Chevrolet News:GM’s North America President Reveals Some Info On Next Gen Colorado

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

January 17, 2012

Mark Reuss, GM’s North America President recently dealt some dirt on the next generation Chevrolet Colorado, due out in the U.S. sometime in either 2012 or 2013.

Reuss revealed the Colorado’s main target is the Toyota Tacoma.

“Tacoma is the volume leader. We know that there’s a buyer for a really good Chevrolet lifestyle sport truck that’s quite different than the Tacoma,” Reuss told Car & Driver.

How much different are we talking? Reuss and his colleagues didn’t say. Most likely Reuss brought up the Tacoma in reference to the Colorado being extremely capable in addition to it competing in the mid-size truck segment. Although mid-size is a bit of a misnomer; Reuss said the new Colorado will be something like 90 to 95% of the size of the Silverado full-size truck.

And of course since we are talking about Chevrolet Colorado, the question was brought up if GMC would get a version. Reuss said it’s possible that GMC could get a version of it. If it does happen, the GMC version would be significantly differentiated from the Chevrolet. GM isn’t saying anything about it at the moment.

Reuss also talked about how the Colorado will have better fuel efficiency and a “powertrain change” versus the Silverado. Most likely, this means the Colorado will pack a four or six-cylinder engine, but a diesel engine could be in the cards with a diesel Cruze being introduced next year.

Source: Car & Driver

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[GMTruckGuy74]

AHHH!! So reclusive with the GMC information. Let me state this here for any GM employee reading this - I AM THE TARGET MARKET FOR THIS PRODUCT. I WANT a GMC version. I am a GMC Fan and will buy GMC over Chevrolet 10 out of 10 times. Do not think I am the only one here at C&G (ahem, hyperV6), the other Internet forums/blogs, or in reality. Don't wait until the 11th hour to make a GMC version. DO. IT. NOW.

Thank you!!

[daves87rs]

Waiting on price....

[hyperv6]

Waiting on price....

I am going to take a wild guess and say it will be price with the say something like the Tacoma?

Since they have not shrunk this truck I ponder if Ford [New Ranger] and GM may move offer them as a light half ton at some point for more MPG that they need to find. Ford kind of did this at some point with the F100 back in the 80's. It was lighter and cheaper but got better MPG and was a good fit for those who do no heavy hauling.

With it to the point now where it cost $110 to fill up a half ton truck it could show some appeal to the truck buyers who like light hauling but hate the high cost to drive.

[balthazar]

^ Average national price of regular today is $3.38.

In order to put $110 of 3.38 in a truck, you'd have to pump 32.5 gal.

My F-150 with dual tanks had 37 gals onboard. A tacoma only has a 21-gal tank. I doubt any small truck has anywhere near that sort of capacity.

20 gal @ 3.38 is $67. Let's not get all crazy.

I never understood the whole idea that it costs $X to fill a tank. No one (but me) carries cash anymore- so it's not a matter of pocket change.

Sure- the price gets high but 'I can't afford to fill my tank' is ridiculous; you're going to burn X gas whether you fill the tank (on credit) half way or all the way.

The people running out of fuel on the side of the highway when gas was $4 were complete idiots.

[smk4565]

Why 90-95% the size of a Silverado? My guess it is 90% the price too. It would be more like 75% the size and prize of a Silverado to make them different. That is why the Colorado doesn't sell now, it is almost as expensive as a Silverado and not even half as good.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Why 90-95% the size of a Silverado? My guess it is 90% the price too. It would be more like 75% the size and prize of a Silverado to make them different. That is why the Colorado doesn't sell now, it is almost as expensive as a Silverado and not even half as good.

It could be that these pickups are expected to be the cash cows of the near future with ever-rising gas prices? Look how many people are abandoning the large car segment for mid- and compact-sized cars... could be that it's expected that many full-size pickup purchases may become mid-size (compact) instead... sort of like those going from a LaCrosse to a Regal (or Regal to Verano).

This may also open up the market in 5-10 years for the return of the true compact pickup (i.e. S10-Sonoma-LUV pickups).

[ocnblu]

When I read 90-95% of the size of a Silverado I was like

I certainly hope this truck has meaningful differentiators v. the Silverado. And that tadpole front end irks me. Let's see a GMC with a Terrain-like front end (that's higher off the ground).

2.5L 4, 2.8L diesel 4, and 3.6L V6 sould like great powertrain choices to me, if they can be properly tuned for truck duty, which can be severe v. car duty. It still must retain its mechanical ruggedness.

I hope the US version shows up at Chicago... time is drawing nigh if they're gonna sell this as a 2013 model.

Shouldn't this thread be posted in "Chevrolet Trucks" section?

Edited January 18, 2012 by ocnblu

[hyperv6]

^ Average national price of regular today is $3.38.

In order to put $110 of 3.38 in a truck, you'd have to pump 32.5 gal.

My F-150 with dual tanks had 37 gals onboard. A tacoma only has a 21-gal tank. I doubt any small truck has anywhere near that sort of capacity.

20 gal @ 3.38 is $67. Let's not get all crazy.

I never understood the whole idea that it costs $X to fill a tank. No one (but me) carries cash anymore- so it's not a matter of pocket change.

Sure- the price gets high but 'I can't afford to fill my tank' is ridiculous; you're going to burn X gas whether you fill the tank (on credit) half way or all the way.

The people running out of fuel on the side of the highway when gas was $4 were complete idiots.

To fill an empty Silverado it takes over $100 I have done it. No one said it would take that much to fill a smaller truck and that is what makes it more appealing to those who can no longer afford the large truck that they could hardly afford drive in the first place. Credit card or not people have x amount of money to spend on gas anymore and too many times they bought the wrong vehicle for their economic needs.

It is the same principle of using regular gas in a GM performance car vs premium when it is only recomended vs required. Yes you save a couple bucks but if you can't afford that why did you buy the performance car in the first place? GM uses the Premium Recomended as a marketing ploy to keep buyers from rejecting the purchase of a performance car because the premium is required.

Yes people are idiots and you need to sell down to them at times.

[hyperv6]

Why 90-95% the size of a Silverado? My guess it is 90% the price too. It would be more like 75% the size and prize of a Silverado to make them different. That is why the Colorado doesn't sell now, it is almost as expensive as a Silverado and not even half as good.

It could be that these pickups are expected to be the cash cows of the near future with ever-rising gas prices? Look how many people are abandoning the large car segment for mid- and compact-sized cars... could be that it's expected that many full-size pickup purchases may become mid-size (compact) instead... sort of like those going from a LaCrosse to a Regal (or Regal to Verano).

This may also open up the market in 5-10 years for the return of the true compact pickup (i.e. S10-Sonoma-LUV pickups).

I expect a smaller full size truck at some point and I hope GM gets back to the original size S-10. That is what they really need now as that is what helped the Ranger. It made it cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and that is what was missing from the Colorado. As it was the old Colorado was priced to the point you would be a fool to buy it over a full size truck. GM discounted the Siverado's enough to make the better value if MPG was not a factor. The Colorado MPG was not all that much better either.

[smk4565]

If it is 90% to 95% the size of a Silverado, why not just put a 4-banger in the Silverado at that point and see how much that sucks.

They already have the Silverado, which for some bizarre reason still doesn't have a V6, they can improve efficiency on the Silverado a couple mpg to get it to where the Colorado is now.

The Colorado I still think should be on Theta or something unibody so it is smaller than the full size trucks. And for people that want the versatility, but don't haul a lot of weight or tow over 4,000 lbs it could be successful. Especially with the commercial market and business fleets that are buying Transits because the fuel economy is better than bigger vehicles.

[Robert Hall]

If it is 90% to 95% the size of a Silverado, why not just put a 4-banger in the Silverado at that point and see how much that sucks.

They already have the Silverado, which for some bizarre reason still doesn't have a V6, they can improve efficiency on the Silverado a couple mpg to get it to where the Colorado is now.

If they could cut down the obesity of the Silverado by 1000-1500lbs, then maybe the base model could have a turbo 4...and isn't the standard engine in the Silverado the 4.3 V6?

[GMTruckGuy74]

If it is 90% to 95% the size of a Silverado, why not just put a 4-banger in the Silverado at that point and see how much that sucks.

They already have the Silverado, which for some bizarre reason still doesn't have a V6, they can improve efficiency on the Silverado a couple mpg to get it to where the Colorado is now.

If they could cut down the obesity of the Silverado by 1000-1500lbs, then maybe the base model could have a turbo 4...and isn't the standard engine in the Silverado the 4.3 V6?

It is.. though most dealers bring in pickups with the optional 4.8L V8 engine (the V6's are reserved for the dealer newspaper ads to bring in floor traffic)

[Robert Hall]

It is.. though most dealers bring in pickups with the optional 4.8L V8 engine (the V6's are reserved for the dealer newspaper ads to bring in floor traffic)

Given Fords recent success w/ their V6 model, I assume this strategy will be different w/ the next Silverado...

Edited January 18, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[hyperv6]

GM has to counter the Ford V6 as it has shown people like it and are willing to pay more for it. The key is willing to pay more. GM can not leave any money on the table when they have a V6 that is as good or better than the Ford.

Offering the V8 and V6 is good as it lets the buyer choose what they want. This will let the market move to be more accepting to smaller and more efficent engines if DC gets their way.

[67impss]

Yeah choice in Fords engines = 1 mpg difference in hwy IIRC. By the same kind of choice in cake would be, Would you like your marble cake yellow with chocolate or chocolate with yellow?

I hope in Chevrolets case choice is more meaningful.

Edited January 19, 2012 by 67impss

[Northstar]

With the quote about the Chicago show being the "GMC show" and Ruess more or less saying GMC has something coming as a sister vehicle to the Colorado, I wonder if we will see the GMC version in Chicago?

[daves87rs]

Well, if it is going to be a as the Silvy, there better be a reason to buy it. And knowing the fact that the new full sizes are going to have great fuel saving engines, it would make this truck pointless.

Now, if this new "slightly smaller" truck can start at, say the same price as a Cruze, now we can talk. Why, you ask?

Something has to replace those small business S-10s. Astros, and HHRs out there. A full size truck can't cover everything....

[Drew Dowdell]

Why 90-95% the size of a Silverado? My guess it is 90% the price too. It would be more like 75% the size and prize of a Silverado to make them different. That is why the Colorado doesn't sell now, it is almost as expensive as a Silverado and not even half as good.

It could be that these pickups are expected to be the cash cows of the near future with ever-rising gas prices? Look how many people are abandoning the large car segment for mid- and compact-sized cars... could be that it's expected that many full-size pickup purchases may become mid-size (compact) instead... sort of like those going from a LaCrosse to a Regal (or Regal to Verano).

This may also open up the market in 5-10 years for the return of the true compact pickup (i.e. S10-Sonoma-LUV pickups).

People aren't abandoning the large car market. The models in each respective segment are growing so there is a psychological trick that is being played. People who trade in their '91 Accord on a 2011 Civic didn't go down a size. They stayed the same. People who trade their '94 Taurus in on a Fusion didn't go down a size, they stayed the same. People who trade their Contour in on a Focus didn't go down a size, they stayed the same. People who trade their 98 Avalon in on a Camry haven't gone down a size... well... you get the picture.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Why 90-95% the size of a Silverado? My guess it is 90% the price too. It would be more like 75% the size and prize of a Silverado to make them different. That is why the Colorado doesn't sell now, it is almost as expensive as a Silverado and not even half as good.

It could be that these pickups are expected to be the cash cows of the near future with ever-rising gas prices? Look how many people are abandoning the large car segment for mid- and compact-sized cars... could be that it's expected that many full-size pickup purchases may become mid-size (compact) instead... sort of like those going from a LaCrosse to a Regal (or Regal to Verano).

This may also open up the market in 5-10 years for the return of the true compact pickup (i.e. S10-Sonoma-LUV pickups).

People aren't abandoning the large car market. The models in each respective segment are growing so there is a psychological trick that is being played. People who trade in their '91 Accord on a 2011 Civic didn't go down a size. They stayed the same. People who trade their '94 Taurus in on a Fusion didn't go down a size, they stayed the same. People who trade their Contour in on a Focus didn't go down a size, they stayed the same. People who trade their 98 Avalon in on a Camry haven't gone down a size... well... you get the picture.

I agree 100% with your logic, BUT many of the people I know and reference aren't coming out of ancient cars. Most are coming out of 3-6 year old cars (like an '05 Ford 500 owner going to a Focus). How about the people coming out late-model Lucernes, Crown Vics/Marquis/Town Cars, 300s, et al for Regals, Malibus, Fiestas, Focuses, Cruzes, Sonics, and so on? A lot of my neighbors replacing their cars lately are going to smaller cars from their larger ones (and the same with SUVs - from Yukons & Tahoes to Equinoxes and Terrains, from Expeditions to Edges, and so on). People are choosing smaller vehicles from their previous purchase, mainly due to higher gas prices.

I'm not arguing with you, just pointing out what I'm seeing in my area.

[GMTruckGuy74]

And remember this.. a consumer who NEEDS the space/capabilities/functions of a full-size pickup will not consider anything small. A person that WANTS a full-size (their preference) but does not NEED the space/capabilities/functions of a full-size pickup will be drawn to the benefits of the new smaller pickup.

The guy who owns horses and needs to pull his horse trailer? FULL-SIZE PICKUP

The guy who owns 1 or 2 small ATVs for occasional weekend fun? Potential COMPACT PICKUP

The guy that hauls building supplies for his construction business? FULL-SIZE PICKUP

The guy that does DIY home projects a couple of times a year? Potential COMPACT PICKUP

And again I'll repeat myself - no one that is looking to buy a CREW CAB Canyon or Colorado is going to find a great deal (outside of a fire sale) on a Sierra or Silverado CREW CAB equipped the same way. There's like a $10k difference in price. I'm tired of all these apples-to-oranges comparisons of someone looking at a regular or extended cab Canyon/Colorado being told to buy a regular cab pickup because they're the same price

[Drew Dowdell]

Why 90-95% the size of a Silverado? My guess it is 90% the price too. It would be more like 75% the size and prize of a Silverado to make them different. That is why the Colorado doesn't sell now, it is almost as expensive as a Silverado and not even half as good.

It could be that these pickups are expected to be the cash cows of the near future with ever-rising gas prices? Look how many people are abandoning the large car segment for mid- and compact-sized cars... could be that it's expected that many full-size pickup purchases may become mid-size (compact) instead... sort of like those going from a LaCrosse to a Regal (or Regal to Verano).

This may also open up the market in 5-10 years for the return of the true compact pickup (i.e. S10-Sonoma-LUV pickups).

People aren't abandoning the large car market. The models in each respective segment are growing so there is a psychological trick that is being played. People who trade in their '91 Accord on a 2011 Civic didn't go down a size. They stayed the same. People who trade their '94 Taurus in on a Fusion didn't go down a size, they stayed the same. People who trade their Contour in on a Focus didn't go down a size, they stayed the same. People who trade their 98 Avalon in on a Camry haven't gone down a size... well... you get the picture.

I agree 100% with your logic, BUT many of the people I know and reference aren't coming out of ancient cars. Most are coming out of 3-6 year old cars (like an '05 Ford 500 owner going to a Focus). How about the people coming out late-model Lucernes, Crown Vics/Marquis/Town Cars, 300s, et al for Regals, Malibus, Fiestas, Focuses, Cruzes, Sonics, and so on? A lot of my neighbors replacing their cars lately are going to smaller cars from their larger ones (and the same with SUVs - from Yukons & Tahoes to Equinoxes and Terrains, from Expeditions to Edges, and so on). People are choosing smaller vehicles from their previous purchase, mainly due to higher gas prices.

I'm not arguing with you, just pointing out what I'm seeing in my area.

I'm just going with the fact that Taurus sales are way down compared to the Taurus of yore, and Fusion sales seem to have taken over for it.

Maxima -> Altima is the same pattern.

[G. David Felt]

Personally, I would want a GMC over a Chevy version. If they do not make it, then I guess I will hold onto my money.

In regards to the comments of a V6 in the full size, They have tried this in the past and except for the few who will buy into this marketing strategy, it does not work in the real world. If you have a need that demands a full size Pickup, then you want the v8 to make sure you have the torque to move loads time after time after time. Not a strong V6 that by 100K miles is shot and ready to be replaced.

Smaller is NOT better in a Full size truck. This I base on past experiance.

[67impss]

I dissagree in that smaller is not better. In the past smaller engines were base power plants but with the EcoTecyou have a factory bottom end able to take 1000HP IIRC and subsiquent engines will build on this. The 4.3L was a base engine but even it didn't crap out at 100K mi hell it was a small block with low power. What would wear out? Only maybe the timing chain or motor mounts but nowhere near 100K mi.