Silverado 1500 offers truck buyers the best of all worlds
Back in the day, Chevrolet ran a now famous ad campaign that stated its trucks were “Like a Rock.”
Once a hit song by legendary performer Bob Segar and his “Silver Bullet Band,” the title was a perfect fit for the long-term brand message Chevrolet wanted to bring to its customers.
Foundational. Strong. Enduring. Words that described its tough truck appeal.
However, despite being a former employee with the Ypsilanti, Michigan General Motors plant, having an artistic relationship with GM took some time to develop. According to this Aldan American story, Segar was hesitant to lend his name or song to a corporate campaign. Then one day, inspired by the words of a worker at one of the local Michigan production plants, Segar changed his mind. The rest – as they say – is history.
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“Like a Rock,” the truck is dependable when you need it and versatile for any occasion, two of the many features that first drew Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet’s Larry Parker to the model. Now a fleet account manager for the Charlotte, North Carolina dealership, his passion for the Silverado ownership grew out of an active south Florida lifestyle.
“I needed something that was working for me in every day (life),” said Larry, who has spent nearly a decade at Hendrick Automotive Group and owned seven different Silverado trucks in nearly two decades. “I was cycling a lot at the time and it helped to throw my bike in the back of a pickup. What is nice is that a Silverado is timeless and universal. I can go out at night; I can go to a theatre, take my wife to a ball or go out on a beach and go surfing. There are so many different things I can utilize that truck for, which is what has drawn me to it.”
A Powerful Truck for All Occasions
As environmental sustainability becomes more and more prominent, Chevrolet introduced its new generation 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder Silverado 1500 in 2022, a full-sized truck with variable valve timing, dual overhead cams and noted fuel efficiency. Direct injected with active fuel management and automatic start-stop, the truck gets 22 miles per gallon for the two-wheel drive version and 20 miles per gallon for the four-wheel drive model.
“It’s gotten rave reviews - it sold me too,” Larry said. “There is a stigma of a ‘four-banger’ inside ‘my truck.’ However, with this (engine), you are getting 310 horses under the hood and 430 foot pounds of torque. Essentially, you are getting a more fuel-efficient engine with better torque, better towing capability and more horsepower than previous versions.”
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With a maximum tow weight of 9,500 pounds and “best-in-class” 89.1 cubic feet of cargo space, a properly equipped four-cylinder Silverado has an abundance of power and towing capability. With a more rigid cylinder block construction and a 30-percent stiffer crankshaft, the 1500 also utilizes fortified diesel-engine truck technology to enhance durability.
“What can’t you do (with the four-cylinder Silverado),” Larry said. “This four-cylinder engine (version) is a tried-and-true Silverado. You are still going to have all those capabilities. If you need to go to Lowe’s, pick up a big drill and have to tow (it) out of there – you can do that. If you want to go rent a camper, you can tow that with your four-cylinder Silverado. I love to camp and go on nature hikes; you still have all the capabilities you need. You can also get four-wheel drive with the four cylinder and still go off-roading. You’re not losing any payload capability either.”
Safety and Technology
Highlighted by the topline Silverado ZR2, LTZ and High Country trim levels, the Silverado comes with an available 13.4-inch diagonal color full motion touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Google built-in capabilities. The truck is one of the more technologically outfitted vehicles you can purchase. It’s also built for safety, as GM’s standard Chevy Safety Assist package includes automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, following distance indicator, forward collision alert and auto high beams standard. Not to mention the 360-degree cameras, a feature that has Larry’s attention.
“It literally feels like there’s a drone above you, you can see all around,” Larry explained. “On my touchscreen, I can choose to just see the sides of my truck. I can just look at the front. I can change the view to the rear. You can keep the rearview on while driving, especially for safety. The technology in the camera system is phenomenal.”
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With its six-position, Multi-Flex tailgate and 12-standard tie downs, the Silverado leads the way in payload appointments. Additionally, roll-formed, high-strength steel forges the backbone for every Silverado truck bed, an evolution that has happened quickly in this hyper-competitive market place.
“Compared to a few years ago, even though the length is the same – you are getting more room inside the bed, width and depth wise,” Larry said. “I love that they moved in the side-corner steps into these trucks. It just makes it much easier to get in and out. We have that step-up tailgate, which is a phenomenal system. You can literally leave it up and fold it down to create a workspace or a workbench. You can even close the gate, set the top portion, and if you are a carrying drywall or plywood, they will not slide out. It’s much better than trying to strap them down and damage the drywall for instance.”
Your Company Matters Too!
The Chevrolet Silverado is also a terrific option if you need a work truck to fulfill your business obligations, an area that Rick Hendrick Chevrolet excels. In 2022, Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet ascended to become one of the premier fleet and small business dealerships in the nation.
“We’ve grown our culture surrounding business-to-business sales,” Larry said. “Every sales professional in here has been trained, GM certified, fleet certified, with continuing training (at the dealership) as well. We not only have a strong presence in the Greater Charlotte region, but we are also far outside of that as well. We ship vehicles up and down the east coast. We also have some that go out west to California, Nevada, etc.
“Whenever someone call us up, they know they will get a knowledgeable professional,” Larry continued. “We also have great partners such as Hendrick Autoguard to help with continuing maintenance. We handle it all – the financing, fleet lease services, etc. We have more than 100 years of fleet experience in our fleet sales room.”
Whether it’s an everyday work truck or a weekend driver with the family, the four-cylinder Silverado 1500 offers the comfort and capability to handle almost any job. As Bob Segar once crooned, “Like a Rock, I was strong as I could be.”
The Silverado remains as strong as ever.
“It’s just one of those trucks that gets better with time,” Larry said.
If you’re ready to make a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 your next vehicle, browse our nationwide inventory to find one that’s right for you!
Or, visit any of our Chevrolet locations listed below. Our teammates will help you every step of the way!
ALABAMA
Hendrick Chevrolet Hoover – Hoover, Alabama
FLORIDA
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet – Tallahassee, Florida
Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Naples – Naples, Florida
GEORGIA
Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford – Buford, Georgia
Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth – Duluth, Georgia
KANSAS
Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission – Merriam, Kansas
NORTH CAROLINA
Hendrick Chevrolet Monroe – Monroe, North Carolina
Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Southpoint – Durham, North Carolina
Hendrick Chevrolet Cary – Cary, North Carolina
Jeff Gordon Chevrolet – Wilmington, North Carolina
Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet – Charlotte, North Carolina
Terry Labonte Chevrolet – Greensboro, North Carolina
SOUTH CAROLINA
Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Charleston – Charleston, South Carolina
VIRGINIA
Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond – Richmond, Virginia
Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Norfolk – Norfolk, Virginia
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