We’ve known Chevrolet is planning a new, medium-duty truck of sorts in partnership with Navistar, but earlier this week, we finally got some solid intel on the forthcoming truck.
Chevrolet referred to the vehicle as a flagship, medium-duty truck and we speculated it could make for the return of the Chevrolet Kodiak. But should it be a proper Ford F-450 rival with a Silverado cab? That’s today’s Community Question.
The Kodiak was originally introduced in the 1980s to fulfill a commercial sector for garbage trucks, ambulances and more. The nameplate ran through 2009 when GM announced it would discontinue the Kodiak after original deals with Isuzu and Navistar fell through. Since then, GM left the space vacant until relaunching a line of medium-duty commercial trucks in a newfound partnership with Isuzu.
But, if this truck uses a Silverado as a base, we could be looking more squarely at a Ford F-450 Super Duty rival, which would play in a very different market altogether.
Chevrolet stated the flagship truck will marry a Duramax diesel engine, likely the new 6.6-liter L5P V8, and an Allison transmission. With that information, it certainly sounds more like an F-450 rival. But, the fact Navistar is involved leads us to believe otherwise.
We want to hear from you. Should Chevrolet chase the F-450 Super Duty, or do you want to see the Kodiak make a return? Sound off in the poll down below.
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It should be an F450/Ram 4500 competitor based off the Silverado/Sierra 3500 chassis for two main reason.
1. The Kodiak is too tall and awkward for a lot of applications. Welders, Riggers, ranchers, etc don't want that large of a cab/truck to deal with every day, but need the payload/towing capability. Ranchers for example use the truck to pull large stock trailers yet do use it to run to town for parts, supplies, etc.
2. The Kodiak is sold through medium duty dealerships whereas a 4500 based off the Silverado/Sierra platform could be sold through light duty dealerships so they can directly compete with Ford and Ram dealers who sell F150 through F450.
I am a medium duty dealer and our rep told us they use the silverado cab.
It should have the Sierra /Silverado cab so it would compete with Ford F-350/450 and the dodge 5500. I hope GMC gets a version. It sad that it has taken this long from a company that once built trains,motor homes, GMC Generals,Chevy Bisons.
If it uses a Silverado cab, engine, and transmission, there isn't much left over for Navstar to do. GM might as well just do the frame and save the bother of dealing with another company.
I'm fine with either but I'd lean towards a new Kodiak/Topkick. Some buyers view the F450/550 as a beefed up pickup, while viewing the Kodiak as a true MDT. I'd love to buy one to haul my RV around, and it's pretty unique to be towing recreationally with a true MDT.
I want BOTH, Silverado based 4500/5500 and a true Kodiak medium duty truck. Give everyone what they want.
I agree the Kodak should also offer both single and tandem axels.
i agree. make it both a rival and a revival. just make it better than ford and dodge.
All Navistar will do is assemble the truck, it will be all GM (cab/engine/trans/frame). Similar to the Ford/ Navistar joint agreement in the past. The Navistar production plant that is located in Ohio will ultimately build this truck , it is also the same plant that currently builds the GM /Chevy/GMC cut away vans.
Just my humble opinion.
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Is there money there? If so yes if not no.
Meanwhile, GM also get together with Navistar and do a new Scout! Something to fill the Hummer void, eh?
I'd own it for sure if it's 4wd and a sport chassis decently loaded up
I say use the Silverado cab. The old TopKick/Kodiak cab was too big for a 4500/5500, though it was perfect for the larger 6500/7500/8500 trucks. Now that Chevy will have an Isuzu-based 6500XD LCF, maybe they will bring back something like the old Kodiak 6500 as a companion.