[Ted White]

Several pictures here:

Chevrolet and GMC slap hood scoops on heavy duty trucks.

Can't see what all the secrecy was about. Looks like a 2016 with a hood scoop. No engine data yet - hope that's not a non-event too.

 

[Ted White]

Check out the article in the link in my last post and you'll see that they've designed in a water separator for the scoop.

 

[Ted White]

I read another article yesterday about the air scoop. A GM engineer was quoted as saying that heavy rain is not the biggest challenge when it comes to stopping water from getting passed through the scoop - it's the fine mist spray from traffic, particularly large trucks. Fine mist is hard to separate from the air flow.

 

[Ted White]

The existing Duramax engine has been taken to the limit in terms of power and torque. The 2017s will have a new engine.

 

[Ted White]

I'm only repeating what I've seen stated by GM engineering, along with media reports that a new engine is coming for 2017. For example, go here and click on the link in the second posting to see the new engine block casting for the 2017 Duramax:
2017 model year = new Duramax engine - Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel, Vortec 6.0L, Drivetrain, & Exhuast - GM-Trucks.com

 

[Ted White]

It's my impression that there's "no evidence" of a new motor because nobody is talking. It's the best kept secret of the century. Nobody I know in the Duramax plant or GM Engineering will talk about it. They won't deny it, or confirm it, or release any significant information, except for teasers like the fuel and emissions programming will be in-house instead of Bosch.

So I've provided some limited media information - evidence that there could be a new block, and others in this forum who have contacts in GM have also posted notes that anyone close to the engine is not talking. There has also been a posting that the original release date for the 2017s was delayed, which a local dealer told me he also heard was associated with the new engine. So let's hear it BanksLB7Duramax, where have you looked for evidence, and what have you been told by people you know in GM?

 

[Ted White]

I don't think buyers can order trucks yet, unless their dealers invite them to approve the specs for the factory orders. Dealers are ordering initial stock, but there are no brochures or specs for retail customers yet.

 

[Ted White]

We've seen schedules posted elsewhere in the forum that indicated that dealers could start ordering 2017s as of August 18th, so now there's conflicting info out there.

 

[Ted White]

There has to be a problem, like an engine component issue.

 

[Ted White]

The salesman was quoting from the Order Book Information posted by GM in February:

GM truck build out schedule was updated February 5th ...

2016 Final Orders Due Date (Chevrolet/GMC/2500/3500/RC/DC/CC): TBD

2017 Initial Orders Acceptance (Chevrolet/GMC/2500/3500/RC/DC): 10/24/2016

2017 Initial Production Startup(Chevrolet/GMC/2500/3500/RC/DC): 09/12/2016

2017 Initial Orders Acceptance (Chevrolet/GMC/2500/3500/CC): 08/18/2016

2017 Initial Production Startup(Chevrolet/GMC/2500/3500/CC): 10/17/2016

This information has been posted in the forum for a few months so it was already public even though the salesman may have only just been given the information.

I saw 2017s being built (pilots) while I was at the Flint Assembly Plant in late July. Dealers are already able to order but they don't know the diesel engine specs. THAT'S the information we're waiting for....

 

[Ted White]

Yeah DMax Fan, thanks for posting that info a while ago. It helped me to see that I couldn't order a 2017 in time to get it before I headed south for the winter. It's why I ordered a 2016. Now I'll wait 2 years to see what happens with the new model.

 

[Ted White]

So they keep delaying the start of production. Makes it look awfully like there's a problem.

 

[Ted White]

I wonder exactly, how would a dealer in Phoenix get the "inside word" on something that would normally be confidential information, and if it is true, would be a closely guarded secret ?

I'm betting that it's a rumor, and unlikely to be correct, although time will tell.

A contact at DMax told me that it is not uncommon to have the occasional parts supply hiccup when a new model is launched, so that's a possibility.

 

[Ted White]

Do the math yourself Frogman524. Here's a link to sales volume by manufacturer for January and February of 2016:
February 2016 YTD U.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings - Top 274 Best-Selling Vehicles In America - Every Vehicle Ranked - GOOD CAR BAD CAR

It's the usual pattern - sales of Silverado and Sierra are equal to or more than the F Series Fords. Dodge is third.

And here are sales to the end of July, same pattern:
July 2016 YTD U.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings - Top 288 Best-Selling Vehicles In America - Every Vehicle Ranked - GOOD CAR BAD CAR

 

[Ted White]

That's excellent information, thank you.

 

[Ted White]

Wow, did a build on the GMC website, and there's significant sticker price shock. I took delivery of a factory ordered 2016 a couple of months ago after giving up the wait for the 2017s, and now I'm glad I did. The very same configuration as my two month old truck, but with the new engine, is more than $14,000 more expensive.

 

[Ted White]

Comparing MSRPs on a really loaded, every extra, SLT GMC Sierra.

 

[Ted White]

Good one Armus, but you know I love that stuff. I'm presently on my way south to Mexico hauling my 39ft fifth wheel and got 1094 kms between regens while towing. I've never had any issues with the emissions system on any of my post 2007 trucks.

 

[Ted White]

There are NO delays clearing customs. My truck was built in Flint and was put on the train to Vancouver, BC about 2 weeks later. I tracked it using the CP railcar tracker all the way across the USA and Canada, about 10 days. The "delay" at the border crossing in to Canada was maybe 2 hours - a routine clearing of a train full of cars coming into Canada under NAFTA agreement. The main delay is the time the truck spends in the holding yard at Flint, and then after it is unloaded at the nearest point to the dealership. My truck was another 10 days sitting in the trucker's yard before it was sent to the dealer.