#LAAutoShow RUMOR: GM Internally In 'PANIC MODE' Over 2019 Pickup Trucks

Dateline 2018 #LAAutoShow- One of the best things about auto shows that make them still worth attending are the live streaming rumors being peddled by those in the know.

Just go sit at a bar, get your favorite beverage and sit back and listen.

Obviously today with all the layoff announcements the focus in the media is there. But when you listen to people who have access to WikiLeaks style info, the GM execs are panic mode and losing sleep over the new 2019 Pickup Truck line.

2018 LA Auto Show Photo Gallery

Why, you ask? The new face is very polarizing (I personally don't mind it when I look at it straight on) and dealer feedback from customers is very negative. But more importantly, what's really hurting these trucks in the sales dept is the COMPLETELY UNINSPIRED interior compared to the competition. Then complicate the situation further by FCA bringing out what many are calling the nicest luxury truck interior in the biz on the 2019 RAM.

So the gem we overheard last night was that GM execs have enacted an emergency program to FIX THIS SH_T. And fix it FAST!

You all know what a big truck fan I am and as we speak I'm in the market for my next one. The leading candidate right now? Even after testing the RAM, probably an F-150 King Ranch 4x4 157".

I tested the 2019 RAM Limited and Longhorn today. Lots of changes and I really wanted to fall in love with it. Drove great, but the exterior didn't exude toughness/worker and had a city slicker boy image to me. Also, the interior was a little too Wayne Newton/Vegas for me. Thought I would dig the huge center console screen but the interface was just uConnect evolved and stretched. And their active cruise with stop/go is not as sophisticated as F-150. And FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, HOW could you not have massaging seats as an option like on the F-150?! But already, a $64k RAM truck street selling price is in the high forties, which makes it very tempting, compared to high $50's for the competing F-150. But there is NO doubt if the competition was between RAM, Chevy, GM, Toyota and Nissan, the RAM beats them on ALL counts. 2nd place isn't something to be ashamed of.

But back to GM...They USED to make the second best pickup. Now it's F-150, RAM then GM in a DISTANT 3rd place.

HOW could they let that happen? How BRAIN DEAD are their execs? DEAR GM...THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCT YOU MAKE! How could you see what's going on around you and what's happening in the marketplace and have let such a LAZY, UNINSPIRED, block of MEDIOCRITY? If I had any connection or skin in the game with GM I would be incredibly worried about the people running the ship. If they know so little about the importance of making the pickup truck line the best thing they make what OTHER decisions are the getting wrong?

When I was at the launch all I could think was WHAT A HUGE MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

So Spies, chime in and let the folks at the General where they are going wrong on their trucks...I'll get the ball rolling...what were you thinking GM not offering active cruise as an option? HELLO!

Spies, discuss...

Keeping checking back often as we are in LA all this week bringing you the best coverage of the #LAAutoShow

2018 LA Auto Show Photo Gallery

TomM - 11/26/2018 8:49:07 PM

+1 Boost

It is hard to deal with this when I have just recently signed a purchase order for several dozen of these trucks (They were GMC - but that is not really the issue). Just like the GMC Savanas being so far in the past - and yet they still sells well because of its strong construction -ability to handle cargo weight - and ease of repair.The problem of course is I bought these trucks for real commercial use - and for a particular reason - the extra wide space in the Cargo area for the Gm trucks - that neither other can match. Of course - that we have used GMC trucks in the past and have a good relationship with our seller also helps. The "luxury" of the interior was not even discussed - and as far as looks - so MY trucks are less likely to be stolen - a plus!

However - obviously these trucks are not all being used as trucks - but as personal transportation - and that is where It is hard to justify them. I think the Sierra looks fine enough - the Chevy not as much though - but I believe if it had an interior that competed with RAM - there is enough to say they could be best sellers. THey really really blew it with that 4 cylinder base engine - why buy reduced capacity if you don't get increased efficiency? (Frankly that never entered our discussion either since we fill these things up and need real V-8 power). But that engine belongs in the COlorado - so maybe GM might come out ahead. AS far as a new interior - at least that is something that could be more easily done.

xjug1987a - 11/26/2018 10:03:59 PM

+2 Boost

Agree, however this is once again typical GM, make an "ehh" product and just expect it to sell then when it doesn't "PANIC" or kill it. This company should be building the best products on the planet they simply dont want to. This is a huge deal for GM and I hope a hard lesson learned and permanently corrected. Delight the customer, give them great value not just "value", great style, great ablity... price it competitively. For this product to have such a crap interior is pure arrogant incompetence.

MDarringer - 11/27/2018 8:24:17 AM

+1 Boost

GM has a REAL problem with their product approval process and allows stinkers and misses to get through while gorgeous show cars that look production feasible are never produced. When Chevy introduced the ugly bar across the face of their vehicles and were roundly criticized for the ugliness, they doubled down. The Malibu is a pleasant shape but the side detailing is bizarre and the face is ugly as sin.

MDarringer - 11/26/2018 10:34:01 PM

+2 Boost

People who see the 2019 Silverado have bought left over 2018's instead. The 2018 is the better truck. GM did an Aztek job on the "new" (sic) trucks. Dealers are livid at the ugliness. Meanwhile, the "new" (sic) Ram is the styling win.

xjug1987a - 11/27/2018 8:07:40 AM

+2 Boost

Love the new Ram, best Ram ever especially w/the ride of its independent rear suspension.

PUGPROUD - 11/27/2018 8:58:48 AM

+2 Boost

Like the old saying goes "An elephant designed by a committee is a camel." Great
automotive designs are most often the result of one person's vision and aesthetic. Think of Harley Earl, Bill Mitchell, Virgil Exner, etc.

TomM - 11/27/2018 2:02:45 PM

+1 Boost

I can think of those men - but one forgets that THEY lead complete Styling departments at a time when STYLING was done first - it it highly unlikely that the actually produced all of them cars themselves ALONE per car.

The problem is - THEY were real Stylists with first priority - styling no longer has that option and maybe shouldn't. And what it means is that the stylists at GM - who are capable of producing some breathtaking designs - are simply being ignored by senior management.

Agent00J - 11/27/2018 9:13:56 AM

+1 Boost

The biggest issue I see with the Chevy Silverado is simply this, THE NEW ONE LOOKS LIKE THE Toyota Tundra from the C-Pillar forward.

IT LOOKS LIKE a 10-year old design from Toyota. Rounding the wheel arches took a design element that was distinctly Chevy making the truck almost unidentifiable from more than 100 yards. I have seen several in traffic, in almost all instances I thought it was the Toyota.

To prove my point further, 2 months ago at the Nashville Auto Show (which for the record sucks, but hey a car show is still a car show) there was a brand new Silverado in the parking garage. My brother in law, not realizing what it was commented on the Toyota sitting there and asked me if I missed my Toyota truck (which I had totaled last year).

And this is for a BRAND NEW DESIGN!!!

Chevy should be worried, both Ford and Ram have raised the bar - Chevy got caught with their pants down a few years ago when the unveiled the previous gen trucks and Ford showed the now current F-150 concept.

Sadly, Chevy really doesn't have a dog in the fight right now.

-00J

dtmwtch - 11/27/2018 10:12:07 AM

+3 Boost

these trucks are boring. well made, but the interiors are still terrible, look like kit cars. just copy an interior from the japanese. the tundra may be inferior but it's materials are top notch especially given its age.

carloslassiter - 11/27/2018 11:51:46 AM

+3 Boost

Looks like Chevy Chase's Family Truckster from that National Lampoon Vacation movie.

malba2367 - 11/27/2018 1:12:38 PM

+2 Boost

They need to fix this thing ASAP. The exterior is not winning any awards and the interior is absolutely at the bottom of the class. Also they bring no innovation vs the competition. Ram has moved the gauntlet with their new generation and Ford will likely advance the bar even further with their next generation...the new GM product is well behind the current generation Ford product.

ricks0me - 11/27/2018 4:23:39 PM

+2 Boost

I saw a picture and gave thumbs up. I saw one on the road today and gave a big thumbs down. I hope All automakers look at this website. We, who post here, do not always agree with each other .... but you definitely get everyone's opinion and then a whole lot more.

If I was an auto mfg., this site would be bookmarked !!!

Good job Agents

Agent001 - 11/28/2018 8:56:43 PM

+1 Boost

Thank you for that insightful comment. ;)

001