GM fleet and commercial operations: big trucks mean big sales for General Motors Who knew that GM's five-year-old Fleet and Commercial Operations (FCO

Who knew that GM's five-year-old Fleet and Commercial Operations (FCO) accounts for 1.3 to 1.5 million vehicles a year-some 28 percent of GM's U. S. sales? On the commercial side alone, consider that more than 14 million U.S. businesses, from morn and pop grocers to giant retailers, own vehicles. While GM divisions traditionally have had their own fleet and commercial departments, they were consolidated in 1999. FCO now represents all GM car and truck divisions and products ranging from small cars to massive "medium-duty" trucks, with business sub-divided into three categories: rental, commercial and government.

Medium Duty

Chevrolet Kodiak medium-duty workhorses, in regular and crew cab configurations with wheelbases ranging from 152 to 235 in., get available factory-engineered 4WD for 2005. Enhancing their off-road capability is an electronically controlled New Venture Gear Model NV273 2-speed transfer case with a dash-mounted rotary selector switch for 4L 4H and 2H drive settings. Power choices are standard Vortec 8100MD gas V-8 or optional Duramax 6600 Turbo Diesel V-8, both driving through an Allison 1000 Series 5-speed automatic transmission. GM's Stabilitrak stability control system became standard on GMC Savana and Chevy Express long-whedbase 12-and 15-passenger vans late in the '04 modal year and expands to regular-wheelbase 12-passenger models for '05. Four engines are available: 200-hp Vortec 4300 V-6, 275-hp Vortec 4800 V-8, 285-hp Vortec 5300 V-8 and 300-hp Vortec 6000 V-8. All are mated to either a Hydra-Matic 4L60-E or a 4L80-E transmission with a unique tow/haul feature that improves the predictability and reduces the frequency of shifting during towing.

Military

FCO provides a wide range of vehicles to the U.S. Military and its allies. Cargo and troop carriers derived from regular and crew cab CheW Silverado heavy-duty pickups are powered by a 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel V-8 (upgraded for '05 to 310 hp and 605 lb.ft, of torque) coupled to an Allison 1000 Series 5-speed automatic transmission with a New Venture 2-speed transfer case. For especially "arduous" terrain, an available Enhanced Mobility Package includes two-piece wheels with a beadlock feature that positively secures the tire to the rim even when air pressure is lost. Medium-duty military offerings include troop and cargo careers and specialized models equipped as field workshops, shelter carriers, wreckers, ambulances, tankers, dump trucks and more.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Last year, GM introduced gas/electric hybrid CheW Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups for fleet sales. Powered by a Vortec 5300 V8 coupled through a cleverly packaged electric motor/generator to a 4-speed automatic transmission, they offer flail pickup capabilities with 10 percent better fuel economy and four 120V electrical power outlets. GM also offers a range of vehicles equipped to run on E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) and is the only OEM offering compressed natural gas (CNG) models, both bi-fuel and dedicated, for '05.