2011 Gmc Sierra 1500 4x4 Z71 Crew Cab Sle on 2040-cars

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2022 GMC Sierra Super Cruise First Drive | Now with trailering and automatic lane-changing

Although the updated late-model year 2022 GMC Sierra is still a little ways off (In fact, it hasn't even been revealed), we've had an opportunity to try one of its headlining features: Super Cruise. But it's not quite the Super Cruise you know from the current Cadillac line. The new Sierra will be getting a newer version with two features: the ability to execute lane changes and passes automatically, and the ability to operate with a trailer. We tried the system at GM's proving grounds in Milford, Mich., and our test vehicles were 2022 Sierra prototypes. Though the trucks themselves are early examples with features not finalized, GMC representatives said the Super Cruise system is pretty much finished. The system uses close and long-range radar sensors at the front and a new set of radar sensors at the back, plus the truck's various cameras. It also utilizes the mapping data that GM has accumulated for the system to ensure it operates on approved roads and has detailed information about where the car is. Now, the first new feature enabled by the updated Super Cruise is the automatic lane-change system. The current system can change lanes on its own, but it must be prompted by a press of the turn signal. That feature remains intact, but now, if you approach a slower vehicle on a multi-lane highway, Super Cruise can check the lane next to you to see if it's safe to merge, change lanes, and then return to the original lane once the slow-moving vehicle has been passed. This is where those rear radar sensors come in. We tried it three times on GM's big banked oval course, and it did it impressively smoothly. It was able to make the decision proactively, too, making the decision to change a good distance before we were on top of the slow moving car. Oh, and of course, because this is Super Cruise, it all happened without us having to touch the wheel. Our automatic lane change test was followed by trying Super Cruise with a trailer. Now, it's important to note that the automatic lane-changing functionality won't work with a trailer. This is because that function depends on a set of radar systems at the back of the truck that are blocked by a trailer. Apart from that, the rest of Super Cruise's functions still work just fine. To make this possible (and safe), the system is able to estimate the weight of the trailer and adjust following distance accordingly, allowing it to safely slow down as needed.

2021 GMC Terrain spied on GM's Proving Grounds

As the Chevrolet Equinox changes, so does the GMC Terrain. We saw shots of an updated Equinox not too long ago, and now our spy shooters have caught the GMC version of the crossover testing inside GM's Milford Proving Grounds. Similar to the Equinox, the Terrain is due for a mid-cycle refresh soon. Unfortunately, GM has this compact crossover covered up heavily to make sure we can't tell what's coming yet. The midsection of the vehicle remains the same as before, and we can even see the floating roof design outlined in the back by the camouflage. We imagine the majority of the changes will come up front with a new fascia including a different grille and headlight design. If it adopts the latest from the bigger Acadia, we'll be looking at a much more upright and butch-looking grille. That look descends from the full-size Sierra, though, so we'll see how much truck GMC wants to put in its small crossover. What will be most interesting of all is if GMC sticks to its guns with the wacky push-button shifter on the dash. The weird design has received mixed feedback, and this would be GMC's first big opportunity to respond. However, we expect most interior changes to be kept to a minimum, as this is only a mid-cycle refresh — GM completely redid everything for the full redesign in 2018. Additionally, we'll be interested to hear if the diesel will continue to be available as an option going forward. We'll likely see the refreshed Terrain sometime after the next Equinox is revealed. As it stands, this Terrain is probably a 2021 model year vehicle, and will be revealed at the tail end of this year, or in early 2020.

GM dealers have ordered 30k Colorado and Canyon pickups, 3rd shift added

General Motors has an early success on its hands in the form of the initial rollout of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickup trucks. According to the automaker, dealers have ordered nearly 30,000 of the trucks thus far, a number that far exceeded GM's early expectations.
This high demand for the Colorado and Canyon twins has prompted GM to add a third shift to its Wentzville Assembly plant where the trucks are built, starting early next year. An extra shift will add an additional 750 jobs at the location to the 1,315 that were already employed there, according to the press release that you're welcome to read down below.
Such positive sales projections for the Canyon and Colorado may portend good things for the midsize pickup segment, which was once hugely popular but has more recently contracted, with the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma standing firm as the market leaders. Now that GM's entries are the most up-to-date, and with the segment's first diesel engine on the way, it will be interesting to see how the trucks continue to sell and if their hopeful success leads more automakers back onto the playing field.