GM unveils SUV-pickup hybrid: Avalanche.(Brief Article)

Plastics News, January, 2000 by Miel, Rhoda

DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. has raised its own corporate bar for production of a pickup truck with an all-plastic cargo box. The carmaker rolled out the Chevrolet Avalanche last week, ready to hit showrooms by 2001 with a standard all-plastic bed, rear gate and "midgate," which allows the vehicle to convert from a sport utility vehicle to a pickup.

"The development of plastics technology was the enabler," said Gary White, vehicle line executive for full-size trucks. "That was the game-changer for us." General Motors previously announced plans to sell its Chevrolet Silverado pickups with a plastic box as an option starting later this year. The Avalanche's composite box is a standard feature, with the company anticipating sales of 100,000 vehicles...

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