OMG: GM Specialty Vehicles launches in UK
Do you really need an Escalade with seven seats and a supercharged V8? General Motors is convinced you do...
Importing continues to be big business for car enthusiasts. Whether it’s seeking out a model never offered here or sourcing a vehicle from a more favourable climate, there are plenty of reasons why you might bring in a car from another country. And when it comes to the United States of America, the explanation for importing has always been simple: if bigger is better - bigger cars, bigger engines, bigger attitudes - then it’s by far the best place to look.
Now, importing Stateside cars isn’t a new thing. But what’s new today is the launch of GM Specialty Vehicles in the UK, where customers here will be able to order cars directly from GM and enjoy a car buying process pretty much like any other. There will be an extendable three-year manufacturer warranty, finance is offered, there’s aftersales support and so on. Initially it’s going to be SUVs and pickups on offer, and all through Clive Sutton in London (a dealer that's imported plenty of American metal over the decades), but plans are already afoot for a ‘retailer network rollout’. Hopefully one or two other cars as well…
For the moment, though, anyone who loves an old school Yank tank will be very pleased by the news. There are GMC Yukon Denalis for ultimate soccer mom vibes, plus an assortment of 6.2-litre, V8 Sierras for making your local Hiluxes and Rangers look a bit puny. GMSV will also gladly sell you a selection of Chevy SUVs, ideal for playing at security service detail (or mid-2000s rapper) - take your pick from Suburban and Tahoe.
Probably most interesting is the Cadillac confirmation, because it means that alongside the standard models, the Escalade V is officially on sale to UK customers. In left-hand drive, yes, and with 14mpg claimed combined (!), but it’s a supercharged V8 seven-seater - so it's hard not to be just a little intrigued. And maybe, just maybe, it means that one or two of the V saloons might make it here in time.
Curious customers are definitely going to have to dig deep to live out their American dream, however. The Escalade V, for example, is £200,000. And, well, that buys a lot of other forced-induction V8 SUVs with names known the world over. Even the non-V cars are £150,000. Slightly more palatable is the range of Chevy Silverado pickups, starting at £66,000 plus VAT for the LT Trail Boss; the Suburban is £100,000, the Tahoe just a few grand less. And the GMC trucks are from £75,000 before VAT, the Denali another six-figure SUV. All quite a lot of money then (don’t even think about checking the prices in dollars), but more has been spent over the years on weird and wonderful cars not sold in the UK. A combination of novelty value, nostalgia and curiosity ought to see a few make their way across the pond.
GM Europe’s MD Jean-Pierre Diernaz said : “We're excited to be working with Clive Sutton to bring to UK customers our iconic North America vehicles. We've selected incredible vehicles from our global brands – Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet – through a dedicated GM facility in North West London and the nationwide network of retailers that is set to follow.” Good news for Americana fans, then - and don’t forget that the classifieds are chock full of V8 muscle that’s already made it across the Atlantic. Not all SUVs and certainly not £100,000, either. See this Camaro, Hellcat and GT500 for proof…
We have hired several Suburban's in the US : average 12mpg....even with cylinder shutdown working.
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