Ever since General Motors launched the current-generation, 2020 and newer Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickup trucks, many have wondered why the duo can’t be had with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), even as an option. After all, the trucks are powerhouses, not only when it comes to towing and hauling capability, but also as it relates to technology.
“We haven’t seen the desire from the customer there,” explained Bob Krapes, Director of Chevrolet Truck Marketing, when GM Authority executive editor, Alex Luft, raised this subject in a recent interview. “We see it more on the premium trims in the light duty, but as these [premium trimmed] HD trucks continue to grow [in popularity], it’s something to look at. But as of right now, no plans for that.”
Adaptive Cruise Control is offered on the light duty 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 as well as on its corporate platform mate, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. On the Silverado 1500, ACC is part of the Safety Package II, which can be optioned on the LTZ and High Country trim levels at an extra cost of $1,095. The Safety Package II also includes the following equipment:
- Forward Collision Alert
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Front Pedestrian Braking
- IntelliBeam headlamps
- Following Distance Indicator
- Safety Alert Seat
The same features are offered on the Sierra 1500 via the Driver Alert Package II, which is priced at $1,045 on the SLE and AT4 trim levels and $1,095 on SLT and Denali.
It’s also worth noting that the Ford Super Duty range (F-250 and F-350) – a direct rival to the Silverado HD and Sierra HD – can be optioned with Adaptive Cruise Control.
| 2019 Calendar Year | 2020 Calendar Year | Year On Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado HD | 131,953 | 150,394 | +14.0% |
| Sierra HD | 59,871 | 73,777 | +23.2% |
Silverado HD and Sierra HD sales have seen significant growth over the past two years. U.S. sales of the Silverado HD rose by 14 percent from 131,953 units in the 2019 calendar year to 150,394 units in 2020. Similarly, Sierra HD sales climbed 23.2 percent from 59,871 units to 73,777 units during the same period.
Overall, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are, respectively, the most popular and third most popular GM vehicles sold in the U.S., with the Chevy Equinox in second place. Most of this is due to the popularity of the light duty models, but as the figures presented above show, the HDs are becoming increasingly important to the fortunes of the two nameplates. The Silverado HD’s proportion of total Silverado sales rose from 22.9 percent in 2019 to 25.3 percent in 2020, while the Sierra HD represented 29.2 percent of all Sierra sales in 2020 compared to 25.8 percent in 2019.
Adaptive Cruise Control might seem an obvious thing to offer on GM’s heavy duty pickup trucks, but the impressive sales performance suggests that they don’t need them… at least for now. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if GM were to leap straight to offering Super Cruise on the Silverado HD and Sierra HD, skipping ACC altogether.
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Comments
A lot of people use heavier pickups for logistics and long distance transport. Adaptive cruise would be a selling point for them as it would make their long distance drives less stressful and more safe.
Why bother being competitive? Ram and Ford are already eating their lunch in this segment. Maybe they will cancel the Silverado HD like they do everything else.
If GM does not offer Supercruise on the updated Silverado / Sierra HD they are making a big mistake. Supercruise should be rolled out to all vehicles as they switch to the digital electrical architecture. GM should be a leader here, not a follower, and Ford is putting their version in the Super Duty’s
Actually Ford and Ram are not eating their lunch any longer in this segment. When you look at GMs combined Chevy/GMC numbers they are right behind Ford and selling more in 2020 than Ram. A couple improvements could put them over the top, which is unheard of in this segment because historically they have been beat bad in this segment over the years. The biggest improvement is actually having tow rating that are competitive. It should not have taken this long for that to happen, at least they got there. They need more power in the Duramax, the 6.6 gas needs a ten speed, and pickup up the content option list.
Yea but there are 10 Chevy/GMC dealers in my area compared to 5 Ram dealers and 4 Ford dealers. Ford is doing it with one brand and less dealers. Just saying
Ford has king ranch and platinum. GM has highcountry and Denali. Literally no difference.
I’ve been waiting for GM to offer adaptive cruise on HD trucks. All the tech is there and in GM’s version on their other vehicles, it can be turned on or off. Therefore this notion that “we haven’t seen desire from the customer there” makes no sense. Offer it, and just let those cusotmers who don’t want it turn it off. Why in the world they don’t offer it, especially when their direct competition does, baffles me. I am going Ram with my next truck.
Thats my issue, i have all the equipment. its simply turned off in the software. so frustrating when you buy $80,000 truck.
I think it is a big mistake and in many cases a deal breaker when it comes to buying a new truck. I own a 2008 GMC Yukon and I have been waiting to buy a new pickup for about three years now one of the options I want is the adaptive cruise. After riding in my friends RAM a few months back and WOW what a cool accessory to safe driving. I am 74 years young and I think it would be something that these young designers need to think about, the safety of others. I also don’t think it makes drivers drive faster just because they have it. If that is the case it also makes them a safer driver. They should be less likely to have an accident then.
As a side line to this note. In 1997 my Dad purchased his is first GM vehicle and it was a Buick. That was 1947 the year I was born. From that time on He drove a Buick and his fleet of service trucks became Chevrolets. He stayed with GM until his passing at 90. Of course he converted the family to GM. To date we still are a GM family. As I said in the beginning of my reply I have a 2008 GMC Yukon with over 200000 miles and I bought a 2019 Buick Cascada for my wife who just sold her 1998 Chevrolet Camaro with 175000 miles on it to someone who is still driving it. That is a small hint to me and my GM family. That is if anyone was interested in. I thought one day when my Dad was still alive that would make a great advertisement for GM with a family of five who are all GM owners from 90 on.
I cannot believe this article unless the GM spokesman is trying to help sell the current gen trucks, but when the refreshed HD’s come next year they will have Supercruise on the high end models, I just sent a message to Mark Reuss and specifically told him, “do not be stupid” HD truck buyers are typically not cheapskates, and are willing to pay for whatever you throw at them, so give them all the tech goods. I think HD Denali buyers would have a 90% take rate if the Supercruise cost them $3500, and Ford SD right now is transacting higher than GM’s HD twins, what does that tell you? People want the features and are willing to pay for it. Not that I have any pull with GM executives, but Mark has answered my messages before, let’s see if he get this one.
Not only Denali but High Country buyers. I’ll take it a step further and say LTZ buyers in general. Some people only buy a High Country or Denali because they prefer a certain bumper color or grille look. Not necessarily because it’s an upper trim level. And yet other people actually prefer the look of the LTZ over the upper trims but still want the options to load their truck up with. Why wouldn’t they want to take the customers money if they wanted to spend it? It makes Chevrolet look low rent (once again) in comparison to Ford and Dodge.
These trucks aren’t cheap. People going out to spend 60,70,80k on a truck have no problem paying a little extra for the options they want. These are big purchases they want to be happy with for a long time.
This is 100% true!
Typical BS from the new General!
Take your hands off your tool and drive your truck.
I have had GMCs for years but when it came time in 2017 to get a new truck, FORD has so many nice things to offer on their Super Duty Platinum including Active Cruise control, that I switched. The price difference from the fully loaded Denali trim where you got nothing, and the FORD Platinum fully equipped was minimal but the GMC HD was seriously lacking in luxuries like massaging seats among many other things, for instance, compared to the Super Duty.
GMC seems convinced to keep all the luxuries for the Denali 1500s and keep the Denali 2500/3500 as a rough riding no frills truck and yet Ford seems to do well with their luxury equipped Super Duty brand.
The GMC HD trucks should not be allowed to be called Denail because of the limited luxury enhancements they offer.
You can only get a black interior or just a weird combination of grey and dark brown. Nothing elegant to see here folks, move along.
No electronic locking rear end, adaptive cruise control, Lane Keep Assist, No Rain Sense wipers (really), power tilt and telescoping steering, ride improvement devices like Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension (Air Bag Suspension has been on large trucks forever), interior glass break and inclination security, enhanced automatic emergency braking, a small and dated Infotainment screen as on the lower models (See new Yukon Denali) for what should be, and no electronic dash.
GMC finally offered power assist steps in 2021 so you can keep them out of the mud.
Certainly nothing offered on the 2021 2500HD Denali that says deluxe.
Apparently no customers use them for long hauls or to be comfortable in, just trips to the local Costco and back.
GM needs to wake up and poll what HD Denali purchasers would like and then respond with options their customer base would like. Can’t get over no Rain Sense Wipers and Adaptive Cruise Control.
I don’t blame you Ron, I have never wanted a Ford or Ram in my life but the new Super Duty and Ram HD’s are very tempting. GM really needs to step up their high end truck game, they also need to step up their power ratings, the Duramax hasn’t seen an increase since 2017. I really want to stay with GM but they certainly don’t make it easy. There will be those who say you don’t need or use a truck if it’s high end, that’s old school and false. Yes the HD sales numbers improved but still not where they should be. Just think how many more they would sell if they offered what you truly wanted. Come on GM, trucks are your bread and butter, please give them the love they deserve!
Ron is spot on!
This is just dumb. You can get adaptive cruise (they call it smart cruise) on a Kia Soul.
What is that, half the cost of an HD truck?
Sorry. I just can’t agree. GM’s got it right. I’ve got adaptive cruise on a couple of sedans, and using this feature in heavy traffic – at speed (on I95) and five-wide at 75-80 MPH – is not helpful. Too many vehicles simultaneously changing lanes, and forcing themselves into traffic without much regard for safe following distances results in too frequent braking and speed changes from ACC. Based on my experience, ACC generally only focuses on the vehicle directly ahead, but has difficulty dealing with the bigger traffic picture several cars ahead, and where multiple vehicles are moving in / out of my lane. Maybe ACC works on I-70 in Kansas, but not in large, crowded metro areas.
How about this, I have purchased over 600k in vehicles in the past 3 years and I wear ACC. It just plain out socks that I have a 2021 Sierra withoyt ACC and my 2017 F250 has it installed. The reason they don’t see the demand is because dealerships don’t relay their customer requests we and therefore are never received at GM
Mary is busy robbing truck buyers blind so she can create some more EVs nobody wants.. #wokeGM
@ Mike Mary Barra does not make decisions on truck content you fool, those decision happen many levels below her. Mary is in charge of corporate communication, vision, and communication with the board of directors. Mark Reuss is the top of the products strategy side of the company
You mean Barra has no authority over those making these dumb decisions?
For what it’s worth….I am a Chevy guy but I bought the F350 because I couldn’t imagine long road trips without adaptive cruise control. (I love the truck by the way)
Isn’t this feature like power windows back in the 70s? eventually everyone will have it standard.
For what it’s worth, you don’t seem to be a Chevy guy anymore, but are in denial.
Obnoxious guy – for what it’s worth, I bought the GMC Denali Sierra 1500 for my daily driver because it DOES have adaptive cruise control. Why would I buy the HD if it doesn’t have what i need? And before you say it… the GMC and Chevy are the same thing. 😉
DrB. I believe you can turn off Adaptive Cruise Control when traffic conditions aren’t suitable for its use. That is the same with regular Cruise Control. Maybe a quick read on the manual might help and by the way, sold the FORD and got a 2021 2500HD Denali. Hate the interior color, hate no adaptive cruise control, hate no rain IntelliSense.wipers and hate the low level of glass break security.
What I like is the steering wheel controls are the same as on our 2021 Yukon Denali which was a problem when I had the FORD switching back and forth between vehicles with controls in different locations. Also like the independent front suspension and 10 speed tranny with the Duramax.
GM thinking again! The HD high end buyers want all the bells and whistles just like the 1500 buyers. Why can’t a Denali trim level be the same across all models? It would be GREAT to have the same luxury in a HD Denali as in the Yukon Denali !!! I own a 2018 GMC 2500HD Denali and It will probably be my last! I will not buy a new HD Denali without all of luxury it should offer (like the Yukon).
Disappointing… I have the 2020 2500HD LTZ and I can’t believe this thing isn’t equipped standard with ACC… There was a LOT of confusion with whether or not it was available when I purchased it 9 months ago… I guess we now have a definitive answer. My question is then WHY does it have ‘gap adjustment controls’ at all if they don’t plan on ACC? The truck clearly can see the traffic in front of me… It tells me all the time. I do a LOT of highway driving and it blows my mind that a $30k Toyota can do it, but not a $65k truck. I absolutely love everything else about it. C’mon GM… really???
I am where you are on this.. I just sold a ford f250 2019 and it had this option. I used it all the time. The High Country shows the distance and the cars in front on the heads up display. What the hell good is that??? I can see the car in front of me i need the ACC it makes driving less stressful overall!
I like almost everything about chevy/gmc but I just might have to start looking at a ford
Ram Ford offer ACC on their HD trucks. What is GM waiting for? This is a very desirable feature on an expensive vehicle.