Express offers 24 percent more torque; Silverado Medium Duty offers 23 percent higher gross combined weight rating; GM commerical sales have grown 67 percent since 2013
INDIANAPOLIS — At The Work Truck Show, Chevrolet announced a new engine for the Express and Low Cab Forward trucks, as well as a host of improvements for the Silverado 4500 HD, 5500 HD and 6500 HD chassis cabs. These changes are expected to fuel further growth for General Motors’ commercial fleet business, which has seen a 67 percent increase in sales since 2013.
“Our commercial fleet sales growth is a result of excellent product and an even better team,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet. “The changes for Express, Low Cab Forward and medium-duty trucks are great examples of the team’s commitment to helping customers with their fleet vehicle needs. With the product changes for 2020, we are on track for another year of strong commercial growth.”
Heavy-Duty Power for Express, Low Cab Forward
For 2021, Express configurations and Low Cab Forward will be available late this summer with a new 6.6L V-8 gas engine. Originally introduced in the all-new 2020 Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD, the direct-injected engine is SAE rated at 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque for the Express. That is 17 percent more horsepower and 24 percent more peak torque than the 6.0L it replaces. The 6.6L output on the Low Cab Forward is 350 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque, which is nearly 18 percent more horsepower and 14 percent more peak torque than its outgoing 6.0L.
Whether hauling equipment, supplies or people, the additional output and wider torque band will give drivers more on-demand power and confidence, especially with heavy payloads. Approximately 70 percent of current Express owners opted for the 6.0L V-8 option, and Chevrolet expects this new engine to garner the same or increased take rate.
Demand for Express remains high across passenger, cargo and cutaway configurations, with commercial fleet increasing 12 percent year over year in 2019. Low Cab Forward trucks also had an excellent 2019 with a 109 percent increase in commercial sales year over year, gaining an estimated two points of share in the segment.
Medium-Duty Silverados Offer Customers More
Debuting in 2018, the Silverado 4500 HD, 5500 HD and 6500 HD chassis cab trucks fill an important space in the Chevrolet Commercial portfolio. Continuing to listen to its customers, Chevrolet is bringing a host of updates to medium-duty chassis cabs to further increase performance and flexibility for upfitting:
Maximum gross combined weight rating is now up to 37,000 pounds1, offering a 23 percent increase in hauling capability.
A new mechanical locking rear axle improves traction by automatically locking when a rear tire slips – such as driving off-road or on slippery surfaces.
Longer axle-to-end-of-frame options for the two shortest wheelbases enable longer upfit bodies and increased upfit flexibility.
New extended mirror arms, which offer better visibility on wider and longer upfit configurations, are coming soon.
New left-hand power take-off capability offers upfitters easy access to the PTO port from either side of the truck.
Auxiliary switch bank available with six additional upfit switches2 conveniently located in headliner.
Investing in Future Growth
GM’s fleet business is poised for additional growth, as investments in our manufacturing facilities will increase pickup truck supply to meet demand.
Recent investments at our manufacturing facilities include:
- A $150 million investment at Flint Assembly in Flint, Michigan to increase production capacity of heavy-duty trucks by 40,000 vehicles annually, beginning in 2020.
- A $175 million investment in a facility which will be built in Brookville, Ohio to produce engine components needed to increase production of the 6.6L Duramax diesel V-8 engines later this year.
- A $1.5 billion investment, including $1 billion toward the Wentzville, Missouri plant, to prepare for future mid-size pickup and van improvements.
1 37,000 pound Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating requires 4.88 rear-axle ratio, 15k or 15.5k rear-axle capacity and the Allison 1750 or 2750 transmission.
2 Equipment from independent suppliers is not covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty. GM is not responsible for the safety or quality of independent supplier alterations.
ABOUT CHEVROLET
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
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