If “BrightDrop” does not instantly ring a bell in your thoughts, that is in all probability why Common Motors’ electrical van model is about to roll up into Chevrolet as an alternative.
GM introduced on Thursday that what was as soon as a brand new, unbiased model within the portfolio devoted to creating electrical business gear- and people-movers will now dwell throughout the bowtie model as an alternative.
Whereas business car companies might sound like a snoozefest to common customers—belief me, I am far more involved in EVs I might truly purchase, too—it is essential to do not forget that some automakers make some huge cash promoting to fleets.
For that motive, this may increasingly wind up being a really sensible transfer for the Common. And it could assist GM replicate the success crosstown rival Ford is seeing in its extremely worthwhile fleet enterprise, Ford Professional.
GM expects that shifting BrightDrop below the Chevy umbrella will broaden its attain and generate extra gross sales. Entry to the huge Chevy dealership community is a giant a part of that.
“Including BrightDrop’s electrical vans to the increasing Chevrolet EV portfolio will give BrightDrop prospects entry to one of many business’s largest and most in depth business gross sales and repair networks and enhances model development alternatives,” GM stated in a press launch.
The BrightDrop Zevo 600 (left) and Zevo 400.
All Chevrolet sellers will be capable to promote BrightDrop vans as soon as they meet sure necessities for his or her places. In line with CNBC, that features investments in car lifts, service bays and coaching.
There’s additionally the plain situation of name recognition. Ask someone on the road what “BrightDrop” is, they usually’d in all probability guess it is a throat lozenge. Ask somebody in the event that they know what “Chevy” is, they usually’d suppose the query itself was absurd. Who does not? Business prospects could also be extra comfy making an enormous funding in an unfamiliar expertise if it comes from a model they have been shopping for vans and vans from for years.
The BrightDrop Zevo 400 and Zevo 600 vans might be rebranded because the Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 and 600. That Chevy branding may assist enhance gross sales too.
GM established BrightDrop in 2021 with the thought of promoting electrical vans and software program providers to fleet prospects. It offered roughly 500 BrightDrop autos final yr and round 750 via the primary half of 2024.
Contact the writer: [email protected]