GM Provides Better Covers for Transported Pickups
In an attempt to protect its newly built pickup trucks from the harsh realities of road salt, rocks, overzealous container drivers, and harsh weather, GM is investing in higher-quality fabric covers. Although it may seem like a minor detail in the scheme of vehicle production, saving dealers (and sometime customers) repair costs and cleanup fees on full-size pickups that often have been transported across thousands of miles between countries and ports can be a very big deal.
As many as 100,000 GM vehicles will wear these heavy-duty covers to protect them during their long journeys, and that means they need to be properly fitted, in many ways just like a custom-made suit. We're told that if the covers are not form fitted and strapped down properly to the transporter, the wind can actually use the cover material to create quite a bit of damage, with material flapping, rubbing and knocking on the delicate finishes and parts they're supposed to protect. Likewise, the special covers need to have perfectly placed portholes to accommodate the occasional need to drive or see into the vehicle by various inspection bureaus.
The German carmakers such as Audi, BMW and Porsche use thick plastic Mylar (like a thick sticker) to protect their vehicles during transport, but given those vehicles' average prices, the costs are easier to incorporate into the total price. Although GM is not saying how much tailored truck covers will add to overall pickup pricing, the fact that GM sells so many pickups annually (possibly as many as 700,000 this year) is likely help decrease the costs that could get passed along to dealers or customers.
Ram uses Mylar to protect many of its pickups, mainly on the roofs, hoods and bedrails because transporters try to maximize every square inch of storage space in both open and closed carriers. Rams with the four-corner air-ride suspension also have the advantage of dumping all the air from the airbags, allowing the trucks to rest on the bumpstops for transport. Ram 1500s also have a "ship mode" in the electrical system to reduce draw on the battery so that battery cables on transported trucks do not need special equipment or attention.
Naturally, the biggest expenses will be incurred on pickups being shipped overseas to places like the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries (where the SVT Raptor and full-size heavy-duty Chevrolets are quite popular). In those destinations, where transaction prices are much higher, the issue of added cost is almost moot; however, the issue of exterior protection is extremely important in environments with harsh dust and blowing sand.
To read the full GM press release, click here.
Comments
This reminds me. My dad bought a new pickup a few years ago. He was negotiating on the price and the dealer was talking about all of the options anddealer installed accessories, etc. When we got it home, we realized that they had never taken the "sticker" off of the roof, yet on the purchase paperwork, it noted "dealer installed high elevation paint protection, blah, blah." So for fun, we called the dealer and asked what exactly it was--why of course it is a super special $500 UV protectant that is applied to the entire vehicle, replied the dealer. We took it back and demanded a $500 refund... stealership indeed.
Very cool.
I have never had any issues with purchasing vehicles that had any damage from transit, so I would guess it's not an overly common occurence. The extra protection can't hurt though. The problem is that not all damage can be avoided by merely covering the truck, take this video for instance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhjK_LPxKps
They are just doing the public a service by covering it up so we don't have to see such a hideous truck. Hahahaha........ Just kidding GM fanboys I couldn't resist.
Kudos to GM for going the extra mile to ensure their trucks get to their customers as new as possible. It may be just a small thing, but somethingis better than nithing.
Damage in transit is probably more common than many may think. I had a buddy that work in a dealer body shop and told me as such. I have also seen it first hand when I went to watch the first shipment of a highly anticipated vehicle being unloaded. There were a number of rigs with damage bumpers, etc.
I also have seen "new" cars get in an accident and lo and behold, there was cracked filler... . That is why when I buy a new vehicle I still highly scrutinize it.
actually ALL1 you are right..they look better with the covers on them....why people that work hard for their money would waste it on one these is beyond me....
Ford and Ram doesn't have the time to install these covers cause they sell so fast and Chevy has moved to # 3 in sales behind Ram.
The Chevy is the most expensive truck and this cover will only add to the cost.
I don't think the reason why nobody wants the Chevy is because of a few scratches, the bigger reason is the Ford and Ram is a better truck at a less expensive price.
I see the Chevy as a luxury car that white collar professionals would own.
I see the Ram as simply a show-off truck
I see the Ford as a blue collar work truck, men that get their hands dirty.
Nice PR, but I saw a semi vehicle carrier today full of new GM's and not one had a car cover, so I call B.S.
Toyota and Honda has been covering their cars and trucks for several years. I see new Toyotas and Hondas covered in plastic being transported.
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