Gmc · 1998–present

GMC Sierra

The Chevrolet Silverado is a range of trucks manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. Introduced for the 1999 model year, the Silverado is the successor to the long-running Chevrolet C/K model line. Taking its name from the top trim level from the Chevrolet C/K series, the Silverado is offered as a series of full-size pickup trucks, chassis cab trucks, and medium-duty trucks. The fourth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2019 model year. The Chevrolet Silverado shares mechanical commonality with the identically related GMC Sierra; GMC ended the use of the C/K nomenclature a model generation prior to Chevrolet. In Mexico, high-trim level versions of the Silverado use the Chevrolet Cheyenne name (not to be confused with the 2003 concept) starting with the LT trim; Work Truck and "Custom" trims are still called Silverado. The Silverado is among the best-selling vehicles in the United States, having sold over 12 million trucks since its introduction in 1998.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: GMC C/K

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History

The Silverado nameplate made its debut for the 1975 model year, becoming the top trim level on all Chevrolet C/K trucks, slotted above Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale, and Cheyenne. For the 1968 model year (seven years before the Silverado), GMC C/K trucks used variations of the Sierra name (Sierra, Sierra Classic, Sierra Grande, and High Sierra). Even after the C/K series officially ended, GM still uses the CK and the CC in their current model codes, to denote a two-wheel drive (CC), and four-wheel drive (CK). For the 1988 GMT400 model architecture, Chevrolet retained the C/K model nomenclature, with GMC branding its full-size line as Sierras. While sharing the same body and chassis, the model chronology of the Silverado and Sierra are different, with five generations of the Sierra, while four of the Silverado. In 2018, at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, Chevrolet unveiled the first medium-duty Silverado, expanding the model line to a 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD chassis cab. Largely the successor to the 2003–2009 GMT560 chassis, the medium-duty trucks are exclusive to Chevrolet, with no plans for an equivalent GMC version. Instead, Navistar International (now partnering with GM) would sell the medium-duty trucks as a rebadged counterpart, called the CV. This is in fact a very similar nod to how the Avalanche did not have a GMC Yukon–based equivalent, but instead, Cadillac would take its place as the former's rebadged counterpart, the Cadillac Escalade EXT.

First-generation Silverado / second-generation Sierra (GMT800; 1999)

The GMT800 Silverado/Sierra 1500 and 2500 pickup trucks were released in August 1998 as 1999 models. The "classic" light-duty GMT400 C/K trucks continued to be produced for the first two years alongside the new models, and the Heavy-Duty GMT400 pickups (alongside the GMT400 SUVs) were continued until 2000, with the new GMT800 Silverado/Sierra HD (Heavy Duty) released a year later. A 3500 model was added later for 2001, with the introduction of the HD moniker (though it was not until the 2007 GMT900 model year a 3500HD debuted). The trucks were refreshed in 2002 for the 2003 model year, bringing slight design changes and an upgrade to the audio and HVAC controls. The 2007 GMT800 trucks, built after the new GMT900 entered production, used the name Classic to denote the difference between the two generations.

Second-generation Silverado / third-generation Sierra (GMT900; 2007)

The GMT900 generation of the Silverado/Sierra arrived in the last quarter of 2006 as a 2007 model. It features a redesigned exterior, interior, frame, and suspension as well as power increases on certain engines. Like the previous generation GMT800's and earlier C/K lines, it takes many styling cues from the GMT900 SUVs of the same year. Like the GMT900 SUVs, these pickups have improved aerodynamics over their predecessors thanks to steeply raked windshields and tighter panel gaps which help improve fuel economy. The previous GMT800 models were continued through 2007 badged as "Classic," just as the GMT400 models continued for two years after the GMT800's introduction. The new Silverado earned the North American Truck of the Year award for 2007, and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 2007. Production continued until 2013, and 2014 for 2500HD and 3500HD models.

Third-generation Silverado / fourth-generation Sierra (GMT K2XX; 2014)

On December 13, 2012, the fully-redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra were both introduced in Detroit, Michigan, later making their public debut at the North American International Auto Show. With this generation, GM dropped the GMT900 platform, and replaced it with the K2XX platform. This generation of the Silverado/Sierra 1500 has three new gasoline engine options: a 4.3 L EcoTec3 V6, a 5.3 L EcoTec3 V8, and a 6.2 L EcoTec3 V8, all featuring cylinder deactivation and aluminum blocks, while dropping the 4.8 L V8 from the last generation. Chevrolet's MyLink multimedia touchscreen interface system became available on most models. It included A2DP stereo streaming technologies, Bluetooth hands-free telephone, USB hookups, and an input for an iPod or iPhone. A Bose premium audio system, as well as a Bose surround sound audio system, was available on most models. OnStar became standard on all models. A Crew Cab model with the 6.5' bed became available for the first time on 1500-series trucks. Underneath, the Silverado rides on a fully boxed high-strength steel frame with hydroforming technology; truck cab's frame is built with high strength steel as well. The third-generation Silverado uses aluminum on the hood, for the engine block, and for the control arms in order to save mass. The truck's bed is made of roll-formed steel instead of stamped steel used by other manufacturers in order to save weight and gain strength. The third-generation Silverado introduced the all-new upmarket top-of-the-line "High Country" trim level which includes saddle brown leather interior, which is Chevrolet's very first entry into the luxury truck market since the 1955–1959 Task-Force 3100 "Cameo Carrier." A fully-squared front fascia takes retro-modern styling cues from the GMT400

Fourth-generation Silverado / fifth-generation Sierra (GMT T1XX; 2019)

On December 16, 2017, Chevrolet unveiled the fourth-generation 2019 Silverado 1500 during the Chevy Truck Centennial Celebration Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. The debut of the all-new Silverado was not expected until early 2018. For its debut, the Silverado 1500 was airlifted via a helicopter onto a stage, where it was introduced to a crowd of Chevrolet truck owners and enthusiasts, as well as to the automotive press. Chevrolet NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. also spoke at the event. In addition to the reveal of the 2019 Silverado 1500, multiple Chevrolet trucks of different generations were on display as well. The model shown at the reveal was the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss, an all-new trim level added to the lineup, and is a factory-modified version of the Silverado 1500 LT Z71. Distinguishing features of the Trail Boss from other Silverado 1500 trim levels are its gloss black front fascia, black rear step bumper, black Chevrolet "bow-tie" emblems on the front grille and rear tailgate, 18-inch gloss black-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, large off-road tires, altered suspension, "Trail Boss" decals on the sides of the bed, front bumper-mounted center fog lamps, "Z71" emblems on each front fender, and red-painted front tow hooks. The formal unveiling of the Silverado 1500 took place at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan on January 13, 2018, exactly 100 years after Chevrolet delivered its first trucks to customers on January 13, 1918. The model was unveiled as a Silverado LT Trail Boss model. Sales to customers began in August 2018 as an early 2019 model year vehicle with a base price of $32,200 MSRP. The Silverado 1500 features a more sculpted exterior design, with headlamps that integrate into

Fifth-generation Silverado / sixth-generation Sierra (2026)

On June 16, 2026, Chevrolet unveiled the next-generation Silverado 1500; the GMC Sierra 1500 counterpart was unveiled later on June 25, 2026. The redesigned Silverado features a slightly more rugged exterior, a redesigned fascia with restyled grilles and more integrated lights that incorporate C-shaped daytime running lights, bar lights, and isolated direction headlights, wheel arch moldings, redesigned alloy wheels, and a more furnished interior with larger screens. On the Sierra, it also features a slightly more upfront and simpler exterior, with upside-down L-shaped headlights and a formal grille to emphasize a more traditional style compared with the Silverado. Sales to customers will commence around late 2026. Trims and displays. Most of the trims of the Silverado and Sierra are carried over from the previous generation. However, the LT and LTZ trims on Silverado have been replaced with the "Silverado" trim level, while the SLE and SLT trims on Sierra have been replaced with the "Elevation" trim level. All trims now use the General Motors software platform first used in the Chevrolet Blazer EV, and feature a 12.2-inch LCD-based instrument cluster, 16.3-inch infotainment display, and on higher trims, a new 11.5-inch passenger display. Engines. The next-generation Silverado and Sierra 1500 are available with four engine options, including new 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter small-block V8s. The 2.7-liter TurboMax turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline and 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engines are carried over from the previous generation. All engines are now mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra

Manufacturer

General Motors

aka

Chevrolet Cheyenne (Mexico), International CV, GMC Sierra

Production

1998–present

Assembly

United States:, Flint, Michigan, Pontiac, Michigan (Pontiac East Assembly), Roanoke, Indiana (Fort Wayne Assembly), Springfield, Ohio (Medium Duty), Canada: Oshawa, Ontario, Mexico: Silao, Guanajuato

Class

Full-size pickup truck, Heavy-duty pickup truck, Medium-duty chassis cab truck

Body style

2-door regular cab (1999–present), 3-door extended cab (1999–2000 1500 and 2500 only), 4-door extended cab (2000–2014), 4-door crew cab (2001–present for HD; 2004–present for 1500)

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Predecessor

Chevrolet/GMC C/K, International D series/International TerraStar (for International CV, Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick (for Silverado Medium Duty)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1485946CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_SilveradoCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377573017 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2023_GMC_Sierra_2500_Denali_HD_Ultimate_in_Titanium_Rush_Metallic,_front_left.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Ethan Llamas · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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