Is GM Considering Chevrolet TrailBlazer For U.S. Market?
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Officially, Chevrolet has no plans to expand its SUV and crossover portfolio beyond the Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban in the U.S. market. Yet a new report from Edmunds reveals that a new model could hit dealerships as soon as late 2014. The new vehicle in question is none other than the mid-sized Chevy TrailBlazer.
It’s not clear if the SUV, which shares DNA with the new Chevrolet Colorado, would be built in America alongside the new truck in Wentzville, Missouri, or if it would retain the same design, engines, or even the name as the global model.
The GM Authority Take
The global TrailBlazer would serve customers who are looking for a vehicle smaller than the hulking Suburban, but still need more towing and hauling capability than what’s provided by the likes of a bulkier Chevy Traverse, thanks to the TrailBlazer’s body-on-frame skeleton. But just how many people are looking for such a vehicle these days outside of Jeep owners?
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I think the TrailBlazer is a great looking SUV . It would make a great replacement for the Tahoe, it would get better mpg, with the both diesel options and also the new 4.3 V6 truck engine.
The trailblazer would be a great competitor for the jeep gran cherokee
New Trail Blazer would Great!
How about just put it as a GMC?
GIVE IT JUST TO GMC!!! thatd be a smart move…
Bingo! This would be a great move for GM. I’d like to see more diverse models in the GMC lineup. Or they could just use the Trailblazer’s underpinnings for a decent midsize Cadillac SUV; or perhaps even a Buick SUV. This way they can thin out the numbers of the Lambada-based crossovers.
I like it but worry how it would affect sales of the Traverse.
I know they are different but there are people in the Traverse that came from the old Trailblazer and may defect back.
I do think this would pose a good challenger to the Ford Explorer with real RWD / 4X4.
I think it needs to be here to start back where they left off when the old Trailblazer left us. They need a real RWD/4×4 with low range transfer case like before. I would be interested if it was to come about mainly as a one time owner of a ’95 Blazer that I really liked.
I have a 2007 Trailblazer – absolutely LOVE it. It has been the best car I have ever owned (I will admit that I am pretty rough on vehicles and because of that have owned many by various makers.) This Trailblazer has held up, without any issues whatsoever, and is still operating like a beast. The only possible negative thing that comes to mind is the gas mileage. However, after owning the Nissan Armada & the Chevy Hummer prior to the Trailblazer, I don’t think of 17mph in the city as being all that bad.
I would never own a Traverse – I think they are AWFUL and do not ride even half as well as the Trailblazer. I don’t really care all that much about a vehicle’s look if it fits my needs and serves it’s purpose, but the Traverse looks like a minivan on steroids. Hideous. I want them to bring the Trailblazer back. Guaranteed buyer right here if they did.
Or how about a “Baby Avalanche” for GMC?????
GMC needs more vehicles on it’s own without Chevy having a version also.
That would prove GM wants to be the best it can be in terms of design and pushing the envelope in terms of what to expect the “New GM”.
I’m first in line for that, they really need to rethink killing the Avalanche, and it would be nice if they would give that idea another shot; they own those good ideas ( midgate, 3 piece tonneau cover, side bed storage) so why let others use the same ideas as if they where theirs ( Rambox).
How nice of a surprise would it be for them to have a plan for the Avalanche replacement, without us knowing?
We where so close to getting another similar vehicle in the Pontiac G8 ST, but noooooo, can’t have that. And it’s been said before that we won’t see an El Camino either.
I have always said I thought the Avalanche extended cab would do much better in the smaller crew trucks. The beds on the small crew trucks are nearly useless and the converticab could render them more useful.
The sliding roof GMC was too heavy, expensive and problem prone. They could have done it more simple and cheaper like the avalanche.
Do this now GM!
Just think about how many people are still driving around with last generation Trailblazers. I happen to be one of them. The Traverse is too big for my needs and the Equinox is too small. This would be perfect. So for 2015 can I request a New Trailblazer SS – I think the new LT1 would work quite nicely. A guy can dream.
Toyota currently offers 7 SUV / Crossovers and Ford offers 5 so another option would not be overkill and the development is already done. Make it like the SS Sedan with a limited product for year 1 and see how it goes.
We still have our 93 Envoy… It’s a great vehicle for numerous reasons. If this vehicle is produced, especially with a diesel option, we would be hard pressed not to buy it. As others have commented, this vehicle is needed by many of us. I’m interested in the Colorado diesel, but I would choose the Trailblazer over the pickup.
Our Envoy is near the end of its useful life time so, I hope the General does this vehicle soon.
During the peak of popularity 2002-05, GM sold over 1.5 million Trailblazers and Envoys. That’s about 375,000 per year folks! Of course we are in a different day and time now, but there still quite a few that like the mid-size, 5 seat SUV that can handle 5000 lbs.+. I like the idea of making this GMC only, after all who better to sell a BOF, truck based SUV than a “truck” brand!
Perhaps is could be a replacement for the Traverse/Enclave/Acadia?
I think bringing the trailblazer to the US would be a great move. If GM decides to bring it they need to offer a true offroad version of it with the tri mode 4×4, suspension etc. Something like this would be a great competitor for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and and Ford Explorer. This would fill the void of a smaller SUV with 4×4 capability, not just an AWD version of the Traverse/Acadia.
They need mid-size everything and they need to consider hybrids in these models. They have nothing to compete with the Jeep Cherokee… that is a great size and a true SUV. I think GM made a huge mistake with these crossovers. They have waaay too many and they are BIG but they really aren’t big inside. Huge debacle in my opinion. Others like Jeep and Ford have stuck with what worked and I would like to know what was wrong with the Blazer and Trailblazer that they needed to stop selling them in the US. Some pretty stupid mistakes. Also agree… GM and Chevy cannot keep making twin vehicles with little body and trim changes …waste of money to compete with yourself with the same product.
I believe GM will bring these trucks back to the US if negotiations go well with free shipping of cars and trucks from overseas. With the tariff of trucks they can ship them in from Australia. Let’s hope and pray I loved my envoy
I would really like to see the trailblazer come back. The Tahoe is a li big and the others guys were right the Traverse is not enough. Cant Wait!!
Mounted_gs I believe the TrailBlazer can be built at the same plant that the future Colorado will be built at.
I have put off upgrading my 2004 Envoy 4×4 because there is nothing domestic on the market except for the Jeep GC . My son drives a Jeep which has has more reliability issues in its first 2 years than my Envoy has had in 9 years, so I’m not anxious to make the switch. Hurry up, GM, before your loyal BOF mid-size vehicle customers start walking toward other stores!
Garmar is right… a lot of GM customers waiting almost 10 years for powerful mid-size vehicles to come back. It isn’t like they didn’t once make them… I am driving a 2004 Silverado waiting for a midsize truck. I would even consider a midsize SUV if the back seats folded down flat as a board. A lot of us will wait about one more year and then go elsewhere. Wake up GM
Pop a TTV6 in there, and the TrailBlazer SS could be sold using Colorado’s underpinnings to those looking for a RWD sport vehicle that can hold more than a Camaro, but cost less than an SS sedan.