GM Launching New Sierra/Silverado in 2013
Jason Lancaster | Jul 06, 2011 | Comments 46
GM’s last major redesign of the Sierra and Silverado was in 2007. At that time, GM’s new truck design was quickly overshadowed by new designs from Toyota, Chrysler, and then Ford in the following year. Perhaps in an effort to “get the jump” on competition, GM will begin re-tooling plants in late 2012 to build an all-new 2013 model of the Sierra and Silverado, according to Automotive News.
This 2013 timing comes as a bit of a surprise – during the throws of GM’s 2009 bankruptcy, it was learned that GM had stalled almost all new product development plans to conserve operating capital. It was thought that this would slow GM’s next major redesign of their full-size trucks until 2014, but evidently GM has managed to overcome a slow start and will be building new trucks one year earlier than anyone expected.
Speaking of expectations, here are some features that GM will be including in their newest trucks:
- Electric power steering
- Weight reduction via lightweight aluminum or magnesium alloy frame, body panel alloys, plastics, spray-in-foam for sound insulation instead of heavier padding, etc.
- Improved aerodynamics
- A direct injection V8 with an aluminum block, per PickupTrucks.com, as well as an updated V6
- New interior design
- A four mode hybrid engine that will be rated tow at least 9,000 lbs, also via PickupTrucks.com
GM’s redesigned pickups will likely be the first to launch, just ahead of the next generation Tundra (read more about the 2014 Tundra), Dodge Ram (also expected to be new in 2014), and likely the Ford F-150 as well (expected to be new again in 2014).
Will GM’s decision to launch their next gen truck in the middle of 2013 give them the advantage, or will it serve as a backdrop for other manufacturers to one-up?
What do you think?
Filed Under: Auto News
Maybe they can design a truck that the headliner doesn’t fall down…. Just kidding. Waiting to see what they do on the hybrid engine.
Or maybe they could design something like a bat mobile Christopher Nolan version but make it more eco-friendly. I wonder how it looks.
Mickey – Me too – maybe this will be the first hybrid pickup after all.
If I had to guess, I might go with an 8 speed transmission thus increasing gas mileage if done right. I would also bet that once redesigned, it will be #1 in gas mileage figures both hwy. and city, but still not going to be as powerful and truck worthy as our tundras are right now. Wait and see I guess, I will be curious for sure coming from an all GM background prior to 2007.
mk – I’m curious too – I don’t think they’ve got an 8 speed in their back pocket, but I suppose they could. Either way, I’d guess they win the fuel economy rating with an improved hybrid.
yah, now that ford took the fuel economy rating with dropping a ecoboost turbo V6 in the 1/2 ton ford, I suspect GM will top that somehow by 1 mpg both city/hwy. but at what cost in performance? Already GM’s doggy 5.3L is wimpy enough, who would want it to go any slower is beyond me? I’ll sacrifice 1-2 mpg on my tundra at most vs. all the dozens of Silverado’s I have owned both 5.7L and 5.3L engines in my day. IN reality, long distances, I have gotten 19.5 mpg in my tundra 5.7L DC 4wd and never have I seen over 20 mpg hwy. in any chevy either, so it is about a tie with so much more power than the chevy. I’d love to see the tundra revamped and get 17/22 in a 4wd tundra and would be happy, especially in 2013 instead of waiting for 2014. One dealer told me revamped tundra in 2013, but don’t know if that is true or not since you say it will be in 2014.
i think the silverado/sierra will have a v6 with v8 power and win ford bye 1 MPG
mk – I think a lot of truck owners feel the same way you do – gas mileage is nice, but power is better…especially if you use your truck for work.
Also, it will be a 2014 Tundra available in 2013.
I have owned 5 sierra’s in the last 12 years. The last 2 being diesels. Great trucks and great service departments. I have a few suggestions: perhaps they can manage to put camper mirrors that power in and out. And 20″ wheels on the 3500. I have never been asked for any input even after owning 5 new trucks.
Well with all the Tundra, Silverado comparisons I have to speak up. I am fleet manager for a mid-size company in the midwest. We run 1/2 ton crews in 4wd and 2wd configurations. We look considerable upon models with 15+ actual mpgs, but our importance lies on total cost of ownership in terms of reliability and longevity. Since 2005 I have purchased 10 Tundras, in which not one has made 200k miles without major mechanical failure. Between motors, trannys and rear diffs I think we have purchased our last Tundra. Im not a huge lover of the Silverados plain features and simple interior, but as far as going the distance nothing compares. We currently are running over 35 2008 and 2009 Siverado 1500s that all have over 150k and not one has had major mechanical, NOT ONE! As far as the Tundras mileage. Maybe I need a new calculator, because my 2011 4wd Tundra gets 13 in town at best, and 16 on the highway running 70 mph. Food for thought.
i drive a 97 c1500. its been worked hard and has 213k on it with no major mechanical problems, i,ve heard of several of these chevys going 300k-600k with out major problems . mine chevy power wise its lacking due to a 4.3v6 under the hood but its pulled anything we have ever put behind including a 30ft travel trailer through the smokey mountains. I have family that owns a 2009 and 10 silverado and i have been impressed with them both power wise and gas mileage too. z71 avg. 18-19 on highway. im looking forward to the 2013 and waiting to see the improvements made. the tundra may have bigger engine but for pullin power, gas mileage, and durability its lacking. Silverado is the better truck in my opinion and will be the next truck i buy. whenever mine finely quits.
I purchased a 2006 Tundra to pull my 98 Coachman 26′ 5th wheel, which had a dry weight of 5600lbs. Tundra pulled well on flat land but when I head up in the Northern New Mexico mountains the Tundra had some issues keeping up with the 55mph speed limit. Sold the truck this past year when I just couldn’t afford to keep it running. 3200.00 for trans, 700.00 for starter, 900.00 head gaskets, 600.00 for radiator all with-in 52000 miles. Purchased a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 with 5.3, and a 2012 30ft triple slide Open Range 5th wheel that weighs in @8100lb dry. So far the truck pulls like a fright train and I get 21mpg on hwy at 75mph. I can honestly say from my own experences that the GMC is much better built than my Tundra, no rattles, squeeks, and super smooth riding. Just my experence.
First off… The Tundra is way over rated. Has a tundra ever owned a 1500 with the 6.2liter? i dont think so. It gets 19 mpg hwy and has 403 horsepower and 411 lb foot of torque. Has a smoother ride and a much nicer interior… You need to give credit where credit is due.. Tundra just cannot compete with the americans in this segment of vehicles.
2008 Silverado 1500 LTZ w/ 5.3 – 160K miles over 4 years… routinely haul 500-1500 pds cement and other debris.
Repairs: two sets of windshield wipers, replaced original tires at 110K, front breaks once, new trip cluster (pushed mine into the dash.. ops), and 7 Amsoil oil changes… with under $1K in maintenance what’s the question – Toyota’s are made for people who want to say they have a truck… not use a truck… I’d like to see a Tundra owner be able to list everything they have repaired/maintained.
DW: When do you run into major issues with your fleet vehicles?
That’s right Paul, They can all eat rice and help them out! Buy American!!!!!
My last 1500 went 14 years and I sold it without any problems and zero rust…my current 2003 1500 still seems really new…but I’d like a new one…..hope something goes wrong with my Silverado to justify it….my Chevy;s last longer than most marriages. Thank you for saving GM. JW
Hey Paul, nobody belives a word you say when you say 110K on original tires. Also front breaks? really? try brakes, my 3 year old spells better than you.
well I gotta agree with Paul.. have a 2007 Sierra . Put new tires on at 100K because I wanted to as I was going on a 4000K trip in April through the mountains. The ones I took off will still pass a safety inspection on tread wear.have only done the brakes once as well. Now sitting at 153K
My 2006 is a 2500 4 x 4 diesel. 174K with ALL original brakes.
my 1999 was a 1500 4 x 4 and went over 150k with the originals.
Ceramic pads my man…all there is to it
Yes 110K on the factory tires… purchsed the truck new in Dec 07 and replaced the tires in Sept 10 (I typically get ~80K given my driving).
Jesse: My guess is that you have lowered your expectations to the Toyota standard. I hate to admit it but my wife has had 2 Corolla’s… factory tires did not last 30K. Toyota made a higher quality then average vehicle 10-15 years ago but have lost their footing.
Thanks for correcting the spelling… but can you or your 3 yr old add some value to the blog: List what you have for a vehicle and some facts to back up your stance.
p.s. I’ve had a 2000 Grand Prix 216K mi, 2006 Grand Am 193K mi, and a few company Ford Explorers ~200K each… I can’t give much info on the reliability of the Corolla’s given that her older one met its demise via a Silverado (cracked emblem on the Silverado). Her 2000 burned a qt per month by 2006 and her current 2007 left her stranded when the $computer$ died.
I’ve never owned a Toyota, but I have owned 2 Hondas and 2 Subies and several GM vehicles. I can tell you from my experience that the quality of Japanese cars is far superior to that of American cars. My first car (an 88 olds cutlass ciera) spun a rod bearing at 90K. My current car is a 2000 LeSabre, I bought the car with 59K on it, and it has had nothing but problems. I’ve replaced 2 power window motors, a gas cap because the check engine light comes on and tells me the gas cap is loose when it is not, a wheel bearing ($250) @ 65k, and several thermostats because the car will not come up to temperature when it is cold out. On top of that the drivers door seal leaks and the floor gets wet whenever it rains hard, and sometimes the car does not want to start for no reason (starts hard sputters for a few seconds then dies). The best car I ever owned was a 96 civic hatchback. Bought the car with 140K drove it for 4 years getting 40 mpg and sold it with over 200k for $100 more than I paid for it. The 2 subarus that I had were indestructible, I did have to put engine seals (not head gaskets, never had a 2.5) in them when they reached 150k or so, other than that they never let me down, and they were both driven hard (winter beaters, incredible in the snow).
P.S. my next car will be a Subaru. Nothing better for a VT winter.
my story
put 180k on a 92 with a 4.3 nothing major
put 130k on a 99 3/4 ton 4×4, factory brakes, just tires and fluid services
put 90k on a 04 denail, nothin but rubber and fluids
wife has 80kish on 08 denali nothing but radio reprograms, rubber, and fluids
my 07 V-max 6.0 has 83k had to put rear brakes on it, tires 33×11.50 dont last.
my v max loves with the TOYota’s pull up and want to race, i slow down and let em catch up and then run off again.
My trucks are for pulling, i drag a tractor around all day on a 18 foot trailer and a 24′ boat during the summer. I will stand by GM and their products till the end, i just hope that end is far away.
good luck ladies
1992 Chevy C 1500 2wd 4.3 V6 we have 244,000+ on it. Not much trouble with it. Radiator, starter and tires are all that’s been replaced on it. We’ve owned since 210,000 miles and nothing was replaced by the previous 2 owners.
In response to Jesse above: you can’t compare Japanese cars with the Tundra. I’ve owned two Honda, and two Toyota cars… and all were well built. I’ve also owned 3 GM trucks, and each was great. The Tundra is built nothing like the Japanese cars I’ve owned, and GM trucks have been nothing like their car cousins. Things may be changing in that regard, but that’s my experience. I’m not saying the Tundra is a bad truck, but you absolutely cannot compare it to Honda cars.
Owned every brand, drove every brand, wouldn’t own anything but a GM truck. My story 1985 chevy k1500 350,000 miles original motor and transmission uses one quart of oil between changes. Toyota doesn’t make like they once did. Oh and yes the Americans did teach them how to make vehicles.
@Jesse “Your” 3 year old spells better? Haven’t you noticed that the poolboy is a great speller?
Had a ’91 350 ci stepside and put 249,000 miles without replacing ANYTHING except fluids and belts. Same AC and I live in Florida. Now, have a 2001 5.3L, with 162,000 have replaced NOTHING except fluids and belts. What do you think I’m buying next (when the new generation is available)?
Johnny Carson – I’m guessing Silverado?
Karnac says yes, Jason. May your chevy truck not become stuck on the mogals of Dolly Pardon..
I had 2008 v8 Tundra. Biggest pos I have ever owned. I was in every other week for recalls and the tranny absolutely stunk. I went to my GMC dealer and took my bath on my Tundra and got myself a new Sierra. Best truck I have ever owned, ever. If the new version is just as good I would go buy it again. I have 132,000 miles on it, the 5.3, and never seen the shop. I drive alot and this truck has never missed a beat.
I wouldn’t own another Tundra if you gave it to me.
So in answer to the question, no I don’t think that the Tundra will outperform t he GM trucks. It hasn’t yet.
I am still in shock that you can’t buy a new full size truck (Chevy, GMC, Ford, etc. etc.) with a manual transmission. What’s up with that? I have always owned manual transmission vehicles and love them. I bought a brand new 2011 Silverado (my only option was to get an automatic). I absolutely hate it. Will standard trannys ever come back, can they be special ordered? I can’t wait to get rid of this automatic Silverado!!! I hate it!
vince – Mostly it’s about fuel economy and take rate…the take rate was low, and the trucks never did as well in the EPA fuel economy tests, so they dragged down the fleet fuel economy rating. Considering that most automakers earned more revenue on automatics, dumping them was inevitable. What’s really amazing is that stick shifts will all but disappear in the next decade. My guess? By 2020 you’ll only be able to buy one as an option on a sports car.
Thanks for the info Jason. My heart is breaking!
Leaving out some of the more unbelievable claims (110,000 miles on the same set of tire??????) personal experiences shared on the internet are always subject to personal bias. From my experience I find that ALL the makers can and have produced lemons. I’ve driven Chevy, Dodge, Ford and now Toyota trucks. Everyone of them has had their good and bad aspects. I now drive Toyota because they have proven their worth in durability and resale/trade-in value (on my third since since 2002).
I like the Rams (have driven 2) but their overall quality is still only so-so. Hopefully the 2013 will change that.
My last chevy truck (a 96) was nice, motor strong as a ox but it ended up going through trannies like they were oil changes.
Fords are top notch and I almost switched to the F-150 but personally I think they are overpriced.
Bottom line, drive what you like. If you’re a Chevy fan then more power to you. Same to the Ram and Ford guys. But the sophomoric and borderline racist “They can all eat rice and help them out! Buy American!!!!!” comment doesn’t add anything to the subject and only puts on display the ignorance of individual who posted such drivel.
KMS – Very well said. Thank you for commenting. Agree with your conclusion completely.
Well said, I’m in the market to buy a four dour truck, hopefully diesel. Nothing seems to be close to the price I want, with all the features I want. Any ideas when it’s the best time to buy? This truck looks amazing btw.
If you’re doing a retail purchase (i.e. buying and keeping it forever), this is usually about the best time of the year to buy. If you’re doing a lease, the Spring is the best time to lease.
current tundra vs. chevy, no question the chevy rides smoother and softer more car like and gets better mpg but that is where the chevy winning ends. Power, tranny, towing, usefulness of design of DC on a tundra, resale, etc., etc. tundra wins over chevy. Owned several dozen 5.7 and 5.3L chevy 3.42 on up to 4.10 rear axle rations in the past 20 years and not one of them could outpull or maneuver as well as the 2007 thru 2012 tundra DC with 5.7L 4.30 rear axle ratio. Trucks are not made to be car-like and the towing and power of the tundra stock rocks chevy all day and all night long period!
2008 Silverado 1500: Yes 110K on OEM tires. I just replaced the front 2 tires on my second set at 170K… thought that was odd and had my mechanic take a look. Found out that my front upper and lower bearings needed replacement. That was my first mechanical repair at 170K miles.
p.s. I love when Tundra advocates compare the best and strongest Tundra the 5.7L to the basic Silverado… What does Toyota have to tow 14K+? I’ll take a Chevy 2500 with 6.0… need to tow 17K+ then throw in the diesel… wait need more then go for the 3500 and tow 22K+.
Stop giving opinions and give some facts as to why anyone should consider a Tundra.
Paul – Stop telling me what to do!! 😉
But seriously,did you read the article? If we posit an opinion, it’s usually pretty clearly marked…
I bought a new 2011 Silverado last year, the first vehicle I ever owned with an automatic transmission. (I’ve been driving for 45 years). I absolutely hate it. If there is a God, hopefully He’ll (or She’ll) bring back manual transmissions to the full size trucks. I can’t wait to get rid of this 2011 Silverado, I’d rather buy an old truck with manual tranny and sink the money into that. This chincey, plastic, cheaply made Silverado sucks. I been a GM man all my driving life, I am very very disappointed. To me it’s just a pile of junk.
Vince – While I understand your desire for a manual transmission, rest assured they are officially extinct in the half-ton market. Emissions and fuel economy rules have made it impossible to include a manual transmission on almost all vehicles…it’s likely we’ll see them disappear completely by the end of the decade.
How sad
Bought a 2013 v6 sierra and the back main seal is leaking oil and only got less then 10,000km I heard all v6 have this problem.
Mark,
Thanks for the comment. How have you heard that others are leaking? Do you think it is due to your AFM system?
Did you see our post on it? https://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/chevy-gmc-afm-oil-consumption/
-Tim