More than half of light-duty pick-up trucks on the road are now 11 years or older. To help build on the Chevrolet Silverado's reputation as the most dependable, longest lasting full-size pickup, engineers designed the 2014 Silverado to be the most corrosion resistant Chevrolet truck ever.
The 2014 Silverado starts with zinc-coated (galvanized) steel for the roof and all body panels except the hood, which is made of an aluminum alloy that reduces weight and provides corrosion resistance. At every step of the design and manufacture of the new Silverado, materials and production processes were selected to help minimize deterioration over time.
"Silverado's corrosion protection measures provide superior defense against elements in the environment, whether driving through farm fields, on construction gravel, or down a snow-covered highway," said Mark Yergin, engineering group manager, General Motors Corrosion Engineering and Labs. "The new Silverado is our strongest truck yet, affording us the confidence that the truck will continue to meet customers' needs throughout its life."
Additional 2014 improvements over previous models include:
- All new body structures designed to minimize the potential for corrosion
- Improved hem flange sealing on the doors and hood, and additional underbody flange sealing that help keep the joints of the truck dry, discouraging deterioration that might occur from moisture
- Extensive and improved chassis corrosion protection that enhances the truck's appearance and lengthens the life of underbody components
- Anti-chip protection on the lower body side for extra protection from stones or gravel.
The effectiveness of these changes was borne out during extensive proving ground testing at exposure levels higher than most drivers ever experience. The months of accelerated testing these trucks undergo is equivalent to more than 10 years on the road.
Post-test evaluations of the trucks, including the search for and elimination of corrosion even on areas of parts customers never see, helps ensure the overall vehicle performance.
