Performax International has announced it will release new 2015 versions of Chevrolet's Silverado 2500HD pick-up and its more upmarket twin, the GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD, in August.
The Queensland-based right-hand drive converter has not announced pricing and it is just one of at least five local companies to offer Chevrolet's new-generation Silverado.
However, as with Ford's F-Series Super Duty pick-ups, Performax has received full-volume production approval for both models from the federal government, meaning pricing should be in line with the F-250 dual-cab, which starts at $105,000.
Performax says that along with the Toyota Tundra and Dodge RAM, for which it has low-volume RAWS certification, it will offer the biggest range of American pick-ups in Australia – via 11 authorised dealers in every state and the Northern Territory, including recently-signed outlets in Nowra (NSW) and Bunbury (WA).
Performax also recently started construction of a new sales and service headquarters at North Lakes on Brisbane's northern fringe.
Furthermore, it says Silverado buyers can expect the highest-quality finish thanks to 3D printing and other high-tech processes that will bring "significant upgrades to interior design and quality" and a right-hand drive dashboard with factory-original fit, finish and functionality.
"The difference between a Performax vehicle and other converted imports is in the superior quality of our engineering, fit and finish," said Performax International general manager Glenn Soper.
"We have almost 100 staff in our Gympie factory, including highly-trained engineers. The right-hand drive Performax pick-up you buy has been engineered and built by Australians.
"Our mission is to build a RHD vehicle that drives and looks exactly like factory-original, including all the complex electronics like drive-by-wire throttle.
"Full-volume series production of the Silverado, Denali and F-250 ensures we hit the quality mark with every vehicle, all backed by a factory-standard warranty."
The RHD dashboard was developed using 3D scanning and printing technology before being produced in high-pressure injection moulded plastic in China.
"We provide a fibreglass right-hand drive dashboard to our manufacturing partner in China so they can see it in a mirrored image. That is then reverse-engineered or scanned into a 3D CAD model, which is then sent to us.
"We check it and ask for changes when we're not happy with the finish and then when we're 100 per cent confident that the design is as close as we can get it in the virtual world, we 3D-print it.
"With this 3D-printed dashboard we can do an in-vehicle confirmation, so we can check all the interfaces in the vehicle and ensure that everything lines up. The injection mould tool is a six-figure investment for Performax, so we make sure it's absolutely right and every dashboard comes out ready to fit.
"We are confident our Australian-engineered and manufactured pick-ups with full-volume compliance offer the absolute best quality in this specialised segment of the new vehicle market."
More details – including pricing and specifications – of the RHD 2015 Silverado 2500HD and GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD will be announced at the time of their launch.
Meantime, Performax continues to develop Chevrolet's latest (C7) Corvette supercar for local release, but will not import Chevy's new Camaro or Ford's latest aluminium-bodied F-150 pick-up, which will be offered by its closest competitor, Harrison F-Trucks.