Supply of the Chevy Colorado is critically low in the U.S., with inventory of the popular midsize pickup truck running at a low seven days supply as of the first week of September 2021.
A 60 day supply is considered optimal in the U.S. auto industry. The diminished U.S. supply is the result of extended downtime at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri that produces the Colorado. As of this writing, production of the 2022 Chevy Colorado is expected to begin on September 27th.
With production of the 2021 Colorado having come to an end, production of the 2022 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks at Wentzville was originally expected to begin on September 20th. However, due to the continuing impact of the ongoing global semiconductor chip shortage, production downtime of both models was extended another week. The Wentzville plant also produces the Chevy Express and GMC Savana vans, which are also impacted by the downtime.
Numerous other North American GM facilities are also affected by GM’s latest production stoppages.
Like the broader automotive industry, General Motors’ production capabilities have been heavily impacted by the chip shortage. In response, GM has deleted certain features from select models, including AFM and DFM from the Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, while also building some models – including the Colorado – in an incomplete state, only to finish building those models later when additional microchips are secured.
This lack of production of the Chevy Colorado and resulting lack of inventory has resulted in a drop in sales volume and share during the second quarter of 2021.
Chevy Colorado sales during Q2 2021 place the vehicle in fifth place in its competitive set, behind the Toyota Tacoma in first (by 58,071 units), the Ford Ranger in second (by 19,429 units), the Jeep Gladiator in third (by 15,186 units), and Nissan Frontier in fourth (by 836 units). The fifth place finish is unfortunate news as the midsize Chevy truck typically maintains second place (like during Q4 2020) or third place (such as during Q2 2020, Q3 2020, and Q1 2021) in its segment. Also worth noting is that the Colorado is the only model in its segment to post a decline in sales volume.
As Colorado sales fell 26 percent, Toyota Tacoma sales shot up an impressive 43 percent to 72,847 units while those of the Ford Ranger grew 37 percent to 34,205 units (see running Ford Ranger sales). The Jeep Gladiator saw sales increase by over 53 percent, while the Nissan Frontier reported the largest jump with 78 percent. Last place went to the Colorado’s corporate cousin – the GMC Canyon (see GMC Canyon sales), which saw sales grow 3 percent.
| MODEL | Q2 21 / Q2 20 | Q2 21 | Q2 20 | Q2 21 SHARE | Q2 20 SHARE | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA TACOMA | +42.66% | 72,847 | 51,063 | 42% | 39% | +33.04% | 139,296 | 104,699 |
| FORD RANGER | +36.78% | 34,205 | 25,008 | 20% | 19% | +26.93% | 58,371 | 45,988 |
| JEEP GLADIATOR | +53.12% | 29,962 | 19,568 | 17% | 15% | +40.08% | 48,784 | 34,827 |
| NISSAN FRONTIER | +77.53% | 15,612 | 8,794 | 9% | 7% | +38.37% | 26,392 | 19,074 |
| CHEVROLET COLORADO | -25.54% | 14,776 | 19,843 | 9% | 15% | -5.85% | 38,859 | 41,273 |
| GMC CANYON | +2.33% | 5,347 | 5,225 | 3% | 4% | +28.67% | 12,491 | 9,708 |
| TOTAL | +33.40% | 172,749 | 129,501 | +26.85% | 324,193 | 255,569 |
On a segment share basis, the Toyota Tacoma enjoyed a dominant 42 percent segment share, an improvement of 3 percentage points year-over-year, while the Ranger took 20 percent, up 1 percentage point. The Gladiator took 17 percent, up 2 points from the year-ago quarter, the Frontier and Colorado saw segment shares of 9 percent each, and the GMC Canyon held 3 percent.
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Low numbers for the Colorado are due to known transmission issues and Chevy's failure to own up to it. As much as I like my Colorado, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. How can anyone honestly recommend a truck that 20% (I've seen this percentage much higher) of the time has a lemon of a transmission. I've had mine repaired twice and it's still slip sliding around. Chevy of course is still denying problems, but does have some technical orders of how to fix the problem that doesn't exist.
When Nissan had problems with their transmissions a few years ago, they extended the warranty and replaced the transmissions. When Hyundai had engine problems, they replaced the engine in two of my friend's cars. Chevy's 8 speed transmission problem is well known, but what do you hear......nothing.
Pahl
You need to get up to date and with the program and understand that the * speed issue was being worked on since 2016 and by late 2018 a solution was found with a new fluid. GM has offered this fluid under the drive line warranty and it is free of charge and works in 9 out of 10 vehicles. The only ones not fixed are those that went too Long and suffered glazed converter clutches.
That converter issues also is being handled under the drive line warranty as most of the vehicles are still covered.
Mine was flushed and it has even flawless and drives just fine. On the Colorado forum it used to be a big topic but it is seldom seen anymore.
FYI this is not a slip or slide issue but a Shudder issue due to fluid that absorbed moisture.
The bottom line of this was not a transmission issue but a fluid issue and it is being corrected and the fluid GM is putting in that is all new and synthetic to deal with the moisture issue.
Not sure what your issue is but you may have an independent issue. The flush and converter both can and will be addressed. Even a 17 is still under warranty unless you have drive some crazy miles.
Mine is corrected and has been for 3 years as most owners.
Thank you for the reply C8.R. I have a 2017 Colorado. The dealership did fluid flush about a year ago when the truck had around 33,000 miles on it. It had the shudder and very hard shifting of the transmission mostly in the lower gears. It seemed OK at first. The truck is right at 35,000 miles now, and the check engine light comes on sporadically. I was told that it is associated with the transmission. The transmission is sporadically all over the place. In lower gears it will snap your neck sometimes when shifting. The shudder is back at steady speeds especially when it's warmed up, and the transmission will often start searching for gears (slip slide) until it finds a happy spot. The dealer has been good and we get along well. They ordered a torque converter and will put it in when it arrives. My dealership said, because the fluid was in there a while it may have damaged the torque converter. That sounds logical, and hopefully that will fix it.
Here's my concern, I never had a problem until a year ago. My 5 year/60,000 power train warranty is up in 3 months, Dec 2021. How many other folks that don't put a lot of miles on their truck will have my problem, but it will be out of warranty? Secondly, it seems like GM is admitting that the fluid is a problem, did all the Colorado owners out there get their trucks recalled to change the fluid? I have not seen a recall for this or even knew the problem existed until recently. If not, they are damaging their trucks right now and are unaware of it. You are up on this problem and luckily had the problem addressed early on, so hopefully your good to go. I just see a whole group of folks out there who's transmission problem will take a little longer to materialize, and they won't be covered for a "known" problem. Sorry so long winded, just had to explain where I was coming from.
Pahl.
Here is what was going on.
#1 not all 8 speeds have had issues. Where you live and the conditions you drive all can play a roll in how much moisture you have in the fluid.
#2 this was a TSB and if you just took it in they would flush it with just a complaint. Generally recalls are for safety related issues or where every single unit is failing. This is not a GM practice but an industry practice.
#3 Few companies will admit any faults as anything they say or may communicate can be used against them in a fair or more often unfair way by lawyers.
#4 in many cases a repair that repeats often will be given special consideration after a warranty. If they don't drive enough well that is up to them if they want a vehicle to sit. More damage is done sitting then driving. The warranty is clearly expressed.
Sorry this is not a perfect world and some people end up on the short end while the majority are ok.
I have ended on the short end but often the dealers will work with you in most cases to a resonable result.
I get what your view is and it is the glass half empty. I just see it half full and the reasons why it is that way.
The way the laws work in this country people can take companies to court anymore with no chance of winning a case but they get a settlement because it is cheaper to settle than fight the case. This is what has hurt the full disclosure with customers on problems and even how things are done anymore. Tort reform can do wonders.
The other issue is not GM but the dealers. Not all dealers are good. GM knows this and has tried to force them out only to have the government stop them. Case in point. My flush was uneventful fast and free. Others at other dealers were given a more difficult time as the dealer did not want to do the required work. GM pressures these dealers with with holding special pricing for new cars and distribution of popular models. It is not an easy dilemma to fix.
Yes there are some short comings in this deal but you have to take in all the factors not just the select few to get the where and why's of what is going on.
My flush worked and I got it right away so I had no real issues since. I wager your converter clutch was glazed and it is in need of replacement. This is the second step of the repair if you are still having issues. In many cases the new fluids will recover the clutch on the converter some time they fail.
Or you may have another issue all together.
The bottom line is the fluid is a good fix in most cases and it has resolved the issues of most of the vehicles using the 8 speed. Yes there are a few nagging issues with a small number but they can and will be addressed as needed.
I have no fear of my transmission or issues with it. Odds are very good it will out last the body on my truck.
Anyways I invite you to check out the forums and read on the success rate of the fluid and you will see it has solved most issues. I am sorry you are till one of the odd ones out but keep on the dealer and they should replace the converter or in some cases they just replace the converter and tranny under warranty.
Problems are not fun but I have had and seen much worse issues before. My T Bird with bad head gaskets and bending floor. Toyotas with failing interiors and expensive timing belt replacement's.
Just check out the MR2 with the $7 hose that fails and requires the engine to be removed. Not a warranty part either.
One last thing. My fathers in laws old truck with the 8 speed turned 100,000 with no issues. He just upgraded to a new z71 8 speed. He just trades every so many years as he drives a lot.
I am looking forward to the new design '23 Colorado. Hopefully they will fix the transmission issues and will offer an electric version.
You may see the 10 speed with the added torque.
No electric as that will be a specific truck for that. GM is not doing the Ford deal of converting a truck over. GM will build trucks specific for the electric task. It is a much better way to address it.
Ford was. behind so they just did the lighting to buy time as they are working on their own specific ev platform for the truck.
You have to wonder.....There is a semiconductor “chip shortage”.....Yet GM is going “ALL IN” on EVs thanks to Mary....Yeah sure where are all those chips going to appear for the EV builds...Pure BS being put forth....
Everyone is going all in on EV. GM has changed their supply chain to a new way. They will work directly with the chip suppliers and acquire the chips directly for their suppliers.
This will catch up by next year.
Gm is government motors and only cares about the rich and taking care of of congress and diplomats. They haven't stopped production of corvette and just got a big contract to make special suburbans for congress and diplomats. They don't care about the average American, just the elite
So you drive a what? Honda? Toyota?
Ford who took 6.9 billion in energy department loans that are still not repaid yet GM paid theirs long ago…..
Or do you drive a French owned Ram?
I ordered one of the Colorado bison editions 8 months ago and they have no idea where it is as it is on hold. I have been getting the run around by the dealership and gm itself. You put a large deposit on it and find out that another person gets theirs in three months and they are a defense contractor. Toyota, Ford, and dodge didn't have what I wanted but I am looking into them.
I feel your pain, brother. I ordered my Bison in April and it is on hold waiting for parts. I have the VIN as well, but no truck. I haven't been waiting as long as you but I really wouldn't blame the dealer. They have no control over what GM does, I'm sure they would like nothing better than for you to have your truck.
Like you I'm really contemplating going elsewhere for a vehicle. I've been a GM truck guy since forever, but this situation, which I might add was brought on by the manufacturers themselves, not being forward thinking with supply, is really starting to get to me. At this rate I'm going to pay through the nose for a 1 year old model year, new truck, now that the 2022's are being rolled out.
Rather a "French-owned" RAM that stands a good chance of having been built by Americans, than an "American" GM product from Korea or China.
Note the Colorado is and will be built in Missouri.
You know the show me state.
Hell you are not going to buy any of the small 3 cylinder Korean GM cars anyways.
Such fake outrage.
Oh, please. Go back to the faculty lounge in whatever "studies" department you teach in, and you'll find listeners to those tired ole cliches.
I’m pretty happy that I said You Only Live Once last year and bought my 2020 ZR2 in August of last year. I think I could sell it with 13K miles on it for more than I bought it for....Great vehicle except for some of the interior design features and I wish it had a 360 degree camera system on it. GM is really screwing the pooch on product development and improvement with the Colorado trucks....2021 seems to have only been a styling tweak on the previous models. Pretty disappointing that something as common as a 360 camera system hasn’t been brought into the platform.