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GMC Hummer EV's taillights cost thousands to replace

The GMC Hummer EV pickup hasn’t stopped raising eyebrows since GM pulled back the curtain on the behemoth in Spring 2021. ItÂ’s huge, not all that efficient, and unbelievably expensive, but now weÂ’re learning how much replacement parts cost for the new EV. The Drive dug up a post from the Hummer EV Facebook page that claimed a taillight replacement for the vehicle costs thousands to replace. General Motors confirmed pricing to the publication, quoting a one-side replacement cost of $3,045.48. That adds up to more than $6,000 to replace both, so we hope your insurance is solid if you own one. Why would a taillight housing cost that much? Part of the cost comes from the fact that GM couldnÂ’t parts-share its way through the design of a $100,000 flagship electric SUV, but most of the price comes from the complexity of the lights. The Hummer offers elaborate lighting sequences that require microchips and other components, all of which cost money. ThereÂ’s also the fact that the Hummer EV is too new for General Motors to take advantage of its usual economies of scale in mass-produced vehicles. General Motors recalled the Hummer EV earlier this year for issues with the taillights. Though the problem was software-related, GM had to replace the entire light units because the software controlling them was actually embedded in the lights. ItÂ’s true that there are very few vehicles that are tall and large enough to impact the HummerÂ’s taillights, but we hope the owners of those vehicles never have to file an insurance claim to replace one. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Detroit Three's lucrative pickup war intensifies as Ram makes big gains

DETROIT — The battle for profits from sales of large pickup trucks is intensifying among the Detroit Three automakers as sales of small cars in the United States shrivel. For decades Ford has had the single best-selling truck brand in its F-Series trucks. General Motors' Chevrolet brand was a solid No. 2, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Ram was a distant third. Now, that hierarchy may be in flux. Sales figures for December and the fourth quarter released on Thursday show Ram tied with GM's Chevy for the No. 2 spot, as sales of the redesigned Ram pickup surged, fueled in part by demand for an optional 12-inch (30.48 cm) dashboard screen. Chevy not long ago held second place to Ford by a wide margin. GM executives said on Thursday they are bullish on their new GMC and Chevy trucks for 2019.Related: How the Detroit Three's pickups compare on paper 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie review 2019 Chevy Silverado 2.7L four-cylinder review 2019 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost review "There's no doubt this segment (pickup trucks) is one of the epicenters of the auto wars," said Sandor Piszar, director of marketing for Chevrolet at GM. "It's been that way forever, and we wouldn't have it any other way." On Wall Street, investors give electric car leader Tesla a higher valuation than any of the Detroit automakers. But in the nation's heartland, big pickups remain far more popular and profitable than any electric car — and most other consumer vehicles of any kind. Large pickups generate at least $17,000 a vehicle in pretax profit for GM, the company has indicated in disclosures to investors. By contrast, many Detroit Three sedans are so unprofitable, their manufacturers have decided not to build them anymore. 'Hotly contested' Sustaining sales and pricing in the large-pickup segment will be critical in a year when most forecasters expect overall U.S. car and light truck sales to fall. Ford's U.S. sales chief, Mark LaNeve, on Thursday called the F Series "the backbone of our franchise" during a conference call, and added the "segment will continue to be strong, but hotly contested" in 2019. Automakers are banking on pickup truck sales to stay strong even if U.S. interest rates continue to rise. Rising interest rates translate into higher monthly car payments and are expected to deter some buyers in 2019. GM has said 27 percent of Chevrolet and GMC trucks — which can haul trailers by day and substitute for a luxury sedan by night — sell for more than $55,000.

GM recalling 22K Silverado and Sierra trucks for seat issue

General Motors will recall 21,721 of its new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups over front seats that could move if the vehicle is hit from behind. Affected vehicles all feature manual adjustments for the two front seats, according to a report from Automotive News.
Of the nearly 22,000 vehicles covered under the action, the overwhelming majority - 18,972 -- were sold in the United States. A further 2,575 were sold in Canada, while 103 were shipped south of the border to Mexico. Finally, another 71 were sold outside North America altogether. As of right now, there are no reports of injuries due to the defect.
Naturally, Chevy and GMC dealers will make the repairs free of charge, although it's not clear as of this writing if GM will be notifying owners or just addressing the issue at the truck's first service.