The World of West Chevrolet

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Trucks.com Highlights One Hundred Years of Innovative Change: 2018 Silverado Centennial

Chevy's very first pickup debuted back in 1918, and professional curator Leslie Kendall of Los Angeles's Petersen Automotive Museum lamented that the differences between past and present are definitely “night and day”. During the month of March here at West Chevy in Knoxville, we are all about remembering a very important date in Chevy history: it was a century ago this January that the 490 light delivery model was brought to the market. This was, for the most part, a type of stripped-out passenger car, that had its body replaced with a pickup bed, and saw the addition of stronger springs to cart crops around. It then proudly touted a 4-cylinder engine, that produced a relatively small dose of 24 horsepower.

Within the truck realm there have always been many contrasts between the present and past, and today's Silverado model is quite the amazing advancement. It is a 5,300-pound truck that comfortably can seat five, and has the ability to tow six tons. These days, it is powered by a 5.3-liter V8, producing 355 horsepower. The top-selling vehicle within the GM portfolio, it accounted for 585,000 total models sold last year, and ranked second place among every single passenger vehicle. Since those days long ago when Chevy introduced the now very primitive-seeming 490, Chevy has sold an estimated 85 million trucks. During December, the Texas Motor 
Speedway was the scene of the Chevy Truck Centennial Event, where very loyal customers tried their hand at gauging the towing capabilities of new trucks. They also had the opportunity to climb up steep inclines with the new off-road Colorado ZR2.

Many of those in attendance have owned numerous Chevy truck models in their lifetime, and have consistently raved about the brand's very high level of dependability, as well as its rugged breed of toughness. One very loyal Silverado owner from Round Rock, Texas claimed that “if he won any other truck in a lottery, he would sell it and buy a Chevy”. Sporting full leather interior, vibrant large touchscreen, and standard WiFi connection are all characteristics of trucks that are way more modern that one would see in a museum hall! It is still very amazing to think that the only thing in the interior of the very first truck was a bench seat, and absolutely no extra frills or features.


The modern breed of pickups are among the most well-appointed vehicles you can find out there on the road now, and the technology as well as luxury options have greatly assisted in the preference shift from small passenger cars, to larger yet light trucks. Everyone here on West Chevy's Sales and Service Staff recognizes that even though the Silverado is a truck that has added many luxury features over the years, it is one that still has pretty astounding towing potential and power. Car and Driver themselves claimed last year that “after 100 years of building pickups, Chevy's formula is nearly perfect”, and gave the Silverado high praise for its tough stature and hard-working stance.

Every Silverado model is now equipped with a backup camera, assuring that your journey off the premises does not begin with any surprises. When you come and visit us for a test drive here at West Chevy of Knoxville, we can show you all of the great benefits of the off-road package: body-color grill surround and headlamp bezel, as well as 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. There are also very useful optional features such as automated emergency braking: this will slow the vehicle when it senses an impending collision, further protecting you and your passengers. We can firmly vouch for the great features and useful power of the new Silverado: you'll have immediate and deep appreciation for its pure form and practicality!



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