Glory! What a perfect pickup.

Uh... this truck had been around from day one . They built it as a support vehicle for the press launch Demos. Hope you didn’t pay your “spys” ;)

https://youtu.be/80-h0P1--ok

Im pretty sure there was a video on here where Mark interviewed the engineer about this. I remember it having a body lift

Liberal media and their love affair with this GM truck and F-150, can you guys not see this biased reporting?

This thing has what, 700 pounds of payload left with that steel utility bed on the back?

I really see no point to this truck, other than it kind of looks cool.

that's a really good idea to put on a utility body, that way you can carry all the tools to fix it when it breaks down,

The Utility Repair ZR2 Unit, for an extra $50K this truck will follow the ZR2 and fix/repair as needed.

Maybe its someone's personal vehicle...

Also note the flag mount on the front bumper, (Silver Lake Dunes) MI ORV & ORV trail permits.

As pointed out at the very top- this is a purpose built support truck from the press launch.
I do think this sort of setup could find application. If they hadn't killed off the H3T, it would have been a perfect carrier for a little service body like this. Sure, it isn't the answer to everyone's problem, but I'll bet there are a few where this would be ideal, especially if the service body wasn't too heavy (like AL or composite)

GM agreed to pay $120 million to resolve claims from 49 states and the District of Columbia over faulty ignition switches. The California Attorney General's Office received $7 million in the settlement.

Prosecutors said GM trained its staff to never use the words "defect" or "stall" and routinely chose the "cheapest part supplier without regard for safety." The lawsuit said the company also discouraged employees from addressing safety issues, according to the newspaper.

Over five months in 2014, GM was forced to recall 17 million vehicles in 33 recalls for various defects, officials said.

http://autoweek.com/article/wait-theres-more/little-warning-label-saved-ford-23-million-vehicle-recall

Best! What a perfect pickup.

@blueman

relevance?

GM agreed to pay $120 million to resolve claims from 49 states and the District of Columbia over faulty ignition switches. The California Attorney General's Office received $7 million in the settlement.

Prosecutors said GM trained its staff to never use the words "defect" or "stall" and routinely chose the "cheapest part supplier without regard for safety." The lawsuit said the company also discouraged employees from addressing safety issues, according to the newspaper.

Over five months in 2014, GM was forced to recall 17 million vehicles in 33 recalls for various defects, officials said.

Posted by: Blueman | Oct 30, 2017 1:10:01 PM

“The Ford documents describe a company investigation that discovered the door handles had been manufactured with weak springs, allowing door latches to potentially fly open in crashes.

Ford engineers pinpointed the problem in March 2000 and concluded it was a safety issue and recommended a recall, the documents show. The company estimated the recall would have cost up to $527 million. Ford executives initially approved a recall, the documents show, before determining that the handles could pass a rarely used alternative safety test.

Lawyers from Nelson Mullins, Ford’s South Carolina counsel, traveled to Dearborn to help the company’s Office of General Counsel find the documents. They returned to court with the depositions and documents that showed that Ford engineers concluded the truck handles were substandard.”

https://www.autosafety.org/ford-cited-holding-key-evidence/

There will be a lot of use for this truck once the Ford Ranger comes out and tries to offroad.

Posted by: Brawndo | Oct 30, 2017 2:20:19 PM

GM ignition Recall
As a result of the failures, at least 124 people died and 275 were injured, according to the Orange County Register.

Brawndo

In the Ford door handle recall, how many people died? ZERO

Guys, please.

Whenever you cite third parties on these stories about "product recalls" please try to remember that any story involving the State Attorneys offices (or Attorney Generals office in California particularly) you are getting into very political and very subjective territory.

papajim

GM agreed to pay $120 million to resolve claims from 49 states

Guys, please.

Stop hurting papajim's feelings.

You want to debate but it has to be on your terms.

How can we debate if you don't have decent information?

Your disinformation campaign is a nonstarter.

Putc does not seem to care so this will go on.

@brawndo
Looks like you left something out of the link you cited. Oopps.
"Georgia court sanctioned General Motors Corp. for allegedly concealing an internal report in a case involving a Chevette fuel tank fire."

It's been said for sometime- GM stock way overvalued. Now the reality sets in.

http://on.freep.com/2zRasQL

Speaking of being #1 , here is something GM as a manufacturer is truly #1 at.

https://blog.caranddriver.com/recall-throwdown-analyzing-automakers-recall-history-in-the-past-30-years-who-is-worst/

"Liberal media and their love affair with this GM truck and F-150, can you guys not see this biased reporting? Posted by: oxi"

?????????????

The "liberal" side of the vehicle isle has tended to prefer the Japanese where Ford, GM, Dodge/Ram has been the domain of the conservative truck buyer.

Obviously PUTC is the "Publishers clearing house" for automotive news. No journalism, just straight to post.

@willy, BAFO, blueman

it must have been cheaper for GM to settle that to fight hundreds of claims in court, regardless of how valid the claims may have been.

I'll stand on the comment about the goings on in Sacramento. There's a reason that thousands of companies (and doctors) have fled from California in the last year.

It is increasingly a hostile environment for anyone who wants to run an honest business.

That would be a great setup for a 5th wheel.

Very common in Australia and with a snorkel
https://www.tjmperth.com.au/product/tjm-airtec-snorkel-toyota-hilux-2015/

Speaking of being #1 , here is something GM as a manufacturer is truly #1 at.

https://blog.caranddriver.com/recall-throwdown-analyzing-automakers-recall-history-in-the-past-30-years-who-is-worst/
Posted by: GM Blows Chunks | Oct 30, 2017 5:01:33 PM

Can you not comprehend that chart or are you so dense you can only focus on the tall bars. Look to the left and you'll see that the second column says "Recall Rate", ie, recalls per vehicles sold. Did you even read the article?

"General Motors, despite ugly accusations against its “cost culture” from the ignition-switch fiasco, ranked third best, with 65 percent of its total sales subject to recalls, or roughly two recalled vehicles for every three sold."

"In terms of an automaker’s recall timeliness—the very point which angered lawmakers over GM’s ignition-switch issue and Toyota’s unintended-acceleration fiasco—BMW was tops, with 87 percent of its recalls conducted during the first three years of a model’s sale. In that same measure, Nissan was second and General Motors third again, both at 85 percent."

Here is a more up to date article on recalls:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/11/best-worst-automaker-recall-rates/
The Best of the Worst: Automaker Recall Rate Rankings
November 4, 2016

https://i1.wp.com/www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/recall-initiativeisseecars2.png

Interesting how Ford is the absolute worst manufacturer in terms of voluntary recalls. I guess they aren't interested in fixing safety defects until the feds decide to raid Ford HQ or victims of Fords deadly vehicles have to band together in a class action lawsuit.

Similar to the ZR2 with a service body and snorkel
http://www.gitsham.com.au/products/product/custom-built/hilux-sr5-service-body-fit-out

Brawndo

In the Ford door handle recall, how many people died? ZERO

Posted by: Blueman | Oct 30, 2017 3:15:31 PM

Which door handle recall? There have been so many Ford products with unsafe door latches that it's hard to know which one you're talking about. You'd think a company that's been building cars for over 100 years could at least get a door latch right.

And people certainly did die or were permanently paralyzed thanks to Ford F-150's and SUV's with a door latch that had a weak spring that engineers deemed unsafe but Ford executives didn't care about because it would cost $577 million.

"Ford, the nation’s second-biggest automaker, has been hit with several lawsuits in the United States in which plaintiffs claim latch failures led to fatal accidents that involved doors flying open."

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5737609/ns/business-autos/t/ford-sued-again-over-door-latches/

And this is just a small defect. I haven't even quoted any of the cruise control fire coverups, ignition fire coverups, the Ford Bronco II/Explorer rollover coverups, seat belt failure coverups, Crown Vic fuel tank ruptures, etc etc etc.

Ford, where your family's safety is none of their concern!

And this is just a small defect. I haven't even quoted any of the cruise control fire coverups, ignition fire coverups, the Ford Bronco II/Explorer rollover coverups, seat belt failure coverups, Crown Vic fuel tank ruptures, etc etc etc.
Ford, where your family's safety is none of their concern

And yet GM LEADS by a wide margin in recalls. Typical GM lapdog evidence of their avoidence #1 king of recalls.

@brawndo the dipdo.
Sounds like you did not read, as in 936 Recall Campaign. GM #1 !!!!!

Who's the leader ? Ford of course. Quality is Job None.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/11/best-worst-automaker-recall-rates/

And yet GM LEADS by a wide margin in recalls. Typical GM lapdog evidence of their avoidence #1 king of recalls.
Posted by: GM Blows Chunks | Oct 30, 2017 6:05:47 PM

Recalls aren't the problem. Recalls are actually good because the manufacturer acknowledges a safety issue and fixes it. Ford does the exact opposite. They bury the evidence and sometimes even destroy incriminating documents. They ignore safety defects until the federal government threatens major fines. They wait until lawsuits get filed and the negative PR starts to put pressure on them --- notice how they went from denying there was an issue with the 2013 and 2014 F-150 Ecoboost's brakes until the feds began a new investigation into all the sudden brake failures. Then suddenly Ford does a 180 and instead of denying there's a problem, they rush to initiate a recall like they should have done years earlier. They should be doing the same on the 2015 and newer F-150's. The same exact parts on the same Ecoboost trucks are failing and leaking people without brakes. What good is a 12k pound tow rating when you aren't sure if your brakes are going to work the next time you go to push the pedal?

So not only does Ford have MORE recall per vehicle, they have worse timeliness in issuing a recall, and are FORCED by the federal government to issue a recall more often than any of the other 17 auto manufacturers. They have a LONG history of deadly defects that they're clearly liable for, yet continue to deny them because they know the incriminating documents are buried in a warehouse full of documents and know that the victims can't afford the legal team required to search for them. There have been several former Ford executives that have testified on it. They described how Ford hides memos, destroys documents, has a legal team that knows how to tie lawsuits up legal proceedings for years until the victims go bankrupt trying to fight Ford.

Wasn't there a tfl video of this truck like 5 months ago.. pretty sure it was a test mule that they then modified to be a support vehicle.. with zero plans on commercializing it...

@Brawndo

Please explain to the audience GM's, hidden documets and legal maneuvers for the Deadly side saddle tanks, engine mounts and ignition switch fiascos. We eagerly await the same fervor you have given Ford.

Please explain to the audience GM's, hidden documets and legal maneuvers for the Deadly side saddle tanks, engine mounts and ignition switch fiascos. We eagerly await the same fervor you have given Ford.

Posted by: Casual Observer of Fools | Oct 30, 2017 8:39:44 PM

Please explain to the audience Ford's, hidden documents and legal maneuvers for the Deadly Pinto fuel tanks, transmission park gear failure, and ignition switch and cruise switch fiascos and fires. We eagerly await the same fervor you have given GM.

Please explain to the audience GM's, hidden documets and legal maneuvers for the Deadly side saddle tanks, engine mounts and ignition switch fiascos. We eagerly await the same fervor you have given Ford.

Posted by: Casual Observer of Fools | Oct 30, 2017 8:39:44 PM

Please explain to the audience Ford's, hidden documents and legal maneuvers for the Deadly unstable Ford Explorer and the continued installation of Firestone tires that were knowingly separating causing deadly accidents and rollovers. GO AHEAD, we eagerly await the same fervor you have given GM

If you need a good laugh (not a good read) you can always count on putc threads!

@gmsgreat, brawndo and the rest of the GM family.
I do not defend nor condone Corp. misdeeds,or conduct. It is for the courts and regulatory agencies to adjudicate with fines, sanctions, remedies ,civil and or criminal judgements.
Do you and the GM fan club feel the same?

I do not defend nor condone Corp. misdeeds,or conduct.

Posted by: Casual Observer of Fools | Oct 31, 2017 6:47:52 AM

That being the said, we can expect your future commenting to include Ford's misdeeds. I look forward to that.

That being the said, we can expect your future commenting to include Ford's misdeeds. I look forward to that.

Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Oct 31, 2017 8:36:59 AM

Do you and the GM fan club feel the same?
Will you do the same?

Do you and the GM fan club feel the same?
Will you do the same?

Posted by: Casual Observer of Fools | Oct 31, 2017 9:34:43 AM

Yes, I will always highlight Ford's misdeeds.

you and the GM fan club feel the same?
Will you do the same?
Posted by: Casual Observer of Fools | Oct 31, 2017 9:34:43 AM
Yes, I will always highlight Ford's misdeeds.

Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Oct 31, 2017 11:06:59 AM

So predictable, so juvenile on your part.
No one was expecting anything other. Enjoy your trolldum.

@ Casual Observer of Fords:
I spite of your condescending tone and name calling, I would gladly support any commenting you make concerning even the slightest misdeeds by Ford. But I know you won't. If I were to label you with a word, it would be hypocrite. But that would be to juvenile.

So am I to understand that you would comment on the misdeeds of GM. As I would understand by your tone you are not a hypocrite..So with that being said as you are a proponent of GM who you have stated time in memorium is the leader and you are branded as GMSGREAT, please show leadership by example. I will be pleased to follow your lead.

Please explain to the audience GM's, hidden documets and legal maneuvers for the Deadly side saddle tanks, engine mounts and ignition switch fiascos. We eagerly await the same fervor you have given Ford.
Posted by: Casual Observer of Fools | Oct 30, 2017 8:39:44 PM

Interesting how you attempt to portray yourself as a neutral "observer", yet you have never called out a Ford commenter spewing hate towards GM fans here. Where are you when news on GM or FCA recalls are posted here and the Ford fanboys hammer the comments with ridiculous statements about such things as the GM ignition switch, a horse that was beaten to death a couple years ago.

I don't feel the need to explain GM's actions as I "do not defend nor condone Corp. misdeeds,or conduct". Notice how I haven't really made a serious attempt at defending any of GM's past decisions or coverups. I might put them into context, but typically I'm merely providing a counterbalance to the GM-hating circlejerk that has been allowed to fester here unchecked since the days when Mike Levine was editor-in-chief of this website.

Almost daily, somebody here ruins the discussion by trying to paint a picture where GM is the only auto manufacturer that has ever covered up a defect. They often then proceed to point out how their manufacturer of choice (typically Ford on this website) has the moral high ground, and that they take safety customers far more seriously than GM (which is absurd). When I started visiting this site again earlier this year, people like blueman were spamming this website with all kinds of garbage about GM's ignition switch and side-saddle tanks, trying to make it out that Ford is the "good guy" and would never do such things. Again, I'm merely providing counterbalance.

Many peopel