With the recent success of the Buick Encore as well as the launch of the 2015 Chevrolet Trax in the United States, thoughts have begun stirring on whether or not this growing vehicle segment could create an opportunity for a GMC-badged version of the subcompact crossover of sorts in the future. GMC Granite, anyone?
“I think that is certainly possible,” noted one Trax engineer in an Automotive News report.
He elaborated further claiming that the 2015 Chevrolet Trax has received “alot of great feedback” from automotive writers who have driven it, which has played a key role in generating speculation about “opportunities with other brands.” The 2015 Chevrolet Trax will begin arriving at U.S. Chevrolet dealers this month out of Korea, and the U.S. will be the 67th country to sell the vehicle since it was first launched in Mexico back in 2012.
The 2015 Chevrolet Trax has two platform-mates: the Buick Encore, which went on sale here in the U.S. back in 2013, and the Opel (Vauxhall) Mokka in Europe. Chevrolet claims that the Trax gives the brand a compact, versatile offering that helps bring its small car family full-circle.
However, a Buick Encore-sized GMC may take the sales spotlight away from its senior, as Buick and GMC models tend to share the same showrooms. But that hasn’t stopped the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia from co-existing. Time will tell.
Comments
GMC Vibe.
Too soon? Okay, never mind.
No, GMC does not need a Trax version. Cookie-cutting too many versions is not going to gain sales, just take away from the Trax and Encore.
GMC Granite CPU (compact pickup truck) would be a perfect compliment. It would also start a new segment perfectly fit for Gen Y.
Yeah. I say don’t need it, just do the Granite concept along with the pickup mate to it. (That is the Trax for GMC I’m referring to.)
I think they should bring it. But in order to do that, they need to differentiate the interiors first. The same goes for the equinox/terrain
I kind of agree with that it may take away from the Trax and Encore but if they make it more luxurious or unique than the others maybe just maybe they might make a decent amount of sales.
I agree that if they do it, they should differentiate the interiors and make it more luxurious. The problem is GM gives GMC a version of everything Chevy has, up-scales it with some nice features, then only prices it slightly above the Chev version. If they do this, they need a good gap in pricing and features so they don’t just compete with the same buyers.
The big problem is that in order to be between the Encore and Trax, the pricing won’t really be much different than the Trax, so if they upscale the GMC version with features, the Trax would be dead. If they up the price for the upscaling, they take away from the Encore.
Ok lets really look at this. Do we really need another Trax?
We already have $18,000 through $31K covered by the Buick and Chevy so do we really need another of the same model in a Buick/GMC dealer?
GM has finally gotten away from badge engineering and this would only damage what they have repaired.
Now I am not totally against a Gamma II platform at GMC and something unique and different being presented.
I know the Granite is dead but I like Paul would love to see this in the van and pick up version again.
There also is a large segment missing the HHR for its special polarizing looks. GMC would be a perfect fit for a special model like this. I am not saying it has to be retro just different and special that stands out in the crowd.
Even a new version of the Sidekick like small SUV jeep would be something different. Make it so that it really could go off road.
I saw the Granite and Granite Pick up Mock up. I was shocked at how good they looked in person. Many people do not realize how large they really were for a small car. Even if they forgo the suicide doors it would have done well.
But we do not need another version of what we already have. I would like to see just how well the Trax sales will be this year too as it may not be a slam dunk in sales as the Buick was. Many older people love the Buick but not many younger people. That may not translate to the Trax as well here. The price segment the Trax is in the Subaru often is the choice in the younger buyers. The Buick has an advantage of offering a upper level luxury like trim to the older buyers that Subaru just really does not offer. The Subaru is for people who like to get their feet dirty but the Buick is for the person that just does not wan the high price of a large SUV but still wants the chrome and trim of the more expensive ride. They never even take a hike.
The bottom line is if this is a GMC it should share nothing but the platform and that is all.
Or put it as off road worthy as the renegade
No, not if it looks as ugly as the pic.
GMC needs to decide if it’s going to be “professional” or if it’s just going to be another cookie cutter brand squeezed into the tiny niche between Chevy and Buick. I don’t see the point. If, on the other hand, GMC actually stopped trying to be a luxury brand and became the heavy-duty brand with FEWER features but more durability and load/towing/cargo capability with an improved warranty to prove it, then GMC wouldn’t be able to keep up with demand.
Sorry that is no going to happen as GMC is already in a Buick dealer and the options are where the profits are.
GMC is easily the most profitable truck on the road. This Is why Chevy, Ford and Ram all are now offering a Luxury version of their trucks.
GMC should just call the Denali $$$$$$$$ as that is what it makes.
As for stripped down trucks they are not money makers and often what you describe are what Ford sells in volume to fleets. You can already get the same thing from GM if you want it but are they willing to sell cheap at low profit just for the sake of volume as Ford does?
As of now while GM may not be Ford in volume they crush them in profits per truck sold and that is the whole point of being in business. Volume is important but profits are even more so.
Given that Trax and Encore are virtually twins, I think this is a poor idea.
I do love the idea of an Adam van-like varient seeing as Adam, like Mini and 500, had true potential as a sub brand. Possibly a Granite-like Gamma based GMC product could be cost effective if also usable by Opel.
Then, in 2019, the Opel version could make its way over to N America, when the rest of the Adam line up flips to Gamma and does double duty as a Buick product.
Not to sound like a bean counter, but no project is viable for GMC, Buick and Opel/Vauxhall unless they can be shared across divisions. (In fact, a Jeep fighting non Chevy based SUV will never make its way to GMC unless Opel decided to build a Ford Flex fighting Adam SUV on the new global D2XX platform also utilized by Envision.)
It’s not a bad idea, but it’s just not the right time for it.