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Trucks are as American as apple pie and hamburgers, and the reported sales of trucks have just continued to go up and up in the last couple of decades. We love our trucks, understandably. They now offer some of the most luxurious interiors of any vehicle on the road while also providing powerful capability to tow and haul with ease. Incredible technologies dedicated to trailering make hitching up a trailer easier than it’s ever been, and more and more people are choosing to live simply in RVs with their trucks serving as daily drivers. Our Chevrolet truck dealership once had just a few truck models in a few trims, but now trucks come in countless varieties, from midsize off-road variants to heavy-duty haulers.
Chevy trucks have been a staple of the American roadways since their beginning, and the fan base that drives them is adamant that these trucks are the best you can get. With the rise in popularity of the body style, companies have had to get more innovative, create better engines, and provide drivers with far more features than it feels like you can count at times. That's why when you are looking for a Chevrolet truck dealership; you need to work with DePaula Chevrolet, where we can help you sift through your options to find the best fit.
To find the first truck built by Chevrolet, you have to go back more than one hundred years to the year 1918, when Chevy built the “One-Ton,” created as a customizable vehicle buyers could build on to suit their own needs for hauling. Today, Chevy offers cutaways as a similar choice, providing a truck cab and chassis that can become anything, like an ambulance or cherry picker. In the 1920s, wooden wheels became a thing of the past with trucks like the International Series AC Light Duty, which featured the first six-cylinder engine in the industry. New Half-Ton trucks in the 1930s benefitted from the formation of a design team that delivered a truck with style that led to trucks like those of the 1950s when America began a real love affair with trucks.
By mid-century, the Cameo Carrier was the first truck to be built with car-like conveniences for comfort, and later the El Camino was developed out of this iconic design. In the 1960s, the well-loved C/K Series of trucks became the working truck for the masses and offered engine choices to allow buyers the option of more power. Arriving in the 1970s reveals the introduction of the first heavy-duty dually with the C30 One-Ton, and the first truck to integrate a radio antenna into the windshield glass. Once the 1980s comes along, Chevy begins offering performance-based trucks with four-wheel drive shift-on-the-fly InstaTrac for off-roading. At the turn of the century, the Silverado takes the place of the C/K Series trucks for Chevy. Since then, the Silverado nameplate has consistently been one of the most reliable pickups on the market.
Beginning in 1999, the Chevy Silverado made its first appearance as its own model after being part of the C/K Series as the top trim level. It came in three trims, had a regular or extended cab, a short or long bed, and could have either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Being a full-size truck, it offered buyers capability for hauling and towing and had a range of engines that started with the base V6 or several V8s, one of which was shared with the Corvette. Heavy-duty models could provide more powerful capability for even tougher jobs, particularly for commercial uses. The Silverado first generation lasted until 2006, and 2007 models began a redesigned lineup for Chevy trucks.
Every aspect of the second generation of Chevy Silverado 1500s received attention for updates, including the frame and suspension, and engine options provided more power. Aerodynamics changed with raked windshields, and fuel economy improved between design and Active Fuel Management. High-strength steel frames in heavy-duty models improved overall stiffness and durability during this generation as well. Between 2014 and 2018, the third Silverado generation saw technology like Bluetooth, touchscreens, and OnStar become standard equipment, as well as driver-assist technology shifting from upper trims to being available across all trims. Roll-formed steel frames took the place of stamped steel, which made the Silverado lighter and stronger.
When the Chevy S10 was retired, the Colorado took its place in the lineup of trucks as a midsize option. At this point, manufacturers were avoiding the “compact” label, particularly with the improved capability and power available even with these smaller pickups like the Colorado. In its first generation, the Colorado came in three trims with the choice of three body styles and rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. At the time, the standard engine was the 2.8-liter four-cylinder, and one more powerful engine option was available. An off-road variant in the Z71 trim came standard with the bigger engine and four-wheel drive. In this first-generation, tech features like a CD changer and Sirius XM were found only on top trims - features that rapidly evolved with the next generation.
2011 begins the second generation of the Chevy Colorado, though models of this generation didn’t appear in North America until 2014. Improvements included a frame 40 percent lighter, despite its extended length, though it retained similar body style and transmission choices. Technology such as touchscreens, keyless entry, and powered accessories become standard across the trims. Present Colorado models come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and changes over the years came in the form of offering extra trims, one of which was another off-road variant called the ZR2 that became available in 2017. It featured rock sliders and an electronic locking rear differential to boost off-road performance.
Chevy trucks have stood the test of time to survive a wildly changing market over the last one hundred years, including world wars and major stock market crashes. Award-winning designs, intelligent engineering, and providing what buyers are seeking have been part of the legacy of the Chevy brand of trucks across their history. Trucks are indelibly interwoven with American life, and they are clearly a favored means of travel and recreation for millions of buyers. Now that trucks are beginning to take on the new EV powertrains, Americans are likely to fall in love all over again with trucks that have more power, tech, and capability than any other generation in history.
You can find all the latest Chevy trucks at DePaula Chevrolet, where our friendly and knowledgeable staff are trained to provide you with a stellar experience. Whether you’re searching for a new or used Chevy truck, we have hundreds of vehicles available in our inventory, and we are ready to help you find exactly the truck you need. We take pride in our massive inventory, our incredible sales reputation, and the long-standing relationships we have developed with our loyal customers over the many years of our business. Our family-owned business is dedicated to making our customers happy while we help you find the Chevy truck of your dreams.
Whether you want a truck for towing your RV, a work truck that can stand up to messy jobs, or a family vehicle that can haul supplies, we can help you find the perfect trim and truck size for you. All of our pricing is transparent, and we offer every detail of the listing on our website, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you come to buy. Whether you choose to buy online or come to our convenient location at 785 Central Avenue in Albany, our sales staff can help you at any point during your shopping experience. Shop with DePaula Chevrolet, where your shopping experience will be catered to you!