| Many truck buyers don't just think about what | | | | anywhere on the tracks. |
| they can do with their vehicles, they think | | | | |
| about what they can do to them as well. | | | | The rails enable the use of an overhead |
| | | | utility rack; a sliding diamond-pattern |
| That's the word from automotive experts who | | | | toolbox; a sliding bed divider; or two |
| say that accessorizing vehicles has become a | | | | diamond-pattern side storage boxes. What |
| top priority for many truck owners-whether | | | | makes this system unique is that these |
| that means adding alloy wheels, a souped-up | | | | accessories can use either the upper or lower |
| engine or something as simple as backseat DVD | | | | rails, allowing numerous combinations that |
| players for the kids. | | | | can easily bypass one another as they slide |
| | | | along the rails. And if that's not enough |
| In fact, the Specialty Equipment Market | | | | flexibility and security, the system was also |
| Association reports that vehicle | | | | designed to work with both hard and soft |
| personalization has become a $34 billion | | | | tonneau covers-also accessories. |
| annual business, with light trucks | | | | |
| representing more than $10.6 billion. | | | | For those who need the added protection of |
| | | | secured storage, all tool boxes feature a |
| Now truck buyers can even find vehicles | | | | "codeable lock," enabling only the vehicle |
| designed specifically with customization in | | | | key to lock and unlock the accessories. |
| mind. For instance, the new Chevrolet | | | | |
| Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks had | | | | Wheels |
| accessories designed specifically for them by | | | | |
| the automaker's dedicated accessories design | | | | Truck owners can choose from a selection of |
| staff. The automotive company says it moved | | | | six stylish 20-inch wheel designs available |
| forward with this design approach because it | | | | in a chrome finish. Each wheel is offered |
| recognized that giving customers more choice | | | | with a matching tire that has been designed |
| at the time of vehicle purchase was key to | | | | specifically for full-size pickup trucks |
| their satisfaction. | | | | using the company's Tire Performance Criteria |
| | | | system. A wheel-theft protection system is |
| "It's all about individual choice-from the | | | | offered as well to help protect your |
| MP3s we listen to and the cell phones we | | | | investment. |
| customize to the streaming video we watch," | | | | |
| says Nancy Philippart, executive director, GM | | | | Personal Appearance |
| Accessories. "People expect to have what they | | | | |
| want, the way they want it. Why should | | | | For many, appearance is everything. When it |
| vehicle buyers expect anything less?" | | | | comes to trucks, owners have a seemingly |
| | | | endless array of choices available from |
| So what are the hot accessories for truck | | | | Chevrolet and GMC to match the look of their |
| buyers? Here's a closer look: | | | | vehicle to their personal style. Truck buyers |
| | | | can load up on chrome-wheels, grilles, door |
| Innovative Cargo Management | | | | handles, mirror caps, tow hooks and more. |
| | | | Chrome tubular assist steps add style and |
| Truck owners who need cargocarrying | | | | functionality. And drivers looking for a |
| capabilities always have to choose between | | | | sporty look and sound can opt for single and |
| "flexibility" and "security." For example, | | | | dual "cat-back" exhaust systems that look and |
| storage boxes that are securely bolted in | | | | sound cool. |
| place aren't very flexible. So Philippart's | | | | |
| firm took a unique approach to designing a | | | | Range of Accessories |
| cargo management system for their full-size | | | | |
| pickups. | | | | Additional accessory products include bed |
| | | | extenders, bed protectors, hood protectors, |
| The new system is comprised of three rails | | | | electrical features and more. In all, there |
| that run the length of the box sides and the | | | | are over 100 unique accessories available to |
| forward box wall. It incorporates upper and | | | | personalize Silverado and Sierra full-size |
| lower tracks, and includes four adjustable | | | | pickups at the dealers. |
| tie-down brackets that can be located | | | | |