The COVID-19 pandemic forced all automakers to shut down facilities starting March 2020. Many carmakers, including General Motors, also teamed up with various companies to build and deliver medical supplies like masks and ventilators. Due to this effort, coupled with uncertainty as to when the lockdown will end, General Motors is delaying mid-cycle facelifts for some vehicles.
Six Models Facing Delays
According to The Detroit News, GM has asked suppliers to stop preparations and parts manufacturing planned for six vehicles that were supposed to be updated in the near future. By far the most important vehicle on this list is the Chevrolet Silverado truck. Introduced for the 2019 model year, the Silverado was likely in line for a mid-cycle facelift in early 2021.
The subcompact has been around for four years as of 2020 and a facelift should have happened by the end of the year. GM was also supposed to upgrade the Chevy Equinox, in production in current spec since 2017, and the Traverse, redesigned for its second generation in 2017.
Two GMC models were also delayed. The Sierra, which is based on the Chevy Silverado, and the Terrain, which shares underpinnings with the Equinox.
Delays for the Chevrolet Corvette too
The publication also reports delays for the C8-generation Corvette. But we're talking about a new trim level instead of a facelift.
According to the outlet, "a future variant of the Chevrolet Corvette that was not slotted for 2020 also will be delayed." There's no specific info as to what this means, but we're probably talking about the sportier Z06 that everyone is expecting.
With demand for the C8-gen sports car still high following its launch, Chevy will lose a lot of money.
Since orders for the 2020 model year are no longer possible, Chevrolet is gearing up for 2021 with some updates. These are not yet official, but a member for the C8 Corvette Owner forums stumbled upon a list of changes on a dealer's software system for placing orders.
Highlights include the following:
-* new Red Mist Tintcoat and Silver Flare colors
-* Magnetic Ride as standalone option (you no longer need to order the Z51 package)
-* new racing stripes in orange, red, yellow, Carbon Flash, Sterling Silver, blue, and Midnight Silver
-* Stinger stripe in Carbon Flash combined with Edge Yellow, Midnight Silver, or Edge Red
-* visible carbon fiber on the wing and door vents
-* wireless Apple CarPlay standard
-* new interior trims for the 3LT model: Strike Yellow with Sky Cool (suede) and Jet Black with Sky Cool (leather)
All-electric Hummer still on track
GM will revive the iconic SUV as a zero-emission vehicle within the GMC lineup. Rumors about the revival first surfaced in mid-2019. With the SUV market booming, the Hummer was rumored to return as an EV in 2021. The nameplate's return was confirmed in January 2020 through a series of short teasers. GM promises an SUV with 1,000 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph sprint of only three seconds. The new Hummer was supposed to break cover in May 2020, but it remains to be seen if this deadline won't be delayed by the pandemic.
The Hummer was original launched in 1992 by AM General. Essentially a civilian version of the M998 Humvee introduced in the 1980s, the original Hummer remained in production well into the 2000s. GM purchased the brand from AM General in 1999 and introduced the second-generation H2 model in 2002. A new redesigned followed in 2005, but the Hummer was discontinued in 2010. Following the 2009 recession, GM attempted to sell the brand, but negotiations failed and the marque was shut down.