HSV to sell V8 ute (Silverado 1500) in Australia by Q1 2020

[naddis01]

https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/202...-for-australia

HSV to sell V8 ute in Australia by Q1 2020

By Cameron Kirby, 18 Oct 2019 News



HSV to sell V8 ute in Australia by Q1 2020

Holden Special Vehicles will have a 313kW petrol V8 ute on sale early next year

Holden Special Vehicles will begin selling a V8-powered ute in Australia as early as Q1 next year.

Following the successful import and re-engineering (a fancy way to describe their extensive conversion process) of the Chevrolet Camaro and Silverado 2500, HSV will begin to sell the ‘smaller’ Silverado 1500.

Smaller is a loose term when describing the Silverado 1500, because while it is a size down from the gargantuan 2500, some variants stand 20cm taller than the Holden Colorado.



The Silverado 1500 will compete against fellow American pick-up, the Ram 1500, which is converted at the same facility and sold independently in Australia.

While HSV is refraining from making an official statement just yet, Chris Polites, HSV’s Executive Director for sales, marketing and after-sales says the brand is “very keen” on the Silverado 1500.

HSV has had the Silverado 2500 on sale in Australia for 18 months now, and is positive about its ongoing sales, which Polites states has a “good regional mix” throughout the country.

“We are limited by what we can get out of the US,” he added. “But we are buying every one we can get our hands on.”



In the US, the 2020 Silverado 1500 starts at US$28,300. However, the cheapest variant fitted with the L87 6.2-litre engine is the Custom Trail Boss, carrying a MSRP of US$46,265 with a dual-cab body.

A direct conversion with current rates to Australian dollars equates to $67,747. However, this doesn’t provide a fully accurate guide for what a Silverado 1500 would cost in Australia, as the final spec has not been announced, while HSV must shoulder the costs associated with re-engineering the pick-up and getting the vehicle to Australia.

HSV wouldn’t be drawn on pricing, but Polites indicated that the 1500 would be sold for less than the cheapest 2500, which starts at $114,990, and dismissed a comparison with the RAM 1500, which costs $99,950 for a dual-cab variant.



Wheels estimates a low six-figure sum will be required to buy the Silverado 1500, which would be the first new generation full-size pick-up to go on sale from a manufacturer in Australia.

The RAM 1500 that is sold in Australia is offered with a 5.6-litre naturally-aspirated V8, producing 291kW and 556Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Wheels understands the Silverado 1500s brought to Australia will be fitted with the L87 6.2-litre petrol V8 with 313kW and 624Nm mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.



All 2500s sold by HSV are fitted with a 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8 sending 332kW and 1234Nm through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet claims that the L87 and 10-speed combination is capable of towing a maximum capacity of just over six tonnes, with a maximum available payload of 1020kg.



A Z71 off-road package is offered in the US, which adds Rancho shocks and off-road focussed suspension, hill decent control, an automatic locking rear differential, two-speed transfer case, metal underbody shield, and all-terrain tyres.

There are plenty of creature comforts as well, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, along with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

Forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and a camera-based adaptive cruise control system are standard on LTZ and High Country trims.



Somewhat counter intuitively, what Australians would refer to as a dual-cab is a crew cab in North America, while what we know as a crew cab is a double cab.

Dual-cab Silverado 1500s can be purchased with both a ‘short’ or ‘standard’ rear tray, with the latter adding 9.5 inches (24cm) to the bed.


Edit: sorry about the picture size. I couldn't adjust them on my phone.

[Franco Cozzo]

'But no one wants American utes!!!!!'

All its going to take is General Motors, Fiat-Chrysler and Ford smarten up and offer these in RHD from the factory and it would sink HSV overnight - but the US market itself is a behemoth and all three companies can just sell these models in that single market and its still profitable.

They won't pull their heads out their *** and offer something in factory form for Australia, so HSV is safe.

[Bossxr8]

The Silverado was already a V8, although a diesel.

But the new ones have been savagely beaten with the ugly stick. It's not doing good in the US with the new styling. It's even being outsold by the Ram atm which afaik hasn't happened before.

[naddis01]

The new Ram, not the one we get, is actually meant to be pretty good though.

[fordomatic]

Won’t be able to park it anywhere in Australia

[FPV8U]

Looks pretty good to me in the above pictures, the Rams are quite popular where I live with commercial trades, farming sectors and just people that live in small acreage properties.

I won’t be surprised to see these and the rams continue to be quite popular into the future.

[Lunch]

Americans sure know how to make ugly cars

[Franco Cozzo]

I quite like the new look on these with the huge grille - its like the current design language on the new Toyotas.

Also its about time they went with somewhat rounded wheel arches rather than square ones

[jpd80]

Well, the US price of this Silverado is pretty close to the US price of the 2SS Camaro
so it's probably going to be around $95K +ORC

It's a case of HSV and Walkinshaw having to do this conversion work if they want to
keep revenue and profits coming in....
Our local car industry dies and from its ashes, springs an interesting cottage industry
converting niche LHD vehicles.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Well, the US price of this Silverado is pretty close to the US price of the 2SS Camaro
so it's probably going to be around $95K +ORC

It's a case of HSV and Walkinshaw having to do this conversion work if they want to
keep revenue and profits coming in....
Our local car industry dies and from its ashes, springs an interesting cottage industry
converting niche LHD vehicles.

Until maybe some OEM decides to put them to the sword with a similar but much cheaper product 👍

[Cobra]

I actually think it looks really good. The specs read well. It should sell in reasonable numbers, I'd imagine.

[eb2fairmont]

Can I get a suburban or Tahoe

[Raptor]

That is not a ute.

Misleading article/thread title, it's about to be amended.








.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Raptor

That is not a ute.

.

please don't call it a truck

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

They won't pull their heads out their *** and offer something in factory form for Australia, so HSV is safe.

you really think they would develop a factory RHD version to sell a handful a year on a little island out in the pacific?

ok then.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by prydey

you really think they would develop a factory RHD version to sell a handful a year on a little island out in the pacific?

ok then.

People didn't think they would with the Mustang either to sell 400 a month.

FCA Australia has been pushing their head office since earlier this decade for a factory RHD variant of the RAM.

I'm sure India with it's 1.4B people and South Africa would also be interested in said vehicles.

Once they realise they're missing out on sales as these keep on going through the various second stage manufacturers such as HSV, Performax International, VDC and SCD American Vehicles they'll want a cut.

Until then I'm happy for reasons unknown to you

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Cobra

I actually think it looks really good. The specs read well. It should sell in reasonable numbers, I'd imagine.

I agree,Particularly If they can get the Pricing similar to the RAM 1500?

[Brazen]

Yeah seems silly to build Corvette in Right hand drive from factory but not offer a pickup

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Until maybe some OEM decides to put them to the sword with a similar but much cheaper product 👍

I can imagine Ford watching all of this and the growing interest in full sized
gasoline trucks, and wondering if it's the truck size or just the gasoline engine.

[Sprintey]

Make Dualcabs Great Again

Ram is showing how much of a niche there is for this in Australia. Our whole auto industry was heavily influenced by the American RWD V8 formula. Nothing new in this.

Most of Australia is massive, wide open spaces. They will sell to that area and also to the outer urban areas of our cities. Tradies can now have a single ute for their tools without need for a small trailer to fit the rest in.

And V8 petrol, no diesel DPFs or adding urea to the tank. Or 1K per injector.

These are the vehicles that could take it to the LandCruiser.

Bring it, bring the F150, bring the Expedition, the Explorer RWD/AWD, the Navigator.

[CyberWasp]

The Heading should be Ford to sell V8 Ranger Raptor in 2020.

[Sprintey]

"Chris Polites, HSV’s Executive Director for sales"

You just know this is in good hands.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

People didn't think they would with the Mustang either to sell 400 a month.

FCA Australia has been pushing their head office since earlier this decade for a factory RHD variant of the RAM.

I'm sure India with it's 1.4B people and South Africa would also be interested in said vehicles.

Once they realise they're missing out on sales as these keep on going through the various second stage manufacturers such as HSV, Performax International, VDC and SCD American Vehicles they'll want a cut.

Until then I'm happy for reasons unknown to you

Mustang is sold throughout Europe though. If it was just for us here it wouldn't have happened. Works for Mustang cause Europe love sportscars. They hate pick up trucks though. Completely impracticle for their tight roads, and ridiculously high fuel taxes, so it won't work over there.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Mustang is sold throughout Europe though. If it was just for us here it wouldn't have happened. Works for Mustang cause Europe love sportscars. They hate pick up trucks though. Completely impracticle for their tight roads, and ridiculously high fuel taxes, so it won't work over there.

They have fallen for Ranger though, so that's something....

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

They have fallen for Ranger though, so that's something....

Going back on my initial post, the Ram, Chev and F series have diesels that would be useful over there, especially the powerstroke V6 in the F series and VM Motori V6 in the Ram. Maybe less so the giant powerstroke and duramax V8's. But the size is still an issue.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

People didn't think they would with the Mustang either to sell 400 a month.

FCA Australia has been pushing their head office since earlier this decade for a factory RHD variant of the RAM.

I'm sure India with it's 1.4B people and South Africa would also be interested in said vehicles.

Once they realise they're missing out on sales as these keep on going through the various second stage manufacturers such as HSV, Performax International, VDC and SCD American Vehicles they'll want a cut.

Until then I'm happy for reasons unknown to you

Firstly I'd love to have the F-150 sold here. When comparing to Mustang however remember the international sales of Mustang is near 10-15 percent of total production.
10% of F-150 production for the international market would amount to approx. 70,000 units per year, could Ford find that much sales around the world outside North America and then enough in RHD to bother building them.

[FairmontGS]

I wonder if Ford Thailand would be better off engineering Ranger for a V8 option? Or would the engine bay be too small for the Coyote currently on offer in the F150?

[Syndrome]

It will sell as well as this one did

[dunga]

whats the rear axle rating more than likely less than a ranger just like the ram 1500 .Rendering them next to useless.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Won’t be able to park it anywhere in Australia

I think Australia is a big enough parking space for ONE of these...