COULD THE NEXT-GEN CHEVROLET MONTANA SMALL TRUCK COME TO AMERICA?

Pickup trucks are not only some of the most popular vehicles for sale in the United States, but they are also some of the most profitable. Automakers have been steadily cranking the price up on these formerly spartan pickups recently, as Detroit embraces tech and features commonly associated with vehicles wearing a three-pointed star. Of course not everyone has the money to get into one of these trucks, nor is everyone ready to deal with their ever-increasing footprint. Mid-size offerings have returned as an alternative, but even those trucks are fairly large these days. This has led automakers like Ford and Hyundai to introduce even smaller trucks like Maverick and Santa Cruz models. GM is also working on such a truck down in Brazil, known as the Chevrolet Montana. But could this new truck make its way stateside?

The 2022 Chevrolet Montana

The Chevrolet Montana is a front-wheel drive pickup that’s been built and sold in various foreign markets since 2003. The current generation model has been on sale since 2011, though it is slated to be replaced quite soon. According to a report from the Brazilian publication Autos Segredos, General Motors is looking to release the third-gen Montana pickup in 2022. This new model will be based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Tracker, which is a small SUV sold in Latin America. The truck is reportedly going to be powered by a 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder motor, which makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque in its U.S.-market TrailBlazer application. A four-door configuration will likely be the only body style, which is different from the 2-door only Montana on sale today. The truck is slated to undercut the current S10 model in price as well.

Chevrolet Montana marketing in South America specifically highlights that the truck is more affordable and cheaper to maintain than any of its rivals. The truck will specifically have to do battle against the Fiat Toro, a truck rumored to be the basis of a potential small Ram offering. Considering GM’s largest rival in the truck segment is now planning to offer a FWD-based pickup here in the U.S., it might make sense for the new Montana to make its way stateside. Recent trademark fillings suggest the truck could even be called the Cheyenne.

The Case For Importation

If GM can give the Chevrolet Montana AWD capabilities, and potentially more power, it is hard to imagine why they wouldn’t try to sell it here. Perhaps the car-like styling could be a turn off for American buyers, but it’s rumored the truck will look quite a bit like the current Blazer. People seem to like that SUV, so maybe it could work if the price point is competitive with Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz offerings. Would you like to see a small GM truck make its way up from South America? Let us know down below!