BIG AND BOLD
The good old Chevrolet has long been popular in these parts, and the latest is about to roll off the line just up yonder
THE 2015 model Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierra Denalis are about to roll off the production line at Performax north of Brisbane. These big and bold American pick-ups should then be ready for sale across the country from next month at 11 authorised Performax retail dealers in every state plus the Northern Territory, including new outlets in Nowra, New South Wales and Bunbury in Western Australia.
The General Motors products join the Ford Super Duty F-250 in fullvolume, right-hand-drive production, as approved by the Federal Government. This means volume’s not an issue for the Gympie-based importer and engineering works.
It also means that Australian customers have ready access to spares and service for the right-handdrive Chevs.
With a 6.6-litre V8 pushing out 296kW through an eight-speed auto for a 7.5-tonne towing capacity, the Chevrolet 2500HD has long been a popular pick-up in these parts.
Along with the Registered Automotive Workshop Schemeapproved Toyota Tundra and Dodge Ram, Performax International can now offer the widest range of American pick-ups in Australia.
And all these tough trucks – Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Toyota and Dodge pick-ups – will soon be also sold from a new Performax sales and service headquarters at North Lakes in Brisbane’s north; a bit handier for Gold Coasters than the Gympie showroom.
Meanwhile, 3D printing and a pile of fresh hi-tech engineering means today’s left to right-hand drive vehicle conversions should be better than ever.
The 2015 Silverado 2500HD and its up-market cousin, the GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD, arrive with significant upgrades to interior design and quality, according to Performax general manager Glen Soper.
Engineering right-hand drive dashboards to factory-fit, finish and working standards, and then ensuring those standards can be maintained in series production, is a top priority for the Performax mob.
“We have almost 100 staff in our Gympie factory, including highly trained engineers,” Mr Soper says.
“Our mission is to build a righthand-drive vehicle that drives and looks exactly like factory original, including all the complex electronics like drive-by-wire throttle.
“Full-volume series production of the Silverado, Denali and F-250 ensures we hit the quality mark with every vehicle, all backed by a factorystandard warranty.”
The Chev’s dashboard was developed using 3D scanning and printing technology before being produced in a high-pressure injection-moulded plastic piece.
More details of the right-handdrive 2015 Silverado 2500HD and GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD specifications and pricing will be announced when these latest Australianised Yanks are ready for the showrooms.
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