ELKHART LAKE, WI – Fuel economy isn't the No.1 priority of fullsize-truck buyers, which is one of the reasons Chevrolet doesn't offer a diesel engine in its light-duty Silverado pickup, says Carl Hillenbrand, product manager for Silverado.
“Fuel economy is one of the top five reasons for making the buying decision, but the ability to get the work done and haul or tow the load still is the most important,” he tells WardsAuto in an interview at the Midwest Automotive Media Assn. spring new-car rally here at the Road America race track.
“Our new 5.3L V-8 gas engine in the Silverado has cylinder deactivation, so it only uses four cylinders when needed,” Hillenbrand says. “And thanks to more low-end torque from the engine for 2014, it runs far more frequently in fuel-saving 4-cyl. mode than the old engine did.
“Besides, we get better mileage with our 5.3L V-8 than Ford gets with its Ecoboost V-6, so there's no need for a diesel in our light-duty truck and a diesel isn't in our future plans. Ford's plan to get better mileage was to turbocharge a V-6; ours was to shut down four cylinders when not needed."
Hillenbrand says fullsize trucks are doing well due to a slight rise in housing starts, as well as pent-up demand that is bringing formerly reluctant buyers back to showrooms. The average age of trucks on the road is 11.3 years, and older units need replacement, he says.
