Truck lineup has Chevy dealers bullish on 2018

Two redesigned crossovers and the upcoming launch of the next-generation Silverado have Chevy dealers bullish on 2018.

That's according to Mike Bowsher, head of the Chevrolet National Dealer Council, who says dealers are "pretty optimistic" about the overall market and about Chevy's current lineup being able to address the shift in consumer preferences from cars to crossovers.

"The car market has been challenging," he said. "But with the crossovers that we've got, these are pretty industry-leading crossovers, and we're pretty pumped on that. That can make up any ground we may lose in the car market, which is a pressing issue for all OEMs right now."

Bowsher, owner of Carl Black Automotive Group in Kennesaw, Ga., said the redesigned Chevy Equinox and Traverse crossovers are expected to carry a lot of the load for the brand ahead of the scheduled arrival of the 2019 Silverado in the fall.

One of the largest challenges for Chevy dealers in 2018, Bowsher said, will be managing Silverado inventory levels before and during the launch of the next-gen pickup.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado

GM is helping dealers with the transition by continuing to produce certain models of the current generation for an unspecified period, while ramping up production of the redesigned pickup.

"That always allows us to help increase sales," Bowsher said.

Bowsher said that dealers would like another utility vehicle — something like a Blazer or TrailBlazer — and an earlier arrival for the 2019 Silverado, but that the brand is positioned well to achieve a fourth consecutive year of retail market share growth as he ends his tenure as council chairman in 2018.

"The compact crossover market is the fastest growing market out there," he said. "Any additional product — whether it be TrailBlazer or Blazer, if that comes to fruition, or anything else they may be working on in the compact crossover market — we'll take it. That is absolutely on fire. It is booming."

Since the end of 2014, Chevrolet's retail share has grown a percentage point to 11.2 percent, according to Polk registration data cited by GM. Chevrolet's U.S. sales declined 1.5 percent in 2017, while retail sales dropped 1 percent.