GM defends big trucks

GENERAL MOTORS will continue to offer big trucks, despite calls for a rethink on how “yank tanks” – large pick-up trucks and heavy duty commercial vehicles that are remanufactured in Australia – are considered in this market.

In the lead-up to the rollout of the new vehicle emissions scheme from 1 July 2025, there has been discussion from politicians and outspoken advocates regarding the sales of vehicles like the RAM 1500, Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra and the Chevrolet Silverado.

GM Australia and New Zealand managing director, Jess Bala, told GoAuto at a recent event that the business is simply meeting the demands of what some Australian customers require.

The operation recently celebrated the sale of its 10,000th Silverado model in Australia and New Zealand, which  Jess Bala described as a “huge milestone” for the brand and its remanufacturing partner, Walkinshaw.

“I think clearly we've seen that there's a customer want and need for (vehicles like the Silverado 1500 and 2500 HD) based on, you know, some of the figures I mentioned this morning around Silverado truck sales, and how well we're doing,” she said.

Sales of the Silverado 1500 are up 29 per cent and the 2500 Heavy Duty has risen 16 per cent, year-to-date.

“Obviously, you know, it's been us and RAM for some time, and now we've got F-150 and Tundra coming. So it means that Ford and Toyota recognize that opportunity as well, and that there are customers that want them in respect to safety, and our truck in particular,” she said.

Some of the criticism levelled at these large vehicles is in regards to safety of road users – pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other cars and utes – given that models like the Silverado 1500 and 2500 are significantly bigger and heavier than many other vehicles on the road.

But Ms Bala said that the vehicles being sold here are safe – perhaps much safer than some smaller rival utes in terms of advanced technology.

“They're loaded up with all of the safety content, whether it's the radars, the cameras, the sensors, you know, auto emergency braking, pedestrian detection – all those elements are in there, all the airbags, et cetera,” she said.

“So they still have the highest level of safety content, and we're bringing everything to market that we can to keep both those driving the car and occupants in the car and pedestrians and people in other cars as safe as we can.

“From our standpoint, we think we're doing the right thing, and bringing to market vehicles that customers clearly want,” she said.

Under NVES, GM will be able to offset the gigantic carbon footprint of its massive trucks with the introduction of Cadillac as a pure electric brand, headlined by the Lyriq five-seat luxury SUV.

“We're obviously evaluating our portfolio as a whole for GM, Australia, in this instance, specific to NVES,” Ms Bala said.

“We've got Cadillac coming, so we'll be selling EVs, which will help with that as well. It's not the reason for doing Cadillac. Cadillac's been in the plan for far longer than we knew about the emission scheme, obviously, but it will help our focus.

 The brand has also confirmed the GMC Yukon Denali SUV will also be sold in our market in 2025, with that eight-seat family SUV – which measures about 5.3 metres in length, less than most of the HiLux and Rangers on the road – to offer buyers an option that’s a bit more palatable for the sensibilities of some.