Although 2021 was a radical year of challenge for the motoring industry, General Motors Specialty Vehicles’ (GMSV) local arm managed to deliver strong results. And it expects further growth in coming years.
At a launch event earlier today for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, the brand confirmed that it sold 251 vehicles in 2021, helping it exceed forecasted financial budgets by 17%.
This was despite the brand having to deal with numerous issues impacting supply, including stink-bug delays, the semi-conductor shortage, and Covid-19 vacancies.
GMSV New Zealand general manager Matthew Taylor says he expects the full-size pick-up market to grow even bigger in the coming years.
“We expect this market to increase,” says Taylor. “How much is anyone’s guess.”
Taylor notes that the number of options in the market has grown following the introduction of the HD (the first of which arrived in February), as well as Ram’s new 2500 and 3500. He expects that the HD will average 60 to 70 sales per month.
He adds that this is on the condition that no other entrants joining the segment; something that could potentially change down the line.
“We have heard rumours of more competitors looking at launching a big pick-up. But because this market is in its infancy stages, we don’t know how big this is going to be,” he adds.
The Silverado 2500 HD arrives as petrol prices hit unparalleled heights and Clean Car Discount feebate scheme comes into effect. The latter will see each model in the Silverado line-up get slapped with the maximum $5,175 levy due to high emissions figures.
Taylor is undeterred by the rising petrol prices and emissions fees. He says neither is likely to have an impact on sales this year.
“But given the demand, we expect [the segment] to keep rising irrespective of what the fuel charges are going to be,” he says.
“When we were at Fieldays last year, that was when the ‘fuel tax’ was announced. The feedback we got from our customers was that they didn’t mind paying the tax.
“We haven’t had any feedback from customers since last week, but I know across the car industry inquiry was dead because of that fuel issue.”
Launched in the sole HD LTZ Premium trim, the HD naturally gets one spec and one price; $159,990. This means it’s $29,000 more than its smaller 1500 LTZ Premium cousin.
GMSV emphasises that the HD is very different relative to the 1500. While they both sit on the same T1 platform, they share only one exterior panel.
The HD is longer (6387mm versus the 1500’s 5931mm), gets a larger bed, and features a more capable 6.6-litre turbo-diesel Duramax V8 producing 332kW and 1234Nm. It comes paired to a 10-speed automatic, and can tow up to 4.5 tonnes. The firm boasts that it has best-in-class headroom and legroom inside.
Standard features on the HD LTZ Premium include integrated side steps, trailer mirrors, head-up display, and a comprehensive suite of safety tech.
The brand has just overhauled its options lists for both the 1500 and 2500, meaning customers have 31 options to choose from on the former and 19 on the latter.
Those keen on an HD will need to wait. GMSV New Zealand states that if a customers ordered one today it would expect deliveries to commence in November or December. The wait for 1500s is shorter, being around two to three months.
