The Ford Maverick occupies a market space that’s largely unchallenged. This is save for the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which it outsells roughly 2:1, based on 2022 calendar year sales. That dynamic may not be for long, however. We keep hearing noise that Ram Trucks will perhaps challenge the Maverick next, but what about General Motors with its Chevrolet and GMC brands?
Chevrolet builds and sells frugal, small trucks. Just not in the United States, or Canada. Despite this, nearby Mexico enjoys a broader Chevrolet truck market than both of these regions, largely thanks to two pickups that we can’t get in the USA: the Chevrolet S10 Max and soon, the new Chevrolet Montana pickup truck. These pickups definitely strike a chord with some of us from afar, as they’re a great alternative to a hand-me-down used truck, which tend to be well-out-of warranty and tainted with the farts of a previous owner. However, a small truck appears to be a possibility from General Motors as a new product for the USA and Canada markets, and such a proposal was teased to a select few.
Automotive News got a first-hand look at a small truck featuring two doors, a low roofline, a four- to four-and-a-half-foot cargo box, and an active, futuristic design. It didn’t have a name yet. But it was described as an electric pickup truck, with a targeted entry price of $30,000. But executives have reportedly stopped just short of giving it the green light.
“We’re creating these to get a reaction and then to try to modify it or move on,” said Michael Pevovar, the director affordable EV and crossover design for Chevrolet to AN. “The input may come back that it’s just too small, and that’s okay,” he added. If it turns out to be too small for buyers, General Motors hasn’t ruled out building its entry-level electric pickup on a different architecture to make it a little bigger.
Image via Ford
Sean Szymkowski from Chevrolet truck communications sent us the following statement:
*“GM has been on the record about our intention to bring new affordable EVs to market beyond models like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Equinox EV. Our designers are exploring what’s possible and while we love the enthusiasm, there’s nothing to confirm in terms of production-intent vehicles.”*
GM looking to enter an entry-level truck fray with an EV may present headwinds, specifically when it comes to price. At a proposed $30,000 or so, that’s nearly $8,000 more than a base Ford Maverick, which is the highly sought-after hybrid variant. Customers enjoy 42/33 mpg city/highway, 2,000 pounds max towing, 1,500 pounds max payload, and a very favorable sticker price. In fact, Ford continues to struggle with Maverick demand, with 2023 model years closing just days after they opened.
With the market showing rabid demand for something utilitarian, GM could offer two-tier approach like we’re seeing with the Chevrolet Silverado and Silverado EV (the same with the GMC Sierra and Sierra EV), offering customers a choice of a more affordable combustion-engine variant to a more premium electric. Either way, putting feelers out for such a product is a positive step in the right direction, and we hope to see more small truck entries in the American market going forward, whether it’s electric or not.
