http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102376

The 2007 GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade SUVs are expected to debut about the same time as the Tahoe.

Tahoe is the #1 selling fullsize SUV on the market. I think it is a good moce to build that first. I'm glad the Escalade is staying updated so often too. Gen 1 = 99-00, Gen II = 2002-2006, Gen III = 2007-?

 

<--- Marks calender for 3rd Quarter Avalanche launch.

I assume Escalade EXT will launch with Avalanche?

I wonder what the plans for for the GMT-900 Silverado SS? Laucnh with the truck, or come into the fold later... I assume the later.

 

GM has mercilessly milked the Tahoe for every last cent of obscene profit.

Did GM decide to make a substantial reinvestment of those profits back into the Tahoe? Nope. GM decided to sit on it's laurels while the poor old Tahoe has be left substantially unaltered since the 2000 model year.


The GMT-900 is too little and too late. GM needed to completely revitalize its fading line of ultra-conservative fullsized trucks and SUV's. Instead, we're going to see yet another chicken hearted effort like the "new" 2005 minivans.

 

And this is somehow morally wrong how?

If its still selling, why fix what's not broken? The new model is coming in at a perfect time before the bottom falls out of sales.

Profit is what makes the world go around. I'd rather them milk a platform for profit than go belly up trying to please you.

 

I expect Tahoe to continue to be the #1 selling full size SUV... just like it has been for the last 5 years or so.

I also expect the whole line of GMT-900 trucks and SUV's to do well.

No doom and gloom here... certainly not before we see the actual product.

 

I have a '99 Tahoe, it's served its purpose quite well thus far...That is, it hauls people and crap very well

Good to see them rolling out the new SUV's before the damn pickups...

 

I guess you haven't noticed that GM desperately wants to close one of its current GMT-800 fullsized truck/SUV assembly sites.

Yes, it seems that GM is already expecting the "new" GMT-900 to sell in smaller volumes than the outgoing GMT-800.

 

I'd say that the rollout of the SUVs before the trucks is a bad sign for anyone who was expecting an actual advance in design. It just goes to show that the diffenence between GMT-800 and GMT-900 is more akin to what the industry calls a "facelift" than a total redesign.

 

It looks like the equivalant GMC and Caddys will launch with the Chevrolets.

You would have to be a die hard Honda fan or be getting an Insane deal to buy Ridgeline over the 2007 Avalanche.

 

You would say it. I don't know if anyone else would...

 

honestly... IMO .. If the GMT-900's have stronger engines stronger and better shifting 6 speed auto's, which give better accel and towing rating, and tweak the springs/shocks a bit, while giving the interior a much needed boost in material quality and fit, I think they would do great.. And from what I've been reading, thats what the GMT-900's will be?


But I do agree that they should have done it a few years ago. Anyways, I'm looking foward to seeing what GM releases out.. I hope I'm not disappointed.. and I hope they don't wait as long next time around to do this.

 

It's generally accepted that full-size SUV sales in general are past their peak. This is no fault of any particular model, it's just the way the market is heading. Trends come and go, and people are now moving into crossovers more than full-size SUVs. Even if the new Tahoe doesn't meet the stellar sales of the current model, it will still be the the #1 seller and certainly won't be a failure. GM is merely adjusting to the realities of a marketplace that is getting more and more fragmented.

As to where GM puts its investment dollars, well you have to realize that not every model can completely fund its own program. Cobalts (for example) will never make enough money to cover their development costs, variable costs, and marketing costs. So the more profitable models like the Tahoe have to share their wealth for the good of the corporation. I personally don't think the Tahoe's 7-year model run is excessively long, at least not in comparison to what GM used to do with trucks. Sure it would've been nice to have them out right about now, but at least the current Tahoe is still competitive and able to hold its own in the showroom.

 

 

I think those dates are waaaaaaaaay off in some cases.

 

GM really can't make any money off the Cobalts?

Or are you just guessing?