Holden Special Vehicles has a new task following the end of local Commodore production in Australia: expand Holden’s lineup with right-hand-drive conversions from other GM brands. HSV already announced plans to offer the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD and sixth-generation Camaro, but it sounds like the 2019 Silverado is on the docket, too.
Motoring spoke with the 2019 Silverado’s chief engineer Tim Herrick in a report published last Wednesday and he confirmed he’d been paid a visit by the “Holden guys” to learn about the new platform and gather more information on the pickup.
“I have had the Holden guys in my office talking about what they would do to convert the truck,” said Herrick.
He added nothing is firmed up yet, but it looks more than likely that the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado will eventually make its way down under. However, a factory right-hand-drive program is out of the question, per the engineering chief.
Herrick said building in the extra weight for RHD production for a low-volume market like Australia “makes it hard,” especially when GM’s latest vehicles embrace lightweighting. The 2019 Silverado itself is up to 450 pounds lighter. He identified the Silverado’s main markets as North America and the Middle East.
HSV will begin to convert the current Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD early this year.
Comments
My only question is what ever happened to the 2.7L Opposed Piston 4-cyl engine that was leaked to GM Authority prior to the revealing of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado.
And as long as a high cost conversion is required it will always be a low volume seller