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General Motors is preparing an all-new half-ton pickup truck and new spy photos show us just how far, or not far as the case may be, the brand will go to chase lightweight design.

Our spy photographers confirm that a magnet did stick to the bed, which means that it certainly isn’t made of aluminum as some have speculated. It has been known for some time that GM would look to aluminum, like Ford, to help save weight for its half-ton trucks, but now we know that they won’t pursue the strategy as diligently as its cross-town rival.

Aluminum beds, in particular, are of interest as GM ran a set of attack ads last year targeting Ford’s use of the material, one of which specifically called out how weak Ford’s bed was.

READ MORE: New Rancho Suspension for 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra 1500 Trucks

A stop/start system is another addition to GM’s upcoming half-ton pickups, a feature heard working by the photographers who were up close to the truck. It’s possible that it’s working in conjunction with GM’s eAssist light hybrid system, which it brought back to a select number of its trucks last year.

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Plenty of possibilities have been tossed around for GM’s new half-tons, with features like air suspension and turbochargers being discussed, though only one thing is certain: in the competitive landscape of pickup trucks, GM needs to bring something fresh to the table to compete.

Fuel economy regulations are also a limiting factor, hence the need for technology to reduce weight and decrease fuel consumption. A small displacement turbocharged engine could certainly be in the cards, while GM’s recent push into diesel with the Equinox could signal that the brand wants to expand its oil burning offerings. And considering both Ram and Ford offer diesel half-tons, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Chevy follow suit.

We are expecting to see the all-new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra sometime in late 2017 or early 2018, while the trucks should go on sale later in 2018.

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