At The Work Truck Show 2020, Chevrolet announced a new engine for the Express and Low Cab Forward trucks, as well as a host of improvements for the Silverado 4500 HD, 5500 HD, and 6500 HD chassis cabs.

“Our commercial fleet sales growth is a result of excellent product and an even better team,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet. “The changes for Express, Low Cab Forward, and medium-duty trucks are great examples of the team’s commitment to helping customers with their fleet vehicle needs. With the product changes for 2020, we are on track for another year of commercial growth.”

Heavy-Duty Power for Express, Low Cab Forward

For 2021, Express configurations and Low Cab Forward will be available with a new 6.6L V-8 gas engine. Originally introduced in the all-new 2020 Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD, the direct-injected engine is SAE rated at 401 horsepower and 464 lb.-ft. of torque for the Express. That is 17% more horsepower and 24% more peak torque than the 6.0L it replaces. The 6.6L output on the Low Cab Forward is 350 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft. of torque, which is nearly 18% more horsepower and 14% more peak torque than its outgoing 6.0L.

Whether hauling equipment, supplies or people, the additional output and wider torque band will give drivers more on-demand power and confidence, especially with heavy payloads. Approximately 70% of current Express owners opted for the 6.0L V-8 option, and Chevrolet expects this new engine to garner the same or increased take rate.

Demand for Express remains high across passenger, cargo and cutaway configurations, with commercial fleet increasing 12% year-over-year in 2019.

Low Cab Forward trucks also had an excellent 2019 with a 109% increase in commercial sales year over year, gaining an estimated two points of share in the segment.

Medium-Duty Silverados Offer Customers More

Debuting in 2018, the Silverado 4500 HD, 5500 HD, and 6500 HD chassis cab trucks fill an important space in the Chevrolet Commercial portfolio. Continuing to listen to its customers, Chevrolet is bringing a host of updates to medium-duty chassis cabs to further increase performance and flexibility for upfitting:

• Maximum gross combined weight rating is now up to 37,000 pounds, offering a 23% increase in hauling capability.

• A new mechanical locking rear axle improves traction by automatically locking when a rear tire slips – such as driving off-road or on slippery surfaces.

• Longer axle-to-end-of-frame options for the two shortest wheelbases enable longer upfit bodies and increased upfit flexibility.

• New extended mirror arms, which offer better visibility on wider and longer upfit configurations, are coming soon.

• New left-hand power take-off capability offers upfitters easy access to the PTO port from either side of the truck.

• Auxiliary switch bank available with six additional upfit switches conveniently located in headliner.

Investing in Future Growth

GM’s fleet business is poised for additional growth, as investments in our manufacturing facilities will increase pickup truck supply to meet demand.

Recent investments at our manufacturing facilities include:

• A $150 million investment at Flint Assembly in Flint, Mich., to increase production capacity of heavy-duty trucks by 40,000 vehicles annually, beginning in 2020.

• A $175 million investment in a facility which will be built in Brookville, Ohio, to produce engine components needed to increase production of the 6.6L Duramax diesel V-8 engines later this year.

• A $1.5 billion investment, including $1 billion toward the Wentzville, Mo., plant, to prepare for future mid-size pickup and van improvements.