"I didn't realise it runs like our assembly plants": Global Chevy boss surprised by the depth of Australian Chevrolet Silverado remanufacturing process

The proliferation of American-sized utes in Australia has resulted in some fairly extensive right-hand conversion operations, but the exact detail of how in-depth the conversions are seem to be overlooked by some in the US.

CarsGuide was invited to tour the Dandenong facility where Chevrolet Silverados are converted to Australia-approved right-hand-drive specifications, along with General Motors Vice President Global Chevrolet Scott Bell.

Bell was in Australia for a personal holiday and to participate in a charity cycling race, but he took a morning out to see first-hand how Silverados are converted and was quite surprised by the facility.

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“It's impressive, I didn't realise it runs like our assembly plants run in the US.” Bell told CarsGuide.

During the tour, the GM executive asked questions about Australia-specific design rules such as indicator placements and was even surprised to know the body and interior are removed from the chassis for each section to be individually converted before being rejoined.

“From a complexity perspective, what needs to be done, you don't think of those things when you think about it,” Bell said.

The proliferation of American-sized utes in Australia has resulted in some fairly extensive right-hand conversion operations.

“I'm a car guy, I kind of know what it takes to make the steering wheel work on the wrong side of the vehicle - or the other side of the vehicle - but I guess I hadn't thought that all the way through to the fact that you pull the cab off the truck … that blew me away.

“But of course you do, right? What else would you do?”

The process of switching the steering wheel over to the other side of the car is fairly simple at a surface level, there is a long list of other elements that need to be addressed such as auxiliary plumbing for air conditioning, engine bay components, and the dash needs to be remanufactured.

CarsGuide was invited to tour the Dandenong facility where Chevrolet Silverados are converted to Australia-approved right-hand-drive specifications.

“All the sheet metal has to be changed and columns and I thought about the steering wheel, but I didn't think about the AC and all the stuff that would have to go to the other side. So it's impressive,” he said.

Bell was most surprised by some of the minor details that needed to be tweaked for the Silverado to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

During the tour he was quick to spot differences like indicator placement and changes to the style of lights, the addition of reversing lights and other minor details.

The body and interior of the Silverado are removed from the chassis for each section to be individually converted before being rejoined.

“I think dealing with some of the regulations and stuff like you know… I could recognise things that were different from our vehicles, but I think that's more of just a regulation in the country versus what it takes to move the steering wheel around," said Bell.

“But that I should know, too, right? I know that we do things differently all around the world, but it's interesting to see it really up close and personal.”

Some of Bell’s takeaways on the process revolved around the effort and quality he perceived in the course of the conversion process. He thinks customers would benefit from being able to see the process in terms of feeling like they’re getting a well-built product.

The process of switching the steering wheel to the opposite side of the car may seem straightforward, it involves a multitude of additional tasks.

“There seems like there's a consumer advantage or you know what I mean?" said Bell. 

“Maybe it's just an accepted thing, but if I saw all the things that you were doing, as an owner, I think I would feel better about my vehicle being modified if that's what it took.

“It seems like there's something there to do, try to bring more people in or do something like that just feels like there's something to have an appreciation for the quality and the execution of how it works.”

Australian Chevrolet Silverado remanufacturing process pictured.

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Australian Chevrolet Silverado remanufacturing process pictured.

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GM Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Jess Bala said there are small things done in their conversion process that rival brands don’t do, which she believes creates better value and a better result.

“All the little details that, probably, the average consumer doesn't realise need to be flipped around. Things that we're doing that our competitors aren't doing is a quality point for sure,” said Bala.

Bell agreed, pointing out the Silverado he travelled from Melbourne’s CBD to the outer suburb of Dandenong in seemed as good as a factory product from the US. He wouldn’t have been able to tell if it wasn’t for the steering wheel being on the “wrong side”, he said.

GM has shifted 845 Silverados in Australia this year so far. (Image: Mark Oastler)

“Yeah, I drove over in that Silverado and sat in the passenger seat - I don’t do that so often - but yeah you couldn't tell. There’s no way you could tell, it was just like it was meant to be.”

GM has shifted 845 Silverados in Australia this year so far, compared to 619 in the first quarter of last year, including 548 standard versions and 297 Heavy Duty Silverados.