By Kristin Shaw, contributor, GM News
By Kristin Shaw, contributor, GM News
First introduced in 1975 as the top trim level of the Chevrolet C/K series pickup trucks, the Silverado earned its own model designation in 1999. Over the years, the Silverado has represented a proud nameplate built on more than 100 years of Chevy truck expertise.
Last year, Chevrolet sold more than 580,000 light- and heavy-duty Silverados, its strongest sales performance in five years. That’s 67 Silverados every hour, or one every 54 seconds; we’re seeing that same great sales momentum in 2026. As excitement for the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado builds, the next-generation truck carries forward our legacy of making the longest-lasting full-size trucks on the road1.
Jeff Luke can attest to that longevity. Today, Jeff is Executive Chief Engineer – Global Transmissions, Drive Units and Racing Propulsion Programs at General Motors. When he started with GM in 1986, he was carrying on the Chevy truck legacy that ran through his family. His father John started working for GM in 1952 at the Oshawa, Canada plant and stayed until his retirement in 1992 after 40 years.
CAPTION: From the historical archives: 1985 Chevrolet C10 Series Silverado Fleetside pickup
While Jeff’s mom also worked at GM for a while (alongside some of his uncles and cousins), John and Jeff specialized in trucks across several generations. For Jeff, a particular 1985 Chevy C/K Silverado was a member of their family and played a big role in their history.
“Dad and I ordered it together,” he says. “It was finished in two-tone cream and metallic brown, which was a rarer combination than the blue-on-blue or red and cream. We ordered this truck very specifically because it was the premium trim level at the time.”
Positioned above Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale, and Cheyenne variants, the Silverado was at the top of the line, equipped with a 305-cubic-inch V8 engine and plenty of options. Even so, Jeff says, that was very basic compared to today’s vehicles. Standard features included an AM/FM radio and manual crank windows, while power windows were available. Passenger arms got more of a workout back then.
CAPTION: 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country while towing.
Ultimately, Jeff ended up driving the truck most of the time, including when he was at school at General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint, Michigan.
“Years ago, you could buy a new truck every six months and trade them in,” Jeff says. “At the time, trucks would appreciate in value, so if you traded them every six months you could stay ahead. I did that for several years and always got the Silverado trim level.”
The Next-Generation 2027 Silverado is now available with more than 60 inches of total diagonal digital displays (including an all-new 11.5-inch diagonal passenger screen) and GM’s Super Cruise2 driver assistance technology with segment exclusive trailering. Those features weren’t even a twinkle in the engineering team’s eye back when Jeff got his first Silverado, but look how far it has come. Still, Jeff misses that old 1985.
“I wish I still had that Silverado,” he says with a grin.
Want to learn more about the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado? Read more in the launch story here.
CAPTION: 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Work Truck in Summit White
1Based on 39 model years of S&P Global Mobility U.S. Vehicles in Operation (VIO) and U.S. New Vehicle Registrations data for all manufacturers with full size pickup trucks in production during 1987-2025. Longevity is measured using a Longevity Score, calculated at the manufacturer level as the average across included model years of the ratio (VIO for each model year as of the most recent available VIO date) ÷ (total new registrations for that same model year). Model years 1987-2025 referenced. The Longevity Score does not take into account vehicle mileage, condition, maintenance history, or repair frequency.
2Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Always use Super Cruise in accordance with local laws. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. Visit Chevrolet.com/technology/super-cruise for compatible roads and full details.
First introduced in 1975 as the top trim level of the Chevrolet C/K series pickup trucks, the Silverado earned its own model designation in 1999. Over the years, the Silverado has represented a proud nameplate built on more than 100 years of Chevy truck expertise.
Last year, Chevrolet sold more than 580,000 light- and heavy-duty Silverados, its strongest sales performance in five years. That’s 67 Silverados every hour, or one every 54 seconds; we’re seeing that same great sales momentum in 2026. As excitement for the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado builds, the next-generation truck carries forward our legacy of making the longest-lasting full-size trucks on the road1.
Jeff Luke can attest to that longevity. Today, Jeff is Executive Chief Engineer – Global Transmissions, Drive Units and Racing Propulsion Programs at General Motors. When he started with GM in 1986, he was carrying on the Chevy truck legacy that ran through his family. His father John started working for GM in 1952 at the Oshawa, Canada plant and stayed until his retirement in 1992 after 40 years.
While Jeff’s mom also worked at GM for a while (alongside some of his uncles and cousins), John and Jeff specialized in trucks across several generations. For Jeff, a particular 1985 Chevy C/K Silverado was a member of their family and played a big role in their history.
“Dad and I ordered it together,” he says. “It was finished in two-tone cream and metallic brown, which was a rarer combination than the blue-on-blue or red and cream. We ordered this truck very specifically because it was the premium trim level at the time.”
Positioned above Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale, and Cheyenne variants, the Silverado was at the top of the line, equipped with a 305-cubic-inch V8 engine and plenty of options. Even so, Jeff says, that was very basic compared to today’s vehicles. Standard features included an AM/FM radio and manual crank windows, while power windows were available. Passenger arms got more of a workout back then.
Ultimately, Jeff ended up driving the truck most of the time, including when he was at school at General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint, Michigan.
“Years ago, you could buy a new truck every six months and trade them in,” Jeff says. “At the time, trucks would appreciate in value, so if you traded them every six months you could stay ahead. I did that for several years and always got the Silverado trim level.”
The Next-Generation 2027 Silverado is now available with more than 60 inches of total diagonal digital displays (including an all-new 11.5-inch diagonal passenger screen) and GM’s Super Cruise2 driver assistance technology with segment exclusive trailering. Those features weren’t even a twinkle in the engineering team’s eye back when Jeff got his first Silverado, but look how far it has come. Still, Jeff misses that old 1985.
“I wish I still had that Silverado,” he says with a grin.
Want to learn more about the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado? Read more in the launch story here.
1Based on 39 model years of S&P Global Mobility U.S. Vehicles in Operation (VIO) and U.S. New Vehicle Registrations data for all manufacturers with full size pickup trucks in production during 1987-2025. Longevity is measured using a Longevity Score, calculated at the manufacturer level as the average across included model years of the ratio (VIO for each model year as of the most recent available VIO date) ÷ (total new registrations for that same model year). Model years 1987-2025 referenced. The Longevity Score does not take into account vehicle mileage, condition, maintenance history, or repair frequency.
2Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Always use Super Cruise in accordance with local laws. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. Visit Chevrolet.com/technology/super-cruise for compatible roads and full details.