GM Reportedly Investigating Small Electric Pickup
General Motors may be investigating a compact electric pickup that would challenge current gas-powered options in segments like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
During a tour of GM's affordable EV design studio in Warren, Michigan, on Wednesday, Automotive News (subscription required) said it was shown a two-door electric pickup with a low roof and a bed about 4.0-4.5 feet long. The Maverick's cargo bed is 4.5 feet.
The description points to modern versions of former GM vehicles such as the Chevrolet El Camino and Holden Commodore Ute as opposed to a traditional pickup.
Marketing images released alongside the pickup also suggest that it will be positioned as a recreational vehicle for activities such as surfing, Automotive News reported.
Michael Pevover, Chevrolet's director of affordable EV and crossover design, said on the tour that the vehicle is designed to gather feedback and is just one of the models GM is considering for its future affordable EV range He reportedly said.
There is certainly demand for compact pickups. Ford could sell nearly 75,000 Mavericks in the U.S. in 2022, according to data from Automotive News, despite also offering the Ranger and the highly successful F-Series. Small pickups are also popular in the Latin American market.
Buyers looking for a GM electric pickup have two options for the 2024 model year, albeit in the full-size category: the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV Denali are slated for 2024, while the GMC Sierra EV Denali is slated for 2024.
