Dodge abandoned the midsize pickup segment back in 2011 when it took the axe to its once strong-selling Dakota. A lot has changed since then, however. FCA, or Fiat Chrysler Autos, has been formed, the auto market in the U.S. has rebounded dramatically, gasoline is relatively inexpensive and, most importantly, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon have been finding quite a few homes.
Now, the latest news is Jeep will be officially introducing a pickup version of the iconic Wrangler off-road SUV. This idea has roots all the way back in 2004, when Jeep showed the Gladiator concept, a Ram-based Jeep pickup truck. Again, times have changed.
Jeep has an immense amount of brand equity, and a Jeep pickup truck not only sounds like a hot seller, but could command some very premium price tags. Not to mention, it will be very trail rated.
Competition isn’t perfect, but it’s also good for everybody, and that’s why this would be the perfect time for Chevrolet to unveil a production-ready Colorado ZR2.
The Colorado ZR2 concept was shown at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, and debuted to much praise, and calls for production (including from us). The truck featured rakish new off-road ready styling, complete with more extreme approach and departure angles at 30.7 and 22.7 degrees, and the 2.8-liter Duramax turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Not only would it give Chevrolet some serious off-road credibility, but it could also beat Jeep to the punch, seeing the Colorado ZR2 concept looks more like a production vehicle, than show car.
Speaking of looking quite production ready, when we had a chance to sit down with Chevrolet over the Colorado Trail Boss introduction, we asked if Trail Boss was a stepping stone to bigger things.
The answer? Everyone inside General Motors is “coo-coo for cocopuffs” over the concept. Add in the fact GM’s Product Chief, Mark Reuss, says the brand has greater intentions to build the ZR2 over a Ford Raptor fighter, and it’s sounding all but confirmed.
With Hummer a distant memory, and GMC lacking any sort of true off-road vehicle, that leaves the bowtie brand to counter a Jeep pickup. The blueprint is already there with the Colorado ZR2, GM only has to give it life.
Comments
Right, so we have an answer for a Wrangler pickup, what’s our answer for the Wrangler?
Unfortunately GM has no answer.
GM unfortunately is getting a bit boring.
I’m no fan of Mr. Marchionne.
Bur playing catch-up with Sergio doesn’t say much for upper management.
So it’s playing catch up if GM makes a Wrangler, but not catch up if FCA wants to make a Wrangler pickup? ZR2 isn’t a new concept from GM it’s been around for a bit.
They are bringing back the Hummers as well
The ZR2 is coming and we should know more about the GMC Jeep based model soon.
While it would be nice if they could be working on everything at once that is not feasible. Now that most of the car lines are getting finished up at Chevy and most of the Buicks will follow next year these other models will get their time and funding.
scott3, how do you know about the ZR2 and GMC Jeep???
Inside knowledge or best guess?
I am waiting for the Colorado/Canyon diesel to see MPG, and to hear from reviews before I buy. I would wait for a ZR2 or GMC Jeep fighter, the Trail Boss is kinda lame, as it is just a collection of accessories.
If you do have inside info, will we see a production ZR2 this auto show season, or even a GMC Jeep fighter concept / production version this year?
It is just speculation based on how GM works.
GM will do a more off road Colorado Now it may be called a ZR2 or something else but they will have one. Too much profit to be had there. Also it is not really all that difficult to do.
Second they will do it in the second or third year to keep new models coming and to keep the line interesting. GM as like most other MFG do not give you everything in the first year.
The ZQ8 may be iffy but with a show truck already shown there will be a package over the Z71.
The Jeep GMC has been an open secret just waiting to come out of the closet at GM for a while now. It is not a priority but it is something they really want to do. GM just can not do it all at once and have to pick the most profitable and most needed volume models first. I expect with the new SUV and CUV platforms it will be based on something from one of these. They are going to be very flexible. Many times models have to wait till the platform is available too.
It may still be a little while but GMC and GM needs a smaller 4×4.
The biggest reason you will see more things like this is the half ton trucks will have to see cuts in volume. This is why GM went mid size to pick up some of the sales and they hope to move the rest to the 3/4 trucks that are less effected by CAFE.
Note too the big investment into the CUV as it grows is also key as the half ton SUV will be also more expensive and limited.
The next 10 years will yield many changes in the truck segment and with GMC. They have no choice as they can not work with the present formula of mostly selling larger half ton trucks. They will offer them but the prices will continue to climb and it will be self limiting.
As with anything things can change up till they hit the show room but the odds are great so far for these two vehicles.
The ZR2 was very close to being a production based vehicle and I expect to see more hints at SEMA with many Colorado customs and some show vehicles from GM. We have only seen a hint at what the Mid Size trucks will bring. In time it will be more than just paint and trim packages.
Scott it seems like the GMC Hummer/Jeep Wrangler vehicle is a vehicle that would really differentiate the GMC division from Chevy. It should be a decent seller; as even most die hard GM customers still will flock to Jeep for the Wrangler.
Besides those customers
it should grab maybe some old Hummer (H3) owners and get some new customers into a GMC.
With GM down to 4 divisions it definitely seems like it’s time to get a bit creative with GMC.
Unfortunately, Chevy will NEVER make the ZR2. The bean counters at Chevy will never let that happen. If they do decide to get into the market, it will be way too late and most likely years after the interest has passed or waned, i.e. their “blacked-out” versions of there trucks available now with “bigger, bolder Z71 badging”. Pathetic… just sad and pathetic. Don’t get me wrong, I grew up in chevys and I currently drive a 2007 NNBS CCSB Silverado LTZ Z-71, but it will be my last chevy. My next truck will be a Ford or Toyota because they are interesting and are willing to invest in “special” vehicles. That tells me that they are not afraid to take chances (very lucrative ones) and are innovators not imitators. Stay BORING Chevy. Never change. The American people won’t be there to bail you out next time. Did anyone see Ford or Toyota take money in the bailout?
These have been selling in Australia for some time now including the Zd model. At first they sold strongly but now theor owners are realising how cheap and nasty they are compared to the likes of the Ford Ranger (which l hear Ford US will be selling soon) or the VW Amorok. They are pretty good offroad but on road they are very agricultural and poor quality fittings.
The wheels are turning too slowly at GM, the ZR2 should have been there from the get go.
A federalized Niva would be fantastic. It must be tough to handle Russian roads.
I do feel like any off road pick up belongs to GMC.
There still has to be enough Hummer SUT frames gathering dust down in the Mexican plant surely?
The ZR2 must be a GMC, not Chevrolet.
I don’t see Chevy as an off-road car brand.
GM has great divisions in the US, they don’t need to make everything a Chevrolet. GMC is strong enough to go after Jeep.
Just as the Z71 it will be offered by both as both will make money.
Now I have no issue sharing the suspensions as they should. Not where GMC need to diverge id with engines and offer engines Chevy does not offer. Give a little more under the hood for the extra money.
The Denali used to be this way as you could only get a 6.0, AWD in a half ton from GMC.
While the Denali is nice it would be nicer with some kind of mechanical advantage and some kind of exclusiveness to the GMC in more than just trim.
I expect the GMC line to see some love here once Buick/Opel/Holden are done with their cars and new SUV models. We will see it start with the Terrain and Acadia then move to the new model they are going to offer and then we might see the Jeep model.
Lets face it the Terrain and Acadia both have done well but do need to see the next investment of time and money. They have been major profit centers.
I sure hope GM can focus on more than a couple of models at a time otherwise they are destined to keep shrinking. Trim and engines should never be exclusive to any brand. The design and identity should be exclusive. Give each brand a personality and it will sell to those that are drawn to it’s personality.
GM will get to these expanded model soon enough.
First you do not bring out a bunch of models at intro. One because of quality second because of marketing.
You need to not show all your cards in the start of the game.
Note even the new raptor is not out at intro.
Also GM went into untested waters here so they will progress from here.
Hey GM … How about offering Regular Cb model, there are a lot of us out there who don’t need an extended cab nor a crew cab model.
Shame on Cadillac if they killed the avenue ,jealous maybe
I sure hope this positive enthusiasm is warranted. I have a Colorado but I really need a ZR2 in the worst way. I really don’t want a Raptor but if GM won’t do something soon, or at least commit to doing something soon, I’ll have no choice.
As a Chevy/GMC fan, I would hate to see them lose out marketshare to the new Jeep pick up. Better hurry up GM. I don’t think Jeep intends to drag their feet.
Fuck Chevy Been a fucking tease for two decades now.