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Chevy Increases Silverado Incentives Mid-January 2019

Chevrolet has increased the national discount on the all-new, 2019 Silverado 1500 in the middle of January 2019. According to the GM Authority Silverado incentive tracker, Chevrolet boosted the incentive on a specific 2019 Silverado 1500 model from $5,033 to $6,505.

Specifically, the Bow Tie brand started out January 2019 with the following incentive on the 2019 Silverado Crew Cab All Star totaling $5,033:

  • $3,033 price reduction below MSRP, plus
  • $1,500 loyalty purchase cash, plus
  • $500 option package discount

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom TrailBoss Exterior - Wyoming Media Drive - August 2018 003 - rear three quarters

In the second half of the month, Chevrolet adjusted the Silverado incentive to total $6,505 on the same model/configuration, as follows:

  • $3,005 price reduction below MSRP, plus
  • $2,500 loyalty purchase cash, plus
  • $1,000 option package discount

As such, the discounted amount increased by roughly $1,500, or exactly $1,472.

The GM Authority Take

It’s currently unclear why Chevrolet suddenly increased the Silverado incentive in the second half of January, or what it signals. One theory is that Chevrolet and its parent, General Motors Company, are correcting for dwindling Chevy Silverado sales. A more extreme point of view is that Chevy and GM have entered full-on panic mode as it relates to the all-new, 2019 Silverado – which has been widely criticized for falling short to the competition on various fronts, specifically its cabin and lack of improvement in fuel economy. In the fourth quarter of 2018, Silverado sales volume fell to third place in its competitive set, behind FCA’s Ram 1500.

Update: new information suggests that the launch of the all-new 2019 Silverado 1500 is going well, and that the increase in incentive spending was actually planned, so as to be timed with the national advertising campaign for the new Silverado.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom TrailBoss Interior - Wyoming Media Drive - August 2018 002 - cockpit

We should note that despite the increase in the incentive, Chevrolet is still offering significantly fewer discounts on its all-new 2019 Silverado than Ram and Ford are on their light-duty trucks. For instance, FCA is offering significantly more incentives on its all-new 2019 Ram 1500 Pickup than Chevy on the new Silverado 1500. In fact, FCA has an incentive on almost every model and trim level of the 2019 Ram 1500, while Chevy’s only incentive on the new Silverado is for the Crew Cab model with the All Star Package. Notably, limiting incentives is part of a wider-reaching strategy by GM to increase profitability, which could potentially decrease sales volume.

Stay tuned to GM Authority as we cover this developing story, as well as for more Chevrolet news and Silverado news.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country - Exterior - 2018 Detroit Auto Show 002

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show

About Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado is a lineup of full-size pickup trucks sold primarily in North America, but also in the Middle East and in certain markets in South America. Slotting above the mid-size Chevrolet Colorado (known as the S10 in some markets), the Silverado is Chevrolet's largest pickup truck and currently consists of the 1500 light duty model, two Heavy Duty models - the 2500HD and 3500HD, as well as Conventional Class 4, Class 5 and Class 6 Medium Duty models - the Silverado 4500HD and Silverado 5500HD and Silverado 6500HD.

The 2018 Chevy Silverado represents the fifth model year of the third-generation Silverado. It is based on the GM K2 platform shared with other full-size pickup trucks and SUVs from GM. Though the line sold relatively well, it became less competitive in the marketplace with time when compared to its primary Ford F-Series rival, due to lacking cutting-edge features such as turbocharged engines, a rugged off-road variant such as the Ford F-150 Raptor, a diesel engine option in the light duty (1500) model, and also various modern features and equipment.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country - Exterior - 2018 Detroit Auto Show 004

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show

Luckily, an all-new Silverado arrived for the 2019 model year that addresses many of the issues of its predecessor model. Customers began taking delivery of the all-new truck in the second half of August 2018.

Chevrolet says that the all-new 2019 Silverado is the result of over 7,000 customer interviews - the most intensive research in its history. The new model uses higher grade alloy steel in the bed floor as well as various mixed materials that result in a reduction in weight and improved performance, with weight falling about 450 pounds. The truck also offers an expanded amount of models for a total of eight, including the new 2019 Silverado Trailboss.

Riding on GM's new T1 platform shared with other future GM full-size trucks and SUVs, the 2019 Silverado offers more technology, convenience features, and engine/transmission combinations. While details of five powertrain combos have already been revealed, GM has not yet shared details of the new inline-six 3.0L Duramax Diesel engine, only stating that it will be "best-performing" and that it will be mated to GM's new 10-speed transmission.

Notably, the outgoing, Chevy will continue manufacturing and selling the outgoing, K2 generation Silverado alongside the all-new model for a limited amount of time in limited configurations.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD

Having overhauled the Silverado 1500, Chevy will next overhaul the Silverado Heavy Duty. The brand released a teaser image of the upcoming all-new 2020 Silverado HD in April 2018 and announced the vehicle in November 2018. The truck will launch in the 2019 calendar year as a 2020 model.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT Crew Cab 02

The 2020 Silverado HD will be comprised of the Silverado 2500HD and Silverado 3500HD that ride on a more robust and capable version of the new T1 platform when compared to the 2019 Silverado 1500, while sharing many high-tech features and design elements with its light duty brother.

Completing the overhauled Silverado family is the 2019 Silverado Medium Duty series, comprised of the Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD exterior 004

2019 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty (5500HD)

The Chevrolet Silverado is built at the following GM plants:

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Comments

  1. I’m sure they would rather hold off on incentives increase but when Fiat is literally giving it’s trucks away they have to counter.
    2019 Rams are 15K OFF and have been over 10K OFF practically since launch.
    One great thing about it. Customer wins. I was extatic when I bought my 09 Silverado with 8K OFF. Double that and I would start crying on dealerships floor….lol

    Reply
    1. The $15k incentive is only for the 1500 classic, the outgoing design. The new design has a $10k incentive.

      Reply
      1. I saw over 13k off on the all new Ram a few months ago at a local dealership. I assume it’s still the same.

        Reply
      2. No, It’s not. It’s of the new truck. It’s has been around $13K off for over six months last year. It’s $11K of now and I’ve seen $15K off around holidays. Fiat doesn’t build old body anymore except regular cab as the new truck isn’t available in regular cab. Fiat went into double digit discount a month into launch.

        Reply
        1. Those numbers i provided came directly from the RAM website.

          Reply
  2. Great truck; awful launch strategy. Waited way too long to intro incentives , Fiat-Ram has already piled them on their all new truck. Market is way too competitive and incentive aware to think you can get full price even for a new truck.

    Reply
  3. Fiat is giving their trucks away but GM even with their incentives should be much more profitable.

    The cost controls should prove to be the big difference in the bottom line of who makes more money.

    Saw a all black Chevy today. Photos do not do the trucks justice.

    Reply
  4. Good luck Silverado !

    Reply
  5. Doubtful the gov’t shutdown (affecting gov’t contractors), and the bone-chilling cold are helping matters.

    Reply
  6. IS anyone really that surprised that GM had to offer Huge Discounts on the new Silverado so quickly?
    Ram is mostly doing it because they want that Number two overall spot from Chevrolet.
    Chevrolet is doing it because they brought a Subpar execution of a Truck into the Market and are basically forced to offer these discounts. What a sad time for GM. They are getting exactly what they deserve though. Offer better. Simple as that.
    Maybe this is what GM needs to wake up finally.
    Man it really is getting harder and harder to keep defending this company.
    I personalty think they have the best of everything in house but someone needs to get rid of the Bean-Counters ASAP or GM may be headed down a really bad road.

    Reply
    1. Double standard much? Fiat does it and it’s a smart calculated move. Chevy does it, to a lesser extent and it’s desperation.

      If the two trucks are the same price, option for option Chevy will sell more trucks a d that’s not counting GMC. So who builds the better truck? Maybe there is more to it than a nice but garish interior in a truck?

      Reply
      1. No double standard at all. Ram is trying to catch up to the Silverado.
        They took a page out of the Audi Playbook. Offer much, much more for less and blast it everywhere. Get people in the seats. Once people get into a Truck they typically become loyal. That is what Ram is trying to do. Pry the First time buyers into the Segment and especially the ones that are not loyal to certain a brand and just want the best they can get. GM failed to realize that not everyone that purchases a Truck does so because they need one. Ram did and they are killing it.
        GM needed a truck in the Silverado that would chase down the F-150 not try hard as hell to keep up with the third place Ram Truck. I mean GM is desperately trying to hold onto Second and it is looking very bleak is it not?
        They didn’t come with it and are now paying the price for their decisions on the 1500 Program. it really is that simple.
        I am still shocked how badly the All New from the Ground up 1500 Program was this much of a complete letdown. Just wait until the All New F-150 comes out.
        Talk about a Hot Mess GM got themselves into with this Program. But it is deserved. They wanted to offer less for more. In todays Day and Age that plan simply doe snot work at all.
        Back to the Drawing Board GM. And do it extremely fast!!!

        Reply
        1. Look up what a double standard is, you clearly don’t know what it means. Two companies are doing the same thing and you are saying it’s a great move for one, the other is just desperate because they messed up.

          You realize that last year people were talking about how the new 19 ram wasn’t selling at all. Then they put a big discount on it and boom – sales.

          Reply
          1. Are you serious?
            So you consider someone chasing sales or the sales leader the same as someone that is desperately trying to keep the position they currently have?
            That is the type of thinking that sank GM and Cadillac.
            GM completely botched this round and everyone here knows it. Some of us are ok with admiring it and obviously some of us are still desperately trying to hold on, kind of like how GM is desperately trying to hang onto second place.

            Reply
            1. Please put down the Fiat coolaid you’re drinking. You’ll see what happens when they pull discounts off of the new truck. It’ll sink like a rock. The only way they can get rid of their trucks is by giving them away. Silverado’s discount is half of Fiat’s and you’re flipping out.

              Reply
              1. I am not drinking any cool aid. You are.
                I as a GM fan can admit that the new Silverado is just not good enough. Not fo rthje competition it is facing.
                So you’re trying to tell me that if one Day Cadillac starts selling a lot of cars while offering discounts and BMW starts to do the same thing to try and retain their market share, that won’t show that Cadillac caught up to and probably leapfrogged BMW?
                That won’t show that BMW is nervous about the competition?

                I mean I honestly do not understand what you are trying to say. You’re stating that Ram can only sell the trucks by utilizing Huge discounts but isn’t Chevy doing the same thing to a vehicle that is newer and JUST came out?
                I am confused. If Chevy can move them without HUGE Discounts then why are they not?

                Reply
                1. No, Chevy isn’t doing ‘the same thing’.

                  1. Discount is half of what Fiat is offering.
                  2. The truck didn’t just come out. It’s been out for 6 months.
                  3. Fiat launched its truck with $10K on the hood.

                  Reply
                  1. Hey whatever makes everyone feel better about the All New Silverado I guess.
                    I on the other hand expect better from GM and guessing that NEW Ram conquest buyers tend to agree more with me or they wouldn’t have left for the Ram.

                    Reply
            2. Momolos – there are opinions a d there is just distorted reality, you’re the later.

              It’s clear you have no idea what you’re talking about.

              Do you think that the only way Chevy can prove their worth is by charging 10k more than the competition? They have to drop their price if everyone else is. The 19 GM trucks are better, but 10k better? That’s a lot of money. If I had to pay 10k more for my truck I wouldn’t have been able to afford it, not if I was being responsible.

              The 19 Ram doesn’t even look different than the 18. Looks more like a MCE than a all new truck. Add to it the same meh V8 and a boat anchor of a v6.

              Reply
              1. You mean the same engine that has a 48 Volt Battery system in it for added Torque? So does the V6 in the Ram as well.
                Or are you stating the same HP “All New” GM engines?
                I kind of got confused sorry.

                Reply
        2. F150 has been outsold by Silverado 1500 alone plenty of time. Silverado and Sierra 1500 outsell F150 year after year. They don’t need to chase anyone. They are the ones being chased. By Fiat, one of the examples, with desperate strategy of giving their trucks away.
          The new Silverado is a fine truck and it’ll sell just fine. You’ve been saying that model after model and at the end customers always pick GM twins. Pound for pound it’s the best truck on the market.

          Reply
          1. What?
            The most combined sales GM has ever had on the Sierra and Silverado was last year at 805,135.
            Ford sold almost a Million F-150’s last year.
            I believe the confusion is that GM outsold Ford in Truck sales. That is due to Ford NOT having a Midsize like Colorado/Canyon. We shall see now that they got the Ranger back in the lineup.

            Reply
            1. Come on man. LOL.

              Ford’s total sales include ALL F-SERIES trucks. Up to F-550. Ford did not sell a millions F-150s.

              There is no confusion. GM sells the most trucks.

              Reply
              1. Ford sold about a Million F-150’s in 2018.
                JUST 150’s

                Reply
                1. This is from Automotive News:

                  Based on the first-half gain, Ford would sell more than 941,000 of the trucks in 2018, setting a new high-water mark four years into the F-150’s product cycle and in a declining market.

                  Reply
                2. No. They did not. Once again and last time. Sales totals include ALL F-series trucks up to F550.

                  Reply
                  1. Then I am wrong if the leading Automotive News site is wrong.

                    Reply
                    1. You ARE wrong. Ford sales numbers are for all F-series trucks.
                      GM is the truck sales leader and other brands such as FCA are very aggressive with incentives because they have to be. You are trying to twist the story around to support your own negative view of the Silverado. A view which most truck buyers do not share, according to the sales numbers. The new Silverado is just fine. There is mass hysteria around GM right now but it will pass just like it always does. Most everyone who has a K2 likes theirs and the T1 will be no different after kinks are worked out, like any truck. FCA has their fair share of big problems with the new Ram too. Enough with the histrionics already.

                      Reply
  7. Why not just come out with a price leader model? The All Star package has always been a value but instead of incentives why not a true “value” model? Similar to the old Bonanza trim. A price and value leader that would make the others sick to see! Just say “look at all these features for just $44,900!!” something like that? Maybe give limited color, wheel and package choices (they already do that) and promote the heck out of it!! Even give it a different name: “SIlverado All Star, SIlverado Crew Chief” akin to SiIverado Trail Boss.
    Alex is right on his observation, this could be a jump start or a panic but either way it’s a sign this truck is not the hit they thought it was going to be. Styling may be too polarizing? LTZ and High Country interiors need better quality materials and colors? More options across the entire line? More configurations across the entire line? There are a lot of things they can do easily by just doing it that can make the truck better. It is better looking in person (but IMO the front end is still a mess) and it is a GM truck so it will be reliable and tough and long lasting…….but if it is not an appealing purchase at first then you’ll never know how good it could be.

    Reply
    1. There is a value model, It’s the “Custom” trim truck. There’s also a Custom TrailBoss. Personally, I think the front end design including the Chevrolet spelled out is cleaner looking and not as overdone as some of the other trims. Problem is, they are not commonly ordered by dealers and somewhat limited vs the many LT and other trim levels found on the lot. The other issue is most people move up a trim level or 2 when those volume trim levels have the bigger discount.

      Regarding discounts, One large dealer in my area has 87 2019 Silverado’s, most of which are the “new” generation trucks. They are advertising $8-9-10K total discount on the new generation trucks.

      Reply
  8. That Car and Driver report last month was pretty harsh on the new Silverado. There was an issue of vibration and shaking over rough pavement. Somehow the 22 inch wheels and suspension were not matched up correctly?

    The other issue was the interior was not as upscale as Dodge and Ford, who also have larger touch screens.

    I still prefer the GM pickups, with the new look and vastly improved bed design.

    We need to get more clarification from GM, as to what caused the vibration shaking problem.

    Reply
    1. There was no real problem, it was just Car and Driver not knowing what makes a truck a real truck. In their mind they are comparing the Silverado to a Ram with air suspension and saying “OMG it shakes around so much”. Yea, idiots, it’s a 6000lb truck with leaf springs and 22″ wheels.

      Reply
  9. Momolos
    They are right. Ford sales are ALL F Series trucks, not just F 150. Not trying to pick on you, just offering a little insight.

    Reply
  10. This is great !!
    My toy is better than your toy.
    My balls are bigger than your balls.
    My truck is better than your truck.
    Billy says his truck brand sold better than yours.
    My truck can outpull yours.

    HA, HA, HA, HA

    FACT :Get off your a**es and drive. Drive to the dealership. LOOK on the streets. Since 2009 there ALOT MORE RAM.

    GM knows it——PERIOD.

    The auto industry is a market based industry, they will get what the market will bare. NO ONE here knows what any of these manufactures products cost to build. OK maybe a few but will never tell.

    So GM could make $17,000.00 profit per truck at one time OK. Maybe FCA was making $22,000.00. Does any one know the FACTS——–NO.

    But the FACTS are RAM is selling one hell of a lot of trucks, maybe for $1.00 profit, NO ONE here knows.

    AND the FACTS are the Silverado for sure right now is an un liked truck by many. READ——LOOK——WAKE UP

    Reply
  11. LFX323hp
    Actually, those are not “value” trucks in the sense I am referring to. Custom , Custom Trail Boss are both one step up from a WT in different forms and they are seriously de-contented from even an LT.
    I am talking about a true “price leader” that has value in the price vs contents. For example: I WANT the Custom Trail Boss DBL Cab. It’s $44,000 the way I want it which is very basic. With the current rebates on the LT Crew Cab All Star package which would give a ton of options, I mean nice options like dual zone auto climate, remote start, so on and so on and add you could add the Z 71 protection package and THAT particular truck would be around $44,000! That’s a whole lot more features and truck for the same price!
    Back in the late ’70’s a Bonanza package was a limited run “price leader” it sandwiched between a Scottsdale and SIlverado. They usually came out in first or second quarter I believe and were intended to bring people to the lots. They were high content, “low” price value leaders except in those days they only made them for a short run each year and I think they only did this a few years.
    This current All Star package is a value, but it’s hidden in RPO codes. Then further hidden under that heavy price tag! What i am saying is create a new model with this package and those rebates built in and let that model be the “bait” truck to lure buyers in. I know some folks are going to say” then that would kill the sales of the Custom and Custom Trail Boss” and they are right but if you could get more options on a those two trim levels, say the All Star package on them, maybe it wouldn’t hurt as much or would make a more attractive offering in now 3 trims.
    I also like the looks of the W/T, Custom and Custom Trail Boss the best but the option list on them has been shortend by GM to the point that I am no longer considering them. I f I could get just couple things like wheel well liners for the rear and the center seat storage I’d probably buy but can’t get that unless I buy a LT. I don’t really want a crew cab so the LT ALL Star and all those rebates are not that appealing but it is a tremendous deal. Another option, the LT Trail Boss< can only be had in crew cab so that's out of the question. My point is this, I would have already bought one of these trucks if GM had not made it so dang hard to get what I want…..and that's important to me when spending $50,000 on a truck, getting what I want!!

    Reply
    1. I completely agree with you, although I will say that the LT all-star package is, de-facto, what you are talking about.
      I also agree that the custom trim is way too expensive for what it is. I can understand certain decontenting like no steering wheel phone controls, no color DIC, no auto climate. But no telescoping wheel? No underseat storage? That’s insane to me. A telescoping wheel to me is an absolutely essential feature in any truck because people come in all shapes/sizes. It’s a MAJOR feature that cannot be very expensive to include. Why leave it out? It makes no sense. Underseat storage, same thing–it’s literally an empty box under the middle seat. But VERY useful. How could they not put that in the custom edition? No leather-wrapped wheel. Stupid decision, it’s what you touch every time you get in the truck. Every single 6th gen camaro from SS right down to the I4 LS model gets the same awesome leather wrapped steering wheel. The custom truck should have a leather wrapped wheel.
      I’m fine with losing out on the “niceties”–wheel phone control, big screen, DIC, auto climate, etc. But I call BS when they start taking away useful/essential features. The custom currently is like a work truck interior but almost LT price. I can’t imagine anyone buying one unless they are so strapped for cash that the difference between a 35k and 40k truck makes or breaks them. Is that really a lot of people? I don’t think so. Of course, when those people choose to get an LT, GM benefits because LT is the volume truck and they want to sell as many of them as possible. The whole thing might exist just to get people to buy LTs.

      Shoot, I have no idea why they don’t just let you get an LT-All star but with a custom front fascia. It’s just a few snap and bolt on parts sitting on a rack. Would it really be that hard to allow?
      I suppose they have to draw the customization line somewhere and somebody is going to be frustrated no matter what. The customs will still be significantly cheaper than LT and for some people its the right truck for them.

      But if you spend time with the configurator, you run across all kinds of weird things that nobody can explain. Like why you can get leather bench seats in the LT, but not in the LT trail boss. Like…WTF? Isn’t the trail boss supposed to be this really functional, down and dirty truck, but if you want leather you’re forced to get a huge honking console, just like you are forced to get on LTZ and high country? Makes no sense. I want an LT trail boss with leather. I do not want a console. Except GM will not build me that truck. Nice!

      I literally would buy a custom trail boss if it had a telescoping wheel. GM will not build me that truck.

      Reply

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