JANUARY 12, 2022
Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 09:58AM 
Editor-In-Chief's Note: There seems to be a lot of hand-wringing going on in the media about the initial success of the Ford Maverick compact pickup, as if it should be some sort of a surprise. At its introduction last June (2021), Ford said that the Maverick is "the first standard full-hybrid pickup in America and the most fuel-efficient truck on the market with a targeted EPA-estimated rating of 40 mpg in the city," and while its compact size makes it easy to maneuver and park, there’s still room for five adults and plenty of storage space. All for a starting MSRP of $19,995 (with destination charges it will be over that figure). Its 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder hybrid powertrain delivers 191HP when combined with the electric motor, and 155 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels. Along with its targeted EPA-estimated fuel economy of 40 mpg city and 500 miles of range on a single tank of gas (your mileage performance will vary, of course), it offers standard payload of 1,500 pounds. and has the capability to tow 2,000 pounds. Those who want more capability can upgrade to a 2.0-liter EcoBoost gas engine delivering 250HP and 277 lb.-ft. of torque with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. Equipped with the optional 4K Tow Package, conventional towing doubles to 4,000 pounds – enough for an average 21-foot boat. Why is the Maverick a welcome development? I have been writing about affordability for six years on this website. Everything in the market is too expensive these days, no matter what the segment. Price in particular is a huge factor with the coming EVs, with no relief in sight. True affordability means price and content, and I applaud Ford for nailing this formula with the Maverick. As I said last June, forget about Ford's EV crossover or its electrified F-150. The Maverick is the most important product news to come out of Dearborn in years. -PMD
Chevrolet has introduced the 2024 Silverado EV - on its proprietary Ultium Platform - with a GM-estimated 400-mile range on a full charge both on the Work Truck (WT) and RST versions. The new Silverado EV can deliver up to 664HP with more than 780 lb-ft of torque in available max power Wide Open Watts Mode on the RST, enabling a GM-estimated 0-60 mph time of less than 4.5 seconds. Standard DC fast charging (up to 350kW) is included on WT and RST. Up to 10.2kW of offboard power on WT and RST is available with optional equipment and up to 10,000 pounds of maximum trailering with up to 1,300 pounds of payload on RST. The Silverado EV was developed from the ground up as a fully-electric truck on GM’s advanced Ultium EV Platform, and it offers "a boundary-breaking combination of capability, performance and versatility, along with advanced technologies that can evolve the vehicle over time," according to Chevrolet PR minions. At launch, the Silverado EV will be available in two configurations, an RST First Edition and a fleet-oriented WT model. Each will offer a comprehensive suite of standard and available safety technologies. The flagship RST First Edition includes: Four-wheel steering; Automatic Adaptive Air Suspension; A Multi-Flex Midgate that expands the truck’s cargo capability while maintaining seating for a rear row passenger; Available Multi-Flex Tailgate with power release; A 17-inch-diagonal LCD freeform infotainment screen paired with a neighboring 11-inch-diagonal reconfigurable driver instrument display and a multi-color driver head-up display with a field of view over 14 inches; and Trailering-capable Super Cruise, the industry’s first true hands-free driver-assistance technology, allowing drivers to travel hands-free on more than 200,000 miles of compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada. The WT will launch first for fleet customers and offer impressive capability to meet the needs of organizations with sustainable transportation goals, including 510HP and 615 lb-ft of torque. The WT will offer 8,000 pounds of towing and 1,200 pounds of payload. After initial launch, Chevrolet will introduce a fleet model with up to 20,000 pounds max trailering with the max tow package.
The Silverado EV will be assembled with domestically and globally-sourced parts at GM’s Factory ZERO, Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center — a facility re-purposed and retooled with a $2.2-billion investment devoted to EV production. In spring 2023, the Silverado EV will debut a WT model offering GM’s longest range battery with an expected GM-estimated range of over 400 miles on a full charge. In fall 2023, a fully loaded RST First Edition model, also delivering a 400-mile range, will debut with an MSRP of $105,000 + DFC. After production ramps up, Chevrolet will unleash the full Silverado EV portfolio, including WT (with a starting at MSRP of $39,900 + DFC), RST, Trail Boss (shown above) and more. Customers will have the ability to content the truck across various price ranges, with MSRPs around $50,000, $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 and more, allowing them to choose the truck that meets their capability and pricing needs. Reservations for the Silverado EV are available starting at 1 p.m. ET (Wednesday, January 5th) at Chevrolet.com.
Chevrolet also announced that it will expand its EV lineup in the fall of 2023 to include the Equinox EV, which will start at an estimated MSRP of around $30,000 in the U.S. The Equinox EV - which will be launched in both fleet and retail versions, including LT and RS trims - will also leverage GM’s Ultium Platform. “The Equinox has always played an important role for Chevrolet as the second-highest selling brand nameplate,” said Steve Hill, Chevrolet vice president. “Providing an affordable EV option in the industry’s highest volume segment proves Chevy is going to make EVs available to everyone.” The announcement of the Equinox EV followed Chevy’s reveal of the 2024 Silverado EV and confirmation that there will be a Blazer EV SUV, which will be available in spring 2023.
Editor's Note: In case you missed it, you can read our BEST OF ON THE TABLE 2021 here. And click on Next 1 Entries below to scroll through past issues of On The Table. -WG
The AE Song of the Week:
Awake on my airplane
Awake on my airplane
My skin is bare
My skin is theirs
Awake on my airplane
Awake on my airplane
My skin is bare
My skin is theirs
I feel like newborn
And I feel like a newborn
Awake on my airplane
Awake on my airplane
I feel so real
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember - yeah
I don't believe in
I don't believe in your sanctity your prophecy
I don't believe in
I don't believe in sanctity or hypocricy
Can everyone agree that no one should be left alone
Can everyone agree that they should not be left alone
And I feel like a newborn
And I feel like a newborn (kicking and screaming)
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember - yeah
Hey dad what do you think about your son now?
Hey dad what do you think about your son now?
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember
Could you take my picture
'Cause I won't remember - yeah
"Take A Picture" by Filter, from the album "Title Of Record" (1999)*. Watch the Official Music Video here.
*Lead singer Richard Patrick has said that the song is about him getting drunk on an airplane, taking off all of his clothes, and fighting with the flight attendants who tried to subdue him. The line "Hey, Dad, what do you think about your son now?" refers to how Richard Patrick's father didn't think he could make it in the recording business. This song was played in the movie Girl Next Door during a memorable montage. Richard Patrick told Artist Direct the story behind this stream-of-conscious song. He recalled: "There was no thought behind it. It was off-the-cuff. It was emotional. I was so lonely. When you drink, you feel cut off from everybody. The isolation is wild. You isolate yourself, but then you realize you're left all alone. I'd get in trouble. I got arrested, but I was taken to a psych ward." "That was the second time I had an issue on an airplane," he continued. "I was like, 'I bet my dad's going to be proud of this!' There's that song, 'Dad, I'm In Jail.' 'Take A Picture' was my homage to that. 'Hey dad, what do you think about your son now?' is a double entendre. Do you think my platinum records are cool? Do you think I'm a success? Do you know how much pain I'm in? Do you have any idea what's going on with me? I think everybody has that thing with their parents. They want to figure out their moms and dads." (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)