Ford and Hyundai brought the compact truck market back to life, and now GM wants to enter it with a tiny electric pickup truck. Should they?
As full-size and midsize trucks have gotten larger, the market seems to have gone away from the purpose of some of the smaller trucks. Many of the new midsize trucks bring an off-road focus to the market, which turns away from their intended purpose. Which trucks can now serve the weekend warrior, delivery professional, or occasional truck owner? Those duties will go to the compact truck market as it begins to grow.
GM is working toward high-volume EVs
GM’s stated goal is to continue into the electric vehicle world by selling more models than any other automaker. Their focus is split between high-end feature-filled models like the GMC Hummer EV, Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, and the new Chevy Silverado EV and the Chevy Bolt and Bolt EUV models. Toss in an unnamed tiny truck with the same electric powertrain as the Bolt models, and you’ve got vehicles on both ends of the spectrum. Of course, there are some models in the middle with the upcoming electric versions of the Equinox and Blazer SUVs.
Could this new EV truck be smaller than the Maverick and Santa Cruz?
The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz reopened the market of compact pickup trucks in 2022. Ford sold 74,370 Mavericks, and Hyundai Sold 36,480 Santa Cruz trucks in 2022. This is an eye-opening result, which makes other automakers wonder if they should join the fray. Having the doors opened to the compact pickup truck market means GM is ready to toss its hat in the ring with a truck that could be even smaller than these other two, and it will use an all-electric powertrain, which makes it unique.
Only a few details of this tiny electric pickup truck are offered
GM is looking at this tiny new EV to be a two-door model with a 4 or 4.5-foot bed and low roofline. The goal is to tag this new electric truck with a price that’s under $30,000. While most trucks are going to a crew-cab-only body style, GM offers this new truck to bring back the classic standard cab that could be useful. This might be a great truck for recreational adventures, including surfing, kayaking, rock climbing, or hiking.
Initial designs await consumer feedback
GM intends to rely heavily on consumer feedback to create the right small EV truck for the market. Some at GM feel this truck might be better off in South America or Mexico, but others are willing to adjust the size to make it bigger or give it a little more of what consumers desire in a small, high-volume electric pickup truck. This truck could be heavily influenced by what customers desire in a small truck before the final version is offered. Eventually, GM intends to make an EV for every customer.
What electric vehicles will GM offer soon?
Chevrolet Silverado EV
One of the most talked about new electric vehicles is the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV. This new electric pickup truck heads to the market with the WT trim being right as a daily workhorse. This new model should carry a price of around $40,000, and it will rival the Ford F-150 Lightning. At the other end of the spectrum, the RST trim reaches a much higher sticker price, but that price doesn’t mean it won’t be purchased by many new truck owners. The new Silverado EV only comes in a crew cab build, and it features a unique midgate rear wall to give owners more room for cargo coming from the bed. As expected, there’s also a GMC Sierra EV arriving alongside the new Chevy EV truck.
Chevy Equinox EV
The electric version of one of the most popular compact crossover SUVs arrives later this year to join the Chevy lineup. The Equinox EV should bring a price of nearly $30,000 and be larger than the Bolt EUV. This new electric crossover is expected to bring 250-300 miles of driving range and DC fast charging to make this affordable EV an excellent option as the next vehicle for many to enjoy.
Chevy Blazer EV
A new electric Chevy Blazer arrives for the 2024 model year offering a midsize SUV with the sporty drive we’ve come to associate with the Blazer name. This new EV offers an athletic design with Camaro influence that makes it one of the most attractive new electric vehicles to come to the market. This electric SUV should offer up to 320 miles of driving range and can charge using a DC fast charger which will add 87 miles of range in only 10 minutes. This could be one of the most popular new electric vehicles heading to the market.
Cadillac Lyriq
Technically, the Lyriq is already available as a brand-new, all-electric midsize crossover SUV from this luxury brand. The Lyriq offers some advanced tech, impressive styling, and up to 312 miles of electric driving range. If you’re looking for a luxury vehicle from the GM family, this new Lyriq is the right SUV for you to drive. The 1SE Debut Edition opens the doors to show you what this new EV can offer. If you’re looking for a new GM EV with Super Cruise, the Lyriq is the vehicle that has it.
Will the small truck arrive?
The question of whether or not GM will make the tiny electric pickup truck they showed is still unanswered. They’re heading in the right direction to offer us a new truck with an all-electric powertrain, but that doesn’t mean it will be part of the mix. We might see something with a crew cab or a little larger, but we should expect a new, small EV pickup truck from GM in the near future.
GM continues to develop a much larger lineup of electric vehicles, with the new models heading our way in 2024 along with ideas for a new truck, which will be developed with influence from consumers.
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