Compact vehicles just like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz have seen stunning reputation ever for the reason that section had its resurgence final 12 months. Now, a brand new report claims that GM has been benchmarking a Ford Maverick within the USA, and there’s a risk it might end in a possible competitor within the close to future.

The report comes from GM Authority and was shared on Reddit, nonetheless it supplies no actual specs on the character of the checks, solely that it’s taking place. That signifies that in idea, it could possibly be simply innocent testing between rival producers, nonetheless, there’s an argument to be made {that a} GM model like Chevrolet might use a compact truck of their portfolio.

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At the moment, the closest factor to the Maverick offered below the GM umbrella is the Chevy Montana, however as of proper now, that truck is just offered in South America and is barely smaller than the Blue Oval’s compact pickup.

Moreover, it isn’t supplied with all-wheel drive (front-wheel drive solely), and its 1.2L 3-cylinder engine solely makes 133 hp (135 PS / 99 kW) and 155 lb-ft (210 Nm) of torque in comparison with the minimal 191 hp (194 PS / 142 kW) and 155 lb⋅ft (210 Nm) of torque from the Maverick’s 2.5L hybrid 4-cylinder. Ought to GM actually be engaged on a Montana-esque compact truck of their very own for the North American market, they’d nearly actually have to up the facility and add an AWD choice.

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As a couple of commenters on the unique Reddit put up talked about, GM has no competitor to the Ford Bronco/Jeep Wrangler, nor do they produce a real rival to the Ford Raptor/Ram TRX, each of that are extraordinarily well-liked segments within the utility automobile market. By making a competitor to the Ford Maverick, which has confirmed to be very talked-about within the U.S. market, they may hopefully get in on at the very least a slice of the compact truck pie.

What do you assume GM is as much as? Readying a brand new mannequin, innocent benchmarking towards their rivals, or one thing else altogether? Depart us your ideas within the feedback.