New GMSV RHD conversion plant is go

GENERAL Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV) has celebrated the milestone of its 5000th local Chevrolet Silverado conversion just weeks after opening a new dedicated right-hand drive remanufacturing facility in Dandenong, Victoria.

The larger facility, which officially opened in August, runs as a dedicated line to production of the popular American pick-up truck, and according to GMSV director Joanne Stogiannis, is already delivering a more seamless operation.

“We’re excited to announce that the 5000th Silverado has just emerged from the remanufacturing process,” she said.

“The new dedicated remanufacturing facility will enable improved flexibility and capacity, with a significant increase in the number of Silverado’s coming off the line.”

GMSV’s announcement comes just days after the latest FCAI year-to-date figures were published, showing Australian buyers had purchased 1971 Chevrolet vehicles, including 1347 Silverado variants and 431 Silverado HDs.

“This achievement coincides with GMSV’s second birthday, so this is a remarkable achievement for a new brand in Australia and New Zealand,” said Ms Stogiannis.

Despite its success, the Chevrolet Silverado range is outsold considerably by the Ram pick-up truck range. Comparable figures show RAM sold 4232 examples of the 1500, 530 examples of the 2500 and 48 examples of the full-size 3500 to the end of October this year.

Ms Stogiannis said the new Dandenong facility was completed in timely fashion for preparations to launch the 2023 model year Silverado 1500 range that is slated to arrive mid-next year and will include the off-road-oriented ZR2 flagship.

““We are confident that we will be in a position to better cater for the anticipated demand associated with the launch of these new Silverado 1500’s and the ever-popular Silverado HD,” she said.

The Mexican-built Silverado 1500 range is powered by Chevrolet’s 6.2-litre LS3-series V8, which produces peak outputs of 313kW at 5600rpm and 624Nm at 4100rpm.

Equipped (as standard) with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Silverado 1500 is said to return a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 12.3 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 320 grams per kilometre.

LTZ variants of the Silverado 1500 (priced from $121,000 plus ORCs) adopt several enhancements as part of the MY23 upgrade, including a redesigned front-end design, replete with revised DRLs, and “significant” interior and technology upgrades, GMSV says.

The freshened interior now sports an electronic transmission shift controller located on the centre console, a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, as well as a 12.3-inch configurable instrument panel.

Other Silverado 1500 LTZ equipment highlights include 20-inch Sterling Silver alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, Jet Black leather-appointed upholstery, adaptive cruise control and a Technology Pack that incorporates a rear-view camera mirror, 15.0-inch colour head-up display, and bed-view camera.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is priced from $121,000 plus ORCs in LTZ Premium trim with the high-spec ZR2 arriving from $124,000 plus ORCs.

Ms Stogiannis said demand for the Silverado in Australia and New Zealand “goes to show there is considerable desire among enthusiasts for the latest in a V8-powered full-size pick-up truck with impressive towing ability and passenger comfort”.