The Future of Chevy Trucks

[Flybrian]

Chevrolet: Silverado is vital

Automotive News / August 21, 2006 - 6:00 am

HHR: The 2009 HHR will be freshened.

Small crossover: Chevrolet will not get a small crossover built on a shorter version of the Theta architecture used for the Equinox crossover. The vehicle had been considered for the 2009 model year to compete against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Equinox: The 2007 model receives a freshening. A third-row seat designed for children may be added. The 2010 model will be re-engineered and restyled.

TrailBlazer: The TrailBlazer was scheduled to be restyled and re-engineered for the 2009 model year. That plan has been canceled, and the TrailBlazer eventually will be dropped. Rising gasoline prices and disappointing sales prompted the shift in strategy. The phaseout time frame has yet to be determined.

Tahoe, Suburban: Chevrolet's full-sized Tahoe and Suburban were restyled and re-engineered for the 2007 model year. Sales began earlier this year. A hybrid system is expected to be offered for the 2008 model year. The two-mode system uses a pair of electric motors to drive the vehicle.

Avalanche: The 2007 Avalanche was restyled and re-engineered; sales began this year. A hybrid model is expected later in the model year.

Colorado: A freshening is planned for the 2008 model year.

Silverado: Simply put, the full-sized Silverado and the GMC Sierra pickups are GM's most important vehicles. Last year, combined sales volume was 935,468 units.

The 2007 Silverado and Sierra light-duty pickups have been restyled and re-engineered. One noticeable difference is that the Silverado and Sierra no longer are clones. Each has unique front and rear fenders, hood and headlight modules.

Two styles of interiors have been created - what GM calls pure pickup and luxury-inspired premium. The Silverado LTZ, Sierra SLT and Sierra Denali fall into the luxury category, with styling inspired by luxury SUVs. These three pickups have their own distinct instrument panel, a first for GM.

Extended cab and crew cabs go into production in October; regular cabs are scheduled to follow in November. The heavy-duty models will be called 2008 models, arriving in January.

The Silverado is likely to be freshened for the 2010 model year.

SSR: The SSR was discontinued during the 2006 model year.

Uplander: For the 2010 model year, General Motors finally will give its brands a real minivan competitor. The redesigned vehicle will be developed on the fwd Lambda architecture, and it will be considerably wider than today's Uplander. The Uplander name likely will be dropped.

The architecture used for the current generation of minivans debuted in 1990. It was purposely engineered a few inches narrower and shorter than competing U.S. makes because GM planned to sell the minivan in Europe under the Opel and Vauxhall brands. The strategy put the U.S. models at a disadvantage, reflected in disappointing sales.

Finally, about 20 years later, GM will get it right. The minivan's styling will have the flavor of an SUV. Inside, a large amount of interior space is planned, along with seats that fold into the floor. Awd is a possibility.

Express: No major changes are expected.

[Dsuupr]

Where is Chevy's version of the Enclave/Outlook?

[GMTruckGuy74]

Express: No major changes are expected.

You'd think with the Sierra & Silverado being all-new for 2007, the redesign of the Savana & Express would soon follow. Especially sine the vans are still based on the pickup truck platform and its frame is all-new. I'd imagine that the vans would be all-new for 2008 or 2009. Doesn't that make sense???

[CARBIZ]

I thought I read somewhere that Chevrolet was supposed to get a small "Tracker-sized" SUV from GM-DAT. Is that no longer planned?

If Chevrolet is supposed to be the Toyota fighter, then we have a huge hole in the line up. The Equinox cannot be the sole "small" SUV.

The Tahoe simply is not selling here, due to the high price and the cost of gasoline. Chevrolet needs a decent 7 passenger minivan or SUV that is good on gas. 2010 is way, way too late.

But then I guess Canada's market is too small to care about.

[loki]

You'd think with the Sierra & Silverado being all-new for 2007, the redesign of the Savana & Express would soon follow.  Especially sine the vans are still based on the pickup truck platform and its frame is all-new.  I'd imagine that the vans would be all-new for 2008 or 2009.  Doesn't that make sense???

183334[/snapback]

i think you're right....