The compact truck wars are heating up, and General Motors could be the next to enter the fray. The next generation of the Chevy Montana is coming. But, it’s unclear whether we will see this pickup hit the States or if it will only remain in the Brazilian market. As the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Fe see successful sales in the United States, it seems it would make sense for Chevy to bring its small truck here. How does it stack against the Maverick?

What is the Chevy Montana?

Although it is not sold in the U.S., the Montana is a small truck from Chevy. The new generation appears to be fairly similar to a Chevy Trailblazer, although modified with a pickup truck bed. There are plenty of trucks that are not available to North American drivers, and this is one of them. But, it seems like it could easily compete against the Ford Maverick. 

According to TFLtruck, prototypes of the new Montana have been spotted. But, it’s not clear if GM wants to sell this truck in the States. It’s easy to see why this truck would be a Maverick competitor. It is focused on efficiency all while offering the benefits of a pickup truck bed. 

Is the Chevy Montana coming to America?

Currently, the Montana is a small truck that is built and offered in Brazil. If Chevy wanted to bring it to North America, it would likely need to find a factory to build it in. Plus, different regulations would need to be met. Still, small trucks are becoming more and more popular in America. So it would make sense if GM brought it here. 

In Brazil, the Montana comes with a range of different powertrains. Most of these are small turbocharged engines, which provide more efficiency than larger displacement powerplants. Plus, this compact pickup looks the part of a truck. This seems to be one of the reasons the 2022 Maverick has been so popular. 

Could Chevy build a Ford Maverick competitor?

Through the Montana, Chevy has shown it is capable of building a small truck. And if it were to be sold in America, it would undoubtedly catch the attention of those interested in a new Maverick. The next-gen Montana rides on a unibody platform, and Chevy even says it will get a high-output engine for legitimate power. 

The Montana is available with both an automatic and a manual transmission, which makes sense. Considering that it is only sold in South America, where more folks are accepting of hand-made shifts. 

GM expects the new Montana to debut at some point in 2023. But it hasn’t been confirmed if we will see it in America. It is fun to speculate, though, especially with such an exciting segment. The more small trucks, the better, specifically if they are affordable. But, ultimately, if Chevy does not see a market or a justification of cost, it is unlikely that the Montana will be sold in the States.