Chevy is Exporting the Silverado to China in 2017

Americans love pick-ups, but apparently folks in China are acquiring a taste for trucks too. Next year, the Silverado will officially begin sales overseas in what has traditionally been a truck-poor market.

However China has also grown into the world largest car market, and with that growth, the appeptite for half-ton trucks like the Silverado and the Raptor have grown as well. The Raptor is the only truck that Ford plans to send over as it’s has a worldwide following from gearheads and tough-guys. Similarly, GM is only sending the Silverado.

According to Automobile magazine, the buyers for trucks in China typically fall into the category of business owners, off-roaders, and the well-to-do. Perhaps suprisingly, they’re not seen as the same kind utilitarian vehicle like they are here. Part of that reason is the cost: American trucks carry a hefty 25% import tax.

Should the market follow the road it’s heaing now, I imagine we’ll see more exported version of our pickups. GM products (Buick especially) have done quite well over seas. I expect the Colorado ZH2 to be Beijing bound soon.

via [Automobile]

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