We recently had a chat with the President and CEO of Brembo North America, Dan Sandberg, during the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. During our conversation, Sandberg discussed his podcast, Brembo Red, which had GM design chief Michael Simcoe as a guest back in September. During the interview, Simcoe talked about how styling for crossovers and SUVs is evolving.
During the podcast, Sandberg asked Simcoe about the difficulties of styling a five- or seven-seat SUV, specifically with regard to creating a design that would help to differentiate the SUV from its competitors. Interestingly, Simcoe’s response included insight into the modern design trends for the ever-popular SUV and crossover segments.
“It was hard when we were all trying to style small trucks and call them SUVs,” Simcoe said. “I think what’s happening though, and this is the fine line between lower CUVs and SUVs in the true sense, because all the SUVs, to make them better styled or well-styled, they’re getting sleeker and the silhouette of the vehicle and proportion is more sporting.”
This is critical, as the crossover and SUV segments continue to dominate the auto industry, and as such, the design of these vehicles must evolve to reflect the updates and changes rendered throughout their enduring popularity. According to the GM design chief, the market dictates that the latest styling should have a definitive sporting flavor to it.
“They’re no longer traditional trucks… and that’s what customers are looking for,” the GM design chief adds.
Indeed, customers seem eager to buy crossovers and SUVs that are perceived as do-it-all vehicles – that is, capable and practical, but also comfortable and fun to drive. As such, much of customer perception is derived from the way in which the given vehicle is styled.
Interestingly, this styling trend leads the GM design chief to believe that the industry will continue to move towards sportier, lower vehicles.
“And I think that signals a trend back down to sleeker and more emotional vehicles rather than the upright SUVs,” Simcoe said. “There will always be a place for function and therefore the upright vehicles, but there’s a growing trend towards sexier, lower SUVs.”
Looking further ahead, the GM design chief also thinks that the industry will eventually cycle back towards adoption of the sedan body style, as we covered earlier this week.
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Source: Brembo Red
Comments
Gm is making its crossovers too low now. The Blazer is sporty so it needs 2 b lower. People like a commanding view of the road. The seats need to b higher. If they r 2 close 2 the floor you my as well buy a sedan.
I saw where some one noted that many of today’s CUV models are the size of past traditional sedans and mid sized cars. People like the size and utility an$ now they no longer have to deal with 13 mpg of the larger SUV.
Every MFg is searching for th3 next big thing. Ford tried the Flex a Tall low sitting wagon with mixed results.
The Euro brands are trying tall CUV like cars that do well in Europe but not so much here.
GM and the Asian companies are trying sportier CUV models that are wider and while tall are lower to give them better handling. Also I suspect to help prevent turn overs. I am surprised someone has not noted how the CUV models are more roll over prone.
The Harley Earn idea if longer and lower here just does not work so everyone is searching.
It is getting harder to stand out as they all are n early a copy of each other.
GM has taken Their CUV models and at least they are styled in varied easy from each other and that helps. They have gotten away from the same car just different grill issues of the past.
I hope they do more of this on the new SUV models.
One has to wonder whether designing a popular CUV might be to borrow the styling cues of small front-drive sport wagons meaning to borrow from something like the VW Golf.
Maybe the CUV of the future will evolve into the station wagon of the past?
Already has with the Flex with very mixed results. The only one that has worked is the Forester that maybe the smaller size helped.
I liked the Dodge Nitro but it failed. May have just had too many quality issues?
Gm Totally Wreck the Blazer . It’s a Lexus copy Looks just like it . The Blazer was a truck not a mid size suv. I remember my dad had a 1974 Chevy Blazer with the rear top that came off that’s what the should of made .
I actually like the Blazer. It looks very sporty. However, they should have named it something else since it isn’t anything close to the old Blazer.
I think the Blazer is gorgeous. I honestly think it’s the best looking vehicle of it’s type on the road. I agree though, the Blazer nameplate looks a bit odd on such a sexy Chevrolet…
For the whole ‘Blazer was a truck argument’, I understand. And no doubt it was originally. But really, when they made it small and just went with the S-10 based blazer, I think that all went out the window. There was nothing spectacular about it. And I’d wager this new one would go through snow better than the S-10 blazer ever thought about doing. That frame dropped really low in the back and would get hung up on snow. I don’t think anyone ever took it seriously as a true Blazer either. The true Blazer heritage idea was always reserved for the original SFA fullsizer. As it should be.
I’m also convinced that if they moved production to the USA, the Blazer would get far more love from the public. I’ve said forever that Heritage nameplates should be built here at home in America. It was part of our history and fabric of our culture. I don’t like that it’s built in Mexico. Not that there can’t be other products built there, just not Heritage nameplates. America and in this case Chevrolet still needs to keep some things real.
How old are you ???
Yes!!! It is awesome, but not a blazer. Just like the 2020 Land Rover Defender!
Once again another missed place RS badge,
Lol. ???
Blazer is just a name plate on what ever they hang it on. Nothing more.
I loved the original player exspecially the one with the full removable top.
But in today market 2 door vehicles with back seats that are nearly impossible to get into are not selling be it a car or truck.
I remember GM was bringing the Tahoe out thinking it was a mistake. I thought everyone will buy the Suburban or Blaze but not this tweeter.
Well as history shows the Tahoe killed the Blazer and cut into Suburban sales. I remember at the end the large discounts on Blazers as sales were dead.
So the truth is we still have the Blazer just it has two more doors in the Tahoe.
The new Blazer is a nice car just looking for a little better interior. I think GM could have skipped the drama with some customers with a different name but it is on there now so there is no going back.
Sales keep increasing and it is a new size that many like that have no need for the Traverse size and third row.
The bottom line is it will make money.
The next drama will be the Camaro. Sales keep declining on all coupes. Do they keep with it a low volumes and higher prices? Do they try to reinvent it or do they walk away? This will be a tough one.
The El Camino was another. Sales were declining and then the S10 arrived and but all but finished the Camino. I loved mine but understand the market changed.
They have the Captiva nameplate they could use. I mean yes I was against the blazer name and now the trail blazer a smaller subcompact cub is ridiculous. When you got the name plate over seas as a real suv.. it just don’t make sense. This is where GM has me lost. They said buyers want these and I agree is true to an extent. But you had this problem with the sedans a while back they were necessarily the same just different badge. Now the equinox and the traverse overhaul seem less and less attractive and more and more meaningless to have. You have a blazer with 3 row seating and a vehicle almost the same but not enough sporty styling.
So away from the whole name badging and similarity of current models. Why does GM not try to make a RWD platform like Ford did with the Explorer? To my understanding it has made room and hasn’t compromised fuel economy but made as increased (most likely from other updates). But they have the Bronco coming next year and GM has been quiet about this. They have mentioned a GMC offer for off-road utility, but if this is the case than is Chevy not going to offer anything besides family oriented cuv’s?
Blazer is 2 row not three and the Nox has no V6 and is not as large.
They are coming with a 3 row read
In China not here as of yet. Pay attention.
Travis,
Like what you shared, unfortunate GM is not on there game, Mary and the bean… counters,
I think she’s a closet librarian,
Or let’s b ian .
And you Scott zl1 are a closet troll with moronic opinions that are not not representative of the entire market… but whose counting?
Connie,
So what used car lot you work at ? so I can look you up and introduce myself .
Connie,
Wow you have some major issues ???
Go sell some used cars or whatever it is you do.
??? have a great day, for your own good don’t ever talk about someone’s MOM !
Blazer RS was a good move, now bring us a Blazer SS! 😉