When General Motors releases the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups this fall, the company will not just be targeting Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier buyers – it will also have its sights set on small crossover utility vehicle shoppers. During a day of driving the new trucks at the company’s Milford proving ground, Autoblog noted that GM’s “engineering and marketing teams…brought along a Ford Escape as one of the competitive drives.”
The idea of cross shopping the new GM mid-size pickups with small crossovers isn’t as crazy as it may seem. Though the online automotive publication openly admits that even the base 200 horsepower four-cylinder engine is bound to be thirstier at the pump than the majority of small CUVs, the Colorado and Canyon will offer consumers additional utility at a similar price point, along with an interior “full of the available comfort and convenience amenities that CUV shoppers are so keen on.” The trucks will also offer a competitively tight turning circle.
While other mid-size trucks are the most obvious competitors to the new Colorado and Canyon, GM has already noted it believes its new trucks will also attract full-size truck customers looking for greater maneuverability. In fact, we fully expect the Colorado and Canyon to be cross shopped with a number of vehicles, including small vans like the new Chevrolet City Express.
Comments
The twins will canibalize sales n profits from GMs full size trucks…!
Most compact CUV decision makers are Women n they like the more compact size and Safety n Security of the enclosure of a CUV for their stuff that you don’t get in an open bed of a truck…!
Bottomline = GM blunder!!!
Well I have a Terrain and the wife drives it. I love it but if given a choice I would buy the Canyon any day.
I also would like a truck but I have no use for a daily driver that large. I will consider the Canyon.
Having spent time in one already I can say the refinement is up to the full size standards and it is a major leap over the last Canyon.
GM is taking a shot here and they hope to draw from many segments. CUV, Full Size truck and those who are not in the truck market now because there is nothing out there that suits their needs below the full size.
I do not think many who are in full size will defect but I do expect many not in the segment will come back. Lets face it Ford sold a lot of out dated Rangers for years because there was little else to choose from.
GM lost many on the last small truck as it was a piece of S*%$T. It drove nice but the sheet metal was thin, the interior reeked of a 83 Camaro and the full size trucks were discounted to the price of the small truck.
In the end we will see Ford bring in the Ranger as it is already built to NA spec. Also we will see a small truck at Dodge of some kind. Not a matter of if but when.
The pricing at GM will play an important part. They have to price this truck under the full size but they can not also rebate the full size to the same price. If they can keep a price step in here they will do fine.
To be honest GM would have no issue if they have people move down to this truck as it would increase the fleet average and these truck will also provide a good profit too.
It is a risk here but not as big of a risk as some would like to think. If they had a truck like the last one then it would be a major risk but this truck is by far the best mid sized truck the segment has ever seen in this country.
I think that depending how these ultimately compare to an SUV, I’d be inclined to take the truck. There’s just so much more that can be done with it, usefulness that is.
Also if a locking secure area is important GM could add a locking gate and hard cover like the Avalanche.
Keep in mind the Avalanche took some large SUV sales.
Locking components are cheap. I bought mine on line, as well as the hard/soft tonneau. Why focus on the little stuff?
As to the locking box. I have purchased the PaceEdward rolltop locking cover,also available in power operated. These are trouble free, I’ve had one on the 87 Sil. for 21 yrs an one on the 05 Col. for 9 yrs. When will they consider the Via electric drive option for the Colorado or Canyon, if so sign me up.
Maybe I’m the exception to the rule, but I’ve been the only owner of my 2002 Silverado ECSB. I’ve been through 6 – 60e rebuilds (85e) installed, and on 2ndpower plant (6.0). I love my Silverado , period. I love the new Colorado /Canyon look, would just prefer 3.6l w/twins or 4.8/5.3 build …. Maybe I’ll have to do it myself.
I’ve been waiting to see what will replace the TBSS, maybe a SRX w/3.6l and a pair of twins… Wishfull thinking?
Jeez…just make the V6 321hp.