Latest news with #trucks
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Does the EV Industry Have a Truck Problem?
Multiple automakers' truck offerings have disappointed in sales. Towing with full-size trucks requires bigger and more costly batteries. Truck enthusiasts may be much slower to adopt EVs. 10 stocks we like better than Ford Motor Company › There's a truth in Detroit for Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and General Motors, and that's that trucks are king. The dirty little industry secret, if you can call it a secret, is that full-size trucks cost only marginally more to produce than a passenger car, yet the former can sell for two to three times as much. Full-size truck sales are the backbone of Detroit automakers, but as the industry transitions to electric vehicles the scene may be set to change. In fact, the EV industry might have a truck problem, and that would be horrible news for auto investors. Long, long ago Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk essentially mocked stereotypical trucks noting their stale design. Perhaps that's why the young EV maker swung for the fences with the Cybertruck's controversial design. But the unique design didn't stir up sales as much as it stirred conversation. Originally predicted to reach annual sales between 250,000 to half a million units, the Cybertruck has been a commercial flop. It reached only 40,000 U.S. registrations last year, and while that was good enough to be the top EV pickup truck, it was a fraction of original estimates. Because Tesla doesn't break out its sales per model, registrations can serve as a proxy to sales. Ford's highly anticipated F-150 Lightning also disappointed compared to initial hype. Ford noted before the truck's launch it had 200,000 reservations and anticipated producing 150,000 trucks annually. Its actual results were a more modest 24,695 registrations in 2023 before growing to 32,893 in 2024. Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN), which only offers the R1T, R1S, and its electric delivery van, relies on its truck for a substantial chunk of its business, but also saw less-than-thrilling results. Rivian last reported its backlog in late 2022 at 114,000 for the R1T and R1S combined, and not only did its registrations of 11,311 feel lackluster in 2023, they actually declined to 9,876 last year. The problem facing investors and their love of truck profits is twofold. On one end, we have the consumer issue, which is the stigma that electric powertrains are forced to their brink when it comes to performance and towing. Consumers that use their trucks as tools sometimes have difficulties with the concept of EVs performing at the required level. On the other end, the business case also gets more difficult for trucks that require towing power. Towing requires immense power and thus larger batteries which, as the most expensive component of an EV, pushes the cost up significantly. That eats into the precious juicy margins that full-size trucks have historically presented. The head of Rivian's rival company, Lucid, had this to say when discussing the potential of Lucid making an electric truck: "I really think that it's very tough to make an electric pickup truck work today," Lucid CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson said, according to InsideEVs. "Not one that's usable and cost-effective." At the end of the day, it's important for investors to note that trucks are struggling in the EV industry. Full-size trucks have long been the backbone for automakers that thrive in the segment. Full-size trucks haul profits like few other segments can. But without a great deal of battery technology progress or cost reduction, the day of lucrative full-size truck profits could be over for automakers in the near term. Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Ford Motor Company wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $669,517!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $868,615!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 792% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 171% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025 Daniel Miller has positions in Ford Motor Company and General Motors. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Does the EV Industry Have a Truck Problem? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Does the EV Industry Have a Truck Problem?
There's a truth in Detroit for Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and General Motors, and that's that trucks are king. The dirty little industry secret, if you can call it a secret, is that full-size trucks cost only marginally more to produce than a passenger car, yet the former can sell for two to three times as much. Full-size truck sales are the backbone of Detroit automakers, but as the industry transitions to electric vehicles the scene may be set to change. In fact, the EV industry might have a truck problem, and that would be horrible news for auto investors. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Disappointing results Long, long ago Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk essentially mocked stereotypical trucks noting their stale design. Perhaps that's why the young EV maker swung for the fences with the Cybertruck's controversial design. But the unique design didn't stir up sales as much as it stirred conversation. Originally predicted to reach annual sales between 250,000 to half a million units, the Cybertruck has been a commercial flop. It reached only 40,000 U.S. registrations last year, and while that was good enough to be the top EV pickup truck, it was a fraction of original estimates. Because Tesla doesn't break out its sales per model, registrations can serve as a proxy to sales. Ford's highly anticipated F-150 Lightning also disappointed compared to initial hype. Ford noted before the truck's launch it had 200,000 reservations and anticipated producing 150,000 trucks annually. Its actual results were a more modest 24,695 registrations in 2023 before growing to 32,893 in 2024. Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN), which only offers the R1T, R1S, and its electric delivery van, relies on its truck for a substantial chunk of its business, but also saw less-than-thrilling results. Rivian last reported its backlog in late 2022 at 114,000 for the R1T and R1S combined, and not only did its registrations of 11,311 feel lackluster in 2023, they actually declined to 9,876 last year. What's the problem? The problem facing investors and their love of truck profits is twofold. On one end, we have the consumer issue, which is the stigma that electric powertrains are forced to their brink when it comes to performance and towing. Consumers that use their trucks as tools sometimes have difficulties with the concept of EVs performing at the required level. On the other end, the business case also gets more difficult for trucks that require towing power. Towing requires immense power and thus larger batteries which, as the most expensive component of an EV, pushes the cost up significantly. That eats into the precious juicy margins that full-size trucks have historically presented. The head of Rivian's rival company, Lucid, had this to say when discussing the potential of Lucid making an electric truck: "I really think that it's very tough to make an electric pickup truck work today," Lucid CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson said, according to InsideEVs. "Not one that's usable and cost-effective." At the end of the day, it's important for investors to note that trucks are struggling in the EV industry. Full-size trucks have long been the backbone for automakers that thrive in the segment. Full-size trucks haul profits like few other segments can. But without a great deal of battery technology progress or cost reduction, the day of lucrative full-size truck profits could be over for automakers in the near term. Should you invest $1,000 in Ford Motor Company right now? Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Ford Motor Company wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $669,517!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $868,615!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is792% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to171%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025
Car and Driver
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Ram HD Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview While trucks like the 2026 Ram HD are made to perform herculean feats of strength, they aren't afraid to class things up a bit too, offering interior features, materials, and tech rivaling those of a premium sedan. Two powertrains are on offer: A 405-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 gasoline engine is standard, but hardcore users will want to spec the 430-hp Cummins inline-six diesel for its 1075 pound-feet of torque and its 36,610-pound max tow rating. Both offer an eight-speed automatic transmission and two- or four-wheel drive, save for the Power Wagon and Rebel which get 4WD standard. Finally, three cab sizes—regular, crew, and Mega—make finding the perfect fit for your family or crew easy. What's New for 2026? Refreshed for 2025, the 2026 Ram HD 2500 and 3500 trucks are expected to carry over with no significant changes. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Ram HD is expected to start around $48,000 and go up to $83,000 depending on the trim and options. Tradesman $48,000 (est) Lone Star $52,000 (est) Big Horn $52,000 (est) Laramie $64,000 (est) Longhorn $76,000 (est) Limited $76,000 (est) Rebel $80,000 (est) Power Wagon $83,000 (est) 0 $25k $50k $75k $100k $125k Most serious users are willing to pay up for the diesel, but the standard 405-hp 6.4-liter gas engine is plenty capable, even in the 3500. For the best mix of capability, space, luxury, and price, we would stick with the most popular model, the 2500 4x4 Crew Cab Laramie. Although more are sold with the Cummins, stick with the gas V-8, which is quicker around town, unless towing huge trailers is a high priority for you. With the dollars saved, spring for the limited-slip differential and load-leveling air suspension, which further improves the Ram's already impressive ride quality. Engine, Transmission, and Performance Standard power in all models comes from a 405-hp 6.4-liter V-8, which makes 429 pound-feet of torque. This is the only engine and transmission offered in the Power Wagon, which is exclusively four-wheel drive. However, every other model is also offered with a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline-six with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The diesel is available in both 2500 and 3500 models and makes 430 horsepower and 1075 pound-feet of torque. Both the gas and diesel engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic. When we drove the updated Ram HD pickups, we found the updated Cummins diesel engine to be responsive and refined; although it's still noisier than the V-8, it's no longer a raucous beast. 0–60-MPH Times Depending on powertrain configuration, we estimate the Ram HD pickups will get to 60 mph in between 6.7 and 8.1 seconds. View Exterior Photos Ram Towing and Payload The maximum towing capacity of the 2025 Ram 3500 is 36,610 pounds, but such a number requires the diesel engine. The Ram 3500 also has a maximum payload capacity of 7590 pounds, but unlocking that capability requires sticking with the standard gas engine. The 2500 model is rated to tow up to 20,000 pounds with the diesel engine, and its max payload is 4420 pounds when equipped with the gas engine. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG Fuel economy is not estimated by the EPA on commercial vehicles such as the Ram 2500 and 3500 because their Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) exceed 8500 pounds. We haven't yet tested the Ram's updated Cummins engine on our real-world 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, but we'll update this section when we do. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo As with most pickups, the Ram's extensive number of trim levels and cab styles means its interior materials, passenger space, and in-cabin tech features can vary widely in terms of quantity and quality. A single cab, a spacious four-door Crew Cab, and the massive Mega Cab (which offers the largest rear seat in the class) are available. Although heavy-duty trucks from Ford, Chevy, and GMC are also large and luxurious inside, the Ram has the best interior in the segment with luxury-car-level detailing, extreme comfort, and a clean, modern design, while the highest trim levels offer premium materials. The top Longhorn trim even gets striped wood and gold trim on the dash, doors, and gauges, along with the Longhorn logo hand-branded into the wood on the truck's upper glovebox door. The cabin's design also features easy-to-use controls and a ton of interior cubby storage. Its multilevel center console can accommodate a laptop with a 15.0-inch screen. Every Ram HD also comes with standard acoustic glass and active noise cancellation tied into the audio system, and the result is a truck that's luxury-car quiet inside—even the diesel models. View Interior Photos Ram Infotainment and Connectivity Ram packs its heavy-duty trucks with in-cabin tech, including the latest in infotainment, that rivals some big-buck luxury sedans and SUVs. The Ram's system is intuitive, with simple menus and prompts. It also responds quickly to user inputs, and its 8.4-inch touchscreen is large and well-placed. Ram also offers a larger 12.0-inch touchscreen and an even bigger 14.5-inch one, both of which give the truck's interior a high-tech look and feel. A separate 10.3-inch passenger display is also available. The infotainment system features navigation, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For your devices, the truck's interior features five USB ports and up to three 115-volt outlets, which can handle up to 400 watts to run or charge tools quickly. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features Both the Ram 2500 and 3500 can be equipped with a long list of driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Ram's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard adaptive cruise control Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Ram provides its two heavy-duty models with a competitive limited warranty. While both its powertrain coverages span five years, gas-fed engines get 60,000 miles of protection while the diesel offers 100,000 miles—similar to what's offered by the Ram's HD rivals. Unlike Chevy and GMC, however, the Ram has no complimentary scheduled maintenance. Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance Specifications Specifications 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear- or rear/4-wheel-drive, 2–6-passenger, 2- or 4-door pickup PRICE 2500, $47,660–$92,200; 3500, $48,665–$93,955 ENGINES pushrod 16-valve 6.4-liter V-8, 405 hp, 429 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled pushrod 24-valve 6.7-liter diesel inline-6, 430 hp, 1075 lb-ft TRANSMISSIONS 8-speed automatic DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 140.2–169.3 in Length: 232.0–260.8 in Width: 83.4–96.5 in Height: 77.1–80.9 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 62–64/61–66 ft3 Curb Weight (C/D est): 5600–8650 lb PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) 60 mph: 6.7–8.1 sec 1/4-Mile: 14.8–16.2 sec Top Speed: 100–105 mph EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: N/A More Features and Specs
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Diesel Jam 2025 takes over Lackawanna County drive-in
DICKSON CITY, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local community event brought out truck owners and truck lovers in droves Saturday afternoon. Diesel Jam 2025 took over the Circle Drive-In on Saturday. It featured trucks, tractors, and big rigs of all shapes and sizes. The Andrew Mazza Foundation organized the event. Mazza was killed in a DUI crash in Susquehanna County in 2016. The event has been held since 2018 as a way to carry on Mazza's passion for diesel trucks and the trades. New law could legalize fortune telling in PA. Each year, the event raises thousands to give scholarships to local students planning to attend trade school. 'It just meant a lot to actually be able to get the scholarship for two years back to back and help me in my college,' Two Time Scholarship Recipient Chad Honeywell said. 'I think he would be very, very proud to see what this show has become and grown into,' Phillip Mazza, Father of Andrew Mazza, told 28/22 News. The foundation gives out roughly 30 $500 scholarships each year to help support the trades and trade students in NEPA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Car and Driver
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Ford Maverick Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview Americans love pickup trucks, but the size and price of a full-size version can be intimidating. For those who don't need something the size of an F-150, the 2026 Ford Maverick is an affordable, practical alternative. The Maverick is at its most fuel-efficient when equipped with the standard hybrid powertrain, but a nonhybrid turbocharged four-cylinder is also offered and offers speedier acceleration. Towing capacity is as high as 4000 pounds, which, although short of the F-150's maximum, is still enough to pull a small boat or utility trailer when needed. The cabin is perhaps a bit too spartan on the base model, but mid- and high-end Mavericks impress with both build quality and available equipment. What's New for 2026? Since the Maverick was given a styling refresh just last year, we expect to see no changes for 2026. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Ford Maverick is expected to start around $30,000 and go up to $44,000 depending on the trim and options. XL $30,000 (est) XLT $33,000 (est) Lobo Standard $38,000 (est) Lariat $41,000 (est) Tremor $43,000 (est) Lobo High $44,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k Ford offers the Maverick in five trims—XL, XLT, Lobo, Lariat, and Tremor—with the XL being the best choice for keeping the price as low as possible. It lacks basic creature comforts that most buyers consider necessities, but it could make for a good work truck. Going with the XLT adds features such as 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, a power lock for the tailgate, and power exterior mirrors, making it the value-oriented model. Now that the hybrid powertrain is available with all-wheel drive, it's an even more compelling option. We'd also order the Tow package to unlock the maximum Maverick towing capacity of 4000 pounds. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Maverick's base engine is a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that's assisted by an electric motor for a combined 191 horsepower. This setup comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). A spunky 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder is optional and comes lashed to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard with the turbo-four and optional for the hybrid, which comes standard with front-wheel drive. To provide its impressive payload capacity, the Maverick's suspension is fairly stiff, which leads to a somewhat rough ride over broken pavement. The Lobo sport truck comes with the turbo four-cylinder and all-wheel drive but drops the eight-speed in favor of a seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Ford has given the Lobo a lowered suspension, upgraded brakes, cool 19-inch rally-inspired wheels, and a special Lobo driving mode that encourages the rear end to drift when exiting a corner. When we drove the 2025 Maverick, we found the hybrid model to drive mostly the same as before and enjoyed the sprightlier handling of the Lobo, which corners well for a truck. 0–60-MPH Times On the road, the Maverick feels downright peppy with the optional turbo four, which zipped to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds in our testing. The front-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain is less perky and needed 7.7 seconds to reach 60 mph at our test track, but nonetheless gets the job done. We haven't yet tested the all-wheel-drive hybrid setup or the Lobo trim, but we'll update this section with results once we do. View Exterior Photos Ford Towing and Payload Capacity Both the hybrid and nonhybrid Maverick models offer 1500 pounds of payload capacity and 2000 pounds of towing capacity. With the optional Tow package, the Maverick can tow up to 4000 pounds. Looking to tow even more with a small pickup? The Hyundai Santa Cruz is rated to tow up to 5000 pounds. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Maverick yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings as high as 42 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined for the hybrid and 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for the nonhybrid. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, our all-wheel-drive XLT FX4 model with the nonhybrid powertrain got 29 mpg, but the hybrid was off the EPA's mark with only a 30-mpg result. The Tremor model, with all of its added off-road equipment, managed only 26 mpg in the same test. For more information about the Maverick's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo All Mavericks are crew cabs, which means four doors and a back seat with an adequate but not generous amount of room. Ford has incorporated many storage cubbies and bins throughout the cabin, including some large areas under the rear seat. Base models are far from plush but do offer standard niceties such as a tilting and telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry, and adjustable lumbar support for the front seats. More features come standard or as part of option packages on the XLT and Lariat trims, including dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, and power front seats. Ford says the Maverick's 4.5-foot bed can fit up to 18 sheets of four-by-eight-foot three-quarter-inch plywood without having to load them at an angle. The bed also features a 12-volt power outlet, with a 110-volt outlet offered as an option. View Interior Photos Ford Infotainment and Connectivity A 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard on all Maverick trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard features, and even the base model comes with an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Options include SiriusXM satellite radio, an upgraded B&O Play stereo system, and wireless smartphone charging capability. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Maverick offers several driver-assistance features, but to unlock a more advanced adaptive cruise control system, you'll have to spring for the Lariat or Tremor model. For more information about the Maverick's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Standard adaptive cruise control Warranty and Maintenance Coverage The Maverick offers the same standard warranty package as other new Fords, which is fairly basic. There's no complimentary scheduled maintenance program. Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Hybrid component warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance Specifications Specifications 2025 Ford Maverick Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup PRICE Base: XL, $28,590; XLT, $31,090; Lobo Standard, $36,850; Lariat, $38,885; Tremor, $41,945; Lobo High, $42,345 POWERTRAINS DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 162 hp, 155 lb-ft + AC motors, 105 and 126 hp, 48 and 173 lb-ft (combined output: 191 hp; lithium-ion battery pack); turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 250 hp, 277 lb-ft Transmissions: continuously variable automatic, 8-speed automatic, 7-speed automatic DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 121.1 in Length: 199.8–200.9 in Width: 72.4 in Height: 67.7–69.4 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/47 ft3 Curb Weight (C/D est): 3700–3900 lb PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) 60 mph: 5.9–7.7 sec 100 mph: 16.4–20.7 sec 1/4-Mile: 14.5–15.9 sec Top Speed: 110 mph EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 23–38/21–42/27–35 mpg More Features and Specs
