Rich Truett
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Rivian sent two trucks, one green test mule, and one blue early production vehicle, to the hotel in Ann Arbor where the testing for NACTOY is happening this week.
Generally, these are the impressions:
(1) The jurors are very surprised at the quality of the materials and the manufacturing.
(2) The really smart storage features also drew a lot of praise.
(3) Lots of positive comments and compliments on how the R1T drives, handles, accelerates and brakes.
(4) Some didn't really understand its mission and think it doesn't make a lot of sense because it will be used like a regular ICE truck and guzzle electricity hauling and towing, etc.
(5) The styling is a hit; everyone loved it.
In any other year, I'd say the R1T would have truck of the year in the bag. It's that good. And if you have one on order, you'll forget how late it is once you get it.
But this is not an ordinary year.
The GMC Hummer EV is also in the running, and that thing is freakin' amazeballs. It's big. It's heavy. But it feels light and agile. There is no doubt that it is much faster than the R1T. Press the Hummer's accelerator pedal into the carpet and you feel like you are being blasted into space.
The crab walk feature is waaaaay cool.
And if that weren't enough, the new Ford Maverick compact pickup is also going to get some votes.
Here's an entry level truck that is mega-affordable, really nicely equipped, and that does all the things you expect of a Ford truck. The hybrid version gets 42 mpg!
I was prepared to competely dismiss it. After all, the engine is mounted sideways! And yet the Maverick was the biggest surprise of the day.
Choosing how to spend my votes for Truck of The Year will be the hardest thing I have ever done since joining the NACTOY jury 8 years ago. All three are worthy.
Generally, these are the impressions:
(1) The jurors are very surprised at the quality of the materials and the manufacturing.
(2) The really smart storage features also drew a lot of praise.
(3) Lots of positive comments and compliments on how the R1T drives, handles, accelerates and brakes.
(4) Some didn't really understand its mission and think it doesn't make a lot of sense because it will be used like a regular ICE truck and guzzle electricity hauling and towing, etc.
(5) The styling is a hit; everyone loved it.
In any other year, I'd say the R1T would have truck of the year in the bag. It's that good. And if you have one on order, you'll forget how late it is once you get it.
But this is not an ordinary year.
The GMC Hummer EV is also in the running, and that thing is freakin' amazeballs. It's big. It's heavy. But it feels light and agile. There is no doubt that it is much faster than the R1T. Press the Hummer's accelerator pedal into the carpet and you feel like you are being blasted into space.
The crab walk feature is waaaaay cool.
And if that weren't enough, the new Ford Maverick compact pickup is also going to get some votes.
Here's an entry level truck that is mega-affordable, really nicely equipped, and that does all the things you expect of a Ford truck. The hybrid version gets 42 mpg!
I was prepared to competely dismiss it. After all, the engine is mounted sideways! And yet the Maverick was the biggest surprise of the day.
Choosing how to spend my votes for Truck of The Year will be the hardest thing I have ever done since joining the NACTOY jury 8 years ago. All three are worthy.
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