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder (193 horsepower, 188 pound-feet of torque) remains the entry-level Acadia engine, higher trims now come standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (230 hp, 258 lb-ft) that's much more capable. Notably, the stout V6 engine (310 hp, 271 lb-ft) is still an option for buyers so inclined. At a glance, it looks like GMC is simply bringing the Acadia in line with the Traverse, but take a closer look and you'll see that what it has actually done is differentiate it even more. Identity Crisis No MoreThe Traverse only offers its turbo motor in the "sporty" RS trim, where the engine is tuned to make more torque than the V6. GMC has opted for a different application of the engine, slotting it into a logical place in the Acadia lineup and making for a logical trim-level breakdown. For 2020, the SLT and Denali trims will both come standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This lineup offers a sensible progression and adds value for shoppers at every trim level. It also distinguishes the Acadia's value proposition from the Traverse, making it feel more like a unique product offering. The more aggressive exterior design only helps on that front. The squared-off headlights and big grille are welcome changes for 2020, making the Acadia look more like a GMC truck. We're fans of the tougher appearance, and we're glad to see GMC separating itself and establishing a strong identity. AT4 EverSpeaking of tough, GMC has added an AT4 trim to the 2020 Acadia. With some added cladding and dark accents on the outside, the Acadia AT4 certainly looks the part. While AT4 is meant to be GMC's "off-road" sub-brand, the Acadia AT4 doesn't get any unique trail-busting features. However, it does come standard with AWD and the V6 engine, and it will slot in between the SLT and top-tier Denali trim. That should mean you'll get more power and AWD for less money than the Denali, provided you're willing to forgo some of the Denali's additional luxuries. Add in the styling elements and we think the AT4 makes for an attractive package. Upgrades and UpdatesBeyond the exterior refresh and powertrain improvements, the 2020 Acadia gets some new technology. The 8-inch touchscreen receives a software update, granting the ability to save drivers' preferences into unique profiles. There are also upgrades to the satellite nav and the inclusion of two USB-C ports. Wireless charging is now available, and the high-definition camera that's standard on higher trims has been updated for better image quality. GMC also reports a redesigned center console that allows for more storage space and some suspension fiddling to improve ride quality. Pricing and Release DateGMC has been smart with the 2020 Acadia, and we think shoppers will take note, especially with regard to the improved value proposition from the SLT trim on up. The official MSRP range hasn't been released, but we don't expect it to deviate much from the existing pricing structure. The 2020 GMC Acadia should hit dealerships this fall.

A 40-foot sinkhole opened up under the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky on Wednesday and swallowed eight collector cars, including the historic one millionth Corvette built in 1992. No injuries were reported, but a 1993 ZR-1 Spyder and a 2009 ZR1 “Blue Devil” on loan from General Motors Co were among the iconic cars piled up in the gaping pit. It seems almost Biblical in a way, to have the ground open up and swallow the cream of the collection of the museum, what are the odds? Alarms went off early Wednesday morning in the “Skydome” area and museum security officers who rushed to the scene discovered the sinkhole, 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9m) deep. The Bowling Green Fire Department estimated its width at 40 feet (12m). Security camera footage posted on the museum’s web site shows two cars falling in as the hole opens up. Museum spokeswoman Laura Johnson said other cars near the sinkhole have been safely removed, and the museum was now trying to find a way to pull up the damaged Corvettes. Evidently, 'what to do next' includes moving other cars in their collection that might be at risk due to the sinkhole. Because the museum operates so many webcams, it's been possible to follow the action unfolding live. Teams of people have been pushing Corvette display cars of all years and descriptions through the museum's carpeted halls, but it isn't immediately clear where these cars are going. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0im-l411P1M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5FG9_mGWPo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbQF8_ZcwQk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k05VvKHsWaw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IukDWhf7U9I