GM changes pickup payload formula to match competitors after complaints

Last week, we told you about a brouhaha among Detroit's pickup builders over the practice used by General Motors and Ford to boost payload ratings by shedding some basic parts. Today, General Motors announced it would no longer use that trick — a move that will make for easier comparisons, but lower payload figures for all of its pickups.

While maximum payload statistics are just one data point in a bushel of numbers truck buyers consider, they're one of the key marketing points dealers use in the fierce battle among Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, Ford's F-Series line, Chrysler's Ram division and the light-duty pickups of Nissan and Toyota. Only Ford and GM used the practice of setting a published payload figure by "minimum" curb weight — a number that raises the payload figure by deleting items like spare tires or the back bumper.