FreeGameGuide points out items so that Chevrolet Montana wins in comparison with Fiat Toro: hybrid engines, load capacity, Activ version, uConnect control unit.
The Chevrolet Montana was launched with the idea of being an essentially urban pickup truck. General Motors' mission, however, was quite ungrateful when we think about sales and the market: compete with the Fiat pickup trucks that dominate this segment: Strada and, mainly, Toro, with a similar size and customer profile.
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5 reasons to buy the Fiat Toro 2022
If we think about it as a product idea, both Montana and Toro can take the same market share. It's rare for anyone to buy the Italian pickup truck for work, even though in its turbodiesel versions it has, for example, four-wheel drive and a load capacity of one ton.
Chevrolet Montana vs. Fiat Toro: The clash of pickup trucks
So why does Toro keep beating Montana in sales? What will the pickup what Chevrolet's intermediary can do to, in a future update, surpass its Italian rival? We have put together some ideas and suggestions that might work.
Electrification plan: the Chevrolet Montana difference
Something that could help Chevrolet Montana in a clash with Fiat Toro is to get ahead with its electrification plans. Recently GM stated that he works in hybrid engines transfer service, something that Stellantis is also doing. Taking the lead, with a really advantageous engine, could give Montana a better position in the fight with Toro.
More variant options and load capacity: the Chevrolet Montana challenge
Although you already have a variant more affordable and with a manual transmission positioned for the job, Chevrolet has not yet worked well commercially on this possible side of the Montana. One suggestion could be to launch a variant even more affordable, but with structural reinforcements and more load capacity, one of the weak points of this project. Compared to Toro's turboflex versions, the Montana loses in load capacity. While the Italian can carry up to 680kg, the American can only carry 600kg, not to mention towing, which is prohibited in Montana, while with the Toro you can drag up to 400kg without a brake. Even the Toro turboflex can go over terrain that the Montana cannot. The Italian pickup has a platform more robust and independent suspension on four wheels makes it more capable for all types of terrain, as well as making it more comfortable in daily use.
Technological innovations: the message from Chevrolet Montana
Truck in Brazil is synonymous with rugged car and Montana fails this message a little. Suddenly the path may be invest em improvements in this sense and perhaps bring an 'Activ' version, as has already happened with the Onix and Spin, but with more off-road capability. One of Chevrolet Montana's biggest mistakes is that it came without the ADAS package, at least with the same level that we saw in Tracker. The truck only has blind spot warning and lacks items such as, for example, frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning, things that exist on the Toro. In the field of connectivity, both pickups do well, but Fiat's ecosystem is superior to GM's, especially because it is newer and more modern. Toro's uConnect center has a better resolution screen and faster interface, for example. GM could, in a model refresh, implement a new infotainment system in the Montana. It would go well.
More powerful version: the new proposal for the Chevrolet Montana
The Chevrolet Montana drives well and can be pleasant both in the city and on the highway. But a version with a stronger engine may please the market and make this pickup an interesting option against the more expensive Toro variants. The 1.4 hp 153 turbo engine that equips the Cruze, for example, could be an alternative, with changes to suit the Proconve L7. However, a new hybrid version, as mentioned, but with more strength and efficiency, would help a lot in this fight. It is worth remembering, however, that Toro has a 1.3 turbo engine with 185 hp in its entry-level versions, however, in the behavior, the Montana is a little more agile. An even more capable variant of GM's pickup could make things more difficult for the Italian truck.
Source: Channel Tech
