Explore the History of the Chevy Silverado

A premier American car company, Chevrolet has been manufacturing vehicles since 1911. One of its most well-known models is the Chevrolet Silverado, an iconic truck that evolved into an industry leader. So, when did Chevrolet start making Silverado? The Silverado series, which consisted of full-size pick-up trucks modelled after the GMC Sierra, was released in 1999. Although there was heavy competition from other pick-up trucks, like the Ford F-series, the Toyota Tundra, the Dodge Ram, the Chevrolet Silverado has consistently ranked in the top of U.S. auto sales throughout the evolution of the Silverado.

Here is a breakdown of Chevy truck generations and styles by year: 

First-Generation Silverados

Available from 1999 through 2007, the Silverado 1500HD and 2500HD were the first generation of the Chevy pickup, now considered the classic version of the Silverado. Originally, they had many options available, with variations across cab lengths, cargo bed lengths, and engines. In this way, each truck was customizable according to the customer’s needs, a tradition Chevrolet carries forward with its models today. 

Not long after, Chevrolet developed the Silverado SS. It was a high-performance model with interior and exterior upgrades, such as boosted 345-horsepower, better suspension, bigger wheels, and flashy exterior colors. 

Second-Generation Silverados

Between 2007 and 2013, the second generation of the Chevy Silverado was introduced. At the time, the Silverado was named Truck of the Year by Motor Trend Magazine and North American Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI. 

In 2001, the series underwent a full redesign to include a high-strength steel frame to increase stiffness by 92%. Making the vehicle more heavy-duty, the Silverado added bigger rear springs, engine and transmission mounts to improve ride quality, and upgrades to the front suspension and torsion bars, which enhanced its alignment and handling. These new features allowed the four-wheel drive models to carry up to 6,000 pounds on the front axle, which is great for snowplows. 

Third-Generation Silverados

Introduced in 2014, third-generation Silverados were overhauled to bring the utilitarian powerhouse into the modern era by featuring a quieter ride, better fuel-efficiency, and upgraded technology. For example, the interior was enhanced with an 8-inch touchscreen Chevy MyLink infotainment display that seamlessly integrated with smartphones. Additionally, driver assistance technology was introduced in these models for the first time, which earned it a five-star rating from government crash tests. 

Silverados Now

A fan-favorite, the Silverado series is in its fourth generation. While Chevy pickup model years have each been better than the last, the 2021 Silverado 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD offer the most premium experience than any model ever before. Fully enhanced, they now feature a roomier cabin, wireless phone charging, heated seats, and leather upholstery. The vehicle has a stunning eight trim levels with several configurations for the bed and cab, which allows you to customize the Silverado for your exact needs. Additionally, it has two available safety packages with driver assistance technology such as front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward pedestrian detection with braking. 

Visit your Antioch Chevy destination at Raymond Chevrolet to test drive a Silverado today!