It may be held in the Second City, but the recent Chicago Auto Show was the scene for a number of first-place awards for General Motors products.
IntelliChoice, which analyzes vehicles’ total ownership costs for its “Best Overall Values of the Year” awards, honored the GMC Sierra 2500 HD/Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD for being the industry’s “Best Truck Value Over $28,000.” In addition, different models of GM’s full-size pickup duo also were named “Best Values” in their individual segments. These included the Sierra/Silverado hybrids and the Sierra/Silverado 3500 HDs. Not to be outdone, the GMC Yukon Denali topped the Luxury SUV category.
The recognition should help build more strong buzz for GM’s heavy duty pickups, which have been garnering much attention at Chicago thanks to the premiere of the 2011 Silverado HD. And “strong” is the right word here. Featuring an all-new frame, a revised suspension, a new Duramax diesel engine and a new Allison six-speed automatic transmission, the big Silverado can now tow up to 20,000 lbs and has a payload capacity of 6,335 lbs—best-in-class numbers that now top those of the Ford F-150 HD.
The MotorWeek “Drivers’ Choice Awards” also were handed out in Chicago, with the 2010 Buick LaCrosse earning the nod for “Best Luxury Sedan.” The annual MotorWeek Awards are based on a wide range of factors, including a vehicle’s performance, technology, practicality and value.
It’s another significant recognition for the redesigned LaCrosse, which has seen sales shoot up drastically since its recent redesign. LaCrosse deliveries were increased a whopping 185.2 percent in January, and that’s on top of a 215.7 percent surge in December 2009.
Next up for LaCrosse? GM will soon begin offering a direct-injection four-cylinder engine as part of the Buick’s CX trim, pushing the LaCrosse to 30 mpg highway and making it the only car in its segment to holster anything less than a six-cylinder powerplant.
Drivers can look for the Buick LaCrosse CX to hit dealerships later this spring.
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