GM Reportedly Benchmarking The Ford Maverick Pickup

Jan. 17, 2023 5:17 PM ET byJarryd Neves Trucks /5 Comments

Should we brace for a GM brand compact pickup?

A new report viaGM Authoritysuggests that General Motors is benchmarking theFord Maverickin the United States.

This may not sound like a big deal, as most automakers engage in the practice to see how their products stack up against the competition. However, this development is interesting because General Motors has no competitor in the compact pickup truck market. This can only mean one thing: the automotive giant is preparing to release a direct Maverick competitor.

If that is true, Chevrolet might be busy refining the Brazilian-built Montana for the US market. Chevy's South American alternative is smaller than the Maverick (and the pricier Hyundai Santa Cruz) but has a few clever touches and neat styling.

There's evidence to suggest that theMontana may migrate to North America. Speaking to the media, GM South America's Rodrigo Fiocco said, "we export the Chevrolet Colorado double cab developed in Brazil to the United States, [so] anything is possible."

GM is undoubtedly aware of the sales success Hyundai (and Ford, in particular) have had with their respective compact trucks. As a reminder, the Korean automaker shifted 36,480 examples of the Santa Cruz last year, while the Blue Ovalblitzed that impressive figurewith 74,370 units of the Maverick leaving showrooms in 2022.

It only makes sense that GM wants a slice of the pie, especially as Stellantis-ownedRam is also eyeing smaller pickup trucks.

If GM wants to appeal to the US market, it must make several critical changes to the Montana. For one, the anemic 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 133 horsepower isn't muscular enough for American tastes. For reference, the base Maverick produces a total of 191 hp thanks to a hybrid setup. An even more powerful model with a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter is also available.

也许雪佛兰将装备Montana with a detuned version of the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-pot used inthe new Colorado. This is all speculation, and until Chevrolet announces anything, it's anybody's guess as to why GM is suddenly so interested in the Mav.

But there's another possibility we haven't looked at. General Motors has gone on an all-electric assault of late, and a small battery-powered pickup may be in the cards. It would accompany the larger Silverado and Sierra EV in the brand's extensive EV arsenal and offer consumers a genuinely affordable and desirable electric vehicle.

Interestingly, the Montana will be available in North America, as Mexico is one of its key markets. GM could be benchmarking the Ford for that market, but this is unlikely as the vehicle will go on sale soon.

Hopefully, that's not the case, and we will get a Chevy-badged Maverick rival in the coming year.