General Motors is gearing up to launch its third generation Chevrolet compact bakkie (which was Opel-badged until last year) and the new load lugger will make its first entrance at the Johannesburg International Motor Show next week, ahead of its official launch towards the end of the year.
Like the current Corsa Utility, the new one - unlikely to be called Corsa because this time it was designed as a Chevrolet from the ground up - will be built at GM's Eastern Cape assembly plant, following a R1-billion investment. The accompanying picture shows one of the first local-spec Utilities to cross the assembly line.
The vehicle was designed in Brazil, where it's known as the Montana. This product is a big deal for GMSA, considering that the current Utility has been the sales leader in its segment for 78 consecutive months.
Final specifications are yet to be confirmed, but preliminary payload ratings for the new Utility are between 666kg and 768kg and GMSA says there will once again be a choice between petrol and diesel power and that it will add a number of features that are unique in its class.
Ten models will be offered in total, within Base, Club and Sport specification levels.