6/30/15

Adrian Steel Releases New Interior Ladder Storage Solution

Introducing the Interior Ladder Rack 
brought to you by Adrian Steel 
 

Adrian Steel introduces an innovative solution for the transport of step ladders inside of work vans.  This solution provides a safe and efficient means of transport for your step ladder from job site to job site.  Such transport is possible thanks to a new product, the Interior Ladder Rack, which allows you to store your ladder inside of your van by mounting it to either the partition or shelf panel.

Out of the Way, Never Out of Reach. The Interior Ladder Rack from Adrian Steel…


  • Allows you to store your ladder inside while providing quick and easy access to your ladder from the outside of your vehicle.
  • Does not take up, limit, or reduce vertical standing room in your van, allowing you to make full use of your vehicle.
  • Eliminates the outside wear and tear on your ladder, as it will be stored inside and thus protecting your ladder from the elements, theft, and road grime.
  • Customers will appreciate your use of clean, well taken care of equipment rather than bringing the outside mess into their home.
  • Features plastic coated clamps to protect the ladder rungs during transit.
  • Perfect for carrying 4ft and 6ft step ladders and works best in medium and high roof vans.



About Adrian Steel
Our goal is to optimize the value of the customer’s commercial vehicle by understanding the role of the vehicle in the customer’s business.  Adrian Steel provides solutions for a range of vehicles from crossovers to cargo vans.  Our customers include those with one vehicle in their fleet to 50,000 vehicles in their fleet.  Adrian Steel has upfitted over 1 million vehicles in our 60 plus years in business and has leveraged that expertise in engineering our innovative product line.

Adrian Steel’s installation network provides you options to get your vehicle upfitted regardless of where you need to get them done: at the factory, out of dealer stock, at your place of business, or through a bailment pool.  Adrian Steel’s strong reputation in cargo management solutions is only matched by our resolve to offer the industry’s best lead times and highest quality. 

Learn more at www.AdrianSteel.com or call (800) 677-2726.

Adrian Steel.  Because your work demands the best.

6/29/15

See around semi-trucks with this Samsung innovation




It can be difficult to share the road with 18 wheelers. There’s an instinct to pass the trucks, but often it’s impossible to see if a car is coming the opposite way. Well, not any more, thanks to a new innovation from Samsung.

Almost one person dies every hour as a result of traffic accidents in Argentina, according to Samsung. The electronics company created their “Safety Truck” to try to stop some of those too-frequent tragedies.

A camera on the front of an 18 wheeler broadcasts a live feed of the road in front to screens mounted on the back. That way, cars stuck behind the semi-truck can see if any other vehicles are coming to know when it’s safe to overtake the truck. 



Silverado Owners Stay Closely Connected to Truck


Owners remotely monitor Silverado’s status 
more than most models



DETROIT – Chevrolet Silverado owners are some of the most connected drivers on the road, making up the largest population of OnStar RemoteLink mobile app users. And they’re using the app more often than most drivers to check tire pressures, oil levels and remotely start their trucks.

In the near future, Silverado drivers will also have an unprecedented industry-first connection to their trucks called Proactive Alerts, which can predict and notify drivers when certain components need attention – in many cases before vehicle performance is affected.

“Compared to other vehicles, trucks have a unique place in their owners’ lives,” said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer for Silverado. “Not only can pickups provide reliable day-to-day transportation, but they’re also a valuable tool for tackling projects at home or on the job site. It’s not surprising, then, that Silverado owners would take full advantage of RemoteLink’s ability to keep tabs on the health of their Silverado.”

When using the app, Remote Start and Vehicle Diagnostics are the top two most-used features by Silverado owners. Silverado is also the top model for owners to send directions from their phone to their vehicle.

When it comes to OnStar 4G LTE connectivity, nearly 99 percent of Silverado owners with access to the service agree to the Terms and Conditions, giving them a three-month or three-gigabyte trial of 4G LTE data. For those customers who purchase the plan after their trial, the most popular plan purchased is one gigabyte of data per month.

Fleet customers can also stay well-informed of what’s happening to each truck in their fleet, thanks to a partnership with Telogis. The company’s fleet maintenance tools work in sync with OnStar technologies, allowing tracking of destination, speed and, fuel economy, engine hours, idle time and oil change status. Trucks also can be remotely locked and unlocked. Unlike trucks from other manufacturers, Telogis can connect to properly equipped Chevrolet trucks using OnStar’s remote application programming interfaces in lieu of costly hardware installations in each vehicle.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive & active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.


About OnStar
OnStar, LLC (OnStar) is a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Holdings LLC (“GM”). Along with its affiliate Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd (a joint venture involving OnStar, Shanghai General Motors Co., Ltd (SGM) and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC)), OnStar serves 7 million subscribers in North America and China. OnStar is a provider of Emergency, Security, Navigation, Diagnostic and Connectivity services. OnStar with 4G LTE is currently available on more than 30 2015 GM models in the U.S. and Canada.

6/28/15

U.S. Military Personnel Take Ford Mustang, F-150 for a Ride at Hockenheimring Racetrack

  •     Ford and the Overseas Military Sales Corporation host first-ever Ford Driving Freedom ride-and-drive event for U.S. military personnel stationed on bases across Europe
  •     U.S. military personnel got the unique opportunity to drive the Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang on Hockenheimring racetrack in Germany
  •     Ford has worked with Overseas Military Sales Corporation since 1995 to offer Ford and Lincoln vehicles for sale throughout the Americas, as well as in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as on select Navy ships
Members of the U.S. military got the unique opportunity to take a test drive of the Ford F-150 and Mustang today at Germany’s famed Hockenheimring racetrack.

“The Ford Driving Freedom ride-and-drive event is designed to introduce the new 2015 Ford Mustang and F-150 to military personnel who are stationed on U.S. bases across Europe,” says Doug Walczak, fleet sales manager, Ford Motor Company. “It’s the first time such an event has been held overseas.”

Walczak says the exercise reinforces Ford’s commitment to U.S. military personnel around the world. “We’re excited to provide this unique opportunity to men and women serving in the military,” he says. “They make many sacrifices on our behalf, and we wanted to give them a chance to leave base and experience something fun while serving their country.”

The Hockenheimring track is home to the German Grand Prix. The venue was selected both because of its history and its central location. Military personnel from U.S. bases across Europe were invited to participate, along with 125 winners of a contest sponsored by Overseas Military Sales Corporation. The group is the only on-base, factory-authorized Ford Motor Company distributor to military personnel. Walczak says the contest, which drew 300 entries, is an example of the community events the group holds to boost the morale of troops and showcase Ford products.

“Ford has worked with the Overseas Military Sales Corporation since 1995 to offer Ford and Lincoln vehicles for sale in more than 30 countries throughout the Americas, as well as in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as on select Navy ships,” said Walczak. “Service personnel can order vehicles for use where they are stationed, or place an order overseas and pick it up at a dealership when they return home.”

The ride-and-drive program is a pilot, and could serve as a template for integration in Ford’s future product launches.

The trucks being used for the ride-and-drive, along with others on display, are among the first F-150 vehicles on the ground in Europe.

Ford is top of mind for members of the U.S. military. Overseas Military Sales Corporation was the leading retailer of Ford Mustang in the world in 2014, while Ford F-150 is the most popular vehicle for members of the military – according to a survey by USAA, a financial services company serving military personnel and their families.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

6/27/15

Work Van Organization From Sortimo by Knapheide



Haily Meyer, Marketing Mgr at Sortimo by Knapheide talks with Joe Hughes of the National Ford Truck Club about the Sortimo packages available for the Ford Transit and other vans to help end users be as organized as possible to be more efficient and effective in their businesses. See more about these products at

Brute BedSafe Slide-Out Bed Box



Westin Brute Slide-Out box

Westin aluminum heavy-duty roller drawer boxes are 53-percent lighter than steel boxes

Expanding bed cargo storage and security is easy with the new Westin Automotive Brute BedSafe Boxes. This box design offers a secure cargo solution that mounts in the truck bed and is available in six configurations

Westin Brute BedSafe aluminum heavy-duty roller drawer boxes are 53-percent lighter than steel boxes, and the drawers are made of .125 inch thick smooth mill and have a 350 lb. capacity.
Advertisement

The top and side have a 500-pound capacity for evenly distributed weight with .100″ thick reinforced diamond tread casing.

BedSafe Boxes have a rain gutter feature for water resistance and are base reinforced for strength and durability. Inside, each features movable dividers for item organization as needed.

Made in the U.S.A. and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Westin Products; 800-345-8476

Bruce Smith June 15, 2015

Source: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/brute-slide-out-bed-box/

6/26/15

Golf Cart Depot - How a Full Size Ford Van and Trailer Works for their Mobile Repair Business!



Florida is the Golf Course Capital of the World! The Golf Cart Depot in Tampa, FL uses a full size Ford Van and a tandem landscape style trailer for their golf cart mobile repair business. The use of golf carts is not confined to golf courses, here in Florida they are used year 'round in large industrial complexes, ship yards, apartment complexes, home owner associations, etc. as well as on golf courses.


I can vouch for the fact that the industrial use of golf carts, particularly in Ship Yards is much harder on these vehicles than their use on the smooth grass of the golf courses. They are not only used to transport personnel but often carry tools and equipment over rough terrain for the maintenance operations as well. This makes for frequent maintenance, breakdowns and  for a very busy repair business!

I'm always interested in what and how parts, tools and equipment are stored in the vans as well as the trailers. In this case I couldn't get the busy operator to open the rear van doors on this van but I did get to take a few pictures of the trailer.


The tandem landscape style trailer is set up with enough space and capacity to carry a golf cart back to the shop, but also it carries a lot of other parts and equipment. This trailer carries spare tires, a supply of batteries, as well as gas cans.The trailer is is set up with a tall rack in the front which provides space for an air compressor, a tool box as well as the gas cans.



Guest Post by Steve Taylor: Steve specializes in lean six sigma process improvement. He focuses on consulting with landscape / snow removal contractors, truck fleets, equipment distributors and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/
 

Print Your Favorite Ford Vehicle at Home: Ford First Automaker to Open One-Stop 3D Shop Online

  •     Consumers can now download digital images and 3D-printable files of Ford vehicles at the first-ever automaker-licensed, one-stop 3D shop online
  •     The Ford 3D Store offers printable files of F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350R, Focus ST and Fiesta ST; more models will become available later
  •     Online store is powered by TurboSquid.com, the leader in providing automotive digital imaging and 3D-printable files  
Want to 3D-print a Shelby GT350R at home? Or would you prefer to simply purchase an F-150 Raptor 3D digital image for a presentation? How about both?

Ford fans can now download digital images for Ford vehicles at the first-ever, automaker-authorized one-stop online store for 3D-printable vehicle files. The Ford 3D Store, 3d.ford.com, allows customers to use advanced technology to make their own models of Ford vehicles of the size and material they desire, or simply opt to purchase a 3D digital file from a growing library of more than 1,000 Ford images.

“3D printing at home is a growing trend, and it makes sense for us to offer our customers a chance to make their own 3D Ford models,” said Mark Bentley, licensing manager, Ford Global Brand Licensing. “At Ford, we’re using 3D printing every day to rapidly prototype parts, and now we want to share that fun with our fans.”

According to Juniper research, sales of desktop 3D printers will exceed 1 million units by 2018, from an estimated 44,000 sold annually in 2014.                                                                                            

Available 3D-printed Ford models include the new Ford GT, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350R, Focus ST and Fiesta ST. Printed models and digital files for additional Ford vehicles will be available at a later date.

3D-printed models available to order are 1/32nd scale in plastic, but purchasing a digital image allows users to have a Ford model 3D-printed to the scale and of the material they choose, either from their own printer or from an outside source. Professional 3D printers can create a model in materials ranging from soft plastics to sandstone and even various metals.

TurboSquid, a leader in marketing 3D image files commonly used in video games, built the new site for Ford and will provide order fulfillment.

“TurboSquid already allows customers to purchase more than 1,000 unique, licensed digital images of Ford products ranging from the Model T to the all-new Ford GT,” said Bentley. “We’re at the forefront of licensing 3D automotive images, and it made sense that TurboSquid help us complete that connection to the consumer.”

When a buyer purchases a model or digital image, he or she must register with the site and agree that the item will not be used commercially.

Visit 3d.ford.com to see the available 3D digital images and 3D-printed models.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

6/25/15

Tata Motors celebrates the roll-out of 100,000th Tata ACE Zip at the Dharwad plant

Tata Motors Dharwad Plant Head - Mr. Kumar Subramanian 
speaks on 100,00th Ace Zip Roll Out


Fostering self-employment in India 
to help build successful entrepreneurs & small businesses

Tata Motors today celebrated the roll-out of its 100,000th Tata ACE ZIP at its Dharwad facility in Karnataka. The Tata ACE Zip Micro truck is the last mile cargo transport vehicle from Tata Motors that has successfully provided solutions to the need for a safer, four-wheel, last mile transport option to cross narrow alleyways and zip through heavy traffic. Its affordable pricing and competitive maintenance cost throughout the life-cycle has fostered self-employment to help entrepreneurs & small businesses grow across urban/ semi-urban/ rural areas. The Tata ACE Zip is the second highest selling variant of the ACE family with an average volume of 2,500 vehicles per month and enjoys an unparalleled brand equity in this segment.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Ravi Pisharody, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors, said, "The Tata Motors' creation of the ACE in May 2005 and subsequently the ACE Zip went on to create new vehicle categories in India and are a clear indication of our understanding of the customer needs and commitment to cater to these with safe, cost-efficient transport solutions. Leading the segment with a large 78 per cent share, the ACE Zip micro-truck offers a safer, more lucrative cargo option for the cargo carrier businesses. It has found acceptability from first-time buyers and is seen as a successful self-employment generation model. Today, with the 100,000th roll out of this vehicle, we can confidently testify the value we offer to our customers".

In May 2011, the ACE family grew with the launch of the Micro truck - Tata ACE Zip, a technologically superior, four-wheel, smart and safe micro truck with a payload of 600 kg for deep-penetration for door-to-door goods movement. With a turning radius of 3.5 meters, the Tata ACE Zip proved to be a revolution in the small commercial vehicle industry. It is suitable for short intra-city deliveries, plying on narrow village roads as easily as on long highway hauls, carrying small bulky loads or even a heavy cargo. This half-ton truck is not only stylishly designed but also lives up to the promise of durability and performance.

In India, the Tata ACE Zip has been used in various applications like Cargo Van, Water tankers, Dumpers, Tippers, Display Vans, Shop-on-wheels, Snack Centre, Delivery Vans etc. Around 200 Tata Motors dealerships with a total network strength of around 1,800 outlets retail the Tata ACE family.

Established with an investment of over Rs. 900 crores, the Dharwad facility, home to the ACE Zip is a green field project by Tata Motors for the production of this Micro truck. It is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment following lean manufacturing principles and has built-in flexibilities to assemble large numbers and different variants in mixed mode production. The plant spans across an area of 405 acres and has been constructed as per the norms specified by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and has been accorded Platinum Rating from its inception. This plant recently won the Union Power Ministry's 'National Energy Conservation Award' for 2014 in the automobile sector.

The plant is ISO 14001 certified for Environment Management System Standard and for ISO 50001, Energy Management Systems. The Plant has won Golden Peacock for Environment Management System in 2014. The Plant is also certified for ISO: TS 16949 for its Quality Management System.
The major capital outlay, encompassing civil and plant engineering work for the facility, has been sourced from Europe, the US, South Korea, Japan and best-in-class suppliers from India. The capacity of the plant is 90,000 units per year.

Tata Motors offers its ACE Zip customers a wide service network with a service center at approximately every 40 kms in India. Additionally, the customer gets Annual Maintenance Contract and Extended Warranty or Tata Alert services at an attractive price. These comprehensive services are unique offerings from Tata Motors in this range of vehicles.

In future, the Company plans to undertake major technological upgrades -- better vehicle performance and durability through hub reduction, higher ground clearance, new engine configurations, new fuel options like CNG. Tata Motors is also planning to introduce an Electric version in the market.

With the largest and still growing network in place, continuous slew of upgrades, new launches and specific marketing interventions, Tata Motors continues to be the dominant player and is making strides in the Small Commercial Vehicle Industry.



About Tata Motors
Tata Motors Limited is India's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of INR 2,32,834 crores (USD 38.9 billion) in 2013-14. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India.  With over 8 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country's market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top in passenger vehicles. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, South America, CIS and Russia.

Full Size Chevy Panel Van used for Emergency Water Removal




Here’s a great setup and a very good application for a full size van. This Chevy Panel Van is housing the equipment and tools for water removal.

It appears to be well laid out with the heavy generator and pump system is in the center of the wheelbase and accessible from the side cargo area doors. The reels and hoses are supported and accessible from the rear door opening. As well, the chemical containers are stored and accessible from the rear open doors.


Restore24 Emergency Water Removal services are located in Tampa and Jacksonville, FL.
You may find Restore at : http://www.restore24.net/


Guest Post by Steve Taylor: Steve specializes in lean six sigma process improvement. He focuses on consulting with landscape / snow removal contractors, truck fleets, equipment distributors and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/



6/24/15

GMC, Instagram Create One-of-A-Kind Images

 Campaign to convey precision of brand’s interiors, exteriors

 

DETROIT – If a picture is worth a thousand words, GMC hopes consumers will have a lot to say about #GMCprecision, a new Instagram campaign that uses dramatic panoramic photography to illustrate the attention to detail in its vehicles.

The month-long campaign launched May 22, with GMC among the first automotive brands to create “PanoGrams” via the Instagram Carousel format that debuted earlier this year. It allows consumers to swipe through a series of photos in a single ad, similar to the way a traditional magazine publishes a multi-page spread of a single image. GMC created “PanoGrams” which showcase a series of photos within the carousel that stitch into one panoramic image. These PanoGrams will then link consumers to GMC.com for additional information.

Instagram/Facebook’s Creative Shop team worked closely with GMC to identify, select and photograph the #GMCprecision venues. They include a wind farm – viewed from a GMC Sierra Denali pickup and made to look infinite because of how the photographer captured the towering turbines against clouds and filtered sunlight – and a meticulously designed private residence in southern California. The GMC Yukon Denali and Terrain Denali are featured in the architecture treatment.

“We chose Instagram because of its successful track record of creating communities of discerning photography enthusiasts who can rally around a brand,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president, GMC. “Highlighting the precision of our vehicles within the context of beautiful photography helps us connect with consumers who embrace precision in all aspects of their lives.”

GMC will integrate its PanoGrams and companion content into the brand’s other digital media channels, such as Facebook.

“GMC’s PanoGrams are an incredibly creative and beautiful use of Instagram’s Carousel format,” said Michelle Morris, group director, Auto, Facebook & Instagram. “Instagram is all about capturing striking moments, and combining the interiors of their new Sierra with breathtaking exteriors is an excellent way to call attention to GMC's great vehicles.”

The #GMCprecision social play is part of GMC’s larger, multimedia “Precision” campaign that launched with television ads in March. It runs throughout the year and features the entire GMC lineup. Partly on the strength of the campaign, through May 31, GMC sales are up 15 percent year over year as more customers shift to trucks, crossovers and SUVs.

About GMC

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

6/23/15

2015 GMC Canyon


A decked-out 2015 GMC Canyon is by far the most luxurious and mild-mannered midsize truck in its class, and that upscale feeling doesn't come at the expense of payload and towing.

There's no denying the 2015 GMC Canyon is a game changer — mainly because the minimally changed Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier have allowed the midsize truck segment to go stale over the past decade. The Canyon and its Chevrolet Colorado sibling offer modern technology worthy of full-size trucks, with performance and refinement to match — at a fraction of that segment's size and price. Granted, it'll be a smaller fraction of the price once you start optioning a Canyon with its available standout technology and premium features. Compare the Canyon with its competitors here.

Canyons come in SL, base, SLE and SLT trim levels. SLT trims, like the one I tested, are the most feature-laden, while an SLE All-Terrain offers off-road-specific suspension tuning and a notable full-time all-wheel-drive system. A Canyon can tow up to 7,000 pounds when properly equipped and carry a payload of 1,620 pounds.

Two cab styles and two bed lengths are offered. An extended cab comes only with a 6-foot-2-inch box, while a crew cab comes with a 5-foot-2-inch box or a 6-foot-2-inch box riding on a longer, 140.5-inch wheelbase.

Exterior & Styling
The Canyon may slot below the half-ton Sierra in the GMC lineup, but it isn't any less attractive. A tall, upright grille, squared-off front styling and liberal use of chrome on higher trim levels give the Canyon a big-boy look in a much more manageable footprint. The Canyon has a commanding presence on the road for a midsize truck. It's a considerably more traditional look than the Chevrolet Colorado, which has taken on more carlike styling up front.

The GMC's premium approach means there are features on the Canyon you won't find on many other trucks in the segment, like the standard LED daytime running lamps with projector headlights for low and high beams. Top-of-the-line SLT trims include 18-inch polished wheels; heated, chrome, power side mirrors; fog lamps; and a chrome rear bumper.

For $725, the SLT can have dealer-installed chrome tubular side steps to help entry and exit; they're much needed, given it's still a decent jump into the cabin even though the Canyon's footprint is smaller than the Sierra's.

How It Drives
The Canyon's two engines for 2015 include the base 200-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an available 305-hp, 3.6-liter V-6. While the four-cylinder's output is impressive for a base engine in the midsize segment, it certainly drives like an entry-level engine in a bare-bones Canyon with the six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic is optional. The novelty of a six-speed-manual, four-cylinder truck wore off rather quickly thanks to a transmission gear ratio spread that didn't seem to match the four-cylinder's powerband very well. And of course, the huge shifter throws from gear to gear aren't exactly satisfying.

An extra two cylinders and 105 hp (and 78 pounds-feet of torque) do wonders for the nearly 4,000-pound truck. The 3.6-liter is a highly refined engine that pairs with an equally sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission to provide crisp, clean shifts and enough grunt for almost any situation in which a midsize truck needs to be used. There aren't any optional rear-end gear ratios; GMC doesn't give you as many choices as the full-size trucks do to tailor gear ratios to specific uses or towing needs. Four-cylinders come with a 4.10 axle, while the six-cylinder axle is 3.42.

Fuel economy shouldn't be a deciding factor between the two engines, as stepping up to the V-6 costs only a 1 mpg ding in EPA combined ratings. The four-cylinder gets an estimated 20/27/22 mpg city/highway/combined with the six-speed automatic and two-wheel-drive models, while the V-6 is rated 18/26/21 mpg. The Canyon's gas mileage is a big leap over the aging Tacoma and Frontier. A similarly equipped V-6 Tacoma is rated 17/21/19 mpg and a Frontier comes in at 16/22/18 mpg. During PickupTrucks.com's real-world fuel economy testing, the GMC's 21.56 mpg easily bested the Nissan's 18.84 mpg and the Tacoma's 17.33 mpg.

The Canyon's ride quality and interior noise levels are downright impressive no matter which engine is under the hood. The Canyon SLT has ride quality that's more comparable to a crossover SUV than any similarly sized truck, boasting the kind of isolation from wind and road noise we've grown to expect in a full-size pickup. GM's midsize twins have an on-road confidence to how they accelerate, brake and ride that's unlike any other midsize truck. Jam the brake pedal in an emergency move at 60 mph, and the Canyon's brakes slow the truck with carlike precision.

The truck I spent the most time in had the base suspension, but the All-Terrain package includes off-road-specific suspension tuning. Canyons with the base suspension and tires are best suited for on-road use. The taut suspension inspires confidence on the road, but once the dirt comes the GMC bounces around and loses composure at moderate speeds (20-30 mph). I drove a Canyon with the base suspension for PickupTrucks.com's 2015 Midsize Challenge, where it was pitted against off-road packages on the Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma. As you'd expect, those off-road packages handled the same course with more stability.

When optioned with four-wheel drive, Canyons use a typical four-wheel-drive system with manually selectable two- and four-wheel drive as well as a low-range four-wheel drive; all modes are selectable via an electronic dial controller.

Four- and six-cylinder Canyons can be equipped with four-wheel drive, though only with automatic transmissions. All-Terrain trims take four-wheel-drive capability to the next level with full-time all-wheel drive and the ability to split torque automatically when situations demand more traction. All-Terrain Canyons have 2WD, Auto, 4WD High and 4WD Low settings. They use an Autotrac transfer case similar to what's in the Sierra; it's a feature you won't find in a comparable Colorado; that truck comes only with part-time four-wheel drive, which must be activated and deactivated manually to suit conditions.

Interior
The distinction between Chevrolet and GMC interiors hasn't been much to get excited about in the past, but there's a definite lean toward an upscale interior in the Canyon versus the Colorado. The GMC's more uniform interior color combinations and accent stitching go a long way toward making the Canyon the more luxurious truck of the two. Both are light years ahead of the 2015 Tacoma ($21,880) and Frontier ($18,875), though they come with a higher starting price of $21,880 for a SL GMC truck. With that price comes a decent set of standard features, though: power windows with one-touch down/up, a backup camera and a four-way power driver's seat with manual recline.

The larger crew-cab Canyon has more backseat room and a rear bench seat for three passengers, versus two flip-up rear seats in the base extended-cab version. In the crew-cab model I tested, backseat room is spacious and comfortable compared with the rest of the segment. There are more similarities between the Canyon and full-size trucks than between the Canyon and anything else in the midsize segment.

Ergonomics & Electronics
If you're starting to observe a theme here — that the Canyon is a step above the segment in many ways — the following won't come as a surprise: The Canyon is available with an 8-inch touch-screen and featuring 4G LTE with wireless hot-spot capabilities, multiple USB ports, and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and streaming audio, plus an app for Pandora internet radio. Called IntelliLink, the system shares features and usability with other GM products, including its full-size trucks and the Chevrolet Impala. IntelliLink is standard on the midrange SLE trim and the higher-end SLT, and it's optional on base trucks. Standard features for the base model include a 4.2-inch color display, a USB port and an MP3 jack.

Cargo & Towing
Now to the meat and potatoes of any truck: cargo and towing. GMC says the longer bed of the crew-cab Canyon can support 8-foot-long items when the tailgate is lowered.

Maximum payload for a V-6 Canyon is 1,620 pounds with two-wheel drive, 1,590 pounds for four-wheel drive and an extended cab, and 1,550 with four-wheel drive and a crew cab. The V-6 handles a full payload like a champ, with the same responsiveness and smart transmission operation that makes driving the unloaded truck a joy. Payload capability is at the top of the segment, and when fully loaded the Canyon's rear end doesn't sag or give much indication it's hauling over 1,500 pounds. Max out the payload on a Frontier or Tacoma and there's a noticeable degradation in braking and acceleration.

The four-cylinder Canyon's payload is an equally impressive 1,490 pounds with two-wheel drive and automatic transmission, though the 200-hp engine is much less adept at hauling that weight. If you have to max out the payload, get the V-6 or leave yourself plenty of room on the road.

Stepping into the Canyon's bed to retrieve your cargo is easy thanks to a standard footstep built into the bumper. The bed also features a locking tailgate with a soft-open function, so you can let the tailgate lower without slamming off its hinges. GMC says this is a first for the segment. It's standard on SLE and SLT models and optional on the base Canyon.

A trailering package is required to max out the Canyon's towing capabilities of 7,000 pounds with the 3.6-liter; otherwise, standard towing capacity is half of that, at 3,500 pounds. The Canyon's trailering package includes a 2-inch receiver hitch and four- and seven-pin connectors for $250, and it requires the 3.6-liter model to be equipped with an automatic locking rear differential. That feature is standard on the SLT and available on other trims for $325. Four-cylinder Canyons are rated to tow only 3,500 pounds.

Safety
The crew-cab Canyon earned a rating of good (out of a possible good, acceptable, marginal or poor) in one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's two frontal crash tests, but the full complement of tests hadn't been conducted as of publication.

An extended-cab Canyon scored an overall four out of five stars in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests, but the crew cab remains untested.

The Canyon offers optional advanced safety features, including a forward collision warning system with audible and visual alerts when a potential collision is detected. Paired with a lane departure warning system in the Driver Alert Package for $395, the two features are impressive safety offerings in the class, along with the Canyon's standard backup camera.

See the Canyon's available safety features here.

Value in Its Class
The high-end SLT crew cab I drove, with four-wheel drive and a number of options, totaled $40,465. That included a $925 destination charge, navigation, an upgraded Bose stereo, a spray-on bedliner, the Driver Alert Package and more.

Forking over $40,000 for a midsize truck sounds outrageous, but the Canyon's level of driving refinement and high-tech feature content put it leaps ahead of anything else in the segment — as verified by Pickuptrucks.com's Midsize Challenge, where the Canyon beat out the Colorado, Tacoma and Frontier.

A feature-loaded midsize Canyon approaches full-size pricing, at $40,000, but there's still a big gap considering a similarly equipped GMC Sierra SLT retails for $50,500. The Canyon mirrors many of the Sierra's notable driving characteristics, but with a much more manageable price and size for those who don't need full-size truck capabilities.

Source: http://www.cars.com/gmc/canyon/2015/expert-reviews?reviewId=63440#expert-reviews