2008 Chevrolet Silverado Comes to Australia

By Alborz Fallah | October 17th, 2007

QLD based Performax International has coverted yet another left-hand drive American icon for Australian buyers. The all-new fully-complianced 2008 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra utes are now on sale in Australia.

Priced at a staggering $123,000, the main model is the Silverado 2500HD crew-cab four-wheel drive. Other models from the extensive Silverado and sister GMC Sierra range are available on demand.

The 2500HD is powered by a gigantic 6.6-litre V8 turbodiesel (272kW and 895Nm of torque) coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with high and low ranges and dashboard-selected four-wheel drive engagement.

Performax International General Manager Nick Vandenberg says his company is aiming the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD at Australia’s heavy-duty and long-distance haulers.

“With towing capacity at 4.5 tonnes, it’s the big ute many people have been waiting for. We had orders for almost 20 even before the ADR compliance process was completed and now we expect many more from both recreational and business buyers. Mr Vandenberg said.

Both cars come with a four-year/120,000 km warranty and four year’ roadside assistance, offered by Performax.

Performax is best known for its right-hand drive conversions of Corvettes and most recently the Ford Mustang GT.

John

um…has anyone told this company petrol prices are on the rise? and with the silverado…i bet it’s not the thriftiest thing on the market either…i guess its a good thing its a turbo-diesel…dont get me wrong i love big pickups…i was saddened when ford discontinued the f-series…
280zx

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy on earth would you get one of these ?? i just hope no drongo wants to start selling them in Victoria as there is no room for this American heap !
Adam [aka Mada]

LOL, well guys it is diesel and they do have many orders for them!! so people do like’em.
I forget how big these things really are, also to remember that Ford sell almost 900,000 of it’s F-series trucks which are in the same class as these GM trucks, thats almost as much as our total new car market put together in one year! all from one model in one vehicle segment…crazy.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/ alborz

I think this car will be in demand actually
price is a little high, but demand is definitely here. Remember lots of people love gigantic utes.
John

yeah americans like their things BIG! 900,000 f-series sold every year because isnt that the same amount of people declared obese every year? or is that per month?
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

GM’s response to the Ford F-Trucks, but too late, Ford already stoped bringging them to Australia.

The last time the Silverado came here in the 70s, it was a Mexican truck. And notice you see more 70s F-Trucks than 70s Silverardo Trucks.
Bavarian Missile

Ford have stopped bringing in F-Trucks……so I guess the demand will be high!
John

the only reason ford stopped bringing the f-series was because ford usa decided not to produce the new model in right hand drive…
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

That might be right Alborz, because when the F-250s were taken off the Australian market there was still a demand for them, even the high price and high fuel consumption didn’t stop that.

An F-250 XLT with a Power Stroke Diesel engine that you could of brought new in 2003 for $75,000 would now be at least $90,000.
Alec

This car will sell no question! Although a bit pricey!
I have seen it in the states and it is very nice
Unreal interior (in top versions) puts Jap utes to shame.
Very comfortable and powerful.
Regardless of current perception of US made cars, America is unrivalled for their pickups!!

I would love to see a return of the Ford F-Truck as well as the F-150.
Diesels are the way to go, but in USA you can option a no cost petrol motor upgrade designed to run on Ethenol which would be perfect for a LPG conversion.

Although size is daunting, not so bad when you consider it will carry as much as most box trucks on the road
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

Oh sorry, I ment if Holdenwoo brought over the Silverardo it would be GM’s response.
Bavarian Missile

TRUE RIGHT GFITGThing…….my girl friend has one is worth more now than in 2003 when she got it!
John

could you guys imagine a territory ute? tasty…
http://. Naughtyius Maximus (not KFC)

In demand…Petrol prices on the rise with resources running lower and lower = SMART! LOL it is an ugly squarish mish mash of bigger then the Empire State Building god dam crap. In my view, Americans are renowned for the stupid designs similar to this. Look no further then http://www.ford.com (and others are similar!!!) as they are bizzare yank tanks that are so butch and have such an expansive size to it GO LOOK ON FORD WEBSITE IN USA. They look like the were assembled on another planet. With acres of rough plastic and more cupholders, more storage pockets, bigger govebox, bigger centre console, bigger doors to satisfy an entire football team starting 13 + Coach + Reserves!

LOOK OUT, IAM A COMINGS THROUGH…Upsize mine Mame, yeah har!
280zx

Soooooo your girlfriend has an F-TRUCK hey BM ?? Are you sure you didnt hear something else she might have been drunk when she said it Haaaaaaaaa LOL….
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

Thought BM was female and married to “Hubby”. Yes, might have been drunk! Unless two people use that name? LOL!
280zx

Yeah she “claims” to be female have yet to see the pics ?
But in regards to the Silverado i dont dispute this thing will be in demand and thats what scares me …… Bike riders be warned “dont get in front of one of these” LOL
Bavarian Missile

Yep I am female ,what girls don’t have girl friends? She has just bought 66 GT Fastback Mustang too……

Its boys that dont have boy friends they have mates,but you have to have 5 friends to qualify for 1 mate!

Hey 280 zx …….didn’t you get the bikini shots I sent you hehehe!I have just got back from having a solarium so I can maintain that tan for you 280 zx.
http://. Naughtyius Maximus (not KFC)

What pics… gotta see this as no way bay she can getz on the R1 bike! Geepers, how many different people use Missiles name up here! Seems like there is a whole flock of shielas and 1 guy on it? Which one is the Mr Missile (seems like he is firing blanks and chick use it).
Bavarian Missile

Nope only one Missile……me!

I thought you said you had to be the size of Posh to sit on the back? So am I in or out?

Mr Missile? he has his own forum!

Andrew and Alborz know I am female! So does Cobra 045,hell I am going to meet him at the all Ford here the end of the month so he can verify it.Howcome I have to qualify myself as female?
http://. Naughtyius Maximumus (not KFC)

Gee that beast of a car is wide and BIIIIIIG – does it fit through a standard roller door (size of that is 2400mms wide x 2150mms high)???

Missile…size of Posh Spice, she would blow off R1 if she got on and that would be doing 5kms/hour and may I add she would would combing her boppy hair as she would hit the coarse asphalt. Crickey, how would I know what size you are, Iam still in shock that Bavarian Missile is a shiela! Gee whiz mame Iam not a Hipster Duffus, just that seems in the minority women get on here! Thats it! Thats like all us guys go on to Edward Scissorhands Kitchen Forum and you would be shocked!

Gee I better not talk like this as other people think badly of me cause they get on here all serious and prissy!
I was thinking of sending most of them some pills; HUMOUR PILLS IN OVERDOSE FOR EACH!
Woz

“Yank Tank Junk” can’t say anything more about this, I just got over seeing Holdenwoo Gm Hummer included in the line up, man I really think Holdenwoo must be struggling with rebadged Daewoos so now the they have to sell Big American Idols to fill the wooo gaps..
http://www.caradvice.com.au/ alborz

Woz, this is imported by performax, not Holden. They actually have to convert the car to right hand drive!
Bavarian Missile

Gee not KFC …….I cant believe you didn’t know I was a chick!

Cant you cook ? hahaha

The are loads of women on other forums,some not too smart its only cause I have been around cars since I was little that I have learnt so much .

Most of my GIRL friends have a little knowledge but not very mechanically minded! I have spent a lot of time in workshops and helping hubby so I have picked up a lot over the last 20 years…………!
David

Always like reading what Bavarian has to say.She usually says something a lot less emotive & logical than some of the guys.
Obvious Performax would have done the research to evaluate the demand for this thing before tooling for conversion to RHD.GM has tried it out on us before with the Suburban but it appeared to coincide with chassis being imported here for the Ambulance fleet which makes me wonder which came first,the chassis or the Suburban.Chicken or the egg argument I guess.Saw lots of big utes in Alaska last year.I heard some buy these for protection in the event of hitting a MOOSE.Don’t know if they were joking.
Don’t like them in the hands of bad drivers.
Recall being held up along with a long line of others by some idiot attempting a 3 point turn in a street outside a school in an F series V10 Diesel LWB show pony ute.
What a joke.
David

She usually says something a lot less emotive & logical than some of the guys.

Whoops take that to read
She usually says something a lot less emotive & more logical than some of the guys.
Woz

It doesn’t matter about converions the manager of these imports would still have some sort of relationship with Holden while been parented by GM. Holden itself had a crack at converions but failed because demand wasn’t sufficient eg,(suburban) and became not viable, so basically GM is Holdenwoo, someone will always have fingers in the honey pot..
Bavarian Missile

Gee thanks David!
wheelnut

280zx – Big trucks are not a Male only domain; infact in outback SA and WA Women drive the huge Tarax Trucks used in the mining industry

Not only because it gives them a job but women are generally considered to be a better insurance risk and have better concentration; not to mention spatial perception – judgement of distance and spaces.

These trucks are so big that cars need to have flags on the end of a huge pole attached so the triuck drivers can see them.

Anyway If cars are such a gender thing to you:
Why is it that over the years I’ve seen more “blokes” driving barinas, excels, echos etc.. cars which [I take it going from your comments] you would consider to be “girlie cars” than I have girls?
JW

This vehicle epitomises everything that is wrong about the USA.
http://. Naughtyius Maximumus (not KFC)

NOT MASCULINE MISSILE…yes Iam a snag and cook and wash up – der Iam not; umm how do you say it YOBO…lol! Just well umm OK, will fess up and truth coming out of the closet = I HAVE ONLY SEEN ONE WOMEN TRADESMAN ON A BUILDING SITE SO THERE YOU GO OK!
http://. Naughtyius Maximumus (not KFC)

Oooops… with election on better be politically correct TRADESPERSON
http://. Naughtyius Maximumus (not KFC)

FOOTNOTE… what is it with these names, they are out there a wee tad for us Downunder. Amazing they dont have one called the EASTWOOD to mirror Clint Eastwood.
Bavarian Missile

Try walking on a mine site NM …..women every where!

Your mother didn’t train you too well then…..I hope you train your boys if you have any to be better! A women prefers a man to pickup the Vacuum than buy flowers for her!
Foggy

The only good thing about having these on our roads is that they can take out 2 Range Rovers in one fell swoop.
http://www.importjap.com/blog ImportJap

Can’t see a place for these on the streets, but can on big farming type properties. These are huge, and the US have even bigger. Militarism perhaps?
Reckless1

Most people who buy these will part with the folding because they have a need to tow big stuff – eg, the circus people who need to tow their elephants from place to place.

Very smart of Performax to find a niche and fill it, and make some good money while solving their customers’ problem.

Small minded ford nuts who are obsessed with the fact that GM is making money with Korean built cars can cry in their mother’s milk, for surely their comments reveal a mental age of less than 1. They weren’t even suckling when Ford’s most popular car ever, the Festiva, was on the market. Where was it made, you ford nuts, and it’s safety rating was -3 ? And ford was broken hearted when Kia pulled the product from them, and forced ford to try and sell the KA in its place – what a DUD that thing was.

Now you ford nuts will also have to swallow the fact that ford and mazda is going to manufacture the mazda 2 and focus in Thailand- hahahaha Can’t afford Korean prices and quality, so they have to go to Thailand……
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

What Ford? The Focus that will be sold Here after 2011 will be made here so thailand won’t bother us at all will it.

AT LEAST FORD CAN MAKE CARS IN AUSTRALIA, NOT KOREA!!!
WTF is Mazda got to do with anything?
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

Reckless1, 14 YEAR OLD KIDS LIKE YOU SHOULD GO TO BED.

I DON’T NEED ARSEHOLDS THAT JUST CHOOSE TO HATE FORD FOR NO REASON, GFYS!!
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

NO ARSEHOLD-EN FANS FOR NO REASON!!!!
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

Reckless1 said…
Small minded ford nuts who are obsessed with the fact that GM is making money with Korean built cars can cry in their mother’s milk, for surely their comments reveal a mental age of less than 1.

ANY HOLDEN NUTS THAT ARE OBSESSED WITH HATING FORD FOR NO REASON CAN CRY BACK TO THEIR MOMMY’S VAGINA!!
http://www.importjap.com/blog ImportJap

Going Ford, grow up mate. And turn off the caps you bloody troll.

Good for you, you don’t like Holden, we get the point, but you are acting like a hypocrite – doesn’t give you the right to call people arseholes. Deal with it.

As a Ford fan you’ll know Ford has also sold Korean products.
Woz

C’mon let’s not fight over marbles back to ur corners and wait 4 the dust to settle, this only round one, ding ding
Reckless1

The dingbat going ford proves my point nicely, don’t you think?

What a tantrum……what a moron. I’ve only ever observed that phenomenon in 2 year old babies in the supermarket, and the other source is ford nuts.

People who can speak rationally about cars know that people have preferences for a brand, that’s why there are so many brands and within brands the same goes for models.

That’s why any self-respecting person can really enjoy a Ford Territory, but slam the Ford KA while also really liking the Silverado because it can tow the 30ft caravan. Others love the VE and Holden’s contribution to the Australian car scene. Even Toyota Paul (previously known as Paul) has grown up a bit lately – even though he can be nearly as bad as a Ford nut when it comes to Toyota’s “arrogance of size” quality decreases.

Cheers
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

Reckless1 = Holden nut for no reason and dickhead
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

Reckless1, you said that “Small minded ford nuts who are obsessed with the fact that GM is making money with Korean built cars can cry in their mother’s milk, for surely their comments reveal a mental age of less than 1.” So your the one thats making a tantrum becuse you chose to hate Fords for no reason.

“Toyota Paul (previously known as Paul) has grown up a bit lately – even though he can be nearly as bad as a Ford nut when it comes to Toyota’s arrogance of size quality decreases.” Holden don’t even make cars like this or import them. Ford has cars like this too and you showing how arrogant Holdenwoo nuts are.
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

ImportJap, “As a Ford fan you’ll know Ford has also sold Korean products.” Yes Ford is all over the world, but what I’m saying is, Holden is knowin by people like dumbarse Holdenwoo nuts the Holden is 100% Australian and then ignore Ford Falcons and Territorys, even though they mean more the country than the so called “Australia’s own car” not knowing that Holdenwoo is a subsidery off GM. So then people just choose to go for Holden just because of the name.
Watto_Cobra

Most Holden, Ford, and Toyota fans on here have been guilty of slagging off one or more of the other brands. We shouldn’t tar everyone with the same brush.
Reckless1

Cobra, that may be true, but we Holden fans do it much better, don’t you think?

Not like that imbecile going ford, who resorts to tantrums and verbal diarrhea, thus tarring ford nuts with the same brush.

Those who are astute enough, will notice that I differentiate between Toyota, Ford, Holden, etc, FANS and Ford NUTS.

A fan is able to deal with the fact that others have valid views, without resorting to tantrums and writing sentences in caps, while a NUT is best demonstrated by Going Ford…..
Bavarian Missile

You mean the same Holden fans that leave prior to races finishing when Ford is winning……or perhaps the ones that didn’t turn up at the podium a Bathurst this year……not one to be seen!!!!!!! How about those lovely stickers that we see on Holden with a little boy reliving himslef on a Ford logo.. I think personaly more Holden nuts as you put it than Ford ones !!!!!

Not every that drives a Holden or Ford is a BOGAN true! But there seems to more in Holdens!!!!!
http://. Naughtyius Maximus (not KFC or Klink

MISSILE, bullseye about more Holden nuts…observe whenever you go out as you will see these so called Holdenwoo lovers dressed up in HRT jackets, HRT towels down at the beach, HRT caps, HRT seatcovers, HRT drink bottles MORE then Ford and I laugh.

Why you ask? My R1 motorbike is lethal, deadly quick and plain jane. You see these wallies on similar bikes. They have more pseudo stickers or racing numbers on display on there bikes then a bowerbird getting clucky or Casey Stoner’s sponsor stickers visible on his wicked Ducati! I just laugh heaps and shake my head at this basic primitive people. Take my word for it, you will witness this phenomenon just like I have seen on a regular basis. I don’t do this as weird shit or whatever; just cannot understand it as easier to do the walk then wank the talk!
Woz

P-rick Kelly “helium baby” and pander boy are the biggest loser’s in the V8 championship, I hope they don’t finish again at Indy, the fans might leave early again to relieve themselfs on there own logo’s…
Bavarian Missile

Its the Holden lifestyle hahahaha…..

How lethal is your bike ? I have driven 702 HP before, a supercharged XA GT can be a little of a hand full when you launch ,trust me. I have twisted the tail shaft before in it when I came on to it to hard! But have since strenghened all that side of things!

So a sheep in wolves clothing………how fun is that! The look on other bikeies faces when they pull up along side of you with their menued decaled bikes and you blow them away must be very satisfing!

Normally when someone pulls up next to you in the XA they sit back a bit hoping you havent seen them so they can get the jump on you…….. you don’t bother most of the time cause what is the point. Its no longer supercharged but is still an angry thing to behold.
Bavarian Missile

Hahahahaha ………Woz you really need to start saying what you mean…..stop holding back!lol

That one eye that’s shut have you had a Ford logo tattooed on it!!hehehe
Foggy

Alborz,

Can you please install some net nanny software to protect us from all the childish “ford v holden” crap?
Bavarian Missile

Geeeee Foggy if you don’t like us all having a little biff and barge between Australia’s biggest car rivals ,then don’t read it!

We don’t all wear sensible trousers all the time, loads of people that read this think its very funny….We don’t take it that seriously so why should you?
paul

No offence BM but you sound like the ultimate bogan, you are a dude right?
Woz

I just can’t help myself the bottom line is if you don’t keep jumping on Holdenwoo’s back ever now and then, they think we can sweep all our truth and thought’s under the carpet, foggy now needs a nanny to hold his hand so he can relieve himself of all the Holdenwoo tripe…. lol hahe
Going Ford, Is The Going Thing

Oh sorry, I’ve been gone, whats been happening here?
…Oh Reckless1 went on again with comments than don’t mean anything.

The GMC & Chevrolet Trucks can’t be better for towing full size trailers, just like the Ford F-250 & F-350. Even the Dodge ram too. They are realy big, powerfull, tough and thursty.
Spitfire

The American car industry is a fat and lazy animal on the verge of extinction.
Bavarian Missile

Hey Paul….no I am not a “DUDE”.Sorry! I have recently taken the bogan test and didn’t pass sorry.only 35 % .Would you like a copy to test yourself on!
Driving-Fords-Is-like-XXX

Reckless1, your such a fag!!!!!!
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

Gee, is that the word in the street?
Woohaha

We spoke to a gentleman from Chevrolet/GMC about these vehicles, and what amazes me is that you can but one of these from the factory, fully optioned at US$36K and as a fully optioned factory right hand drive for around US$45k – US$50k. Are import duties really that high these days? AUD$123k seem a little steep.

If you want something special tho you should have a look at the Dodge Ram SRT10. Comes with the same 500-600rwhp V10 as the Dodge Viper. Comes in a short wheel base ‘sports’ model or a long wheel base pick-up.

Going Ford and Naughtius Maximus: the worst holdenwoo nuts i’ve seen are the ones that realise Holden has a connection to GM and by default Chevrolet, and insist on putting Chevy badges all over their Crumpledoors. Sorry guys, might have 30% of a Chevy motor in it, but that doesn’t make your car a Chevy, it’s still only a Holdenwoo.

Oh, and personally, I hope the rumours about Ford releasing the F-Truck Super Duty into Australia in the next few years is true. There are actually some of us out there that NEED vehicles bigger than a Barina.
Alex

If cars (and fuel) weren’t overpriced in Australia, and you could buy these things there for $40,000 new, like you can in the US, every Aussie would be driving one. Get as good economy as a Holden SS ute, but carry 6 people in luxury (not two people) 2 tonne payload, with a 6 tonne fifth wheel towing capacity (not a 800kg payload and 1.6 tonne towing limit). My Brother in law has a 04 F350 crew cab with the 6L Powerstroke diesel, and gets 16L/100km towing 3 horses in a fifth wheel trailer. In Australia, my father’s 04 Holden Caprice V8 gets 20L per 100km towing an empty smaller horse trailer (on the highway). You just can’t beat the power of a real truck. $120,000 is way overpriced though! GM should sell them in Oz for $60,000
James

I can see how you call your holden cars/trucks utes but when it comes down to a chevrolet pickup they must be categorized as a pickup or a truck. Your cars are utes these vehicle are trucks..
henning

I HAVE A 2003 F 250 7.3 INITIALLY TO TOW A 5TH WHEELER AROUND AU. BEFORE ANY LITTLE PENCILNECKS CARRY ON ,I AM 2M TALL AND CANT FIT INTO A LOT OF JAP CARS. MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A TRITON DUALCAB 3L V6 GREAT CAR ,BUT LIKE A GO CART.I HAVE JUST BOUGHT A NEW CHEVY WITH THE 5TH WHEELER, GREAT UNIT, GOOD ECONOMY. I LOVE MY F TRUCK AND I WILL MAKE $15.000 ON WHAT I PAID FOR IT WHEN I SELL. THE CHEVY WITH THE DURAMAX AND ALLISON BOX IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE FORD , ALSO TWICE THE PRICE, BUT WORTH IT. FUEL I USED 15L /100KM IN THE TRITON,THE 250 GETS FROM 12/TO 18/100 18 WHEN I AM DRAGGING OF EVRYTHING ELSE. THE CHEVY 11 EMTY 23/100 SITTING ON 100 KM /H TOWING 4500 KG. OH MY F EE IS CHIPPED
Morrie

I have heard from a creditable source within Ford that they are thinking of bringing the F250 back in 2009. From all reports the new engine in the F250 is a hit. Henning you might want to sell your F250 quickly if you want to make your $15k. Its a sure bet that prices for used F250 will drop to normal second hand car values once F250′s are available again.
henning

After having driven the chevy around for a while, i have come to the conclution that a blend of the 2 being f250 and chevy 2500, would have been idial. The duramax and allison is still the better option, but i was terrible disappointed with the chevy when i crancked it op to see what top end it would have . the f-ee would nudge 200, but the chevy stopped at 160 ,they have got a bloody speed limiter ! anyway a bit bigger inside would have been nice, but it is not to be. performax in queens land recon they did a survey on the f-ee as they were thinking of bringing them in, but was told by ford that au only reprecent 2% of their market , and that cost will prohibit sales
Tom Hawkins

Guys

I have the 2500HD and my mates have the F truck and I would not swap for anything. these things are a great all round truck and excellent for builders. The only drama I have sometimes is the turning circle. Cant believe some narrow minded people making statements about something they know nothing about or have no use for. Great fuel economy- 14.5L/ 100kms. Beats a lot of our big 2wd utes. Deiesel is the way of teh world and one day when all cars go that we the environment will be better off. No probs making comment on a car but show some intelligence and base it on experience or practical use not because you dont need it or cant afford it!

F truck stopped making there wagons because of many transmission issues and nothing else *Moderator comment* We have been informed that the old Ford diesel did not comply with the emissions regulations, hence it was no longer allowed to be imported.”

Come to WA and see how many of these trucks and the chev are here and used as great work vehicles and family cars
Duck

Love that ute!
Duck

Whats the fuel Economy like? 20L per 100km?
Ford G Series

Hate that ute! fuel economy 28L per 100km
henning

fuel in chevy 2500 at 100km /h cruisecontrol 11.2l/100
towing 4500kg 5th wheeler at 90km/h 21l/100
f250 350 quad bike in back 12l/100
about 24/25l/100 pulling 5th wheeler
again better than most landies and nissans
i did DARWIN last year rom Perth pulling a 1ton campertrailer sitting on 130km /h using 16l/100 average for 11.000 km evry other 4 by 4 i spoke to matched or used more fuel at 90/100 km/h
Tom Hawkins

*Moderator Comment*

Comment removed for misleading and slanderous information.
mark w

tom,

I am looking at getting one of the 2500′s. I have found that AMS in Victoris are the cheapest. Can you give me any more insight into them.
henning

*Moderator Comment*

Comment removed for misleading information.
henning

Henning askes why the comment of 8th june 2008 was removed, i dont recall it but do not think it contained misleading info Do you remember it? Henning
http://www.auto-partzone.com/Tonneau_Covers--category--321.html Tonneau Cover

It looks really good. When I buy this, I’m gonna get it mod.