Pickup Truck Momentum Rolls Over Fuel Costs

With trucks and SUVs grabbing 77% of new vehicle sales in the US, the steady rise in fuel prices to a national average of up to $5 a gallon, and beyond, is not slowing America’s big wheel momentum.

Industry analysts say fuel costs will not reverse the trend of large multi-purpose vehicles dominating consumer preferences, thanks to improving fuel economy technology and the dovetailing of the now premiering big truck EVs.

A test drive of the boldly resplendent $72,000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD High Country, certainly bears out why these rigs are so popular, with Chevrolet and GMC full sized pickups being among the top sellers of all vehicles.

Powered by GM’s newest 6.2 Liter V8 EcoTec3 420 horsepower new small block L86 engine, even with direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing and a new 10-speed automatic trans this 5,000 lb High Country is EPA rated at 15 mpg City and 20 mpg Highway.

For best efficiency the Duramax Diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine delivers 23 city 31 highway mpg stats. However Diesel has outpaced gas prices climbing by 37% in the first quarter.