With Confirmation Of A New Ford Bronco, How Will Chevrolet Respond?
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The boom of the crossover, truck and SUV segment in the U.S. has a few silver linings for fans of some iconic nameplates. Specifically, it led to the rebirth of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
To counter, Ford will put the Ranger midsize truck back into production in the near future, but the blue oval has something else on the way: an all-new Ford Bronco.
According to Ford Authority, the iconic Ford Bronco will once again return and be assembled in Michigan along with a reborn Ford Ranger. While General Motors has the upper hand in the midsize truck segment, Chevrolet has nothing at present to punch back at the Bronco.
The Bronco is expected to be a body-on-frame SUV to fill out Ford’s crossover and SUV lineup with a new midsize vehicle. Over at Chevrolet, the brand just finished repositioning the 2018 Equinox as a compact crossover to make room for an all-new midsize crossover, rumored to be called the Blazer.
But, while a rumored Blazer may match the Bronco in size, we’ve heard nothing to pin the Blazer as a body-on-frame SUV. Rather, it’s expected the new midsize Chevrolet will ride on the C1XX platform, which underpins the 2017 GMC Acadia and 2017 Cadillac XT5.
Of course, there’s the Chevrolet Trailblazer sold in global markets, but mum is the word on such an SUV to enter the North American market.
With the intel we currently have, it seems the best chance for a true sport utility vehicle to find its way back to General Motors of North America may sit with GMC. After the brand repositioned the 2017 Acadia as a midsize crossover, GM stated it will not vacate the full-size segment.
And we know GMC dealers have been itching for a vehicle to properly match hot Jeep Grand Cherokee sales.
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The Avalanche would make a good starting point. The only thing the old Jimmy/Blazer line had that the Avalanche missed out on was a removable roof. If they shrunk the Avalanche, gave it the tossable roof, and stiffened it up a bit with some old Hummer bits they would also have the world’s first luxury rock crawler.
This is far from an exact match but I’ve often wondered when the Russian Chevrolet Niva isn’t sold to rival Jeep and fill done GM white space.
GM need look no further than next generation Hummer designs to fill the body on frame void.
A body on frame SUV will be available in the US, but not until MY’ 20.
GM will not reply in kind. There will be no Colorado based SUV in the next 3 years. GMs Bronco sized SUV will be based on the C1XX platform to compete against the Grand Cherokee. The Bronco will be a niche vehicle with just high enough sales numbers to keep it around until it needs a refresh. At which time it will get the ax.
As for Matt’s comments about solid front axles… GM made the correct decision going IFS. Unless you are going to build a vehicle with the sole purpose of taking on the Wrangler there is absolutely no reason for solid front axles. Even then, an IFS setup could easily be superior (Ford Raptor anyone or the 2011 King of the Hammers Winner). Jeep guys like ’em because they can modify them cheaply and easily.
Let’s go! Time is a wasting! GMC or Chevrolet body on frame SUV, with a 4.3 V-6 or small V-8. Please no more wimpy CUV’s!!
Just IMAGINE a 2016 Tahoe z71 2 Door i’d die for that !!!!!
GM for some reason wants to rebrand their global brand models that are imported into the U.S. and change it so it is less appealing then the twin sister global model. I just don’t understand their reason behind it but is usually a water down version too.
I Searched high and low to find a full size Chevy tuck (not a pickup) finally settled on a 95 Tahoe in real nice shape and in my budget, so since Chrysler and Ford appear to be coming back with 2 door SUV the Ram charger and Bronco I would love to see the return of the Blazer/jimmy in a full size version with a true 4×4 locking diff like the old days. A real truck not a midsize or watered down version.
Still waiting for my 2 door Tahoe/Yukon GT with a 6.2
I’ll send my deposit now.