As the New Year bears down on the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, many of our customers are comparison shopping for cars and trucks to help them ring in this festive time. The coveted pickup category has long been the U.S. Auto industry's hardest-fought sector, with stakes high enough to deem many different investments for manufacturers practical, and every gain gets a bit of notice. Ford, Chevy, and Dodge are all undergoing very heated competition, and the temperatures will definitely rise during 2018 as the brand look for various strategies for their trucks. Last month in Texas, we made quite a bit of noise by showing off the redesigned Chevy Silverado, with the promise of it being leaner and meaner for the New Year.
We fully admit that one of our other very rough and tumble competitors is also FCA: Dodge is introducing its full redesign of the Ram 1500 since the 2009 model. Then, late in 2018, they will introduce the Scrambler, which is the first midsize Jeep pickup in around 20 years. As trucks battling each other have reached a mode of truly hyper-competitive nature, and consumers are on the hunt for improved comfort, fuel economy, and higher power. The three main brands for trucks are actually each going their own way when it comes to powertrains and materials: they are not just same versions of each other with a different company stamp on each one.
The full-size pickup market segment has grown 5.5 percent through November, while light trucks, crossovers, and SUVs are up around 4.7 percent, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Pickups have truly become king: The Ford F series has long been the nation's top-selling vehicle for decades, with our beloved Silverado coming in at number 2, then followed by the Ram pickup. Since they were redesigned and given an aluminum body, features have been added such as a 10-speed transmission, a Raptor performance variant, and trim levels with higher-end offerings. For the first time since 2011, Ford will begin building Ranger midsize pickups in the U.S. Later during the year. These are set to viciously go head-to-head with our Chevy Colorado model, the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and the GMC Canyon.
FCA is slated to reveal the details about the redesigned Dodge Ram 1500 during the Detroit Auto Show, and spy photographers have been spreading around leaked photos of its new styling after a gust of wind literally blew the cover off of a pre-production model this fall, cluing us into many secrets. Under the hood, the Ram will have well-upgraded engines, complete with a 48-volt mild hybrid belt-start generator system to improve fuel economy, as well as suspension systems that have been greatly improved. It should also come in at a lighter weight, have a larger crew cab, and come with the latest version of FCA's Uconnect infotainment system to go with a revamped interior.
We are more than proud here at the Powerhouse about how the Chevy Silverado 1500 measures up to the competition. Standard rear-wheel drive as well as a 4.3-liter V-6 that produces 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque is situated on board. Many of our West Lynn customers who have days that demand more than just enough to get by will want to check out the 6.2-liter V-8: it is backed with an 8-speed automatic, and pumps out 420 hp along with 460 lb-ft of torque. You have a lot to choose from as far as body styles: a regular cab with standard or long bed, double cab with standard bed, and crew cab with short or standard bed. Our well-cared-for horse in the fierce truck race of 2018 can also two between 9,500 and 12,500 pounds, depending on which configuration and powertrain is put to use!
