For the past four years, General Motors has been trying to sell its medium duty truck business, which produces the giant Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick. Navistar, Isuzu and other unnamed suitors were all at one point in discussions with GM to make a deal, but none ever happened and today the automaker announced that it would will "wind down" production of the Kodiak and Topkick and cease production altogether on July 31st.
In addition to the consumer-oriented models from Chevy and GMC, the medium duty truck operations also produced the commercial grade C4500, C5500 and C6500 models. Halfway between a full-ton pickup and an actual semi, these mammoth haulers were best suited for just that: towing. Chances are if you ever saw one on the road, there was a trailer behind it.
The Topkick also earned acclaim for its acting prowess in the Transformers film franchise playing the Autobots' weapons specialist, Ironhide. Unfortunately, success on celluloid didn't transfer to sales on the street, and it looks like Ironhide may be taking his last curtain call in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.
Guess I better buy a second Kodiak as a parts truck.
Delaine and Lindy said
01:05 PM Jun 9, 2009
Its very sad that things are going the way they are. It looks as thought we will be forced to buy thing we don't need or want. I owned a Chevy Kodiak 4500 which had been upfited and was the best riding Truck I have ever owned. The Kodiak done a great job, and I really missed it after we sold it.
We are working on a Freightliner M2 but we are in the very early stages. It will be used (pre-owned) with about 50,000 miles. We just upgraded again to a 2010 Mobiles Suites and would like to get into the Freightliner. The biggest reason is the ride, Air ride suspension, Air ride seats etc. As DW says if its suppose to be it will be. I have owned GM Trucks all my life but am very disappointed with GM. GBY....
retread said
09:52 AM Jun 10, 2009
Unfornately, the government does not utilize supply/demand in making choices when running a business. These are not business decisions that are being made, but political agendas at work. (WARNING: unapologetic politically incorrect statement follows) For our part, we HOPE for a CHANGE to get the government out of free enterprise business.
Racerguy said
12:36 PM Jun 10, 2009
Ditto to that statement.
Terry and Jo said
01:25 PM Jun 10, 2009
The hits just keep coming....
While I only heard this once today on the radio (meaning I haven't found the story in print yet), I heard a story about the Chrysler/Fiat deal. In it, the news reporter commented (paraphrased here), "the company will focus on small, fuel efficient vehicles."
If that turns out to be true, will the company still build pickups large enough for RV use?
While I am not a fan of Dodge, I also don't like the idea of a lack of options and competition.
GM Stops Trying To Sell Medium Duty Truck Line
For the past four years, General Motors has been trying to sell its medium duty truck business, which produces the giant Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick. Navistar, Isuzu and other unnamed suitors were all at one point in discussions with GM to make a deal, but none ever happened and today the automaker announced that it would will "wind down" production of the Kodiak and Topkick and cease production altogether on July 31st.
In addition to the consumer-oriented models from Chevy and GMC, the medium duty truck operations also produced the commercial grade C4500, C5500 and C6500 models. Halfway between a full-ton pickup and an actual semi, these mammoth haulers were best suited for just that: towing. Chances are if you ever saw one on the road, there was a trailer behind it.
The Topkick also earned acclaim for its acting prowess in the Transformers film franchise playing the Autobots' weapons specialist, Ironhide. Unfortunately, success on celluloid didn't transfer to sales on the street, and it looks like Ironhide may be taking his last curtain call in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.
Link to story:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/gm-stops-trying-to-sell-medium-duty-truck-line-will-cease-produ/?icid=main|main|dl4|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fgm-stops-trying-to-sell-medium-duty-truck-line-will-cease-produ%2F
Terry
We are working on a Freightliner M2 but we are in the very early stages. It will be used (pre-owned) with about 50,000 miles. We just upgraded again to a 2010 Mobiles Suites and would like to get into the Freightliner. The biggest reason is the ride, Air ride suspension, Air ride seats etc. As DW says if its suppose to be it will be. I have owned GM Trucks all my life but am very disappointed with GM. GBY....
Ditto to that statement.
While I only heard this once today on the radio (meaning I haven't found the story in print yet), I heard a story about the Chrysler/Fiat deal. In it, the news reporter commented (paraphrased here), "the company will focus on small, fuel efficient vehicles."
If that turns out to be true, will the company still build pickups large enough for RV use?
While I am not a fan of Dodge, I also don't like the idea of a lack of options and competition.
Terry