this is exactly what I was thinking. and I say hurray to that. GM basically elimiated an entire brand (engineering, design, etc) without actually getting rid of a brand. since we don't have Opel here (at least not in years) and Europe doesn't get Saturn, it's perfect. Kinda like what GM is already doing with Opel/Holden/Vauxhall in Europe & Aus. Only now /Saturn joins in. Finally.

about two years ago, didn't we all have a discussion about how GM should do this? maybe they have lurkers here.

 

What if GM decides that it only wants one plant making Zeta cars, working flat out...3 shifts per day, 7 days per week....like DCX's BAP facility?

What's that? 300,000 or so units per year being built with max efficiency and profitability.

Figure Camaro and Impala are in those numbers....and not much else.

Just wild speculation.....

 

Is that really a good idea?

I read an intersting article a few years back on why the Ford Explorer kicked the Blazers *** in sales.

The Explorer was NOT based on the little Ranger.

Where as the Blazer was just an S-10. This severely compromised the Blazer and put it way back of the Explorer. All the short comings of the S-10 went right into the Blazer.

Now Trailblazer got rave reviews when it first came out and is selling very well. Its a few years old now yes.

If GM had half a brain--they would have never developed the 355's and made pickups out of the 360 platform. The 355's seem very small to me. Should have gone mid sized like the Dakota and Toyota.

Then we'd have the I6 too!

SUVs converted into a pickup make a much better idea then a truck converted to an SUV.

Just my take.

 

I would not be real concerned with this article.

Programs come and go all the time.

As to TrailBlazer.......don't write the obit just yet. The numbers are still quite healthy....and while I agree that more and more people are moving to crossovers, there is still a market out there for a traditional mid-size sport ute on a body/frame that can pull some significant weight.

All new design? No..........re-engineered and refined perhaps? Yes.

 

GMT355 and GMT360 are different in terms of the suspension. You would not want a Truck on a GMT360 if you really "used" the Truck.

The GMT360 was made slightly larger then the GMT355, but with a softer suspension for SUV owners who don't need the "Truck-Abilities" like the GMT355.

Ford Explorer was a pioneer and can sell on name alone (although not as well recently I believe).

The Blazer was a nice vehicle that was durable, powerful, and you could downright abuse the hell out of it. The only thing that hurt it was stupid crap like Oil Lines that only last 60k miles, Fuel Sending Units that go out at 50k miles, Front ABS Hubs that don't make it 100k. Little things like that eat at most peoples wallets (that can't do the work themselves) and gives them a bad taste. I thought the Blazer was an excellent vehicle (short of the minor annoyances above) and I really wished that they did an SUV on GMT355 as I would prefer it over the GMT360...

 

How soon for a 6 speed automatic?

 

Seems to be an issue they were able to overcome for the full size SUV's and trucks.

 

Are we going to see the GTO killed for the 14 millionth time?

 

Great to hear...my dad is on his second TB now (first was an '02 LS, now an '05 LT), and he's loved them...especially the new one. The only complaint he has at all with the '05 is the plasticky dash, which hopefully GM will address during the restyle...I imagine they would.

There IS a market for a body on frame SUV...no question. For those who tow (and there are many) who don't want a truck, this type of vehicle is ideal. If GM can stiffen the frame, and make the 360s more roomy inside (the front footwells are awful small...), I can see a successful restyle lasting and being viable for a long time...

As for the Ion, is the new Astra that "knockout" model Lutz has talked of? The car he claims is so good, they won't even clinic it because everyone says "Holy Mackerel!" when they see it? If THAT is the car that is cancelled, I'd shoot someone. The Ion is wretched. I went on a first date with a girl the other night who owns an '04 Ion 4 door. I do not like that car...at all. Of course, I won't be telling her that

(Also ducking, in the hopes '96 Camaro B4C didn't just read this...)

 

It won't be soon!

 

That's what I figured.

 

I didn't say a 355 SUV to replace the 360's. If they 360s ever got replaced by Lamda then offering a GMT355 SUV also would be the way to go.

A GMT355 SUV would also be targeted more at the Nissan Xterra, Jeep Liberty, and Toyota FJ. You could use all the Canyon/Colorado body parts to keep it cheaper and different than the H3

 

What's the push for 6-speed automatics for? For media attention? Or are you guys wanting a trailblazer with F1 paddle shifters? Did I miss a press release about GM cutting broad torque range?

I could see a 5-speed auto doing well but 6?

 

No , that car did get canned . It was too good looking to be thrown away though imo . If Pontiac had any sense at all , they would use it for the G5 eventually since the Saturn Astra will now be a Euro spec Opel Astra .

 

Because the 6 speed is already done. And if the 6L80 were on the TrailBlazer SS, a 3.08 axle ratio would give you the same torque multiplication as the current 4.10/4L60 combo.