NOW TRENDING
NACTOY 2027: Ford F-150 Is Missing From the Shortlist
Ford will have no truck competing for the 2027 NACTOY award, ending its six-year run while Chevrolet, GMC, Ram and Slate take the spotlight.
Ford is absent from the 2027 truck field
The NACTOY 2027 truck competition has taken a major turn. The Ford F-150 is not among the four trucks selected for the next stage, and no other Ford pickup made the list either.
The four trucks moving forward are the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2027 GMC Sierra 1500, 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT and Slate Truck. They were selected from an initial field of 56 eligible vehicles, with 25 advancing across the three award categories.
This creates a very different Truck of the Year field. The group includes two traditional full-size pickups, a high-performance supertruck and a new electric pickup focused on affordability.
Ford’s absence is especially notable because its trucks had dominated the category in recent years. The Blue Oval won the truck award for six consecutive years, making the 2027 shortlist the first cycle in that run without a Ford pickup.
The omission is best understood as an eligibility situation rather than a direct verdict on the F-150. The 2027 contenders had to meet NACTOY’s criteria for being new or substantially changed.

The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 enters the competition after a complete redesign.
Chevrolet has introduced a new-generation Silverado with a redesigned exterior and interior. The pickup also gains new 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter V8 engines, while the updated powertrain range continues to include the TurboMax four-cylinder and 3.0-liter Duramax diesel.
The Silverado therefore arrives at the NACTOY process with substantial changes for the 2027 model year.
The truck also expands its off-road capability. The new range includes the ZR2, Trail Boss and Custom Trail Boss, with the ZR2 receiving a factory lift and 35-inch mud-terrain tyres.
The GMC Sierra 1500 joins the Silverado in the same category. Both pickups represent the traditional full-size truck formula, but both have received important updates for 2027.
Ram brings a 777-hp contender
The most extreme truck in the field is the 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT.
Ram has equipped the TRX SRT with a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 producing 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque. The truck also uses full-time four-wheel drive and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
The TRX SRT starts at $99,995, before a $2,795 destination charge. That places it at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Slate Truck.
That difference is one of the most interesting aspects of the NACTOY 2027 competition. The judges are evaluating trucks with completely different missions.

The TRX SRT is designed around performance.
Its standard hardware includes 35-inch off-road tyres, adaptive Bilstein Black Hawk e2 shocks, 11.8 inches of ground clearance and up to 14 inches of rear axle travel.
At the same time, it remains a highly equipped pickup. Ram offers leather surfaces, carbon-fibre trim, heated and ventilated seats, massaging front seats and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
The TRX SRT therefore gives NACTOY jurors a very different truck to evaluate alongside the Silverado and Sierra.
Slate brings an entirely different idea
The Slate Truck is the biggest departure from the traditional pickup formula.
Slate describes it as a two-door electric pickup designed to be highly customisable. The truck can also be configured to become an SUV, giving it a wider range of possible uses.
Its biggest headline is affordability.
The Blank Slate Truck starts at $24,950, while the destination charge is $1,450. Preorders are already open, with first deliveries planned for late 2026.
That places the electric pickup far below the price of the Ram TRX SRT.

The Slate Truck also takes a very different approach to equipment.
NOW TRENDING
Lucid Reports 3,806 Deliveries in Q3 2026
Lucid delivered 3,806 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026 as Gravity demand regained momentum and the company continued reducing inventory.
Lucid has reported 2,954 vehicles produced and 3,806 vehicles delivered during the third quarter of 2026, highlighting the company’s ongoing effort to reduce existing inventory while aligning production with near-term demand.
Deliveries exceeded production by 852 vehicles during the quarter. Lucid says the difference reflects its previously announced inventory-reduction strategy as part of an operating reset targeting $1.4 billion in cash flow improvements during 2026.

Lucid says demand for the Gravity continued to regain momentum during the third quarter.
Lucid Delivered More Vehicles Than It Produced
The gap between production and deliveries was one of the most important aspects of Lucid’s third-quarter update.
The company produced 2,954 vehicles while delivering 3,806 vehicles to customers. That means Lucid delivered more vehicles than it built during the quarter as it continued converting existing inventory into customer deliveries.
The strategy is part of a broader operating reset announced by the company. Lucid is attempting to improve cash flow while bringing production levels closer to current demand.
Production declined sequentially during the quarter. Lucid attributed the change to the previously announced elimination of a second production shift at AMP-1 in June.
Gravity Demand Continues to Recover
Lucid also highlighted improving momentum for the Lucid Gravity, its electric SUV.
The company said demand for the Gravity continued to regain momentum during the third quarter. The model is an important part of Lucid’s efforts to expand beyond its electric sedan lineup.
Higher deliveries combined with inventory reduction allowed Lucid to move existing vehicles to customers while continuing to adjust manufacturing levels.

The Lucid Gravity is becoming an increasingly important part of the company’s vehicle lineup.
Lucid Continues Its Operating Reset
Lucid’s latest production strategy is focused on matching manufacturing output with near-term demand.
The reduction in production follows the company’s decision to eliminate a second shift at its AMP-1 facility in June. At the same time, deliveries remained above production as Lucid worked through vehicles already in inventory.
The company has previously targeted $1.4 billion in cash flow improvements during 2026 as part of its operating reset.
The third-quarter production and delivery figures provide an early indication of how that strategy is affecting vehicle volumes. However, they do not represent the company’s complete financial performance.
Third-Quarter Earnings Are Coming November 9
Lucid will release its full third-quarter 2026 financial results on November 9, 2026.
The company will also host an earnings call to discuss its financial performance and provide an update on its key priorities.
Lucid’s production and delivery figures represent only one measure of its operating performance. Net income, cash flow and other financial results will be announced with the full quarterly report.
The company is also giving shareholders an opportunity to submit and upvote questions ahead of the earnings call.
Starting October 23 at 2:30 p.m. PT / 5:30 p.m. ET, shareholders can submit questions through Lucid’s investor Q&A platform. The platform will remain open until November 6 at 2:30 p.m. PT / 5:30 p.m. ET.

Lucid is adjusting production levels as part of its broader operating reset.
Lucid’s Next Results Will Provide a Bigger Picture
The third-quarter figures show Lucid continuing to balance production, inventory and customer deliveries.
With 3,806 deliveries compared with 2,954 vehicles produced, the company reduced existing inventory during the quarter while lowering production in response to near-term demand.
The improving momentum of the Gravity will also be an important factor to watch as Lucid works to expand its customer base.
The next major update will arrive on November 9, when Lucid reports its complete third-quarter financial results and discusses the progress of its operating priorities.
NOW TRENDING
Polestar Nears U.S. Sellout as 2027 Ban Looms
Polestar is nearing a sellout of its remaining 2026 vehicles in the U.S. as new rules threaten to block sales of its 2027 models.
Polestar is rapidly clearing its remaining 2026 model-year vehicles in the United States as the Swedish electric-car brand prepares for a major change in its U.S. business.
The automaker recorded 14,371 global sales in the third quarter, a slight increase from the 14,222 vehicles delivered during the same period a year earlier. However, the U.S. market has become particularly important as Polestar approaches the end of its current inventory.

Polestar is focusing on selling its remaining 2026 vehicles in the United States before the new restrictions take effect.
Polestar U.S. Sales More Than Doubled
Polestar sold approximately 2,160 vehicles in the U.S. during the third quarter, compared with 966 units during the same period last year.
That represents a substantial increase as the company works through its remaining 2026 inventory.
Outside the United States, however, retail sales declined by 8% during the quarter. The contrast highlights the importance of the current U.S. sales push as Polestar prepares for the restrictions affecting its next model year.
The company’s remaining U.S. inventory consists primarily of Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 vehicles.
2027 Polestar Sales Face a Major U.S. Roadblock
Polestar will not be able to sell new 2027 model-year vehicles in the United States under new Commerce Department rules targeting China-linked vehicles equipped with connected-vehicle technology.
The restrictions represent a major challenge for Polestar because the company is majority-owned by China’s Geely Holding.
For the U.S. market, the immediate strategy is therefore straightforward: sell the remaining 2026 vehicles while maintaining support for customers who already own Polestar models.
Polestar plans to continue operating its U.S. service network and used-vehicle business, even after new-vehicle sales are affected.

The Polestar 4 is among the vehicles being sold from existing U.S. inventory.
Polestar Is Shifting Its Focus Toward Europe
With the U.S. market becoming more difficult, Polestar is placing greater emphasis on Europe.
The company plans to produce its upcoming Polestar 7 compact SUV at a Volvo Cars factory in Slovakia. The model is expected to become an important part of the brand’s European strategy.
Polestar has also started customer deliveries of the Polestar 5, its large electric performance model.
Meanwhile, Polestar 4 vehicles have reached European ports and are being distributed to retailers.
European sales were weaker during the latest quarter, but the company expects demand to improve as new models reach customers.
Polestar 5 Gains Interest in Europe
The Polestar 5 is already attracting strong interest in the United Kingdom, while Germany and Scandinavian markets are also showing encouraging demand.
The model gives Polestar another opportunity to strengthen its position in Europe’s premium electric-vehicle market.
The company’s European strategy will become increasingly important if U.S. restrictions prevent the introduction of new Polestar vehicles from the 2027 model year.

The Polestar 5 is expanding the brand’s presence in Europe’s premium electric-car market.
NOW TRENDING
BMW iX3 M60 Packs 603 HP and M Performance Tech
BMW’s new iX3 M60 delivers 603 horsepower, 645 lb-ft of torque and a 3.9-second 0-62 mph time, backed by serious M Performance hardware.
BMW is already pushing the performance envelope with its new electric SUV. The 2027 BMW iX3 M60 arrives as the range-topping version of the Neue Klasse-based iX3, combining 603 horsepower with a heavily upgraded chassis and BMW’s latest electric-drive technology.
Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2027, while U.S. orders are expected to open at the end of January. Pricing and the official EPA range have not yet been announced.

The BMW iX3 M60 becomes the performance flagship of the new electric SUV lineup.
The BMW iX3 M60 Delivers 603 HP
The iX3 M60 is not a full BMW M model. Instead, it sits within BMW’s M Performance range. That distinction does not stop it from receiving substantial performance hardware.
The SUV uses BMW’s sixth-generation M eDrive system, with one electric motor powering each axle. The rear motor is a new electrically excited synchronous unit paired with a more powerful 420-amp inverter.
The result is 603 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque.
The iX3 M60 can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 149 mph.
| Specification | BMW iX3 M60 |
|---|---|
| Power | 603 hp |
| Torque | 645 lb-ft |
| 0-62 mph | 3.9 seconds |
| Top speed | 149 mph |
| Usable battery | 112.2 kWh |
BMW has not yet released an official EPA range figure for the M60. The standard iX3 can travel up to 434 miles in the U.S., so the performance model is expected to deliver somewhat less range.
BMW Gives the M60 Faster Vehicle Control
Performance is not limited to the electric motors. BMW has equipped the iX3 M60 with its new Heart of Joy processor, which handles driving-related inputs up to 10 times faster than the systems used in previous-generation vehicles.
The processor works with BMW M Dynamic Performance Control to coordinate the powertrain, steering, braking and regenerative braking systems.
The result is designed to make the SUV respond more quickly to driver inputs while maintaining precise control of its electric power delivery.
The M60 also gets dedicated Boost Mode and M Mode controls on the steering wheel. Two exclusive My Modes, called M Sport and M Sport Plus, allow drivers to adjust the powertrain, chassis and steering for increasingly aggressive responses.

The M60 combines BMW’s latest digital cockpit with dedicated performance controls.
Regenerative Braking Does More of the Work
BMW has also focused on how the iX3 M60 slows down. Its regenerative braking system can handle nearly all everyday deceleration, reducing the need to rely on conventional friction brakes.
The system includes a Soft Stop function that uses regenerative braking to bring the SUV to a smooth stop.
That approach can make everyday driving feel more seamless while maximizing the energy recovered by the electric powertrain.
The M60 Gets a Serious Chassis Upgrade
The BMW iX3 M60 receives significantly more than cosmetic changes. Its chassis includes Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers, variable-ratio M Sport steering and an electronically controlled M Sport differential at the rear axle.
BMW has also developed model-specific springs and dampers. Additional front-end bracing and revised anti-roll-bar links are designed to improve steering precision and reduce body roll.
The standard performance hardware includes:
- Adaptive M Suspension
- Electronically controlled dampers
- Variable-ratio M Sport steering
- Electronically controlled M Sport differential
- Model-specific springs and dampers
- Revised front-axle anti-roll-bar links
- Additional front-end bracing
- 21-inch M alloy wheels
M Sport brakes with red or blue calipers are available as an option. BMW also offers model-specific 21-inch performance tires, while 22-inch M aerodynamic wheels are exclusive to the M Performance version.

The iX3 M60 uses dedicated M Performance hardware to give the electric SUV a sharper character.
M Performance Styling Sets the M60 Apart
BMW has made several exterior changes to distinguish the M60 from other iX3 versions.
The model comes standard with the M Sport package and BMW Iconic Glow exterior lighting. Optional M Yellow Lights add another distinctive detail inspired by BMW’s motorsport heritage.
The front lighting signature incorporates three elements inspired by the familiar M stripes, while an illuminated M logo adds another visual cue.
The M60 also features dedicated M mirror caps, a black rear diffuser and standard 21-inch wheels. Larger 22-inch wheels are available for buyers seeking an even more aggressive appearance.
Inside, the iX3 M60 uses BMW’s latest Panoramic iDrive interface and Operating System X. A 17.9-inch central display angles toward the driver, while BMW Panoramic Vision projects information across the lower section of the windshield.
The M Sport steering wheel features a red 12 o’clock marker and dedicated Boost and M Mode controls.
The Cabin Gets M-Specific Details
BMW offers optional M Sport seats with aggressive side bolsters, 10-way power adjustment, lumbar support, adjustable thigh support, backrest-width adjustment and massage functionality.
An illuminated M logo is integrated into the headrests.
The standard M interior uses black Veganza upholstery with M PerformTex. Buyers can also choose more premium Contemporary and BMW Individual interior configurations.
A standard 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system produces 430 watts and supports Dolby Atmos.
BMW iX3 M60 Production Starts in 2027
The 2027 BMW iX3 M60 combines high electric output with a chassis designed to deliver a more engaging driving experience.
Its 603 hp and 645 lb-ft put it firmly into high-performance electric SUV territory, while Adaptive M Suspension, an electronically controlled differential and BMW’s latest control technology give the M60 hardware beyond its straight-line acceleration.
Production begins in spring 2027, with U.S. orders scheduled to open at the end of January.
BMW has not yet revealed U.S. pricing or the official EPA range. Those figures will determine how competitive the iX3 M60 becomes when it reaches the market.
-
NOW TRENDING1 month agoTesla Cybercab Gets September 3 Austin Launch Date
-
NOW TRENDING2 months agoAudi’s New SUVs Could Help Reverse Its Sales Decline in 2026
-
TEST DRIVES1 month ago2025 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands: The Adventure SUV You Can Drive Every Day
-
TEST DRIVES1 month ago2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition
-
INTELLIGENT MOBILITY2 months agoGM Super Cruise: How It Works and What Comes Next in 2028
-
NOW TRENDING2 months agoToyota Camry Recall Expands to More Than 500,000 Vehicles in the U.S.
-
NOW TRENDING2 months ago2027 Toyota Corolla Celebrates 60 Years With Special Edition
-
NOW TRENDING2 months agoRivian R2 Autonomy+ Adds New Hands-Free Driving Features

You must be logged in to post a comment Login