Photo: gmspecialtyvehicles / Instagram
History will reveal if General Motors’ new GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles) can be successful where Holden (a brand that was established back in 1856) failed, but nevertheless the die has been cast. And the new representative of the U.S. automaker can get right down under (pun intended) business in Australia and New Zealand.
That’s because the company has taken to social media to signal it has an established dealer network ready to fulfill orders. According to GM Authority, there’s a list of more than 50 partners to choose from, so at least the dealership network won’t be an issue if the largest American carmaker fails again in the region.
Apparently, most of the stores are in Australia, with just six dealers operating in New Zealand – but the company is working on adding more dealers to the network going forward. At the moment, there’s just one model on offer, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck – reportedly in the LTZ trim and going for at least $113,990 AUD.
That’s $83,053 at the current exchange rates, which is serious money for the pickup that kicks off at a mere $28,500 at home in the United States. Still, no one ever imagined it was going to be cheap, as the Silverados start their life at the GM Fort Wayne Assembly Plant and then get shipped in the Land Down Under to the Walkinshaw Group’s manufacturing facilities for right-hand drive conversion.
We know that it’s first going to be available with the powerful 6.2-liter EcoTec V8, with customers able to choose from nine exterior colors and flaunt premium details such as the chrome treatment, 20-inch Polished Alloy wheels, and the advanced Autotrac AWD system for when the going gets tough – and they want to use the maximum trailering capacity of 4.5 tons (9,921 lbs.).
On the other hand, it’s going to be easier with the C8 Corvette, as the mid-engine sports car is being directly manufactured in RHD configuration by GM at home in the U.S., as Australia and New Zealand are not the only right-hand drive markets for the company.
Apparently, most of the stores are in Australia, with just six dealers operating in New Zealand – but the company is working on adding more dealers to the network going forward. At the moment, there’s just one model on offer, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck – reportedly in the LTZ trim and going for at least $113,990 AUD.
That’s $83,053 at the current exchange rates, which is serious money for the pickup that kicks off at a mere $28,500 at home in the United States. Still, no one ever imagined it was going to be cheap, as the Silverados start their life at the GM Fort Wayne Assembly Plant and then get shipped in the Land Down Under to the Walkinshaw Group’s manufacturing facilities for right-hand drive conversion.
We know that it’s first going to be available with the powerful 6.2-liter EcoTec V8, with customers able to choose from nine exterior colors and flaunt premium details such as the chrome treatment, 20-inch Polished Alloy wheels, and the advanced Autotrac AWD system for when the going gets tough – and they want to use the maximum trailering capacity of 4.5 tons (9,921 lbs.).
On the other hand, it’s going to be easier with the C8 Corvette, as the mid-engine sports car is being directly manufactured in RHD configuration by GM at home in the U.S., as Australia and New Zealand are not the only right-hand drive markets for the company.
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