Currently, General Motors sells two very different versions of the Chevrolet Colorado. The first is the Chevrolet Colorado for international markets such as Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand), and the Middle East, as well as the Chevrolet S10 in South America. The other Chevrolet Colorado is the version sold in North America. While the two have different styling, powertrain components, and interiors, they are related, as they ride on different versions of the same GM 31XX platform. But when it comes time for the next-gen Colorado, it’s possible GM will merge these two models into one single product sold around the world.
Before going into how the two Colorado models could be merged into one, we must first take a trip down memory lane to understand how we got here in the first place.
Isuzu D-Max is the father of the 31XX platform. The International-market Chevrolet Colorado is a rebadged version of the D-Max, while serving as the basis for the North American-market Colorado and Canyon.
A Tale Of Two Trucks
In the late 1990s, General Motors partnered with Isuzu to offer a midsize pickup truck for international markets such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. The goal was to create a midsize pickup that would cater to the tastes and expectations of international markets as opposed to those of North America.
International-market 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is derived from the Isuzu D-Max
The first fruit of the collaboration was introduced in 2002 as the first-generation Isuzu D-Max. This model went on to be sold as the Chevrolet D-Max, Holden Colorado, Holden Rodeo, Isuzu KB, Isuzu LB, Chevrolet T Series, and various other names. Furthermore, this model was somewhat related to the first-gen Chevy Colorado sold in the U.S., as the platform used to build the U.S.-spec Colorado was loosely derived from the same GMT355 architecture.
International-market 2018 Chevrolet S10/Colorado is derived from the Isuzu D-MAX
In 2011, the two automakers introduced the GMT 31XX platform for the second-generation of the international-market Isuzu D-Max and Chevrolet Colorado/S10. At that time, GM had no plans to introduce a midsize pickup in the United States and Canada, but those plans changed. GM decided to use the GMT31XX platform as the basis for the U.S.-market midsize model. And that’s how the second-generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon that we know and love today were born.
| Model | Market Availability |
|---|---|
| International Model | |
| Chevrolet Colorado | Southeast Asia, South America (select markets) |
| Isuzu D-Max | Southeast Asia, Africa, South America (select markets) |
| Chevrolet S10 | South America (select markets), Mexico (until 2018) |
| Holden Colorado | Australia, New Zealand |
| U.S. Model | |
| Chevrolet Colorado | USA, Canada, Mexico (starting in 2018) |
| GMC Canyon | USA, Canada |
In that regard, the current Colorado/Canyon sold in the U.S. are not total clean-sheet designs, since they use the same basic platform as the international-market models. However, the second-gen Colorado and Canyon are also vastly different from international-market units, with different wheelbases, powertrains, exteriors, and cabins.
U.S.-market Chevrolet Colorado is derived from the GMT-31XX platform shared with the international-market Colorado/D-Max. Colorado ZR2 pictured.
Back to the GM-Isuzu partnership: all seemed to be going smoothly in 2013 and 2014. But shortly thereafter, GM started to make strategic changes to its presence in Southeast Asia, leading to a dissolution of the GM-Isuzu midsize truck partnership in 2016.
The Merge
Now that it’s “free” from Isuzu, GM can do what it pleases with regard to its midsize pickup trucks. The strategy that makes the most sense is merging the two related-but-separate vehicles into one global model (albeit with some regional adaptations) in order to take full advantage of scale economies.
A lot has changed since GM inked its deal to develop and build pickups with Isuzu. Perhaps the biggest change is that midsize pickup trucks have regained their popularity in North America, winning over customers who aren’t interested in a crossover or a full-size pickup truck.
Granted, the preferences of midsize pickup truck buyers in North America are somewhat different than those in South America and Southeast Asia. Specifically, the models in the latter markets tend to cost less and have more car-like styling. But at the root of it all, midsize truck customers the world over still want a solid truck that’s capable, while also not breaking the bank. Any regional differences in customer needs can be addressed via different equipment packages and, if need be, fascias.
Global Models For The Win
In its partnership with Isuzu, General Motors was paying to develop and manufacture two rather different types of midsize trucks. But merging those models will save GM money in the long run, a direction that the New GM is very much a fan of.
A big component of achieving this is GM’s VSS-T platform. The architecture, or more appropriately, the vehicle set, aims to unify all GM body-on-frame models, including pickups and SUVs, into a single, highly-scalable architecture, regardless of size.
It’s unclear what General Motors will do. However, not merging the two trucks would be a missed opportunity for the company as it attempts to trim any unnecessary fat for an uncertain future. The GM 31XX platform already underpins both of the current models, so making them the same truck should be a no-brainer.
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Comments
This is GM we are talking about. Who knows what they will do. sometimes the things they do just don’t make sense economical or otherwise. Hopefully they will do the right thing.
It’s GM. They’re bound to screw it up.
Yes! They screw it all!
Will it still have the tiny footwells, narrow seats, and off-center steering wheel? Will it still have a console big enough to hold a corpse? Will it still have the shortest door height in the industry?
Hmm, are we talking about the same 2015+ Truck? I’m 5’10, 200lbs and not lean, and I fit in the seats perfect. The doors are WAY larger than the Tacoma, and unlike the Tacoma you sit like you are in a chair (the way a truck should be), not like sitting on the ground. And I like my huge center console, it holds a lot of junk : ) The footwells are large enough to swallow a house. Are you thinking of the S-10? I Haven’t noticed an offset steering column like the old GM trucks used to have, I’ll have to check on my drive home.
As it is they will do a platform that will be very flexible. Much like the platform under the Blazer, to the XT6. The cab structure and frame desiign will be share as will will the engineering and geometry of the suspension.
Basically the hard points will be shared. This will let them use different length frames like they do today but still save on engineering.
Still expect the overseas trucks to be different as they expect trucks that are shorter in the bed, Some regions want external tie downs and they generally need more basic interiors.
The truck markets globally and GM will continue to change them to fit the market.
GM could have just brought the Holden here and sold it but they knew better.
I love my Canyon and I hope they just do more refining of it to improve it.
The mid size segment is tough as it needs a global market to survive and it has to appeal to a wider base. It also has limits on cost as once the price gets over $40K the sales decline fast. Unlike the full size segment that is now creeping up on $100K for a full size truck.
GM got the present trucks pretty much right. they ride and drive best in class. The handling is amazing compares to the Ford or Toyota. They just need to step up the interior and add some new features like I expect like adaptive cruise, 360 camera etc may be a sun roof etc.
The greatest thing they can add is a wider selection of color inside. How many different colors of gray and black can we take? At least add some highlights. The Coco interior at GMC looks so much better.
scott3 I totally agree especially with your comment “They just need to step up the interior and add some new features like I expect like adaptive cruise, 360 camera etc may be a sun roof etc”. I can’t believe they do NOT offer push button start and HomeLink!!
It all comes down to keeping the price down.
They could have added all this now but the cost would have been high vs a new platform. Also many products add these features but they take from under the skin and skimp on what you can’t see,
I recall when the Camaro came back and they asked a group if the smell of leather seats was important. Why the smell is not natural and it cost money to put in. If they added it the money would have come from some place else.
The mid size trucks are boxed in and it makes pricing and optioning them difficult.
Many of these features have been in other models for a couple years now so they also will enjoy a cheaper price now that they are much more common.
While we may lack Homelink what many miss is the excellent 4 piston brakes we have on the front with treated rotors that don’t rust. My pedal feel is on par with a Corvette. I would gladly use my door opener over home link for the better brakes.
The frame is boxed in. It cost more to do this so many things get overlooked that we did get that really make it a better truck.
scott3, I understand about keeping down price but GMC PLEASE at least offer Homelink and push button start as an option!!! My 4-year old Cherokee has both and they are great features. I am in the market for a 2020 midsize pickup and the lack of these will have me looking elsewhere.
Everything cost and they have to pick and choose.
Thinks like this they survey to see what is and what is not a must. Thinks like Homelink are nice but generally are not something that prevents many sales.
I understand it may be important to you but there are many more like me that if it is there fine if not the other features are more important.
To me the if I push a homelink button or garage door button it makes little difference.
Now a 360 camera, HUD or other item that needs to be built in is of more value to me.
Often many MFGs load up small things like Homelink but they will never offer the bigger features like Hud.
I know it is aggravating but these decisions are not taken lightly. It also is why you see old GM vehicle still on the road 25 years later and others not on the road 15 years later.
Like the Chevy Cobalt. Not a great car but look how many are still on the road vs many of its competitors not even around. The extras you don’t see keep em running.
scott3.
You mention “To me the if I push a homelink button or garage door button it makes little difference.” To me the benefit of homelink is not having to have the garage door opener ‘kicking around’ inside the vehicle. Also, pushbutton start is nice as you don/t have to fumble for your keys in your pocket. A 2019 Canyon Denali is close to $45,000 and a vehicle at that price point should include those features….if not at least offer them as options..
I purchased a 2016 Extended Cab Colorado for my daughter and she loves it. The size is just right. My wife and I considered purchasing another 2019 Colorado Crew Cab, but the lack of available options on the truck was a deal breaker. Specifically, memory seats are a requirement for our household. I believe this should be standard on all upper level trims for the majority of vehicles, especially as you near the $40,000 price point. I think if GM concentrates on making safety features standard, making the 6 cylinder engine standard across all trim levels (not enough of a mpg boost by going with the 4 cylinder), and include the niceties that the Tacoma does not even make available, they will continue to grow their customer base.
I could certainly see GM create a consolidated BOF platform for it’s future mid-sized and full-sized offerings. GM has stated that they are also developing an Electric pickup on BEV3 which would leave me to think this too will be a mid-sized truck (Something like a cross between the Rivian R1T and Honda Ridgeline).
Aust has both Holden Colorado & Isuzu D-Max
With the Isuzu being a little more up market and using a larger 3.0 vs 2.8 engine.
While competition is sort of tight we all know the car company’s collude with each other to ensure their profit margins stay fat.
History of this is Holden dropped the VF price by 7~10k across the range, Ford killed the falcon.
All the model are new of 2019?
I own a 2019 Colorado/WT/six-sped manual. ASK me wat I think..
JJXS
i hope they will do things are too great…its GM too awesome.. really screw it up
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