Despite having achieved market dominance in some corners of the country, the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon pickup truck is still lagging behind the Toyota Tacoma in terms of sales since the latest-generation midsize GM truck went on-sale in November, 2014.
But Chevrolet Vice President Brian Sweeney is undeterred, because where supply may have been an issue before, GM is ramping up production. “We were low on supply of the new truck at startup for 2015, but now we’ve added a third shift at Wentzville [Missouri] and figure the truck will be sold out,” said the executive at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.
Wards Auto reports that from last November, through January of this year, the Tacoma has enjoyed well over double the sales of the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon. The GM truck has sold just 17,000 units to the Toyota’s nearly 39,000.
Still, there’s little reason to doubt Mr. Sweeney’s ambitions. As he put it: “we’re turning the truck in 17 days or less and are finding a 41% conquest rate of buyers new to Chevrolet, while not seeing defection out of Chevrolet.” The Chevy Vice President declined to comment on the prospect of an aluminum-bodied future for the midsize trucks, but did reveal that the automaker remains hopeful regarding the future success of a diesel Colorado/Canyon, despite (comparatively) high diesel prices.
Comments
Is the toyota port blocked from striking union members???
the maybe so.
It’s a supply issue completely. I work at a chevy buick gmc store and we still haven’t received a single canyon…
The needed formula is there for this truck to do well but the slow start up at the plant and the limited models they started have limited supplies and choices.
I think the next couple months will be interesting to watch and a little fun.
Both the Chevy store and Buick store near me (Detroit area) only have one. They get 2-3 in and gone within a day. I am going to have to order one to get what I want.
They are coming! I’ve been waiting for almost a year! But I have faith they are on their way!!! Don’t rush it!
I waited and waited. Limited Colorados and Canyons in South FL. No color choices, I have yet to see an extended cab and I did not want a Crew Cab and they are too high off the ground to be mid-size. They are more difficult to get in and out of than the Silverado cause you sort of have to duck. Inside the cab it is definitely a bit cramped front to back and side to side. It definitely felt cheap even though it has many of the electronics that the Silverado has. But it was not well thought out. I was really not in a hurry but for a variety of reasons I did want to make a change in January / February and I went and got a Silverado LTZ. So that didn’t hurt GM. I would have loved to have seen some Colorado LTZ models extended cab in white. It isn’t going to happen for some time and since I really was not turned on…. Maybe next time they can get it right. Don’t release a vehicle you don’t have. Of course it is selling well in some markets. They have them to sell. Can’t sell what you don’t have.
I want a Colorado with a baby duramax
this will be my 1st chevy, have been in a 06 Honda Pilot, prior to that, I had a brand new Ford Explorer Sporttrac 07- Was almost ready to jump into a tacoma from my pilot, but this chevy seems to have most of the features and options I’d prefer to have, including the better gas milage. but, it doesnt seem like I may not get my hands on one! 🙁 I also heard that the drive train/warranty on the 2015 model is 100k, while the 2016 model being released in July will have a 60k warranty- bummer- as my experience with american made hasnt been the best (my ford explorer sporttrac, took an immediate leap off a cliff within one month after the warranty expired! all hell broke loose, engine, transmission and axle issues, followed by catalitic and transfer case issues (I hit every maintenance appntmt. as required on time, etc.)