GM studies future of pickups and SUVs, may focus more on cars

GM is currently conducting a huge study on full-sized SUVs and pickups that could result in the automaker becoming more of a car company and less of brand known for its trucks and gas-guzzling SUVs. The internal study being conducting by GM looks at market conditions four years ahead, and how much the number one American automaker should change its lineup.

GM has asked its researchers to “give us a view as to what the long-term truck and full-size SUV demand might be and why you think it is that way,” Troy Clarke, GM’s president of North America, told Automotive News.

Clarke said GM needs to understand whether the current shift away from gas-guzzling pickups and SUVs to fuel-efficient small cars is long-term and if GM needs to restructure its lineup accordingly.

According to data from Automotive News, GM’s full-sized pickups were down 18.5 percent last month compared to the same period last year. SUV sales were down 31.4 percent.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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