The GMC Denali XT Hybrid Pickup: Form or function?

The right direction for hybrid trucks?

I was walking through the Mariott Renaissance Center this morning, which shares space with GM's headquarters, and I saw the GMC Denali hybrid below. It's a pretty striking vehicle for a segment - hybrid pickup tricks - that is terribly under served.

Nonetheless, the fact that the Denali hybrid is built on a unibody frame to provide more of a car-like ride, makes me wonder, is this the right direction for hybrid pickup trucks? I imagine construction workers, farmers, etc. being the primary customers of hybrid pickup trucks. Unfortunately, the Denali hybrid gives me the impression of a vehicle for people whom like to drive trucks, but don't really need their functionality.

While the Denali is an exciting new design direction, is it a case of form over function.

Are smaller, unibody hybrid trucks a good idea?

Are hybrid trucks like the A-BAT a step in the right direction?

Small trucks are not a hot seller in the pickup segment, yet in the last few months both Toyota and GM have debuted small, unibody-framed hybrid trucks. Toyota's A-BAT hybrid concept kicked things off just before the Detroit Auto Show, only to be followed by GM's Denali XT hybrid just before the Chicago Show.

Is the small, almost-crossover truck segment the right kind of product for the buyers of hybrid vehicles?

GM set to debut the Denali XT Hybrid Truck

GM's hot new hybrid truck concept

At this year's Chicago Auto Show, GM will debut the GMC Denali XT hybrid truck concept. Like Toyota's A-BAT hybrid truck, the Denali hybrid will be built on a car-like unibody frame, however, the Denali will offer a 7 inch longer truck bed and an ethanol-capable dual mode hybrid powertrain. I say, build it now!