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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.

2024 GMC Hummer EV 3X Pickup gets a range boost

The 2024 GMC Hummer EV 3X Pickup is getting an update for more range in the new model year. Instead of 355 miles, the new long-range version of the 3X Pickup will go 381 miles. Note that you need to option the 24-module battery pack to get this range figure. However, if you go for the standard 20-module battery pack, GMC says range is improved for 2024, as well. The GM-estimated figure goes from 329 miles for 2023, all the way up to 359 miles for 2024. You should also note that acceleration times are different depending on battery pack, too, as the longer-range model does 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds versus the 3.5 seconds of the standard range version. The other big choice you’ll need to make is whether or not you tack on the “Extreme Off-Road Package.” This adds 18-inch wheels wrapped by 35-inch mud-terrain tires, four addiitonal underbody camera views for a total of 18, front e-locker with rear virtual locking differentials, heavy-duty ball-spline half-shafts along with more skid plates and underbody shielding. WeÂ’ll also note that range suffers as a result of this equipment. GM only provides the range figure for the upgrade 24-module pack, and it goes down from 381 miles to 359 miles. GMC says the 2024 Hummer 3X Pickup will go on sale to reservation holders this fall and start at $106,945, including the destination charge. Related video:

GMC offers more 2024 Hummer EV SUV details, photos

GMC has shared more details about its 2024 Hummer EV SUV after its debut during the NCAA Final Four tournament. The SUV which follows the Hummer EV pickup, is smaller, more maneuverable and has a few features the truck doesn’t. GM says itÂ’s meant to strike a balance between off-road capability and on-road driving. GM also says Edition 1 reservations are already sold out. Compared to the truck, the Hummer SUV has a wheelbase about 9 inches shorter. With four-wheel steering, its turning circle is just 35.4 feet, which GM emphasizes is tighter than that of the Ford Mustang Mach-E (38.1 feet). ItÂ’s also less than the Hummer pickupÂ’s 37.1-foot turning circle. The SUV, which, at 196.8 inches long, is 20 inches shorter than the truck overall. It also features a much shorter rear overhang, at 35.5 inches. While thatÂ’s all helpful maneuvering through city traffic or suburban parking lots, it also provides advantages off-road. It has an approach angle of 49.6 degrees, a 49.0-degree departure angle and a 34.4-degree breakover angle. Suspension travel is 13 inches front and rear, with 16 inches of maximum ground clearance thanks to its Extract Mode that temporarily raises the vehicle to get out of tricky terrain. It can ford water 32 inches deep. It also features the same CrabWalk mode as the pickup. Available Ultravision provides 17 cameras, including underbody views to help navigate the trail. The Hummer SUV benefits from an enclosed cargo area behind the second row of seats. It still features the Infinity Roof with removable panels above the two seating rows to essentially turn the SUV into a convertible. At the rear is a swing-out tailgate that opens wider than the width of the vehicle. A spare tire rides on the tailgate as well. With the rear seats folded, cargo volume peaks at 81.8 cubic feet.  Additional hidden storage space is found below the recycled rubber floor mat, which features a design inspired by the moonÂ’s Sea of Tranquility (that's where Apollo 11 landed). As for technology, the Hummer SUV gets a 13.4-inch infotainment screen, plus a 12.3-inch instrument display in front of the driver. Fourteen cameras come standard, and the aforementioned Ultravision provides a total of 17 cameras, including a surround view. The MyGMC mobile app offers satellite rendered trail maps that can also help manage energy consumption off-road and make sure you have enough juice to make it to a charger when finished.