Ease of use items designed into the Silverado includes an EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate, which is also removable without tools. To ensure loaded items remain in place while the vehicle is in motion, four integrated cargo tie-down provisions are built into the lower corners of the Silverado’s pickup box and adjustable upper tie-down hooks are available. The patented upper hooks—each rated at 250 lbs.—can be placed in several locations around the upper bed rails, providing flexibility for securing loads of all shapes and sizes.
The second vehicle we had the opportunity to drive was the Chevrolet City Express. Based on the Nissan NV200 that GM procures from the OEM and distributes through Chevrolet’s dealer network, the van features 122.7 cu. ft. of customizable cargo space and a payload capacity of 1,500 lbs. A 131-HP 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing powers the front wheel drive model.
Functionality is apparent throughout the City Express, which has dual sliding doors and 40/60 split rear cargo doors that open 90º and 180º, plus 20 interior cargo-mounting points, six floor-mounted D-rings, and six exterior roof rack mounting points. Overall, the cargo area is designed to accommodate large and bulky items, with 4 ft., 6 in. of space from side to side, more than enough room to load a standard 40- by 48-in. pallet. There is also 6 ft., 10 in. of room from the rear doors to the back of the front seats.
As GM continues to expand and refine its offerings for fleet and commercial customers it is using relationships with other manufacturers to meet its goals. The Nissan-sourced City Express is one example. At the other end of the GVW spectrum are the newly planned Chevrolet low-cab-forward medium-duty trucks. In that case, the latest agreement between Isuzu and GM, who have maintained a strategic partnership for more than 40 years, not only continues a tradition, but also reinforces an existing and valuable relationship.
