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Next Chevy Silverado could get this built-in tailgate step

General Motors just received patent approval for a tailgate step in a pickup bed. And given the timing, don't be surprised if you see this on the upcoming 2019 Silverado pickup (not the mention its GMC Sierra twin), expected to arrive in late 2018. According to the patent, granted in December of last year, the whole mechanism is housed in the tailgate assemble. The magic happens when a portion of the top half of the tailgate swings down and a step folds out. There's also a handle that locks into position to help climb up into the bed. As trucks get bigger and taller over the years, it gets harder and harder to access the cargo bed. Ford's solution with the 2009 F-150 was a step that slides out from the end of the tailgate. Back then, Chevy made an ill-advised ad highlighting the feature for Ford. And while Howie Long mocked the F-150's "man step" Ford saw almost a third of its trucks with the option in the first year. The GM design seems to improve on Ford's idea as it appears to be wider and has a back to the lower step. That is, you don't have to worry about stepping through the ladder-rung design as on the F-150. Ford's tailgate step later spread to the F Super Duty, and other cargo access assists have proliferated through the truck world. On the most recent redesign, the Chevrolet Silverado took a trick from the Avalanche and added cutouts to the corners of the rear bumper that act as a foothold. Ford also offers a deployable side step, Chevrolet has running boards that scoot rearward with a kick of the boot, and Ram offers fixed wheel-to-wheel side rails. Nissan is in on the game too, with an optional folding step that tucks under the rear bumper. We don't expect Chevrolet to comment on when or if we'll see this feature in the showrooms. But given that engineers are already hard at work on the next Silverado and the timing of this patent lines right up with the new truck's development cycle, we'll be disappointed if this patent stays in the file cabinet. Related Video:

Surprise! GM putting aluminum in next-gen pickups

Last month, General Motors launched a series of ads touting the benefits of steel over aluminum – specifically, with regard to the Chevy Silverado versus the Ford F-150. (Kind of. We're not sure what a grizzly bear has to do with anything.) We took issue with the ads, with editor in chief Mike Austin saying they "reek of insecurity, and distract from the Silverado's strengths that could be used for positive advertising." But what bothers us more, is that yet another report surfaced claiming anti-aluminum GM will indeed use the weight-saving material in its next-generation fullsize trucks. On Tuesday, GM announced a $877-million investment for its truck plant in Flint, MI. But Reuters says that huge overhaul is because the trucks will use "substantially different equipment than the tools GM uses today." The report specifically states, "People familiar with the company's plans say GM's next-generation pickups and SUVs will make use of various materials, including aluminum and lightweight steel, to shed weight and gain fuel efficiency to meet tougher federal standards." The Silverado already uses a few aluminum components in the engine and hood, and if more widespread use will help GM build its best fullsize trucks ever, then that's great. Honestly, we have no reason to doubt that aluminum will be used in the next Silverado and GMC Sierra. We just hope GM remembers that nothing is ever truly deleted from the bowels of the Internet when it launches the subsequent "look how great aluminum is!" campaign. Related Video: News Source: Reuters Green Plants/Manufacturing Chevrolet GM GMC Truck aluminum steel

2023 GMC Sierra AT4X new AEV Edition's spirit animal is the Bison

GMC's newly redesigned 2023 Sierra is getting some equipment that might sound familiar to fans of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 formula that inspired it. Don't call it a "Bison," but the new Sierra AT4X AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) Edition sounds an awful lot like everybody's favorite bovine-themed midsize off-road pickup, and GMC says it will be its most off-road capable factory Sierra 1500 ever. If you're not familiar with the AT4X formula, it's already pretty robust. The GMC twin to the new Silverado ZR2 boasts Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, improved ground clearance and approach/departure/breakover angles compared to the "standard" AT4, plus front and rear electronic locking differentials. The AEV Edition looks to the margins for additional improvement.  "The Sierra 1500 AT4X is an incredibly formidable platform when it comes to on- and off-road performance and capability,” said AEV CEO & founder Dave Harriton. “We took our signature approach to help elevate this truckÂ’s inherent off-road capability to the next level. We are confident customers will love the result." The standard AT4X already offers plenty of ground clearance (10.8 inches) and an approach angle of 25.5 degrees, departure angle of 23 degrees and breakover angle of 22.7 degrees. The AEV Edition bumps the ground clearance to 11.2 inches and its AEV-sourced stamped steel bumpers improve the approach angle to 32.5 degrees, departure angle to 23.4 degrees (compared to 23 degrees) and the breakover angle improves to 23 degrees.  "Our customers want an uncompromising combination of on-road technology and off-road capability," GMC boss Duncan Aldred said in the company's announcement. "Leveraging GMCÂ’s unwavering dedication to providing premium trucks and AEVÂ’s expertise in engineering and integrating performance-driven parts and accessories, this truck provides extreme capability, technology and comfort." The AEV Edition will ride on 33" mud-terrain tires wrapped around unique 18-inch AEV "Salta" wheels finished in gloss black. The front end was restyled to accommodate the AEV Edition's wheel and tire package (it was too big for the existing wheel wells, apparently) and front bumper.