What's happening with small/medium sized trucks at GM?
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What's happening with small/medium sized trucks at GM?
I read what seems like an unsubstantiated conversation over at coloradofans.com that Shreveport (current plant that produces the GMT355 Colorado/Canyon) will close June 12, 2012.
For those with ears to the ground--what's new on the small pickup front? Are there any concepts or prototypes out there for what's to come after 2012?
For those with ears to the ground--what's new on the small pickup front? Are there any concepts or prototypes out there for what's to come after 2012?
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From: Charleston, WV
A few weeks ago, our spies caught a next-generation Chevrolet Colorado engineering mule out for some cold weather testing wearing the sheetmetal of the last-gen Thai-built Colorado. Now, they've caught a camouflaged prototype of the future Colorado that's expected to go on sale in markets outside of the U.S. by late 2011.
Last week, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon faced an uncertain future -- at least in the United States. While GM hasn't officially said U.S. Colorado and Canyon production will end, last year, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said it was GM's plan to end production at the Shreveport plant where they're built by 2012.
Ford has said production of its Ranger compact pickup will end by 2011, and Chrysler has said the Dodge Dakota will end production next year, though the Dakota may be replaced by a small unibody pickup.
Overseas, it's a different story. GM doesn’t plan to shutter its Chevy Colorado production facility in Thailand. The company recently received $445 million in loans to expand the plant for the next-gen Colorado and to produce four-cylinder diesel engines.
The right-hand drive truck shown here is an extended cab model. It appears to be a bit larger than the current Thai Colorado, which shared its GMT355 platform with the Isuzu D-Max. The nose appears to have some front-end styling cues shared with the Chevy Equinox crossover.
GM and Isuzu are not expected to share pickups after the new truck arrives. The two companies cut most ties -- except the jointly operated DMAX engine plant where the Duramax diesel V-8 engine is built -- after GM sold its ownership stake in Isuzu in 2006.
The toughest clean diesel regulations in the world and a 25 percent import tariff on most foreign-built pickups are two expensive strikes against this Colorado showing up here.
The new Colorado will compete against the upcoming "T6" Ford Ranger, new Volkswagen Amarok pickup and existing models from Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan.
Last week, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon faced an uncertain future -- at least in the United States. While GM hasn't officially said U.S. Colorado and Canyon production will end, last year, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said it was GM's plan to end production at the Shreveport plant where they're built by 2012.
Ford has said production of its Ranger compact pickup will end by 2011, and Chrysler has said the Dodge Dakota will end production next year, though the Dakota may be replaced by a small unibody pickup.
Overseas, it's a different story. GM doesn’t plan to shutter its Chevy Colorado production facility in Thailand. The company recently received $445 million in loans to expand the plant for the next-gen Colorado and to produce four-cylinder diesel engines.
The right-hand drive truck shown here is an extended cab model. It appears to be a bit larger than the current Thai Colorado, which shared its GMT355 platform with the Isuzu D-Max. The nose appears to have some front-end styling cues shared with the Chevy Equinox crossover.
GM and Isuzu are not expected to share pickups after the new truck arrives. The two companies cut most ties -- except the jointly operated DMAX engine plant where the Duramax diesel V-8 engine is built -- after GM sold its ownership stake in Isuzu in 2006.
The toughest clean diesel regulations in the world and a 25 percent import tariff on most foreign-built pickups are two expensive strikes against this Colorado showing up here.
The new Colorado will compete against the upcoming "T6" Ford Ranger, new Volkswagen Amarok pickup and existing models from Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan.
Last edited by 95redLT1; Mar 9, 2010 at 07:38 PM.
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it's bad enough the s10 market was left open, if they truely drop the colorado with no mid size or small size replacement they have truely lost it.
the colorado needs some stuff no doubt, but just abandoning the market. Please tell me it's just bad rumors.
Otherwise Dear GM I am submitting my resume for North America Car Czar.
My qualifications are the following:
I have never ran a company in the groung to the point of bankruptcy.
I have never been in debt much less required tax payer money to bail me out.
I will work for $0 although you will pay all my expenses since they will be work related.(lets face it fixing your company or just pointing out the obvious is a round the clock job) This will also ensure I don't get a golden parachute or am paid for any failures like is current policy.
I also own more GM vehicles at 1 time then 99% of your company. This leads me to believe I am either a) more passionate then your current managers or b)to stupid to know better then to buy your junk?
I understand the above makes me more qualified then your current management. Please don't hold it against me then if one of my wild and crazy ideas is too stay in a market were there is zero competition from the other two after 2011.
If it will make you feel more comfortable I'll randomly close down a division you never expected with no warning. Cadda-who?
the colorado needs some stuff no doubt, but just abandoning the market. Please tell me it's just bad rumors.
Otherwise Dear GM I am submitting my resume for North America Car Czar.
My qualifications are the following:
I have never ran a company in the groung to the point of bankruptcy.
I have never been in debt much less required tax payer money to bail me out.
I will work for $0 although you will pay all my expenses since they will be work related.(lets face it fixing your company or just pointing out the obvious is a round the clock job) This will also ensure I don't get a golden parachute or am paid for any failures like is current policy.
I also own more GM vehicles at 1 time then 99% of your company. This leads me to believe I am either a) more passionate then your current managers or b)to stupid to know better then to buy your junk?
I understand the above makes me more qualified then your current management. Please don't hold it against me then if one of my wild and crazy ideas is too stay in a market were there is zero competition from the other two after 2011.
If it will make you feel more comfortable I'll randomly close down a division you never expected with no warning. Cadda-who?
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From: Indianapolis, IN
I agree, they need to stay in this market. They may not sell in Silverado numbers, but a vehicle that sells ~100k units per year is still worth keeping. Ask Ford re: Explorer.
Or, we could do what we did with minivans and just fooking abandon the whole market to the asians (except Chrysler, who invented the market in the first place).
I personally am ready to move to a full size for my next one, but there are lots of people who are quite happy with a smaller truck. I still see S10s on the road in the zillions. How about we not force the populace into buying Tacomas and Frontiers?
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From: USA
Problem is, work truck Silverado ($20,080) and Base Colorado ($16,865) cost abut the same. What a new Colorado costs will get you a lightly used, pretty nice full size truck. There is not much gas difference anymore either. There is really not a ton of reason to buy a little truck unless you own a Carquest, or live in a tight urban area.
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Problem is, work truck Silverado ($20,080) and Base Colorado ($16,865) cost abut the same. What a new Colorado costs will get you a lightly used, pretty nice full size truck. There is not much gas difference anymore either. There is really not a ton of reason to buy a little truck unless you own a Carquest, or live in a tight urban area.
I could have bought a fullsize, But I wanted something else.
Also, I live in the country, but I don't NEED a fullsize for anything, a Diesel would have been nice since I live 50+ miles from work. Come on Mahindra.
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From: USA
That's fine..but in general this is not a country that likes small. Hell..a Corolla is as big as the Camry used to be.
The point of having a small truck is just that, its small. The fullsized trucks are just too damned big. Gas mileage is another, although not that much better for small trucks.
I could have bought a fullsize, But I wanted something else.
Also, I live in the country, but I don't NEED a fullsize for anything, a Diesel would have been nice since I live 50+ miles from work. Come on Mahindra.
I could have bought a fullsize, But I wanted something else.
Also, I live in the country, but I don't NEED a fullsize for anything, a Diesel would have been nice since I live 50+ miles from work. Come on Mahindra.
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Birmingham, AL, USA
I purchased an 04 Colorado when they were first released. I didn't want a fullsize, still don't... BTW-The truck has been an excellent vehicle, 94K miles, only in the shop once for a computer reflash.
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Posts: 255
From: Warner Robins, GA
I've wondered if I was the only one seriously interested in Mahindra...If they ever come through, I'll give that little truck some serious consideration...
Last edited by Sharker524; Mar 9, 2010 at 08:57 PM.
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From: St. Louis, MO
The s10 and s10 extreme were stupid popular back 10 years ago by the younger crowd. The 4.3 was a potent v6 at the time. (180HP in 1993!!) One friend had his in the 14's. Not bad for a v6 truck.
Another friend had his s10 slammed which was also very popular.
The extreme package made for a pretty sexy looking truck factory. Add a nice 4.3 vortec and and extended cab for room and a decent price and everyone and their brother used to have one.
Why would you want to give them up?
Imagine the HP and MPG a modern V6 could get it something that light. Mid and upper 20's all day.
Small enough to not feel like you were driving a land yacht. Handled pretty decent due to it's small size. Enough power to tow jet skis or haul something in the bed. 4 wheel drive optional and it would go anywhere
Another friend had his s10 slammed which was also very popular.
The extreme package made for a pretty sexy looking truck factory. Add a nice 4.3 vortec and and extended cab for room and a decent price and everyone and their brother used to have one.
Why would you want to give them up?
Imagine the HP and MPG a modern V6 could get it something that light. Mid and upper 20's all day.
Small enough to not feel like you were driving a land yacht. Handled pretty decent due to it's small size. Enough power to tow jet skis or haul something in the bed. 4 wheel drive optional and it would go anywhere
Last edited by Aaron91RS; Mar 9, 2010 at 09:06 PM.
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IMO, if the mid sized truck is going to survive at its current price point (crew cab mid sized trucks MSRP at $30k!), it is going to have to be at least as refined inside and out as the full sized trucks and suv's, with at least 20% better fuel economy than a full sized (so say 18/25), all while keeping the payload and towing competitive in the segment.
That should be the benchmark.
I would perhaps also argue to drop the extended cab. Just have a regular cab with a nice long bed, and a crew cab with a short bed.
But its not going to happen. Maybe Toyota, Nissan, or Suzuki? I read somewhere that the Japanese brands aren't sure what to do with their midsized trucks?
That should be the benchmark.
I would perhaps also argue to drop the extended cab. Just have a regular cab with a nice long bed, and a crew cab with a short bed.
But its not going to happen. Maybe Toyota, Nissan, or Suzuki? I read somewhere that the Japanese brands aren't sure what to do with their midsized trucks?