Big Silverados on their way to dealers
The new medium-duty Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD chassis cab trucks have begun production, with the first units shipping to dealerships as of Wednesday. The trucks were introduced earlier this year at the NTEA Work Truck Show.
They're being built through a General Motors-Navistar partnership at Navistar's Springfield, OH assembly plant. These largest-ever Silverado trucks feature a straight frame rail design with no rivets, brackets, or welds and offer seven cab-to-axle length options to make them easier to upfit and allow a variety of bodies.
GM said it is seeing "some of the strongest interest" for the medium-duty trucks from landscaping, utilities, and housing/ highway construction businesses. That could help bolster what the OEM projects will be a record year for its commercial business, with a double-digit year-over-year sales increase.
John Schwegman, GM Fleet director of commercial product and medium duty, said the addition of the medium-duty trucks broadens the OEM's commercial product portfolio to offer fleet customers "a one-stop shop that supports their business needs."
"We listened to the needs of fleet managers, truck drivers, technicians and dealers to design a truck that's easy to upfit, easy to drive, easy to service, and easy to own," said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM fleet, of the new Silverado chassis cabs.
