General Motors Speciality Vehicles (GMSV) is one of the few factory-backed companies that offers a wide range of full-size pickup trucks in Australia, though it doesn’t plan to introduce anything larger.
The company currently offers the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in both LTZ Premium and ZR2 guises, as well as the Silverado 2500 HD in a single LTZ Premium guise with the Z71 off-road pack in both Australia and New Zealand.
However, in the US Chevrolet offers the even larger Silverado 3500 HD which has the ability to tow a maximum of 16,329kg. For context, the US-delivered Silverado 2500 HD can tow a trailer weighing up to 10,205kg.
When asked whether there’s an appetite to bring the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Down Under, GM Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala said it’s not something the brand is interested in right now.
Silverado 3500 HD
“Obviously the truck that we have here, it’s a very particular [and] niche market,” said Ms Bala.
“Those buyers are loving the big trucks. What we’re loving to see as often were they would buy one and they’re coming back for a second one.
“I think for our market here and the uniqueness here and you look at our environment and everything that goes on here from a roads and infrastructure [perspective, the Silverado 2500 HD] is a big truck, but it fits a purpose.
“It meets the capability that our customers need, whether it’s the 4.5-tonne towing, just the payload, etcetera, that goes along with it.
“We certainly haven’t seen any demand that warrants anything bigger.
“We’re constantly analysing what’s in the GM pipeline, what would make the most sense for our market.
“With the [Silverado 2500 HD] we think we just hit the nail on the head.”
Ram Trucks Australia is the closest rival to GMSV in terms of the range of full-size pickups it offers.
Silverado 1500 
Silverado 2500 HD
It currently offers the Ram 1500 in a variety of different trim levels, as well as the Ram 2500 and 3500 in a single Laramie trim each.
The latter of these pickups roughly aligns with what the Silverado 2500 HD offers and is capable of in terms of towing and payload.
The Ram 3500 is available with the option of dual rear wheels in the US, unlike the Silverado 2500 HD, though it’s not offered in Australia.
It’s worth noting if you’re really after a properly large American pickup truck in Australia, you can pursue other options including independent vehicle importer and conversion companies like Performax and AUSMV.
