In an Instagram post on November 26th, the GM Design Team took a retrospective look at the 2009 Bare Necessities compact pickup truck concept, which featured a clever way to switch from extra cab space to extra bed space in a compact, affordable format.
The video they included in the post shows how the bulkhead between the cab and bed would rotate in order to change interior space in the pickup as needed:
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The design, developed by Michigan-based automotive engineer and inventor Wade Bryant, features a bulkhead that can have its concave side rotated toward the cab or the bed. Toward the cab, it offers additional passenger space, while turning it toward the bed expands cargo length from 43 inches to 67 inches in the same compact body style.
The GM Design Team notes that the concept truck “explored cargo flexibility in a small footprint.” GM Authority readers are highly favorable toward The General offering a compact pickup truck to rival the Ford Maverick. In the 2021 poll on the subject, 84 percent of readers were in favor of a small, affordable Chevy truck model, while in the 2023 poll the number had risen to 88 percent.
Back in June 2023, we also noted how GM is the only one of the Big Three automakers without a compact pickup model in the United States. Ford has the Maverick and at that time it appeared the Ram Rampage was coming to the U.S., though the latter’s arrival has been significantly delayed. In February of this year, sources suggested General Motors had canceled a Maverick-sized compact EV pickup model.
Meanwhile, GM debuted the all-new 2023Â Chevy Montana pickup for Mexico and South America back in late 2022. The Montana was revealed in Brazil with front end styling inspired by the Chevy Blazer crossover and unibody rather than body-on-frame construction. Since then, the Montana has launched a new entry-level LT trim in Argentina for its 2025 model year, but shows no signs of coming to the United States.
Why GM Design revisited the 2009 Bare Necessities pickup concept is unclear at the moment and likely has nothing to do with any current plans.
Comments
You can see some 2nd generation Colorado in that front clip.
I do wish GM would introduce a compact pickup. My dad has occasional need for a pickup bed, but doesn’t want something even the size of a Colorado. He’s looking at a Maverick, but doesn’t really want a Ford. I have to think there’s a market for this out there.
I was looking at Mavericks today. They’re sweet little trucks, but, like your dad, I am just a bit scared of the blue oval at the moment.
Ford might have their challenges, but as a company they’re not going anywhere.
Sellantis and Nissan, OTOH….
When shopping for a new vehicle last year, we looked really hard at the Ridgeline and Santa Cruz. They both had a lot of useful ideas that GM currently lacks.
Why? A Silverado WT is cheaper and more capable, in some ways more comfortable as well. Really only the ford maverick is appealing, and TBH, only if your really.looking at MPG savings. It’s not much cheaper than a Silverado.
After having numerous S 10s in various formats I truly believe that GM needs to bring back a small truck. But what does the consumer have to do with it ?? And stop with all this electric vehicles unless they are gas/electric vehicles, I see the point in them but not all electric. That’s my 2 cents worth.