After an earlier report stated a rekindled Isuzu and Chevrolet joint-venture would bring about a General Motors return to the medium-duty market in the U.S., Chevrolet has provided official details on the matter.
Thanks to a new GM-Isuzu partnership, Chevrolet will offer six low cab forward medium-duty trucks, including:
- Chevrolet 3500
- Chevrolet 3500HD
- Chevrolet 4500
- Chevrolet 4500HD
- Chevrolet 4500XD
- Chevrolet 5500HD
- Chevrolet 5500XD
The move will bring the first Chevrolet medium duty truck offering in years just as the medium duty truck market continues to expand. In 2015 alone, sales have risen 3.5 percent in the segment.
If the trucks look familiar to you, that’s because they are Isuzu N-series medium-duty trucks. Chevrolet will procure them from the Japanese automaker and sell them through Chevy’s well-established dealer network.
“Bringing low cab forward trucks back to our portfolio strengthens Chevrolet’s commitment to providing commercial customers with more choices and provides customers with a versatile lineup of trucks, vans and crossovers,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet and Commercial Sales. “This addition helps our dealers satisfy their commercial customers’ needs all in one place.
But, the truck won’t merely be a rebadged Isuzu. Chevrolet will offer the only medium-duty low cab forward truck in the U.S. market with a gasoline engine: the 6.0-liter Vortec L96 V8 (or its gaseous variant, the 6.0L V8 LC8). Customers may also choose from Isuzu-sourced 3.0-liter and 5.2-liter turbo-diesel engines, depending on the model. Each engine will be paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The petrol-powered variant will be assembled in the United States in Charlotte, Michigan.
Chevrolet claims superior visibility and maneuverability in the new medium-duty low cab forward trucks, with simple enter/exit for drivers. Chassis lengths will range from 109 inches to 212 inches, and will be compatible with a wide range of truck-body types, including refrigerated box, stake/flat bed and service bodies.
Chevrolet has stated more details will be provided as the truck moves closer to production.
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Comments
So good to hear this ! Hopefully GMC robbed Cadillac of a few of its billions slated for new car models The mid sized truck market was leaving GM in the dust . Perhaps we could see a picture of the person or persons responsible , and if they siphoned off some of Caddies billions , photos are a must , leave any halos in place , thank you !
No need to siphon any money from Cadillac. The medium duty commercial truck market justifies it’s own investment.
With the improved economy the commercial truck Is gaining real steam.
The segment has gained 3.5% so far this year.
Well, Ford has gasoline options all the way up to their class 7 F-750, so I don’t know why Chevy thinks they will have the only gas engine medium duty. LCF, yes. There will probably be more gas engine mediums in the near future as well.
BTW, the original WSJ article about this on Sunday hinted that this was just the start…….
This is a good move on GM’s part. Plus its better to use the Chevrolet name, which makes sense.
Am I the only one who thinks they look hideous?
I hope it works for them. But then again, why did they depart the market in the first place and now they think they can do better now? At any rate, will they also offer cab/chassis versions for small buses for use as airport rental car and hotel shuttle or just stick with the SAVANA/EXPRESS platform?
I hate the look of a flat nose truck, they need to come out with a truck like the f650 with a nose on it.i think the best looking medium duty was the 1997-02 c6500-8500 trucks,power a little low but the best and most comfortable truck of it’s size,i’m a tow truck driver and put down about 2,000 mile a week,comfort is a big deal and a van cab isn’t going to cut it…