The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which features all-new engines, a new cab layout, and is built with numerous work friendly features was named the 2013 Fleet Truck of the Year.

Sponsored by Automotive Fleet and Business Fleet magazines, the purpose of the award is to promote excellence in the fleet industry, particularly the tools and vehicles that allow fleet managers to fulfill their missions. Vehicles were voted on by qualified fleet professionals via an online ballot.

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck garnered the most votes among a group of 36 trucks selected for this year's competition.

 "The Chevrolet Silverado being awarded the Fleet Truck of the Year is a true honor," said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet & Commercial Sales. "It was our goal to provide our customers with a truck that can help them do the tough jobs and we feel that we've met that goal. The Silverado 1500 is a great truck."

Keeping Commercial Customers Top of Mind

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was built with commercial customers as the focal point. The upright instrument panel, six-gauge instrument cluster, and multiple storage options are tailored specifically to the needs of truck customers. Controls are functional, logically placed, and easy to operate with work gloves on. Rear doors on crew cabs are larger, for easier entry and exit, and rear doors on double cab models are now hinged at the front for easier access, especially in tight spots.

It includes numerous work friendly features, including rear bumper CornerSteps, EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate, LED under-rail box lamps, upper box tie-downs, bed rail protectors, extensive interior storage, and Chevrolet MyLink connectivity.

"The all-new Silverado was built with commercial customers in mind and offers work friendly features, like the CornerStep, to help our customers on the job," said Joyce Mattman, director of commercial product for GM Fleet & Commercial.

Most 2014 Silverado models feature MyLink with a 4.2-inch or 8-inch color touch screen radio. The 4.2-inch radio, standard on 2WT and LT models, includes Bluetooth for phone streaming, two USB ports, an SD card slot, and natural voice recognition. LTZ and High Country models receive an 8-inch high-definition touch screen that enables users to scroll or drag through menus.

The new Chevrolet MyLink provides easy-to-use connectivity for the job site or the family vacation, with natural voice recognition, and enough ports and power outlets to support multiple devices.

"Chevrolet MyLink, Bluetooth, and OnStar provide reliable, safe, and intuitive connectivity for the driver," Mattman said. "These tools and features allow the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and their business moving."

GM's new full-size trucks underwent more than 6 million miles of durability testing in the torture chambers at the Milford Proving Ground, over the deserts and mountains of Nevada, and across the frozen flats of Kapuskasing, Ontario: the equivalent to 240 trips around the earth. In addition, the trucks accumulated more than 7 million real-world miles during final testing, bringing total test miles to more than 13 million.

Adding to the EcoTec3 Family of Engines

The 2014 Silverado 1500 offers three all-new EcoTec3 engines — a 4.3L V-6 SAE-certified at 285 hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque, a 5.3L V-8 certified at 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque, and a new 6.2L V-8.

 The 5.3L V-8 has EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 23 mpg highway (2WD models). The 5.3L V-8 has EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 23 mpg highway (2WD models), the best of any V-8 pickup.

Models equipped with the 4.3L V-6 will have towing ratings up to 7,200 pounds, while models equipped with the 5.3L V-8 and the max towing package have best-in-class towing ratings of up to 11,500 pounds.

All three EcoTec3 engines feature direct fuel injection, active fuel management (cylinder deactivation), and continuously variable valve timing, a combination not found in competitive trucks. The engines also use a compact overhead-valve design and weight-saving components such as aluminum blocks and cylinder heads, to reduce mass, for additional energy savings, according to the automaker.

 The 2014 Silverado 1500 is available in seven distinct trim levels, including two work trucks, the 1WT and 2WT, with the 2WT adding features such as chrome bumpers, high-wear cloth seats and Chevrolet MyLink with a 4.2-inch color touch screen.

Finally, the Crew Cab is joined by a Regular Cab model and Double Cab Silverado, which replaces the Extended Cab.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the all-new 2014 Silverado 1500 Regular Cab starts at $26,670, including destination charges. Buyers of all 2014 Silverado 1500s also will receive a standard scheduled maintenance program for two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Finally, the trucks will be covered by GM's three-year or 36,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty and five-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.