GM working on a compact truck?
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GM working on a compact truck?
While other manufacturers have announced plans to completely abandon the slow-selling midsize pickup segment, General Motors apparently thinks there's still life and new opportunity to be found in small trucks. GM is said to be working on a new compact runabout that's reminiscent of the original Chevrolet S-10, according to our sources.
The current Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins have been steadily losing sales and market share over the past few years. Year to date, the Colorado is down 30.3 percent from a year earlier and the Canyon is off 28.5 percent. Newly retired former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz said in February that the future of the two trucks were uncertain and, last year, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said it was GM's plan to end production at the Shreveport plant where the Colorado and Canyon are produced by 2012
The current Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins have been steadily losing sales and market share over the past few years. Year to date, the Colorado is down 30.3 percent from a year earlier and the Canyon is off 28.5 percent. Newly retired former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz said in February that the future of the two trucks were uncertain and, last year, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said it was GM's plan to end production at the Shreveport plant where the Colorado and Canyon are produced by 2012
I always liked the S-10. In fact that's what I hope they'll call it.
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From: TX Med Ctr
Interesting. I thought GM was going to abandon the small truck market altogether.
I think though that we are moving to a time where it might be feasible to offer a small truck and expect it to get decent sales as long as you manage to get some nice fuel economy numbers out of it... but if you offer something that offeres basically no benefit in any category, or even price, compared to the full-size models (as is the current situation) then it is destined to fail.
I think though that we are moving to a time where it might be feasible to offer a small truck and expect it to get decent sales as long as you manage to get some nice fuel economy numbers out of it... but if you offer something that offeres basically no benefit in any category, or even price, compared to the full-size models (as is the current situation) then it is destined to fail.
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http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/05...uck-roots.html
I always liked the S-10. In fact that's what I hope they'll call it.
I always liked the S-10. In fact that's what I hope they'll call it.
A smaller "S-10" would make much more sense
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From: Albany, NY
I liked my Colorado, but GM left the truck to rot. The 2010 isn't any different than the 2005. The price, interior, and the engine choices really killed this truck. If the 2007 got a 10% price drop, a new Silverado or at least '07 Equinox quality interior, and the 3.6L V6 (and by now a 6 speed auto) then sales would still be as strong as the Tacoma.
I hope they keep the Colorado name, if not then I'd like to see S-10 come back. They don't need a 3rd new name though.
I hope they keep the Colorado name, if not then I'd like to see S-10 come back. They don't need a 3rd new name though.
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From: Pewee Valley, KY
I liked my Colorado, but GM left the truck to rot. The 2010 isn't any different than the 2005. The price, interior, and the engine choices really killed this truck. If the 2007 got a 10% price drop, a new Silverado or at least '07 Equinox quality interior, and the 3.6L V6 (and by now a 6 speed auto) then sales would still be as strong as the Tacoma.
I hope they keep the Colorado name, if not then I'd like to see S-10 come back. They don't need a 3rd new name though.
I hope they keep the Colorado name, if not then I'd like to see S-10 come back. They don't need a 3rd new name though.
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From: Greenville, SC
WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Some questions though...
What platform will this be built on? If this is a "starting from scratch" project, how long would it be before we see it? It took 5? years to get the Camaro and it was on an existing platform.
Where will it be built? I won't buy a rebadged foreign truck (think LUV), if they don't build it here, I don't want it. The article seemed to imply that it will be built here, for the US.
If the Colorado/Canyon is due to end production in 2012, either GM has been hiding this, or resurrecting something they had been working on? I can't see them allowing for a "gap" between the trucks.
Some questions though...
What platform will this be built on? If this is a "starting from scratch" project, how long would it be before we see it? It took 5? years to get the Camaro and it was on an existing platform.
Where will it be built? I won't buy a rebadged foreign truck (think LUV), if they don't build it here, I don't want it. The article seemed to imply that it will be built here, for the US.
If the Colorado/Canyon is due to end production in 2012, either GM has been hiding this, or resurrecting something they had been working on? I can't see them allowing for a "gap" between the trucks.
Last edited by Silverado C-10; May 27, 2010 at 07:29 AM.
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Several years ago, my Dad and I were at our local Chevrolet dealership and saw a Silverado and a Colorado sitting next to each other. Both were 4x4 and loaded. The final price was a mear $5,000 differance. Why on God's green earth would you buy the Colorado over the Silverado at that price point. MPG were close enough not to be an issue and the bigger truck has more room and is more capable.
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From: Cheektowaga, NY (Buffalo)
It'd be really cool to see the S10 (and maybe even Blazer) come back. I'm rebuilding a 96 Blazer right now with the 4.3L V6 to be my daily driver. It's a great size and the price was right. Honestly I don't know what they went for when new. How much did they cost back then and what do you guys think they need to target for MSRP now?
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From: Pewee Valley, KY
Just guessing here but I would expect an update on the GMT355 chassis or a whole new effort. Also I expect the design/engineering to be done in South America by GM do Brasil, who never stopped making the S10.
Checking Wikipedia reveals that GM Brazil is prepping a new S10 for the 2011-2012 year so things seem to be lining up with the above predictions, I heard a few years ago.
Checking Wikipedia reveals that GM Brazil is prepping a new S10 for the 2011-2012 year so things seem to be lining up with the above predictions, I heard a few years ago.
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From: Greenville, SC
Just guessing here but I would expect an update on the GMT355 chassis or a whole new effort. Also I expect the design/engineering to be done in South America by GM do Brasil, who never stopped making the S10.
Checking Wikipedia reveals that GM Brazil is prepping a new S10 for the 2011-2012 year so things seem to be lining up with the above predictions, I heard a few years ago.
Checking Wikipedia reveals that GM Brazil is prepping a new S10 for the 2011-2012 year so things seem to be lining up with the above predictions, I heard a few years ago.
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Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Just guessing here but I would expect an update on the GMT355 chassis or a whole new effort. Also I expect the design/engineering to be done in South America by GM do Brasil, who never stopped making the S10.
Checking Wikipedia reveals that GM Brazil is prepping a new S10 for the 2011-2012 year so things seem to be lining up with the above predictions, I heard a few years ago.
Checking Wikipedia reveals that GM Brazil is prepping a new S10 for the 2011-2012 year so things seem to be lining up with the above predictions, I heard a few years ago.
Several years ago, my Dad and I were at our local Chevrolet dealership and saw a Silverado and a Colorado sitting next to each other. Both were 4x4 and loaded. The final price was a mear $5,000 differance. Why on God's green earth would you buy the Colorado over the Silverado at that price point. MPG were close enough not to be an issue and the bigger truck has more room and is more capable.
Last edited by Z28x; May 27, 2010 at 08:05 AM.