Rugged Off-Road GMC SUV Murmurs Continue
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GMC is still considering an off-road SUV capable of bringing the fight to the Jeep Wrangler, the Wall Street Journal reports. We first heard whispers GMC was considering a super-capable off-road SUV in March of last year, however the idea is now being shopped around to dealers as the automaker looks to capitalize on growing demand for crossovers and SUVs.
WSJ says GMC believes the new off-road model would help grow the brand significantly. Sources claim the new off-road model, which could be the totally unique GMC vehicle GM product chief Mark Reuss alluded to last year, would borrow some cues from the now defunct Hummer lineup and also have similiar capability. The new SUV is still in the discussion phase, but we feel GM wouldn’t collect dealers’ opinions on a product they weren’t seriously considering.
GMC spokesman Brian Goebel didn’t want to comment on the rumors, but said brand vice president Duncan Aldred has been adamant about capitilizing on GMC’s current momentum by expanding its product lineup. Insiders say the idea “is being kicked around real hard,” within GM, so maybe if we cross our fingers and toes real hard, the Jeep Wrangler will no longer be in a segment of its own.
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This is a no-brainer. It should be similar to a Holden Colorado7. Build it now.
I’d like to see the development of an off road Terrain . GMC has always been the luxury division for their trucks . Having one that can go off road but still ride like a car on the interstate would be nice .
You’re an idiot, then. Do you have any concept of what it would take to make that soccer mom vehicle off road ready? I’m just curious where someone like you would think to start on that project.
I believe if they are to build this vehicle, it should be a Chevy. GMC has been branded as the luxury division of trucks and SUVs and an off road SUV would go directly against their branding. Chevy should be the performance division just like in cars. The Colorado ZR2 is an off road concept so it wouldn’t be a stretch to have a Chevy off road SUV. Perhaps base it on the offshore Trailblazer (which I believe is based on the Colorado platform).
This is a prime time to do this. GMC has considered doing a real off road vehicle that is small and light. It would be a 4 cylinder and really go off road with little fear of flipping over or getting hung up.
GMC needs a smaller model to help with the CAFE at GMC. There would still be room for new Canyon Jimmy too.
As for the off road Terrain? No way as this is a car based vehicle. It really is a minivan that poses as a SUV and makes a lot of money. Now do not call me a Terrain hater as a I have a fully loaded SLT2 Terrain in the garage now and love it. The fact is it is just not the kind of vehicle made for off road. Save that for a possible Canyon based Jimmy.
Forget the Colorado 7 as it is butt ugly and largely out dated already for our market. GM can and will do better.
GM is doing it again ? just pushing the bigger sales truck Chevy to the side . If GM goes through with this build, it will be sad !
The fact is the half ton market will shrink with all MFG into the future so get used to it. Ford and Ram will be forced into the same moves as you can not build a million half ton V8’s and still meet the coming regulations.
Smaller vehicles like this and the Canyon will help keep these trucks viable.
Also GM will try to get people to move to the better equipped 3/4 tons as the regulations will be less there.
As for expansion CUV and Smaller SUV models are leading the sales segment no over cars so I expect nothing but expansion here in these segments.
As for moves to GMC it is pure profit. The transaction prices at GMC trump anything at Chevy in a big way. Denali is spelled $$$$$$.
GM should do two off roads models one as Chevrolet and the other as GMC. It could use the Colorado platform, and be called TrailBlazer and be produced globally replacing the current TrailBlazer.