KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

LIGHTER-DUTY SILVERADO 1500 TAKES OVER AS HSV’S CHEVROLET TRUCK OFFERING.

- MATT RAUDONIKIS

CHEVROLET importer and converter HSV has revised its range of Silverado pick-ups, as it introduces the 1500 model and is running out of the heavy-duty 2500 models. With the cessation of Holden and its supply of Commodore and Colorado vehicles, as well as the end of the Chevrolet Camaro muscle car, the Silverado 1500 will, for the time being, be the only vehicle in the HSV line-up.

The Chevy joins the Ram 1500 truck in Australia, which has been a popular model for importers Ateco Automotive/Ram Trucks Australia (RTA). While there are many companies importing and converting American vehicles in Australia, HSV and RTA are unique in that they are semi-factory operations and the conversions are approved by the head offices back in Detroit.

Of note is the fact that both the HSV and RTA trucks have their left- to right-hand drive re-engineering carried out at Walkinshaw’s Clayton, Victoria, facility for the respective companies.

The 1500 pickups are what the Americans call half-ton trucks in reference to their load ratings. The heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models are three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks respectively, and when you’re looking at Ford trucks they are designated F150, F250, and F350 as you go up in capacity. They are generally the same trucks in size, it’s just the increased load ratings of the chassis, axles, and suspension that give them the added capacity.