Meet Chevy Trax — the crossover that GM Authority sources have described as being “what the Chevy Cruze is to the Buick Verano”. Why the analogy? Because the Trax rides on the same Gamma II Plus platform as the recently-unveiled Buick Encore.
In any event, Trax seats five, has class-leading cargo space, and will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September. It will first launch in Mexico and Canada, but will be available in 140 markets worldwide… except for the United States, because “of the strong position of the Equinox”. Mark Reuss was telling the truth, after all.
“The Trax provides Chevrolet an entry into a growing small SUV segment and delivers the flexibility, great fuel economy and car-like handling that urban explorers around the world require,” said Mary Barra, GM senior vice president of Product Development. “After a record sales year in 2011 and a record first quarter, Chevrolet continues to meet customer needs by expanding its portfolio with strong new entries.”
The GM Authority Take
We really like the way the Trax looks, which is more than we can say for other subcompact models. However, we’re dubious of the decision to launch the vehicle in Canada but not in the United States. But hey, at least it has a roof rack!
Comments
Equinox as a model is successful. But Chevy is still beat by Ford and Toyota in crossover sales, even when you lump in GMC. I think GMA had the numbers on this in an article. So unless Chevy adds a compact Escape rival, GM sales will continue to drop in the US like they have been this year.
I think this is a good idea. A good car? Yes. A good looking car? Yes. But they will already have the Encore and they look too similar (for obvious reasons.)
I would rather have an equinox, this looks too cheap
This is one of those moments where I shake my head in disbelief.
They should have bring it to here!!
Everywhere except the ‘States. Surely Americans can’t be THAT fully entrenched against sub compacts.
Then again, surely GM could sell more Trax’s than Encores.
escape big sale but what a garbage vehicle trany,suspension ,seats,ac..but the big problem the trany y like to no the numbers ford fix the trany,
But you’re talking about the “old” Escape that’s being replaced by an all-new vehicle. And as far as u know, the Escape is the most reliable crossover in all of USA… What kinds of problems are the transmissions having on the Escape?
Math, English please… I can never read what you are saying…
US bailed GM out and they treat us like second class citizens. GM never heard, ‘If you build it, they will come.’?
What does the bailout have to do with anything? More pertinently, how big is the market for such a vehicle here? It can’t be any smaller than an upmarket/more expensive Encore… and let’s not forget that Ford isn’t bringing its EcoSport — Fiesta-based CUV — Stateside either.
After the bailout, GM’s priority is not to give back vehicles, but to make a profit. Maybe when the become privately owned again they can give us a thank you model. If they do, this is definitely not a vehicle I’d like. Don’t they already have the Captiva if they want to sell a smaller crossover?
Why not replace the captiva with it
Well, in my opinion, Trax is a crappy name, as a result of less and less words being available. Captiva is a better name. Also, they are two different sized crossovers. The Captiva is the Saturn Vue, but this crossover is not sold in America anymore. The Trax is the Buick Encore, ready to be sold in America.
awesome can`t wait to see it in person.
Captivas a fleet only. I think that the Encore and this look very unsimilar. The front doesn’t remind me at all of the bug-eyed Buick. I also think that this could easily be marketed as a kind of more sporty cheap option to the Equinox. Equinox sales to older, parents, businesses, etc., and this Chevy is for the younger college/highschoolers. Albeit that’s a small market, but being cheap and definitely cheap to build (being built for 140 countries) and also influencing young people, could be profitable. The Buick then would kind of be for the same age group as the Equinox, but seen as more luxorious and refined, i.e. Cruze vs Verano.
Where’s JD to comment? I like the looks. Too bad it’s not coming to the US. Supposedly there is something similiar coming I thought JD said, but actually a little larger than the Encore. I’m still hoping for a Sportage competitor from Chevy, available w/either this new 200hp/221tq 1.6T DI or the new 2.0T DI (maybe an RS sporty version like the Sportage SX ?)
I’m right there with you. The Sportage is a good compact ute but is about to get it’s a$$ handed to it by the new Escape — and Chevy is nowhere to be found in the compact segment!
ya whats up with that. chevy has a great platform with wich to build off of (Delta II).
This should be the Chevy (Gamma) the Buick should be the larger (Delta2).
Does anyone remember the 2007 Chevrolet Trax Concept?