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BEYOND HUMMER: GM CEO HINTS AT MORE OFF-ROAD TRUCKS AND UTILITY VEHICLES

The Ford Bronco Hype Demonstrates A Strong Demand For Such Automobiles

Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 ZRX
Image via Chevrolet

The GMC Hummer may just be the beginning. Hot off the heels of the Ford Bronco reveal, Credit Suisse analyst Dan Levy asked GM leadership about their presence in the off-road space during the company’s Q2 2020 earnings call, and if it’s even a priority. Levy originally asked if GM would expand the GMC AT4 sub brand to Chevrolet, but GM CEO Mary Barra gave an even better answer.

“We look at each brand, and we look to build our off-road offerings in GMC, as well as Chevrolet. And when you look to Hummer, you’ll see true capability there, as well,” said Barra. “We think it’s very important to customers, and we’ll continue to expand our offering.”

Hummer EV Photos
Screenshot of the GMC Hummer EV, enhanced by Muscle Cars & Trucks.

MC&T understands that General Motors will have off-road entries in multiple segments coming in the near future, well beyond the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison. The 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup truck and later SUV looks to be a major contender in the off-road vehicle lifestyle space, although they won’t directly compete with either the Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator or Ford Bronco. Instead, they seem to be directly aimed at the Rivian R1T and R1S, as well as the Bollinger products, and the Tesla Cybertruck.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2

Beyond the new Hummer, Chevrolet will soon offer a more off-road oriented version of the Chevrolet Silverado, and this could be what GM CEO Mary Barra was eluding to. This future off-road truck in particular was previewed with the Chad Hall Racing Silverado race truck at the 2019 SEMA Show. In many ways, it will be an XL version of the Colorado ZR2. But it won’t have nothing close to the output that the 2021 Ram Rebel TRX will offer with its Hellcat engine, let alone a 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Presently, the Chevrolet Blazer currently serves as the butt of many jokes when compared to the 2021 Ford Bronco, and while the vehicle itself serves an important purpose in an important segment, there’s no doubt that GM botched the opportunity to bring back a legendary nameplate in the same manner as the Bronco. They might as well come out with a Camaro EV next. Oh, wait.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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