The Latest News, Rumors and Changes in the Truck World

Kindred Motorworks Reveals All-Electric 3100 Pickup Truck, Completing Its Debut Lineup

Kindred Motorworks, the San Francisco Bay area producer of modernized vintage vehicles, recently revealed its electric 3100 pickup truck and opened pre-orders to prospective customers at KindredMotorworks.com. The Kindred 3100 is based on the 1947-1953 Chevrolet 3100, and it rounds out Kindred’s launch-model lineup.

The Kindred 3100 carries a starting MSRP of $159,000 and is powered by a 294-horsepower direct drive electric AC motor driving the rear wheels. Energy is supplied by a 74kWh battery that provides up to 200 miles of operating range. Kore Power is Kindred Motorworks’ exclusive supplier of battery modules. The 3100’s 6.6kW on-board charger supports both 120v and 240v charging, with a full charge taking approximately nine hours using a Level 2 charger, which is what customers are likely to have installed in their homes.

The Kindred 3100 is powered by a 294-horsepower direct drive electric AC motor driving the rear wheels.” 

The Kindred 3100 also features a double-wishbone front suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering, and is protected by a one-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. Other standard features include power disc brakes at all four wheels, electric power steering, an electronic parking brake, a 1000-watt 120v power inverter that feeds a bed-mounted outlet and USB ports, keyless entry, power locks, and windows, and a vehicle recovery system. The 3100’s 17-inch wheels are styled like the originals right down to their chrome Chevrolet hubcaps, but shod in modern Continental TrueContact Tour tires.

Inside the heated and air-conditioned cab, occupants will find retractable three-point seat belts, a heated leather bench seat with headrests, and a center armrest with cupholders. When not in use, the armrest can be stowed to make the center seating position available for an additional passenger.

The instrument panel features an original-style gauge cluster that, upon closer inspection, presents EV-specific information to the driver. Gear selection is performed via a rotary selector. A touchscreen media center connected to a three-speaker audio system with subwoofer displays the view from the 3100’s backup camera and supports both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A wireless phone-charging dock adds even more convenience.

Outside, drivers will find full LED lighting, an original-style split windshield (now cleaned by intermittent wipers), and a functional original cowl fresh-air vent. The charging door is flush-mounted on the fender. The bed is designed to be used as intended, with marine-grade waterproof flooring, modular tie-downs, and a push-button tailgate featuring hidden links. The textured surface on the running boards and inside the bed is color-matched to the truck.

Kindred Motorworks’ full launch-model lineup consists of the Kindred 3100, the Kindred VW Bus, the Kindred Bronco, and Kindred Camaro.

All four models are available for pre-order now at KindredMotorworks.com.

Ford Offers Tips to Help Maximize the Range of Your F-150 Lightning in Cold Weather During Its First Winter

 The Ford F-150 Lightning pickup has been tested in extreme cold conditions. It endured months of real-world winter driving in Alaska and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Its battery has been subjected to temperatures as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit to as low as minus 40 degrees F in Ford’s atmospheric test chambers. However, all-electric vehicles experience energy decreases in cold temperatures due to battery cell chemistry. Temperatures below 40 degrees F cause the electrolyte fluid to become sluggish, limiting how much power is available to discharge and how quickly the vehicle’s battery can charge. As F-150 Lightning customers across the United States and Canada begin their first winter with their new electric pickup, Ford wants to help make them aware that in low temperatures they could see a significant reduction in range, which is normal.

To help maximize your F-150 Lightning range in winter, here are some tips below:

1. Park your F-150 Lightning in a garage whenever possible.
2. Keep your F-150 Lightning plugged in when parked.
3. If planning a longer commute, precondition your vehicle using departure times to warm the battery while plugged-in by using the FordPass app or your truck’s center screen.
4. If equipped, use the heated seats and steering wheel as primary heat to reduce energy consumed by HVAC.
5. When charging, turn off the heater if possible, or lower the temperature enough to remain comfortable. (Especially when using DCFC.)
6. If your F-150 Lightning is covered with snow, brush all the snow off before driving to eliminate extra weight and drag.
7. Keep driving speeds moderate in cold temperature as high speeds use more energy.
8. Ensure your tires are at the proper pressure.

U.S. News & World Report Names Ram Truck ‘Best Truck Brand’ for Fourth Consecutive Year

 US. News & World Report has named the Ram brand the Best Truck Brand for 2023, led by the most awarded truck ever—the Ram 1500. This is the fourth consecutive year that the Ram brand has earned this prestigious award.

Best Vehicle Brand awards, evaluating 38 brands, recognizes industry-wide excellence for cars, SUVs, trucks, and luxury vehicles. These accolades help car shoppers identify the outstanding brand in their vehicle category of interest.

To determine the award winners, U.S. News Best Cars averaged the overall score of all the given brand’s products in each award class. The brand with the highest overall average score was named the winner in the category. The overall scores come directly from the U.S. News Best Cars rankings, which are based on a combination of safety scores, reliability data, and the consensus of the automotive press.