based on feedback rideapart’s When we first covered the General Motors Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), a UTV-sized Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, readers pointed out that if GM ever sold the ISV to the regular public, it would likely sell out in minutes. It will print money for GM, not only compete with the Jeep Wrangler, but do so in a way that will disrupt the side-by-side market.
Unfortunately, that will never happen, as it will never meet modern safety standards. I mean, that might be a good thing, but safety is the third thing, right? That said, the feds are planning to buy about $1 billion worth of side-by-side style vehicles from GM Defense, which means that, in a few years, you might be able to buy a second-hand one, like all the old Humvees that come up for auction.
However, they may have been used directly in combat and support roles around the world, operated by recruits and officers alike, and may or may not have bullet holes as part of the bill of sale “as is”. Still, we’ll only have to wait another 5 to 10 years for the ISV to become as common on the market as the Hummer, but it will be infinitely more useful and easier to operate and take into the woods.
GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)
Photo Courtesy: GM Defense
according to Detroit Press, General Motors Co. is expected to win a $1 billion contract with the U.S. Army for light utility vehicles based on Chevrolet Colorado pickup trucks, CEO Mary Barra said Tuesday. “If federal funding is approved, Barra told investors GM plans to supply 10,000 infantry squad vehicles to the Army. The infantry squad vehicle order is expected to exceed $1 billion, depending on the U.S. Army’s procurement objectives,” he said.
Barra added, “Over time, all of this should make GM Defense a more meaningful and diverse contributor to our earnings.”
The move comes after the US Defense Department asked Detroit automakers to get more involved in defense production, something the current US administration desperately needs due to a shortage in its defense supplies due to the war with Iran.
last month, wall street journal The report said, “According to people familiar with the discussions, senior defense officials have talked with top executives of several companies about the production of weapons and other military supplies, including General Motors Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra and Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley. The Pentagon is interested in enlisting the companies to use their personnel and factory capacity to increase production of weapons and other equipment because of the wars in Ukraine and Iran and Iran’s depleted stockpiles.”
However, the ISV contract has not yet been signed and still requires congressional approval. And while most of Congress remains ineffective at creating or passing any type of legislation, one part of the federal government that they never fail to pass to garner support is defense spending. Hence the possibility of allocation of funds for ISVs is almost certain.
That said, who’s ready to pick up a secondhand ISV in a few years?
