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This is a good example of design reaching into every last corner of a vehicle.
Enter a caption (optional)For most pickup truck designers, the tailgate is just a dumb piece of metal with two jobs: Stay open or stay closed. But for the 2019 Sierra pickup truck, the design team at GMC really took a hard look at how people use their vehicles, then designed this clever six-function MultiPro Tailgate:
Here's a closer look, which reveals a nifty feature not shown in the video above: A flip-out handle that makes it easier to climb in and out of the bed.
So will it actually stand the test of time? We'll have to wait until some long-term reviews come in. But it is refreshing to see auto designers seeking to improve previously unaddressed vehicle areas.
I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.
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An Innovative Truck Design Feature: GMC's Multifunctional "MultiPro Tailgate"
Nice to see some use case based innovation in automotive design. For the fancy pick up guy I think this makes sense.
I think I prefer my tailgates as two dumb pieces of metal welded together - this would probably add $2K to that. If its an option then great. Plenty of people don't get their truck beds dirty and that's fine.
I too find this appealing, and as someone who (a) lives in the UK and (b) doesn't drive (and (c) would never want to be suspected of owning truck nuts), that's saying something.
This makes me wanna get a pickup now! :D