GM Ramps Up Heavy Duty And Box Truck Production

GM’s future in the automotive industry, both long term as an all-electric vehicle manufacturer and in the immediate with combustion production still underway, seems to rest in the hands of their commercial offerings. Their heavy duty and box trucks for sale will become a major part of Chevrolet and GMC sales strategies in the coming years. “These vehicles have among the highest margins in the business,” said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting at LMC Automotive. “You have no tomorrow if you don’t sell these trucks today.” Truck sales alone combine for around $65 billion of GM’s annual revenue, and the heavy duty and box truck versions of the Silverado and Sierra make up about 20 percent of those truck sales. Selling for an average estimated price of almost $56,000, GM makes at least $12,000 in profit of each sold truck according to Morningstar Inc. analyst David Whiston.

These massive profits are in turn being invested back in to fund GM’s all-electric programs like the self-driving rideshare program and the new technology for the yet to be released 2021 all-electric Cadillac crossover. It seems that GM is betting on favorable odds as they double down on heavy-duty and box truck production by adding 1,000 workers at their factory in Flint, Michigan. The company moved over 210,000 heavy-duty units in 2018 and are obviously trying to improve on those sales figures while the market still favors higher end pickup trucks. This is great news for GM employees as the company will transfer or tap many of their former workers from the five plants that are set to close this year. The shift in truck production also means greater selection with guaranteed higher performance standards for consumers and overall better box trucks for sale on the market.

With GM set to ramp up heavy duty and box truck production to capitalize on the truck mania that has swept up the current auto market, there is no better time for businesses, both large and small, to invest in Chevy box trucks. For the uninformed, a box truck is made up of a truck cab set on an empty frame that can be outfitted for a variety of purposes from ambulances to salting-spreaders. Chevrolet is currently offering three varieties of box truck, the chassis cab, express cutaway, and low cab forward, each offered with the fully capable Commercial Link program to better help your business track, manage and run your fleet of Chevy box trucks.

Silverado Chassis Cab

Chevy’s Silverado 3500 HD Chassis cab is the box truck option that has been making waves in auto critic circles. WIth the same chassis and powertrain as the Silverado HD, the 3500 Chassis Cab is a diesel powerhouse cranking out 445 horsepower and a remarkable 910 lb-ft of torque. The available Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo-Diesel V8 is quck and more than capable. With a max payload of around 7,000 pounds and GVWR around 13,000 pounds, this Chevy box truck option is designed to perform as a utility vehicle, a dump truck, or a simple flatbed. Chevy also offers the truck with the option of regular or crew cab as well as a gas operated 6-liter V8 capable of 360 horsepower so as not to limit your options. On the interior, the Chassis Cab has spacious, comfortable seating designed for portable office needs with a variety of storage and power options. For storage, there are compartments galore including a center console for laptops and other portable electronics, as well as multiple glove boxes. As for technology, the Silverado Chassis Cab has USB ports, a 110-volt outlet, and Bluetooth capabilities, an intuitive infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the option for built-in 4G LTE WiFi. The cost of the Silverado Chassis Cab starts at $34,000 and is perfect for small business owners searching for a more heavy-duty truck to operate in one key local area making this truck ideal for construction or landscaping companies.

Express Cutaway

Chevy’s Express Cutaway is typically described as more of a van, but it is definitely still run by a Chevy truck engine. With a maximum payload of 9,000 pounds and the GVWR sitting around 20,000 pounds, the frame is designed with versatility in mind allowing the cutaway to meet the many different needs of a variety of industries. The cutaway box truck is typically used as a utility vehicle, but a wide selection of uplifts are also available making it just as easy to outfit it as an ambulance, shuttle, school bus, or the body of a van. With varying wheel lengths and a choice of two engines, the express cutaway is known as the box truck with a manageable variety of customizable options The standard 4.3-liter V6 engine produces a serviceable 276 horsepower and 298 lb.-ft. of torque, but an upgraded 6.0-liter V8 engine with 341 horsepower and 373 lb.-ft. of torque is available for all your towing and hauling need. The truck also comes with convenient technological upgrades such as a 120-volt power outlet, USB ports, and a backup camera. There is also an option for owners to choose to equip their vehicle with built-in 4G LTE WiFi. Starting MSRP for the Cutaway is $33,000. This truck’s specifications and technological capabilities make it ideal for transporting people, either as a shuttle, ambulance, or school bus.

Low Cab Forward

The last Chevy box truck is the Low Cab Forward, and unlike the Express Cutaway’s manageable level of optimizations, this model comes with a multitude of different options varying from cab and wheelbase length to engines and upfits. The customization is definitely a plus allowing owners to craft a vehicle to cater to their particular industry and its needs. However, the number of options may also limit the low cab forward box truck to more experienced buyers who are, as we say, “In the Know” about the truck automotive industry. That being said, these vehicles are typically used for more specific skills; upper industry jobs such as delivery, moving, or transporting bulk construction items. Bulk being the key word when discussing these box trucks as the maximum GVWR for the mightiest of the pack sits around 26,000 pounds. There are three different engines depending on the model you choose (3500 and 4500), available in regular and crew cab, have a 6.0-liter V8 gasoline engine that produces a more city driving manageable 297 hp and 372 lb.-ft. of torque. The 3500HD is equipped with a 3.0-liter diesel engine, and finally the 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD, and 5500XD have a 5.2-Liter I-4 4H turbocharged diesel engine that churns out 215 horsepower and 452 lb.-ft. of torque. The box lengths can range from 16 to 30 feet to maximize the carrying capacity for cargo without sacrificing maneuverability, and the cab height is designed to maximize visibility, particularly useful in higher trafficked city dwellings. The interior is basic but comfortable and there are an assortment of creature comfort amenities, like fold-out trays that can function as a workstation and many storage areas throughout the cab. The starting price of the Low Cab Forward is $40,500. Given this Chevy box truck’s hauling capacities as well as the high degree of available customizations, it is generally more ideally suited for larger scale businesses operating in moving, delivery, or transporting bulk items.

With three different box truck options, each with their own degree of customizations, Chevrolet is the brand to meet all your business vehicle needs, and there is no better dealership in the Cincinnati, Ohio area to better show you Chevy box trucks for sale than McCluskey Chevrolet. With access to over 100,000 new or used vehicles, your one-stop shop for great cars, great prices, and great service. As your certified Chevy dealer serving Landen, Beckett Ridge, Mason, Fairfield, Loveland, and Hamilton drivers, we are proud to be part of the McCluskey Automotive Group. We’re open for sales and service seven days a week at 9673 Kings Automall Dr in Cincinnati, OH. Find out why so many people turn to us for great cars, great prices, and great service!