The Ford F-150-rivalling 2023 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck has landed, but will GM make a hybrid car version?

GMSV’s updated Chevrolet Silverado models follow the trend in full-sized pick-ups around the world by offering petrol drivelines, despite Australia’s ute market being skewed heavily towards turbo-diesel power.

And while we won’t get a diesel Silverado 1500 - althouth there is a diesel in the massive 2500 HD in Australia - don’t bother waiting for a hybrid pick-up with a General Motors badge, either, even though hybrid technology potentially has a fair bit to offer a big, heavy, potentially very thirsty vehicle like the Silverado.

As far as GM is concerned, it seems hybridisation of ICE platforms amounts to dedicating resources that could be better used elsewhere.

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According to GM International’s Director of Communications, Lauren Indiveri, the broader GM family doesn’t see a lot of merit in hybrids generally.

“GM isn’t doing hybrids. It’s an unnecessary step.” She said at the launch of the new 2023 Silverado, strongly hinting that the next step in GM driveline tech would involve full electrification rather than a “stop-gap” hybrid.

“There are other OEMs (car makers) more invested in hybrids, but I don’t think you’ll see a lot of American automakers doing it.”

Early last year, Chevrolet revealed its first electric model, the Silverado EV, that comes with a driving range of up to 643km, depending on the grade.

Meantime, according to GMSV engineer Mark Wakeman, sticking with petrol V8 power is not just a case of following the global trend, but also in maximising the potential of what is a very expensive model program.

“Australia is the only market to remanufacture (for right-hand-drive) this model, so it’s a big commitment. And in that sense, it’s a fair amount of work to get them legal for use in Australia,” he told CarsGuide.

The Australian market won't be receiving a diesel Silverado.

The inference there is that making most of that investment involves selling the model with the biggest potential profit margin and, when it comes to full-sized US made utes, that’s the one with the most powerful engine in the highest specification.

“And that’s why we had to be very selective in what we brought in (to Australia). And the version with the biggest, baddest engine is the one that ticked all those boxes.”

Interestingly, though, there are two turbo-diesel Silverado 1500 variants available in the North American market.

The first is a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel, while there’s also a 6.6-litre V8 turbo-diesel (both from the Duramax engine family) in Stateside showrooms.

Again, though, as far as Australia goes, it comes back to offering what is perceived as a premium, luxury product to give the best return on that local engineering investment.