Bill Ford last year said the automaker bearing his name will eventually have an electric-powered F-Series. Plans are in the works, Jim Farley, president of global markets for Ford, has since reassured Wall Street. Ford hasn't specified whether Super Duty will be included in the plan, and no timetables have been given—but think years. This is in addition to plans to offer a hybrid F-150.

So analysts used today's General Motors fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 earnings call to ask CEO Mary Barra if work is underway on an electric Chevrolet Silverado.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss 15

"We believe in an all EV future so you'll have to stay tuned," said Barra. She said electric vehicles will be profitable early next decade, helped by GM's strong position in China and its partnership with Honda to keep costs down.

To keep things in perspective, all automakers are working toward an all-electric vehicle future, and that means just about everything will have motors and batteries…someday.

For now, the new Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty trucks have finished their ramp-up and are in full production. The heavy-duty truck changeover started last year and will hit full production in the third quarter, said Chief Financial Officer Dhivya Suryadevara.

The automaker will lose 25,000 units of full-size SUV production this quarter with plant downtime for retooling. The new SUVs will be in full production in early 2020.

Autonomous vehicles on track

In other product news, Barra insists work on autonomous vehicles is on track and road testing is showing promise. GM is ready to launch Level 3 autonomous commercial robotaxis this year, but there is no timetable for Level 4 where the car can do all the driving. "This is going to be a really important and critical year," said Barra. "Everything is moving forward in a very positive fashion."