On a sad note GM in their infinite wisdom sold Allison Automatic to privite investers today. Last year they sold their shares in Isuzu, the developers of Duramax. I'm going to their next yard sale and see what's left. Here's the story http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070628/gm_allison.html?.v=1
Posted 2007-06-28 8:45 PM (#2048 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout and goodbye Sweet Allison
Posts: 157
Location: Decatur, Texas
"Say it ain't so, Joe" Maybe there's some truth to the story I heard a couple of months back that China was seriously investigating to purchase GM. Who knows what will be next?
Posted 2007-06-28 10:07 PM (#2051 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout and goodbye Sweet Allison
Posts: 5
Location: Maryland
The article that you linked in your post says it is the commercial and military Allison plants that GM is selling and that the plant that makes the transmissions for pickups and SUVs will remain with GM. I don't have any independent info on this, but that would seem to imply that the Sierra/Silverado line could keep their excellent transmissions and a crucial differentiation in the marketplace for the time being.
Posted 2007-06-28 11:22 PM (#2052 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout and goodbye Sweet Allison
Posts: 30
Location: Denver CO
Well it says "The sale to Onex Corp. and The Carlyle Group includes seven manufacturing plants in Indianapolis and its global distribution network and sales offices." and "a" production facility for trucks and hybrids stays with GM. So GM keeps a factory building, and hopefully we'll continue seeing more T1000's for the Duramax. The point is that Allison will be no longer controlled by GM, like Huges, Delphi, etc. A couple of Allison engineers in Colorado trouble shooting repairs today, confirmed they "we're glad" to see it happen. Allison as an independent will have more options. Maybe someday a one ton with a Cummins and Allison would be in showrooms and maybe a Toyota dually with an Isuzu/Allison. Think of the possibilties. More details will come from GM this summer.
Posted 2007-06-29 12:36 AM (#2053 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout and goodbye Sweet Allison
Posts: 212
Location: Western WA
When Toyota, Nissan, or Honda start making one ton duallys, I'll be the first one in line to buy one. Don't get me wrong I love my F350, but I've had much fewer issues over the years with my import cars than I have with my domestic cars and trucks.
Posted 2007-06-29 9:59 AM (#2054 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout and goodbye Sweet Allison
Posts: 144
Location: Monroe, WA
Is not the Carlyle Group the outfit that just bought Chrysler from Daimler Benz? If so, there may be a Cummins/Allison Dodge 4500 in our future sooner than later!
Posted 2007-06-29 11:17 AM (#2055 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout and goodbye Sweet Allison
Posts: 30
Location: Denver CO
Cerberus Capital Management is buying Chrysler. And they bought 51% of GMAC last year. They are in talks for buying Jaguar and Land Rover. They are a private company which is good, they can concentrate on the "big picture" instead of the main focus being a annual dividend to share holders. That's a problem for auto makers is they have to keep improving the bottom line while sacrificing their future.
this is the most detailed comparison I ever seen or been part of. I have a couple more sections I'll add later. But take the time to study the graphs, as they tell quite a story about trucks towing trailers.
Posted 2007-07-09 12:23 PM (#2060 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout Part Three, great towing comparison, gas verses diesel
Posts: 216
Location: Claxton, Ga.
Just a small question about the test parameters. Why did the test only include a 10,500 lb trailer. People with diesels are notorious for pulling at the gross combined vehicle weight rating. Loaded trailers around 15,000 lbs. I was just curious.
Posted 2007-07-09 12:38 PM (#2061 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout Part Three, great towing comparison, gas verses diesel
Posts: 30
Location: Denver CO
Good question, we could have loaded most of them to 12k, but we couldn't expect the truck manufactures to put gooseneck hitches in new trucks for one week. The two smaller gas engines weren't rated for 15k. So we had to use bumper pulls and use the same weight. The F450 already had a 5th wheel. I would like to use heavier trailers and maybe next time we'll have separate trailer classes. It was very expensive collecting the electronic data, the whole project was very expensive. We need to get a trailer sponsor for next year. Next year will be the 1/2 ton class. The OEM trailer capacity between 1/2ton and 3/4ton is getting close. We might even luck out and get some 2009 diesel 1/2 tons late next summer.
Posted 2007-12-04 2:40 PM (#2191 - in reply to #2047) Subject: RE: New HD Truck Shootout Part Three, great towing comparison, gas verses diesel
Posts: 12
Regarding Allison and GM, I would imagine they have an exclusive contract? Something like Dodge and Cummins have for pickup engines?
Anyhow, I think Dodge just dumped some change into developing their own 6 speed (68RFE), plus they have the 6 speed aisin for the cab and chassis, so I doubt they were planning on getting allison...
P.S. That comparison of pickups was really good reading. The closed course thing for towing up grades was great, but I really wish they did some open road/long distance runs towing and empty to get some fuel mileage figures. I think the version done back in like 2003 or 2004 was done on open highway?
With diesel bumping up close to $4 a gallon, efficiency is starting to mean more to me than towing to the top of a grade faster.
Anyway, that was a great article. I wonder if the previous version of the article pointing out that the 4 speed 48RFE really held the Dodge's performance back helped nudge Dodge into finally getting a decent performing auto...
New HD Truck Shootout Part Three, great towing comparison, gas verses diesel
