GM still has the BOF H3. Who is to say that there won't be a GMC and/or a Chevy version that is higher volume?

 

That is more of a niche product. It starts at $30K. You can get TB's for like $22K

 

Talk about killing the goose that layed the golden egg. Out TB's, though buggy were great vehicles. The design has aged well, and all they really need is a new interior honestly.

 

I think the basic difference may be the astounding number of different vehicles GM builds coupled with, right now, limited resources (limited in comparison to a more profitable GM). Meaning that GM has to make some hard decisions about just what it's going to continue (and continue to update) and what it's going to bring new to the market.

Also, even if they do discontinue the Trailblazer that doesn't mean they are going to totally abandon that potential market segment - people who buy crossovers are different than those who want/need a small, true, truck based SUV. Don't get me wrong, I like crossovers but if you actually want to do any sort of serious off-roading they aren't the vheicle you need so there will always be some market for a Trailblazer sized or slightly smaller (and perhaps more basic/rugged) SUV.

 

Buick Enclave replaces Rendevous & Rainier.
So I'm assuming that the GMC Acadia replaces Envoy, and that Chevy's Lambda CUV will replace TrailBlazer.

 

A 355 based SUV for Chevy? Bad idea IMO. Too small, will eat up Nox sales.
And 2 Lambdas? Another bad move on Chevy's part. A Lambada based minivan, and thats it. I dont think that a 4th Lambda crossover will be worth anything. I wonder how agressive one could make a Lambda crossover? They sit a little higher then a minivan, but much lower then a Tblazer.
Nox, Lambda Uplander, NG Tblazer, Tahoe, Suburban, a great line up right there.
Chevy is going to have the broadest market coverage amoung any other division.
Aveo, Cobalt, Malibu, Camaro, Impala, Corvette
Equinox, Uplander, Tblazer, Tahoe, Suburban
1500, 2500HD, 3500HD, Avalanch
A car, truck or SUV for everyone.

 

If the Lambda Crossover for Chevy was shorter and only had 2 rows of seats I think it would compliment quite well to the LWB GMC, Saturn, and Buick models without stealing sales. The big question is would it sell as well as the BOF TB sold?

 

Personally I'd rather see the GMT355 SUV sold as a GMC since GMC ddoesn't have the 'nox or any other 2 row SUV come 2008. Or maybe make GMCs 355 SUV a 4 door and Chevy can have the 2 door, or suicide door SUV.

 

It would be called the Equinox. There is still a need for a mid-size SUV, be it Unit-body or BOF, it needs to be a SUV, not a Crossover. I wonder if Lambda could be constructed to make a more SUVish type crossover, higher ground clearnance, something like a Honda Pilot. I could see that.

355 SUV for GMC might overshadow the H3. One would eat away at the others sales, both end up going no where. If the Torrent were to switch brands to GMC, fit it with an Acadian type front end, I think that it would do well.

 

I don't see how. This wasn't a concern with the Tahoe/Yukon and H2. Should GMC dump the Canyon since Hummer is coming out with a H3 pickup? H3 starts at $30K. The GMC 355 could offer a 2WD version and start as low as $22K

 

H2 is much different then a Yukon and Tahoe.
I dont agree with an H3 pick up unless its a crew-cab only design with long bed.

 

According to the numbers presented by a JD Power rep at this week's SAE Convergence show, the broad and poorly-defined "CUV" category is projected to grow by 390% in the next five years, while traditional body-on-frame SUV sales will drop by something like 20% (all of these numbers are off the top of my head since I'm now too tired to dig through 30+ pages of notes, but are pretty much in the ballpark).

 

I never did understand why GM did the GMT355 & 360 programs instead of keeping them on the same platform.

IMO they still need to offer a BOF SUV, logically on the small pickup platform, with a V8 option .... unless they figure out how to get up to 6,000# tow ratings on properly equipped CUV's.

 

My dad has had 2 TBs now, and both have been great. He was shocked when I told him it appears GM is abandoning the market of BOF SUVs. When they're still selling over 200k per year of the damn things, why not give it a fresh interior and refresh the outside, and keep selling the damn things?!?!?! The driving dynamics and powertrain are great as-is.

 

The Trailblazer is an awesome sized product for the market. Actually, I think they'd be better off axing the Tahoe. It's basically a shorter Suburban anyway, and the market for large SUVs is starting to dry up. They could easily handle the lost Tahoe Buyers with Trailblazer, Avalanche or Suburban.

Keep in mind, I own two Tahoes and have said before that my 2002 Tahoe LS is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I still feel that way. However if I was buying a new SUV today, I don't know that it would be by first choice again.