Dealers Offering Deep Discounts On Chevy Silverado EV WT
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General Motors unveiled the all-electric Chevy Silverado EV in January of 2022 at the Consumer Electronics Show, promising to deliver on all the usual pickup truck capabilities and utility, but with a battery-driven powertrain and zero local emissions. Since then, The General has changed up its electrification strategy in response to lower-than-expected demand for EVs, as well as a shifting regulatory environment, among other challenges. Now, it looks as though dealers are offering some deep discounts on the Chevy Silverado EV WT, raising questions about the market viability for the work-oriented WT trim level.
For those readers who may be unaware, the Chevy Silverado EV WT (or Work Truck) is framed as the more affordable, fleet-oriented option in the all-electric pickup lineup. However, some dealers are making the WT even more affordable thanks to a series of deep discounts.
A GM Authority search reveals that the Parks Chevrolet in Richmond, Virginia is currently holding 27 units of the all-electric pickup in stock, with discounts ranging between $2,188 and $5,255, which, in addition to the Ultium Promise Bonus Cash, brings the listed price down to as low as $56,400. Meanwhile, Don Mealey Chevrolet in Clermont, Florida is offering several 3WT units with special allowances up to $8,776, bringing the price down to less than $60,000. Finally, Michael Hohl Chevy in Carson City, Nevada is adding a $5,000 incentive to the Ultium Promise Bonus Cash on several WT models.
While high-end trims like the Chevy Silverado EV RST are considered aspirational flagship products that will always have some demand, these deep discounts for the WT trim raises a few questions. After all, even though this trim is billed as a work truck, it’s still quite pricey, and judging by these discounts, there may not be a lot of demand for such vehicles in the retail space.
As GM Authority covered previously, General Motors is shifting its electrification strategy in order to meet lower-than-expected demand for EVs. That includes a delay in the expanded production for the Chevy Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV at the automaker’s Lake Orion plant in Michigan, making for yet another indicator that demand for this truck has yet to meet GM’s expectations.
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They also (although I don’t know when exactly) opened up the WT to regular customers as well, not just fleet sales.
I got to drive a WT and the RST at the Chevrolet Experience dealer training and the WT really wasn’t a bad truck, but its a hard pill to swallow at $80k MSRP for one. Tows 7000lbs quite well really too, effortless acceleration.
I made a reservation for the EV WT, knowing the base model MSRP was supposed to be under $40k. A few options seem to raise the price, which is understandable. But, the $39,900 base price never materialized. The EV Equinox base price increased $5,000, originally priced just under $30k. The base Equinox is the last one available, the $40-$50k units are currently available. The only way most consumers would be interested in an EV is to offer more affordable models. The Bolt EV is an ideal commuter car, as a sub $30k car it will sell a higher volume. Hummer and Escalade IQ are expensive low volume vehicles, that’s not how GM can survive. High volume vehicles will bring down the manufacturing cost, affordability is the only way to achieve the number of sales to make it profitable. The GM EV offerings are great, but volume is necessary to keep factories running. I really like my 2023 Bolt and I enjoyed my 2012 Volt. Most consumers will keep their ICE vehicle and use an EV for commuting. If you charge at home it’s really affordable compared to filling up for local driving. I used to fill up my Blazer every week, now I fill up once a month and commute in my Bolt EV. I save $150 a month in gas and spend $25 monthly for EV charging. It’s easier to park, to maneuver thru traffic and very responsive in tight situations. I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I still have times the Blazer is needed, but the Bolt in commuter situations. I wish GM had priced the WT EV at about $45k, it would be irresistible.
Giving them away for free might be the move.
Good luck finding them on Chevy’s website. I predict the WT will be quietly discontinued. $80k for a work truck with an old style screen with a giant bevel and loads of plastics. There’s no market for this. Product planning failure.
Exactly. There’s demand for EVs, just there’s a limit to the number of people who can afford $80k and want the basic interior of the WT. When I can get a Rivian or a platinum f150 for that same price.
I wonder if GM didn’t try to create the impression that this EV truck, the Hummer, the Celestiq, Blazer EV etc. were all in high demand by proclaiming them “sold out for two years”, or saying they had “90,000 reservations” or other similar language. In reality, there seems to be a plentiful supply of GM’s EVs and at some point they’re going to have to be more forthcoming about that fact and offer some really good deals to move them off the lots.
The volt and the bolt were sold at a loss for years. They need to get to scale on the ultium platform vehicles so they can lower costs to get to where they can build them at a profit.
They’ll cover the losses on EVs with the massive profits they are currently making on ice trucks and SUVs. That’s how it has always been. Truck and large SUV profits covered for sedans and compact cars. The domestic makes just realized that they could cut the sedans and hatchbacks and increase their profits.
Other than the Cadillac Lyric, they offer limited available options and configurations on their other electric vehicles. They are forcing you into a particular configuration instead of what you want. You can only get the RST in one color right now as that’s black with fake leather seats. It’s a nice truck but only one configuration is available for a high price. It’s hard to get a Bkazer EV RS with a sunroof that’s not white or black with red seats. Thats why they aren’t selling well.
My ’08 is a WT and I love it. Vinyl floor, manual windows, it’s perfect. If the EV was $45-50k, I would be first in line, especially if it has manual windows. But I’m not paying $80k for ANY truck, that’s just silly.
I ordered the ‘Pro’ trim fF150 lightning when I thought it would be $45k after options. The sticker was $60k when it finally got to the dealer. I had to pass.
This is the problem. EVs that require large batteries are still too expensive.
Why did Chevy think their result would be any different than Ford’s? The Lightning beat them to market by 2+ years and nabbed all the initial EV demand. Then everyone figured out an EV truck had some pretty substantial limitations that didn’t match with the insane sticker prices. Truck buyers went back to gas and won’t be fooled again. The real loser in all this will be Ram / Stellantis, by the time the Rlrctric Ram debuts, there will be zero EV truck interest unless there is a major, long term oil disruption.
All I can say is I’ve had a $75.00 deposit for two years and no phone calls ?????? Chevrolet EV truck ! What’s that ???
I’ll take a WT WITH THE MID-Gate ?
I think its the fact that when gm originally talked about the EV work truck they were saying it was going to start in the $30,000 price range then upped it 10k. Also, asking over 100k for an RST is just ridiculous.
I wouldn’t pay that much for a truck that is ridiculous to pay that much for a truck I guess people will pay that much for a truck but not me way over priced for EV truck
It is ridiculous paying that much money for a Ev truck
I love this line, “Lower than expected demand”. Lower than whose expectations, Mary’s I guess?
Could anyone at GM really believe there was a market for a useless, $80,000 EV work truck. I’ve seen work trucks in that price range, but they’re 3/4 and one ton, diesel powered real trucks with an eight foot box. Nobody who seriously needs a work truck is going to buy one with a 5 foot box, and while the mid gate allows larger items to be loaded it’s not practical for everyday use. Has anyone ever looked at the bed of the typical pick up used by a builder, lawn service, machine shop, etc, they’re always full of dirt, junk, tools, and other loose items. Guess what happens to all the crap in the bed when you put the mid gate down, it ends up on the back seat and floor. And what happens to that hundred’s of miles of range when you hook a 6000 pound trailer full of lawn gear to it or fill the back with tools, then put the AC on, listen to the radio and sit in stop and go traffic like a normal day for most work trucks? We all know what happens, that magical 400 miles of range quickly becomes 80 miles. How many contractors or delivery drivers can stop in the middle to spend 20-30 charging a truck?
I don’t have a problem with EV’s. I think they’re great for some drivers, but for many people they’re just not practical.
I wasn’t even aware the EV WT was available. Must be fleet-only because if you try to build-and-price a Silverado EV on their website, it only shows the $97,000 RST trim.
And seriously, who is going to buy that? You’re paying 97k for a truck that only comes in black or white, with black vinyl seats.
We just got a handful of 2024 gas WTs and I’m dreading the day I need to turn in my LT. I don’t know about the EV version but gas still has a tiny black-and-white display, plastic steering wheel, and even that little stalk jutting out the instrument cluster to change the screen page. Haven’t seen that since my 96 Dodge. It’s 2024 and they want you to reach through the steering wheel to twiddle a little stalk to check your trip odometer.
39k was supposed to be the original price now you’re talking over 60,000 for a barebones no feature truck no thanks…..The RST fully loaded maybe but over 100k. GM wonders why the demand isn’t so great. And then you have the disaster of them moving away from Android Auto or Apple CarPlay with their own nonsense software worked out real well for the Blazer