Chevrolet may have a valuable secret weapon when it comes to the market’s shift to crossovers, trucks and utility vehicles in general. While Japanese automakers will likely forever hold a competitive advantage in perception when it comes to building compact cars and sedans, American brands know a thing or two about building a utility vehicle.
That core competency is likely to be exploited and is already occurring with launches like the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The market’s shift to crossovers is certainly reflected in the Traverse’s fresh design, which unmistakably shares a profile akin to the Chevrolet Tahoe.
“[Tahoe and Suburban] do phenomenal things for us from an image standpoint,” Chevrolet marketing manager Steve Majoros told The Detroit Free Press. “That’s a business opportunity. The new Traverse was specifically designed to have a higher beltline, less rounded body and more upright pillars. The presence of the new model aligns with how people see SUVs.”
The resurgence of utility vehicles is being seen as a tremendous opportunity for American automakers to finally shake poor perceptions of low-quality vehicles from the 1990s and early 2000s. And, as crossovers become more fuel efficient, the vehicles themselves offer a viable alternative to a midsize sedan.
Leveraging a history in rugged SUVs will continue for both Ford and General Motors, especially with Chevrolet. The bowtie brand houses the history of the Suburban, which has been in continuous production since 1935. Although Japanese and other foreign automakers have their own crossovers and SUVs, there’s no sweet sense of nostalgia with American consumers.
“Honda and Toyota don’t have decades of strength in pickups and SUVs. They can’t leverage that history in the way Chevrolet and Ford can,” IHS Automotive senior analyst Stephanie Brinley said.
It’s a unique opportunity for Chevrolet, and one it likely won’t ever be able to capitalize on again.
Comments
And sitting on their duff may cost them with their lack of interest in keeping the Tahoe/Suburban updated competitively.
See where the 2018 Expedition, both models are longer but lighter, has Eco-boost with what I believe 375hp and 470 lbs torque all teamed up with a 10 speed automatic. Guessing it will probably be year an a half before Tahoe/Suburban gets anything other than a facelift and if they continue to offer the anemic 5.3 as the only choice with the archaic six speed, they are asking to get their clock cleaned!
I agree that the Tahoe and Suburban need an update, but the 5.3 Ecotec with the 6 spd gets better mileage and not to mention sounds better than the Ecoboost. If GM were to add a turbo (to the 5.3) and hook it up to an 8 spd, the engine would get a huge power bump.
Sounds good and gets 1/2 mpg more but takes 7 seconds to get to 60! I’ll pass on those advantages on a $74k Tahoe Premier! Enjoy your gas mpg and exhaust sound as the Expeditions taillights get smaller and smaller!
Child, please. Grow up.
Yep, thats why Expeditions just fly off Ford lots huh…not.
The 5.3L is far from anemic. Get a grip. It’s an engine of choice when it comes to full size trucks. It will soon get a higher gear transmission. GM has kept a steady grip on that market forever with even last gen 5.3L. Ford can’t touch them even if they offered a gold bar with each Expedition.
See post above. The 5.3 in a heavier 3 seat SUV is anemic. 7 seconds to 60 is SLOW and is unacceptable in a $74k Tahoe Premier!
Just read how Ford will use aluminum in their next generation Expedition SUV to save roughly 300 lbs; but you’ve got to think General Motors will rely on technology that was used on the GMC Arcadia and Chevrolet Malibu to trim the same weight while the engine may be a variant of the upcoming LT5 6.2L DOHC-4v V8 planned for the C8 Corvette.
2018-2019 Tahoe/Suburban SUV’s on T1xx light-weight chassis/body.
As one who generally tends to favor import brands, I’ve never had a problem acknowledging Ford, GM, and Chrysler’s superiority in the truck/SUV department. American auto brands have always been more appealing, from a styling and engineering standpoint. This surge in CUV/SUV sales does indeed provide a great platform for them to showcase their best and solidify their status as the leaders of this segment. Hopefully it can create an opportunity for potential buyers to take a look at the stellar sedans coming out of American brands! For years, their sedans have been mediocre compared to import brands! And just as they’ve finally got their act together, people decide they’d rather have trucks and SUVs!
Looking at the new 2018 Traverse, I see the potential for very strong sales. The Traverse has now transformed from an appliance looking vehicle, into a sport styled crossover SUV. This is a spacious vehicle, but looks tightly styled and sporty. Also an all wheel drive option is available.
We may be on the verge of American brands clawing back some of the business previously lost to those Japan and Korean brands.
Even with Japan and Korean imports being assembled in the U.S., they still have a very Asian look about them.
No doubt, the Traverse looks 100% American.