Click above for more images of the 2007 Chevy Silverado

We have been covering the amazing decline of the pickup truck in America over the past few months, but General Motor's recent announcement that it will be cutting truck production by some three-hundred-thousand units by next year puts quite a cap on it. The General makes a hefty profit on each full-size truck it sells, and this production cut will have a huge impact on the bottom line of America's largest automaker. Of course, GM is probably quite pleased that it's not releasing a brand new model of its full-sizer this year like some other less fortunate competitors.

In addition to the production cuts, GM CEO Rick Wagoner has also announced that the company will delay the pending redesign of its largest trucks and SUVs. The automaker intends to save a whopping $7 billion by putting off its next truck and will also cut the development of V8 engines. A few years back, nothing seemed more American than V8 engines and great pickup trucks. While nobody expects these two icons to go the way of the Dodo, it's clear that development money is now much better spent elsewhere.

[Source: GM]

Click above for high-res gallery of the Piaggio MP3 400 and 500

Finding yourself stuck in a truck? Gas guzzling got you down? You are certainly not alone. Though the most obvious thing to do would be to ditch the fuel-inefficient vehicle for a cheaper to run model, Fox Business has other ideas. Keep in mind that the current value of pickups, especially full-sizers, has dropped nearly as dramatically as the fuel prices have risen, so you're not likely to get what you owe, assuming you are still making payments. That's why getting out from under your purchase could end up costing you more than its worth.

If you're stuck with a gas-hog, what are your money-saving options? Umm... drive less. No, seriously. Consider public transportation and carpooling if possible. Ride your bike when its practical and even *gasp* walk. Of course, it's not always possible to walk or ride a bike to get where we need to go. Fox ends by suggesting a scooter as a second vehicle. It's worked out for lots of people already, but be sure to count that cost too before making any rash decisions. We're cycle fans who recognize the fun and low-costs associated with scooters, but safety and practicality cannot be ignored. Whatever you do, get used to it, 'cause gas isn't likely to begin dropping back down any time soon.

[Source: Fox Business]

Click above for more high-res shots of the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid

It was only a few years ago that General Motors was bullish on the U.S. market for full-size, body-on-frame sport utility vehicles. Today? Not so much. These days, the bottom has fallen out of the big truck market, as even the once untouchable Ford F-150 has seen its perch atop the sales charts come to an abrupt halt. While there will always be a certain number of people who truly need the vast capabilities of the largest of trucks, that demographic is shrinking alarmingly quickly. In lieu of this fact, General Motors may begin phasing out its full-size SUVs. Because this may point to new SUVs from the General using unibody architecture, the future of family stalwarts such as the Suburban and flavor-of-the-day models such as the Cadillac Escalade are in doubt.

We don't expect GM to abandon the market totally, as sales, though down, are still strong enough to warrant the models' place on dealer lots. We do, however, expect that more fuel efficient gasoline engines, diesels and hybrids will join a lighter-weight structure as the long-term future unfolds.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Click the Tahoe hybrid for a high-res gallery

To go along with the advertising push that General Motors is planning on for its large hybrid SUVs is news that the automaker will increase incentives on its largest models, including its full-size hybrids for the first time ever. Current owners of a General Motors vehicle will get the largest savings, with as much as $6,000 off the price of non-hybrid Cadillac Escalades, Chevy Tahoes and GMC Yukons. Hybrid versions get a bit less off the top, coming in with $4,000 in total savings. Full-size pickups get in on the incentive game too with combined savings of up to $5,000.

Not long ago, General Motors announced that it would be cutting production of its pickup trucks and SUVs to be more in line with consumer demand. Four plants will be closed and the Hummer brand may even be put up for sale. GM is not the only automaker being hit by the slow truck market, as Ford and Dodge have trotted out incentives to move units as well. Honda, Toyota and Nissan have all shifted production from trucks to cars where possible.

[Source: Bloomberg]

What are the chances that Fred Thompson drives around America in a pickup truck for his campaign? Not very good, I'd say. But hey, it has worked out all right for him before. Back in '94, Thompson bought a red pickup truck and drove around Tennessee to campaign for the Senate. After Al Gore became the vice president, his seat on the Senate was up for grabs, and Thompson used "non-traditional" methods on his way to winning that election. Now that he is campaigning for the Republican presidential primaries, Bill Lacy, one of his aides, says that he will again use "non-traditional" methods. Does this mean that he will buy a hybrid and drive that from state-to-state instead? It would make more sense than using a pickup, unless that pickup is one of the upcoming two-mode hybrids from GM. Still, I'd say it's not likely.

[Source: Washington Post]

A recent letter to an environmental columnist in Chicago asked about replacing older pickups with a more fuel-efficient model. The columnist discussed the Chevy and GMC hybrid pickups but had no clue as to the operation of those trucks. They're not really hybrids. Both have a belt-alternator-starter system that shuts down the engine while the vehicle is stopped. Fuel savings are minimal, at best 10 percent, and the operation is hardly seamless. Both times that I drove the hybrid pickups, they were annoying and frustrating experiences.The main reason a few consumers do buy the GM pickup hybrids is the 120V outlet that can power equipment in the field. The writer goes on about other hybrids. Why are hybrids the only solution? How about a diesel pickup? The question was about fuel economy. And the latest round of emissions standards for diesels have the trucks running nearly as a clean as gas engines.

The columnist then suggests that replacing an older truck may not be the "most environmentally sensitive way to go", since another new vehicle hits the road while an old one clogs up a junkyard. Then goes on to say that repairing an old vehicle is usually cheaper than buying a new one.

Hogwash!

Officials in California have long wished that old vehicles would get off the road. Governments even sponsor crusher programs and allow pollution credits to be traded or sold for every old car that is sent to the jaws. I don't know the specifics but the majority of smog in the Los Angeles basin is caused by a minority of vehicles that are much older than the current clean-running models. Basically, if everyone was rich in Los Angeles and could buy a new car, hybrid or not, the air quality would improve dramatically.

When it comes to trucks, environmental writers need to research the subject a lot more before giving advice.

[Source: Southwest News Herald]