It’s possible that the Chevrolet Colorado diesel and GMC Canyon diesel may end up in the dustbin following the introduction of the 2022 model year.
The speculation stems from changes to General Motors’ international operations. As we covered back in February, GM is poised to withdraw the Chevrolet brand from the domestic market in Thailand by the end of the year. That includes an end to manufacturing operations in the country, with the automaker signing a binding agreement with Chinese company Great Wall Motors to sell its plant in Rayong.
In addition to building global-variants of the Chevrolet Colorado and Chevrolet Trailblazer, Rayong also produces the turbodiesel 2.8L inline four-cylinder LWN Duramax engine – the same engine used in the Chevrolet Colorado diesel and GMC Canyon diesel.
As such, it’s possible that these two diesel-powered pickups could disappear beyond the 2021 model year, potentially as soon as the 2022 model year as Chevy pulls out of Thailand.
We reached out to General Motors for clarification, but the automaker would neither confirm nor deny if the Chevrolet Colorado diesel or GMC Canyon diesel would stick around beyond the 2021 model year. It’s possible that the automaker could move engine production to another plant, but at this point, it’s unclear exactly what will happen.
The diesel engine option is a major differentiator for the Colorado and Canyon in the highly competitive U.S. midsize truck segment. Major competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier only offer gas-powered engines. Meanwhile, the Jeep Gladiator will offer a diesel option sometime this year, but it is currently only available with a gas-powered engine.
We’ll make sure to follow this story as it develops, and will post any updates as we receive them.
Are you a fan of the Chevrolet Colorado diesel or GMC Canyon diesel? Would you be sad to see these model variants get the boot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Colorado news, GMC Canyon news, Chevrolet news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
It comes down to volume. Do they sell enough engine here to make money. The other markets were where the volume was.
Also what is the volume for South and Central America.
They could easily make the Engine in the Wentzville plant where both the Colorado/Canyon is built along with the vans which also utilize the engine.
Not to mention, GM would’ve been smart to have an SUV version of the Colorado or Canyon with the ZR2 option. Boom another outlet for the diesel.
Maybe GM could start putting it in the Traverse? Imagine how well it would sell if you could have a vehicle that big and still get 40 MPG.
Define easy?
My issue with their diesel option to begin with is that they penalize us for wanting one. Requiring to step up to top level trims to even to be able to consider the diesel.
It kills any excitement i originally had for the engine.
The reason the make Diesels for higher option packages are to off set the added cost of the engines.
The Diesels are very expensive today to build. If GM made a base truck with a Diesel it would not be cheap and there would be little profit unless the mark up the engine more.
Gas engine are relatively cheap to build compared to the Diesel.
Regulations are killing the Diesel and pricing it out of many products.
Truth is there is little money in work trucks even with gas engines.
The added strength of the block and components and cooling for diesels jacks their price more than emission components to meet clean air regulations (which are important)
Doubt that when emissions equipment costs thousands of dollars.
True, it is partly to offset the cost of the engine, but if you wanted a more basic truck with the Diesel engine, they don’t let you choose to just pay more for the engine itself.
So, you end up not buying it at all. Especially when you’re talking about $40k for a Colorado.
I just checked their site, and right now the cheapest Silverado Diesel is only like $1500 more than the cheapest Colorado Diesel.
I love Colorado diesel, my entire family consume Chevy, but if Chevrolet move to China me and all my family won’t buy any Chevy product, no more,( we already discussed this point) we’ll migrate to Toyota, the best option
I was looking forward to purchase a Chevrolet Colorado diesel in the coming months. And it’s sad to hear that they will be discontinuing
Did you even read the article?
Robert Loy, There is no definitive word on its future yet. This is mere speculation based on the facts at hand. GM might very well move the 2.8 diesel manufacturing to another country because that engine is used in more than the American Colorado. I think it would not be smart business to discontinue the diesel in the Colorado since other trucks in its size group don’t offer a diesel. It seperates the Colorado from all other offerings. It is quite a shame they don’t offer the engine in a base or lower trim level even it it meant lower profits. TO get the engine in more Colorados helps to advertise the truck and engine more and make profit over the years of repairs it might need at the dealers.
No more zr2’s 4 me.😡
No way that GM after all their poor business decisions blunders this……………..
If they aren’t making any money on it, then canceling isn’t a blunder.
Now they just need to start building things that sell well so we can stop seeing articles about them canceling everything.
Considering they were one of the few companies prepared for the collapse of the automarket, they appear to be making wise decsions. Building a new engine plant for the 2.8 Dmax just to break even on each one is an idiotic business decision unless people are willing to pay a lot more for it. And that’s unlikely to happen considering people already whine about not being able to get it in a base tein Colorado.
If they put the 2.7T (310hp @ 5600, 348lb-ft 1500-4000rpm on regular 87 octane) in the 2022 it sort of makes the current spec diesel redundant (181hp @ 3400, 370lb-ft @ 2000) and both would return very similar mileage in a Colorado… but if they also bring the 3.0d (277hp @ 3750, 460lb-ft @ 1500) to the Colorado then we’re back in the midsize diesel game with a very stout range topping engine in the form of a diesel
Don’t hate the ideas, but I really doubt the 2.7T would return as high mpg as the diesel. Do we know if the I-6 diesel will fit?
Andrew, it won’t fit its a Inline 6 cylinder.
If they drop the 2.8, they have the 3.0 I6 Duramax to base a new engine off of. Just take the 3.0 and pull two cylinders out of the picture.
GM’s 2.7T and 3.0D are all part of the same basic engine design family, even though one is gas and the other diesel. There already is a 2.0D 4-cylinder diesel in this product family. It’s built in Korea. I would expect that GM is already pounding away at managing a variant of that engine to replace the 2.8D in Canyon / Colorado.
That’s not right unless your definition of “family” is extremely broad.
No he is right. They are part of the CSS engine family.
Or, just lop off one of they cylinders and give us an inline 5-cylinder diesel. It would pay homage to the original Colorado which had the inline 5-cylinder gasoline engine.
I have a diesel Colorado. I have owned many mid sized compact trucks over the years. This is my first diesel and is by far the best truck I’ve owned. The diesel is efficient when commuting getting over 30 mpg. It is also great for towing allowing me to pull a 5k lb trailer for my son’s boy scout troop for weekend campouts. Strong when it needs to be and efficient the rest of the time. I typically get over 600 miles per tank of fuel. I would miss not having a diesel option on my next Colorado.
It’s a shame they didn’t re-enter other rhd markets before (and instead of) pulling the plug on Holden and Thailand.
Terrible Thoughts of eliminating a Diesel Engine from the mid size pickup. They are fue;l sippers realitively speaking and give you the best of all worlds
40k miles on my 2017 diesel Colorado Crew Cab with long bed. Lifetime MPG 28.5 with a mix of highway, city, towing and mountain travel. Love my diesel.
Go electric!!
If this goes forward, there goes my opportunity to by a new GM truck. I’ve been looking for a replacement for my 2002 Trailblazer and thought that if GM finally put up some options that I currently have on the Trailblazer LTZ, I would buy a Canyon or Colorado. As much as I hate to say it, the Ranger might get some attention from me, even though I do not like that there is only one engine choice. Not interested in buying something that doesn’t get any better economy than what I already have.
I also have a 2002 Trailblazer LTZ inline 6. In September 2019 I purchased a Crew Cab short box gas Colorado ZR2 as an eventual replacement for the Trailblazer. I was looking for something to come as close to the Trailblazer as possible. Main reasons I purchased the Colorado are nearly similar in size, weight and body on frame (which is a must for me) and similar towing capability. Added benefits are updated electronics, 4 wheel drive (my trailblazer is 2 wheel drive), 2-3 mile improvement in mileage even being 4 wheel drive, definite off road capability, more creature comfort items and definite improvement in driving performance features. I have to say the only thing better for a similar to Trailblazer replacement would be an SUV Colorado version.
Just under 30K in my 2018 ZR2 diesel. Love that engine. 4000 mile mountain bike trips around the country with tons of gear are just effortless. It’s the ZR2 package, so I only average 20mph. Just love the truck and engine. Sad to see it go and hopefully the replace in the midsize range somehow. Guess I will just keep this truck through 300k miles or so… 🙂
GM is not making a smart move if they dropped the 2.8D from they mid-size offerings, without a direct replacement. Diesel engines are what dominates Europe, Asia, Africa and most third world or other developed markets. Diesels are simply superior to they gas engine counterparts when it comes to efficiency.
IMO, GM should replace the 2.8D in 2022 with the current 3.0D. Additionally, they should twin turbocharge the current diesel 6/3,0D and put this more powerful engine, in all of their current full-size trucks and SUVs as an option.
I also believe that GM should seriously invest in advance diesel technology for every cross over, SUV and truck variant that is currently build for all markets to make they vehicles a more attractive alternative to the European, Korean and Japanese competition.
Everyone will not op for electric vehicles, and the option of diesel efficiency adds value to trucks and SUVs.
“Diesel engines are what dominates Europe, Asia, Africa and most third world or other developed markets.”
Well, lucky for them they’ve pretty much exited all those markets already.
Anyone smart would have exited those markets. Ford has been bleeding cash there for years.
Why every time something good comes out they stop making it. I have a 2018 Colorado with the 2.8 and love it had since new. I have had Toyotas for years and changed to this truck and have to say have not been happier don’t stop making it .I never see commercials on them no advertising and I don’t know why always see Toyota commercials you need to get it out there more. Every time see my truck that love don’t even know about it. I upgrade every three years and would buy agin.
Got to have my DIESEL!!!! Come on CHEVY!
GM Brazil produces this 2.8 engine with 200 horsepower
owned a 2016 CCLB LT, and it is literally the only vehicle I ever regretted giving back after the lease. It was a great balance of size, capability, and the fuel economy was killer. Without trying I always had over 30mpg in mixed driving, and if I did try I got it to be in the mid to high 30’s pretty easily. I eventually replaced it with an Equinox Diesel, which I also love the economy of (averaged 51.x MPG on several tanks), and felt it was a big mistake for them to discontinue it, even if I understood that there wasn’t enough volume to justify it after killing the Cruze. But to drop this, when it was nearly a 10% take rate at one point seems silly.
I would hope they have a replacement plan in place, a detuned 3.0 I6 Dmax would be fine, but they would 5-10% of their volume, on only money making trim levels would be a big mistake.
It would be a huge mistake by GM if GM drops the diesel. I own a 2016 GMC Canyon crew cab 4×4 long box truck. It gives me up to 34.2 mpg on the highway. It gives me 22.2 mpg in town only. Since I have 50k on it has given me 26.2 overall. I love the truck. It is awesome in the snow in upstate NY. It tows very nice, has plenty of room, it is great when I go camping. I have driven the truck to Florida 7 times. GM would make a great mistake by dropping the diesel.
I have a 2018 Colorado Centinnial Edition CCLB Duramax. This is my first pickup, and I tow it behind my 45′ MotorCoach.
For my needs, this is a very good ride. It is relatively roomy in the cab and bed, quiet and very easy on fuel.
I hope that the numbers will work out such that some diesel version of the ‘twins’ stays on the market.
I love the Baby DuraMax engine in these vehicles. I ordered mine in the beginning of December 2017 and received it in mid February of 2018. It’s a GMC Canyon All Terrain X CCSB 4WD with the 2.8L diesel. It gets unbelievable average fuel economy such as 25 mpg w/25,000 miles on it. The fuel economy is getting and better since new. If GM does away with this engine I guess I’ll have sell it and buy a GMC Sierra Elevation 4×4 with the 3.0L in-line six. This is my first diesel and won’t be mu last and I enjoy the diesel more than gas fueled vehicle because it reminds me of the honking torque the cars of the 60’s & 70’s had then. Also the fuel economy rating are better than what the sticker shows of 20 city and 28 highway. I’m getting 25 city and 33 highway. I have a 14 Fiesta ST that I rarely drive anymore.
Why would you have to sell it if engine is discontinued?
I would rather se a 5.3L V8 than the diesel. Weight is the same as the V6, more torque and geared correctly, it could get better mileage on the highway, esp if towing!!
Not if it is a flaming Chinese engine. I am not buying anything produced in China if I can at all help it. Screw them!
They could Jimmy the straight 6 – 3.0 Dmax in there instead. I had the 2.8 in my ’16 Colorado and now the 3.0 Duramax in the Silverado and can say without a doubt that the 3.0 is a much better engine and absolutely no comparison. The power is ridiculous and there is ZERO turbo lag. The 2.8 was great, but the 3.0 in the Colorado would be incredible!
Bye bye ide rather have a V8 in it instead
Absolutely love my 2018 Chevy Colorado Turbo max Deisel Engine and would be very disappointed to see the line go, don’t really care so much about the Canyon, I say boot the Canyon line and focus more on the Colorado’s. Cheers!!
So jeeps gonna put a diesel in the gladiator? How long have they been threatening us with a diesel now? I like the 3.0 diesel or the 5.3 ideas.
Maybe, jussssst maybe. It’s going away because they charge an absurd amount of money for it. Where you have to pay for top of line model which is already 10 k – 20k over priced. But hey let’s keep pushing 40-50k trucks when average wages have only gone up 3% over last decade but vehicles have been steadily growing at that rate for 10 years.
Here is a crazy idea stop hiding things behind trim levels and I don’t know actually listen to your customers about what they want. But that might be too radical for Detroit to grasp.
People want diesels but when it takes 20-30k hurdle to get your hands on one it makes it one of two options. A go into massive amounts of debt for average consumer, or wait till it has 50k plus miles on it and buy used.
The Duramax Diesel is what sets the Colorado apart from the other midsized trucks. If they discontinued the diesel and had to choose a gas powered truck I would just buy a Tacoma.
If you tow a bunch (esp at altitude) and want to park in a smaller garage, the 2.8 makes sense.
To buy it just for mpg is an exercise for people that are terrible at math, the cost per mile vs the cost to upgrade to the diesel make it almost impossible to break even buying the diesel, if mpg is your concern. If that’s the case the Ranger thrashes the gas Colorado, as does the Ridgeline. The Ridgeline btw is a more American made truck than either the Ranger or Colorado.
If the stupid government would rate diesel emissions based on miles per gallon, not per gallon of fuel, none of this would be an issue and most SUVs and trucks would be diesels, deleted diesels that ran like they were supposed to.
Andrew, You are correct. The only way for a diesel to make financial sense is you have to put a hell of a lot of miles on per year! But nowadays people buy diesels in pickups because: 1. Much longer between fill-ups 2. Better at towing especially at higher elevations 3. The sound 🙂 4. Better driving experience a lot of times 5. LOW-END GRUNT (Tourqe)
The diesel purchase price is recouped in higher resale value, factor that into cost of ownership! My 2018 Canyon diesel is the best midsize truck I’ve owned to date, 30+ mpg highway when commuting and tows our 4,400 lbs camper no problem.
I have a feeling the 2.8 Duramax turbo diesel will be built in USA, and the competition for the mid size market will lean towards chasing GM with their version of it. I could see the Ford Velociraptor building a diesel to compete in that segment. Jeep Rubicon Gladiator is producing a diesel as we speak.
Chevy built the Bison for a specialized market of Overlanders (just as they built those high end Camaros for specialized clientele) so I do not believe building product lines strictly for profit is their priority.
I have looked at Bisons for the past 9 months, went to 5 dealerships, drove both the gas and the diesel…prefer the diesel. The dealers are willing to bring the cost of purchase down by offering more dollars for trade-in and non-advertised dealership incentives. But the cost of the diesel option would take 10-12 years of fuel efficiency cost to make up for the gas version (something to consider if 30 mpg is important to you).
The 2023 version is what I am waiting for. If I do not like the price tag for the new platform with all it’s improvements, I will still have a good chance of purchasing the 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison with 2.8 Duramax turbo diesel at a much cheaper price as they roll out the new version in the Fall of ’22.
I’m saddened that GM is pulling the Chevrolet out of the Thailand market and closing its manufacturing facility there, especially that it’s handing it over to Great Wall!
I picked the V6 gasoline engine for my 2018 Colorado and am happy with it. I test drove and studied the specs on the Diesel; I really liked the Diesel, but was swayed by the significant extra cost and limited performance advantages (including better fuel economy and torque). Here’s what I think would work for a truly useful extra cost version of the Colorado: a higher performance Diesel engine (perhaps the new 6-cylinder Duramax?) in combination with a strengthened frame, for significantly higher load & towing capacity. Essentially a Colorado HD. I bet the corporate marketing dudes will never go for it because they’ll feel their full size truck market will be threatened…
I’m saddened that Chevrolet is pulling out of Thailand and handing over to the Chinese.
I bought my Colorado with the V6 and am happy with it; I felt the Diesel was too expensive for what it offered.
My suggestion for what would be really worthwhile: a Colorado HD with a heavier suspension and frame and a more powerful Diesel, maybe the 6-cylinder Duramax, for significantly more load and towing capacity.
What i did was, after buying the diesel colorado which cant even fit a 4×8 sheet of plywood between the wheel wells, i bought a 1982 w900a kenworth 16 cu yard dump truck. Reasonable? Certainly. Im sure gm would recommend you do the same because they sure as heck arent going to be giving whats wanted. As henry ford said, if i’d have asked what people wanted theyd have asked for faster horses”
Why not just buy a small trailer that can handle a 4×8? That Colorado would have no trouble towing it.
I purchase my 16 Colorada with long bed in 2016 with the 2.8 Diesel. I love the truck and it fits my every need as a Realtor. I will cross the 100k milage mark next week. I would be very disappointed if this option was not available when the time comes. The features offered are very rewarding and I was hesitant in being a first model owner after my last experience with a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 Mercedes was a flop at 180k when it burnt up because of poor Chrysler Certified Mechanics. Very satisfied with the Colorado Experience. I have a good Dealer Experience this time and don’t look back. My next one will probably be the Tahoe with the 3.0 Duramax. I have owned Diesels since the early 80’s and this is my best experience so far. Average 23 mpg in town and have achieved up to 31 mpg on the road. If they could improve the seat cushion wear out I would be very pleased. Love the ability to upload music to a flash drive, the best system ever.
I love Colorado diesel, my entire family consume Chevy, but if Chevrolet move to China me and all my family won’t buy any Chevy product, no more,( we already discussed this point) we’ll migrate to Toyota, the best option
2018, 80k miles.
The colorado is flawed product. The cruise control and the LWN diesel designed by VM Motori are the only things i note as outstanding. Chassis seems to be no worry but the user interface with the computer and its processing of information from that interface is HELL. This thing cannot figure out what gear it needs to be in on ozark 2 lane roads. Im an old fashioned guy that would rather not buy into such a fascist system but its all that was there for 30mpg. Basically, just manage engine tuning with ecm and let me control the transmission the exact same way i could when you had no more than a mechanical vacuum modulator on the transmission. Leave the erratic, non-linear, fleet data sending and receiving, realtime groupthink shifting in the dustbin and start building the LWN at the wentzville plant where colorados are made and regional st louis employees could make a buck. Mary barra, what have you done to gm?!
I’ve got a 2019 Colorado ZR2 with the Duramax and I love it! I tow my 3800 pounds travel trailer with it all over the place and it does amazing. I do want to upgrade to a full size eventually though so I can get a bigger camper.
It would be sad for our region, where the price for Gasoline is to high and diesel is cheaper, we would need to get more options with more powerful gasoline engines that matches the power and the economy that a Diesel engine offers, by saying this, a more powerful engine will be increasing the gasoline consumption and it will be very spensive for us to keep a gasoline truck with the same characteristics, I think this is not affordable for Latin American countries.
This is just a thought. Maybe their plan for the next Gen colorado/canyon is to ditch the 2.8l 4 cylinder and drop the 3l straight 6 in instead. That way they can continue to compete with the jeep gladiator with the 3l eco diesel.
I currently own a 2018 ZR2 Duramax, I love my truck, love getting 25-27 mpg driving in town and 29-31 mpd on the highway, but if they drop the Duramax I will drop the brand. Chevy owner for 30 years also own a 1Ton High Country you guessed it a Duramax
Love my 16 Colorado diesel! Truck has been exactly what I was expecting!
No thanks on that trash 3 liter. Belt driven oil pump drop the transmission to change it. Overheating issues that come with it. I guess this will be my first and last Canyon.
The diesel purchase price is recouped in higher resale value, factor that into cost of ownership! My 2018 Canyon diesel is the best midsize truck I’ve owned to date, 30+ mpg highway when commuting and tows our 4,400 lbs camper no problem.
2016 Colorado Diesel owner here. 2 wheel drive short box. I have seen over 30 mpg on the highway without trying.
The 2.8L engine is the best feature about the truck!
Makes no sense to drop that engine – unless the 3.0L Duramax diesel is replacing it.
Got ready to purchase a 2021 Colorado Z71 diesel 4×4 only to find it is no longer available. Never owned a GM in 62 years, and looks like that won’t be changing anytime soon. Going back to the Tacoma.
I bought a new 2016 Full Cab Long Box Colorado. I now have 137000 accumulated miles. 31 MPG av on highway and av 23 around town. I am a Realtor and it fits my style. The only problem is on a trip to Fla from Tn the Def Light came on and went into restricted speed. When I got to Fla, and the Chevy Dealership in Daytona, I had 8 miles left until 5 MPH speed limitation. Also $1101.00 to correct. This was the second time I experienced this problem. Like the size and efficiency, but the DEF indication is a Definite Problem at a time when you are on Vacation to Rest and Relax. Also they could build a better Front Seat. Mine is ready for it’s 4th Seat Cushion, drivers side. I hate to see it discontinued from Production. Curious if anyone else has had this problem. Also the 4 wheel drive has not worked since the 100,000 mi extended Warranty Expired.
Wayne Thomas,
Since you have a bit more miles on your ‘16 Duramax Colorado than most owners, could you talk about the maintenance of your truck?
1) What motor oil, viscosity and oil change intervals?
2) What kind of transmission maintenance?
I have only heard of some Canadian owners with well over 200,000 miles on their Duramax Colorados, however they have switched from the recommended Dexos2 5W30 to 5W40 (like Rotella, or Motul 5W40 Dexos2 once they were out of warranty).
Reason I ask, I have read of a few owners with blown engines, all in the 40 – 100K range. The issue being broken wrist pin, or a stuck injector. You must be doing something right.
I believe a few owners have had DEF problems similar to what you had. Google DEF problem Duramax Colorado to see what I saw. Mostly related to poor quality DEF or faulty emissions sensors.
Finally, it is my understanding, once you hit 150,000 miles, a timing belt change is recommended on this truck (check your manual). This is supposed to be a big deal on this engine. (Be prepared to pay under $1000 to change it). If you forget, or neglect to change this belt, on this interference engine, you are looking at a new engine. Only 24,000 miles on my ‘16 truck, so I have a while to worry about it.
Good Luck.
Since I have owned my Canyon from new I changed the oil every 6000 miles. 67000 miles. I use Dexos2 5/30. With no warranty anymore, I use 5/40 mobil one turbo diesel. The mobil is what I use in my 6.6 2003 duramax (293,000 miles). Both engines are excellent.
As for tranny service, at 35,000 miles I serviced the tranny and rear end. When I hit 70000 I will do it again. I would rather pay now then pay later.
Thank you for responding. Yes, I have regular oil changes with the recommended oil in the frequency of 6K. I had always used the oil recommended oil for Emission engines Very Diligently at the Chevrolet Dealership. Also I am aware of the Timing Belt requirement at 150K, but thanks for the comment. This is a great forum to be apart of and I like replies on this conversation. Anytime I see a Colorado Diesel Owner, I stop them and discuss. So far I have not had any transmission issues, just the 4 wheel drive not working at all. Before the 100 K warranty expired, the local dealer installed a new part, but it started giving problems just as the warranty expired and they would not do anything else so I gave up. Before very cold driving, I plan to take it to a private shop. I don’t trust the Replace a part and see if it corrects the problem Mechanics, I like to see them troubleshoot it first and not listen to the computer. Thanks for your support.