Latest news with #pickup trucks
The Drive
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
This RC Truck's 44cc V8 Sounds Like a Rowdy Small-Block Chevy
The latest car news, reviews, and features. A lot of folks argue that pickup trucks should have V8s. This RC build is for them. There's a whole niche of small—nay, tiny engine builders who get a kick out of miniature V8s. JohnnyQ90 on YouTube is one such person, as he's developed a massive following by modifying these petite power plants. His channel has nearly two million followers, and it's because he creates awesome projects like this 1/10-scale Squarebody Chevrolet. Supposedly, it's the world's smallest V8 RC truck. The engine itself is a 1/6-scale Cison model with 44cc of displacement—a real small-block, if you will. Anyone can buy it online for *checks notes* $2,099. What? That's insane. In any case, JohnnyQ90 has modified this one and even manufactured tiny upgrades for it himself. He has an entire set of pint-sized machining tools, plus a spot welder. That's just the kind of fella he is—and better yet, he doesn't say a word in his videos. He just tinkers. It's tuned to run on 95-octane gas, and it even has a nasty chop at idle. The sound that pumps through the dual exhausts is better than any RC car engine I've ever heard. Check it here: After getting it running and driving a few months back, JohnnyQ90 swapped transmissions for one with taller gearing. He also went through the rest of the drivetrain, adjusting shaft angles to help it run more smoothly. It's a lot like a full-size lifted truck, in that sense. Even with the taller gearing, the Chevy tops out at just 18 miles per hour. That's OK, though, considering it sounds like a thumping drag car at pretty much any speed. And this thing is made for crawling anyways. It'll sling a rooster tail of dust with the best of 'em. I have big respect for anyone who can turn a model meant for a desktop into a runner driver. Sure, there are kits out there to help with this kind of project, but it still takes a lot of resourcefulness and ingenuity. JohnnyQ90 clearly takes it seriously—he even has a dyno for these scale engines—though you can tell it's all in the name of fun. I just have to make sure my six-year-old doesn't see it, or else I'll be coughing up a chunk of change for Christmas. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@
CBS News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
GM to produce Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra at Michigan's Orion Assembly plant
General Motors announced that three of its SUVs and pickup trucks will be built at Michigan's Orion Assembly plant. In a statement on Tuesday, July 15, the automaker confirmed that production of the Cadillac Escalade, the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra will begin at the plant in early 2027 "to meet continued strong customer demand." "GM is proud to call Michigan home, and these moves will further strengthen our manufacturing footprint," the company said. The announcement comes a month after GM said it would invest $4 billion into three facilities, including Orion Assembly. At the time, the automaker said the facility would "begin production of gas-powered full-size SUVs and light-duty pickup trucks," but waited a month after to name the vehicles that would be built. The $4 billion investment also includes expansion of the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, and Spring Hill Manufacturing in Spring Hill, Tennessee. GM says the investment will allow the automaker to produce more than 2 million vehicles annually in the U.S. "We believe the future of transportation will be driven by American innovation and manufacturing expertise," GM CEO Mary Barra said in June. "Today's (June 10) announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build vehicles in the U.S and to support American jobs. We're focused on giving customers choice and offering a broad range of vehicles they love." Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement on Tuesday, saying, "GM and Michigan have a long, rich history. Today's product announcement in Lake Orion will bring production of some of GM's most popular and profitable vehicles, a sign of the long-term viability of this investment in Michigan. This is just the latest example of the progress we are making to create good-paying union auto jobs and grow the economy. The governor added, "We don't care what you drive—gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric—as long as it's made in Michigan. Together, let's keep bringing manufacturing home, growing the middle class, and making more stuff in Michigan." Note: The video above previously aired on June 11, 2025.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan to supply cars to Honda in US, Nikkei says
TOKYO (Reuters) -Nissan is in talks to supply cars to Honda in the United States, which would let the struggling Japanese automaker put to use an under-utilised American plant, the Nikkei newspaper said on Friday, without citing sources. Nissan is considering making Honda pickup trucks at its Canton plant in Mississippi, which turns out models such as the Frontier, the paper said. After Nissan's talks to merge with Honda to form the world's third-largest automaker fell apart this year, the two said they would keep up an agreement to work together in areas such as electric vehicles. In a statement on Friday, Nissan said it had no additional updates, although it continued to work on projects with Honda. It said it would not comment on speculation. Honda officials were not immediately available for comment. Nissan reported a net loss of $4.5 billion in the financial year that ended in March, and has been badly hit by dwindling sales as it grapples with an ageing vehicle lineup. It faces debt of about 700 billion yen ($4.8 billion) coming due this year and its debt ratings have been cut to junk by all three major credit ratings firms. New CEO Ivan Espinosa has unveiled a sweeping cost-cutting plan that includes closing seven factories worldwide and a cut of 15% in the global workforce. Like other legacy automakers, Nissan and Honda face rising competition from Chinese players and difficulties stemming from U.S.-Japan trade talks over auto tariffs.
Auto Blog
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Nissan And Honda Could Join Forces To Build Trucks In America
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Mississippi May Make More Trucks Automakers are constantly fighting to keep cars affordable so their customers can keep coming back, and as economic factors cast larger shadows over the industry, the solutions being developed are becoming more radical. According to a report by Asia Nikkei, Nissan and Honda are discussing the possibility of collaborating on vehicle production, with the former reportedly considering using its underutilized Canton plant in Mississippi (responsible for the Frontier) to produce 'large models' for Honda. Specifically, the company is reportedly mulling the manufacture of pickup trucks for Honda, which would have Honda nameplates and be sold by Honda. Honda Ready To Step Up To The Big Time? Source: Kristen Brown/Autoblog Honda currently offers the Ridgeline as its sole pickup offering in America, and this is produced in Lincoln, Alabama. While it occupies the same midsize segment as the Nissan Frontier, it's a far less rugged proposition, with more car-like features and comfort. It's unclear if a new pickup would be a revision of the midsize recipe or a step up to full-size territory, but we suspect the former. Asia Nikkei quotes automotive research firm MarkLines, which reports that the Canton plant only operated at 57% of its capacity in 2024, far below the 80% threshold that a manufacturing plant must generally reach to avoid a loss. With Nissan struggling globally, any boost to production and income would surely be welcome. A Failed Merger, But Nissan Isn't Giving Up Source: Nissan One of the biggest stories of the year was the proposed merger between Honda and Nissan, but that fell apart due to numerous issues, one of which was reportedly a desire for full control by Honda. Since then, however, both Japanese automakers have been forced to refocus on the threat of tariffs, and Nissan is reportedly cozying up to iPhone maker Foxconn to save its Oppama plant from closure. U.S. President Donald Trump calls Japanese auto trade with America unfair, but more production on American soil may help to sway that opinion. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Whatever happens, Nissan needs help. Its Canton plant won't be busy for a long time after two planned EVs were delayed. Honda is also making deals with the likes of Toyota to maintain a competitive edge after it reported a net loss of over $4 billion due to tariffs. With the future uncertain for all automakers, we may see more collaborative efforts of this sort in the future, but for now, neither Honda nor Nissan is confirming or denying that a joint pickup project is in the works. Stay tuned. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
NHK
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- NHK
Honda considers selling Nissan-made vehicles in US
Sources say Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan are discussing a plan that would see Honda sell vehicles produced by Nissan in the United States. Under the plan, pickup trucks made at an under-utilized Nissan plant in the US would be sold under the Honda brand. Honda likely aims to expand its customer base through the deal. It would also help Nissan, whose US plants have been operating below capacity due to sluggish sales. Additional US import tariffs on autos and auto parts have heightened the pressure on Nissan to make better use of its American production base. Honda and Nissan's discussions come despite a failed attempt to merge earlier this year.
