Chevrolet Silverado and Equinox will be made in the USA and prices in Brazil may rise

General Motors announced that part of the production of its vehicles currently manufactured in Mexico will be transferred to the United States from 2027. The measure includes models such as the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and the Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV, being a direct response to the tariff policies promoted by the current administration of President Donald Trump, which foresees the application of up to 30% tax on vehicles and components imported into the USA.

According to the Automotive Newswho had access to the automaker’s detailed plan, the change seeks to avoid additional costs caused by tariffs, which would make it unfeasible to maintain production in Mexico to serve the American market. To overcome the impact, GM decided to nationalize part of its vehicle line.

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Source: Motor1.com

The schedule includes the transfer of production of the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Cadillac Escalade to the Orion Assembly plant in Michigan (USA). The Equinox SUV will be produced at the Fairfax plant, in Kansas (USA), while the Blazer will be moved to Spring Hill, Tennessee (USA). The move is part of a US$4 billion investment package to expand GM’s production capacity in its country of origin.

Although the decision focuses on the United States market, the repercussions could be felt in Brazil. Today, Silverado and Equinox are imported from Mexico, where they are manufactured in the Silao and San Luis Potosí plants, respectively. This origin guarantees exemption from import taxes via bilateral trade agreement. With the possible change of nationality, the exemption would no longer be valid. Consequently, prices would rise.

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Source: Mario Villaescusa / Motor1.com

Currently, the Silverado costs R$573,590 in the Brazilian market. The Equinox, which launched in a new generation in 2024, starts at R$ 285,490 in the RS and Premier combustion versions. If they come from the United States, the models will be taxed like any vehicle imported from outside Mercosur, substantially increasing their final prices.

It is not yet clear whether GM will completely end Mexican production of these models, but partial nationalization already puts the current supply to Brazil at risk. Chevrolet has not yet commented on how the measure will affect markets outside the USA, but it is already raising the alarm for possible readjustments in the future.