The Chevy S10 pickup and Chevy TrailBlazer SUV sold in international markets may not receive a next-generation overhaul. In fact, the recently announced refreshes for both models seems to confirm this. Three years ago, GM Authority exclusively reported that the international-market Chevy S10 pickup and Chevy TrailBlazer SUV may not receive a new generation.
For those readers who may be unaware, the Chevy TrailBlazer SUV sold in international markets is different from the Chevy Trailblazer crossover sold stateside, with the former offered as a midsize, body-on-frame SUV, and basically serving as a cousin to the international-market Chevy Colorado, also known as the Chevy S10. The Chevy TrailBlazer SUV launched in various international markets for the 2012 model year, and rides on the GM 31XX platform, offering five- and seven-passenger cabin configurations. Engine options have included the 2.5L I4 XLD25 turbodiesel Duramax and 2.8L I4 XLD28 turbodiesel Duramax, as well as the 3.6L V6 LY7 gasoline engine.
General Motors has kept the international-market Chevy TrailBlazer SUV relatively fresh throughout its life cycle with new features and updates to the styling. However, the number of markets where the Chevy TrailBlazer SUV is sold has shrunk considerably, with the last remaining market being South America. Although Chevy remains a major contender in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, the future of the Chevy TrailBlazer SUV remains somewhat in doubt, as GM Authority exclusively covered in 2020.
Indeed, the market now is simply too small to justify an all-new generation, and it looks as though the Chevy S10 is headed for the door as well. In fact, the recent announcement that the Chevy S10 will get an update, rather than a full redesign, seems to confirm this. The international-market Chevy TrailBlazer SUV seems to be headed for the same fate, given it too will be refreshed, rather than redesigned for a new generation.
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Comments
Considering the strategies that GM is adopting for South America, especially for Mercosur, I believe that the company’s situation will “complicate” before the automotive market.
While all the competition is or has plans to invest in new generations of pickups, with the exception of VW with Amarok, Chevrolet will do a “simple restyling”. Considering that the S10 is the 2nd most sold in Brazil, the main and largest market in the region, better attention to the segment was to be expected.
Ford launched the new generation of Ranger in Brazil and Argentina. Even now being the most modern in the category so far, the Ford model managed to have much more competitive prices than the old S10. The chances of Chevrolet losing market share in the segment are increasing.
I would’t be surprised if Chevrolet starts importing a rebadged SAIC Maxus T90.
It all has todo with marketing. GM does not seem to do a very good job at marketing any more.
I have the pleasure of driving a Colorado as a work vehicle. What a great package! It carries 90% of what a Silverado will and is comfortable, quiet and very capable on the road. Unlike a “full sized” truck – I don’t feel like I’m trying to drive and maneuver a 2 story building down the road. If they imported the Trailblazer into the U.S. there would certainly be one in my garage. Just one person’s opinion, but GM is throwing small chunks of domestic market share away bit-by-bit as they rush headlong into an electric future. Trouble is, all of those small chunks add up as they go to Japanese and Euro competitors, never to return. Realize that GM can no longer be all things to all people. But a lot of us older customers with a high degree of disposable income don’t want to purchase a high priced electric vehicle that isn’t as convenient to use as as an ICE vehicle – and may never be given the trillions of $$ it will take to upgrade infrastructure and the grid.