History of the Chevy Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado is the second best-selling light-duty pickup truck, trailing the Ford F-Series vehicles. The Silverado and its sister truck, the GMC Sierra, are virtually identical, but the Sierra offers a slightly wider selection of option packages. The Silverado is known for its entry in the hybrid field, and for its clean lines and understated styling.

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History
- The Silverado debuted in 1998 for the 1999 model year, replacing the venerable C/K series trucks. Adhering to Chevrolet's sports-car styling pedigree on certain models, the Silverado comes with a Super Sport "SS" package with special trim and engine options.
Significance
- The Silverado replaced the C/K series, which had been in existence since 1960 and was immensely popular among Chevrolet loyalists.
Identification
- In addition to the SS packages, the Silverado is recognized with its simple yet elegant Chevrolet "bow-tie" logo on the front grille and side badging identifying its various models.
Types
- The vehicle comes in a GMT800 standard version, the HD, or "Heavy Duty" models, four-wheel-drives, extended three- or four-door cabs, and the Hybrid.
Features
- GM introduced its first hybrid as a Silverado in 2005, with an automatic device that turns off the engine when the vehicle stops, then restarts it when the foot comes off the brake pedal.
Size
- It's equipped with either a 4.3-liter V-6 or a V-8 up to 6 liters on varying wheelbases up to 143.5 inches.
Effects
- Although the Silverado Hybrid technology is not very robust compared to the Japanese imports, it has paved the way for other truck manufacturers to implement their own versions (see Resources).