General Motors is moving toward producing an aluminum-bodied pickup truck by late 2018, after securing supply contracts with Alcoa Inc. and Novelis Inc., reports the Wall Street Journal.

The next-generation pickup would come on the heels of Ford's 2015 F-150, which debuted at the Detroit auto show. By using aluminum for its body, hood, and engine compartment, Ford reduced the weight of the vehicle by 700 pounds. The truck is expected to earn a fuel-economy rating near 28 miles per gallon highway.

Rather than pursuing aluminum several years ago, General Motors elected to introduce two mid-size pickup trucks — the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon — to provide greater fuel efficiency.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

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