Chick’s Corner: 2020 Chevy Silverado HD Backlash

“What’s next?” That is the question – it’s the one that keeps innovation going, looking for what is going to wow and attract the masses, and make them want something; or, conversely, not want something. It’s a double-edged sword, and Chevrolet is learning this the hard way this week after unveiling its 2020 Silverado HD.

Everything face-value that was worth saying about the new diesel Silverado has been said in droves, with negativity being the recurring theme. Many a writer, truck aficianado, and even diehard Chevy fan has cut the truck’s appearance to pieces, whether it was the outlandish grille or awkward-looking mirrors. I’m just here to take a balanced approach and argue – maybe it’s not that bad?

I suppose what makes it alarming for Chevy fans is that this isn’t a truck in its concept phase. By all accounts, this is the 100-percent, bona fide finished product that will roll out into dealer lots late next year. So it’s made the rounds through GM’s approval process, from design to engineering to production, and come out the other side looking the way it does.

The shellacking GM’s gotten over the face of its 2020 Silverado HD will lead to several possible outcomes. We can only hope it will mean a complete front end redesign, or, if push comes to shove, a short and forgettable production run. In any case, we should withhold judgment for now, and wait until the dust settles and see how GM deals with the criticism.

But I say to the haters that there are a couple of options here – 1) GM will take the backlash from the Silverado and use it to redesign the truck, or 2) everyone will settle down and either buy it or not buy it, and the cycle will begin anew.

In the first case, one which I think we can all get behind, GM will make some big changes to the front end in time for it to pass through all of the stages for production. Ford figured out from its early Mustang prototypes what would and wouldn’t work, and fixed the design in time before it launched in 1965. In the second case, GM will bite the bullet and just release the truck as it is, and then cancel it as quickly as possible. Ford did it with the 6.4-liter Power Stroke after just two or three years, and in the grand scheme of things, didn’t hurt their brand loyalty too bad. GM could just weather the storm and make it out okay.

The last option is that we simply get used to it and “grow to love” the 2020 Silverado HD. Maybe it will age well?

It’s tempting to want to gang up on the 2020 Silverado HD, but there’s something to be said about being temperate and patient.

If I can end on one thing, it’s this: have an open mind, and trust GM to try and make the 2020 Silverado HD as badass as possible.

About the author

David Chick

David Chick comes to us ready for adventure. With passions that span clean and fast Corvettes all the way to down and dirty off-road vehicles (just ask him about his dream Jurassic Park Explorer), David's eclectic tastes lend well to his multiple automotive writing passions.
Read My Articles

Enlist in the Diesel Army newsletter.

Receive the latest newsletter with the content you love from Diesel Army, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Diesel Army NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Diesel Army

DieselArmy

We'll send you the most exciting Diesel articles, news, truck features, and videos every week.

Diesel Army

Diesel Army NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Diesel Army

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


ORX
Off road, Jeeps, 4x4s
enginelabs
Engine Tech
dragzine
Drag Racing

Diesel Army

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • ORX Off road, Jeeps, 4x4s
  • EngineLabs Engine Tech
  • Dragzine Drag Racing

Diesel Army

DieselArmy

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Diesel Army

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading