We reported on Tuesday that GM is investing $4 billion in U.S. manufacturing operations over the next two years. The investment will go into three facilities for ICE and EV production: Orion Assembly in Michigan, Fairfax Assembly in Kansas, and Spring Hill Manufacturing in Tennessee. Part of that investment in Spring Hill is the production of the ICE-powered Chevy Blazer.
However, by the time production starts in Tennessee, we expect either a fully redesigned, second-generation version of the unibody Chevy Blazer introduced in 2019 or a refresh, extending the life of the existing Blazer. The Detroit Free Press reports that the Blazer is “slated for a refresh” without using a direct quote from a GM spokesperson.
GM says production of a new Blazer will begin at Spring Hill no sooner than 2027. That means the model on the market today, which is produced at the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico and got its most recent refresh in 2023, will continue with no major changes until then. It also indicates that the next-gen (or refreshed) Blazer will live on to at least 2030 since it wouldn’t be a worthwhile investment to develop and produce a new Blazer for just a couple of years.
In addition to a new Chevy Blazer, GM will continue producing Cadillac crossovers in Spring Hill that it already builds there: the Lyriq, Vistiq, and XT5. This announcement appears to have also extended the life of the XT5, which previously had a questionable future. As for the Tennessee-built XT6, GM will likely follow through on its plans to discontinue the 3-row crossover, which was confirmed in April of this year.
We exclusively reported in February that GM planned to discontinue the ICE-powered Chevy Blazer in the U.S. market after the 2025 model year, with the Chevy Blazer EV being its effective replacement. That plan was reversed in May when it was confirmed that the Blazer would endure through the 2026 model year. Now, with the announcement of this new investment, the Blazer will be a Chevy mainstay for some time to come, gas engine and all.
“We believe the future of transportation will be driven by American innovation and manufacturing expertise,” GM CEO Mary Barra said of the newly announced investment. “[Monday’s] announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build vehicles in the U.S. and to support American jobs. We’re focused on giving customers choice and offering a broad range of vehicles they love.”
Comments
Put the Blazer EV body on an ICE chassis and it will be a home run!
I said those exact words when I first saw the Blazer EV, use the blazer EV body on the ICE blazer. I was on the fence getting a V6 blazer, instead I bought a 25 chevy Trax which is so damn good looking.
Good news, Will this have the 3.6 V6 still then?
I like that V6 a lot. It was a mistake putting the 4 banger. GM should keep the V6 and put a Hybrid motor on there for those that want economy
V6 V6 V6, You dinasours you. A 4 banger with turbo can beat a V6 hands down
in da quarter mile. Leave your v6 in it*s dust . Have had three of them.
You 69 dinadsours.
@Brent
That would be highly unlikely if it is just an update and remains a crossover
Doubt GM would make an all new V6 for the Blazer
where’s the vi8
You mean V8 the vegtable cocktail???
I would hope, but in reality I would think since new traverse went to 4 cylinder with 300+ horse power the blazer will follow.
Get the 2.5t in there. Or the 3.0 diesel.
It needs a complete redo. Ditch the poor visibility and the “Camaro-inspired” dash for starters.
We want a Camaro V8.
I think that GM should update the Blazer EV with some added range but more importantly faster charging and the NACS port. People that dislike EV’s will never quite understand what a huge and monumental switch that is for the Industry. There is way too much and totally unnecessary consumer confusion in the US which doesn’t exist in China and Europe on just how to charge your EV. Charging should be just like pumping gasoline, you plug in and that is it.
Even if you are an EV fan it can get a little confusing. So the move to a standardized port is amazing for all.
Now having said all that, this is a post for the ICE Blazer.
If they update the EV Blazer, then they should do an ALL NEW ICE Blazer but not as a crossover but a Bronco/Wrangler competitor.
That is what is totally missing from GM’s lineup.
If not a Bronco/Wrangler vehicle then it defiantly should be a 4-Runner competitor.
Lets gooooooooo GM……..Do It Do It
Agreed. GM is often late to the parade, and is there really a need for another CUV between the Trax and the Equinox? Turn the Blazer into the off-roader it used to be, or at least a close facsimile.
Do a relatively major/medium update for Blazer like was done on Traverse.
Have the Blazer Z71 and Blazer RS trim approach.
Use the 2.5T / 8-speed like in the Traverse/others.
Make the styling fresh and new and crisp, go hard on the interior styling and choices.
Build it, they will come…
(I get everyone’s heartache about using the Blazer model name, but that’s already been done… so go with it)
Change the name!
If their gonna use a lowered, approximate body in NASCAR, re-use the Monte Carlo name.
Or make up a new name, could use Monte Cristo.
Blazer is an off-road name. gm is dumas.
There is a tiny glimmer of hope here that ICE Blazer going away in 2026 means the current CUV version. That “ICE Based Blazer” means new design BASED around ICE eluding to a different machine altogether than one that shares EV platform integration. Just a small glimmer that soft little “gm” will create a BOF Blazer that shares platform and traits with the Colorado. A midsize SUV with eventual TB and ZR2 style offroad versions that we’ve been waiting for going on 20+ years. The model all the others like Ford, Toyota, Jeep, LR…etc have had on the market.
Globalist maven Barra will never approve however. It would have to be snuck in John DeLorean style.
Oh well.
SUPER NEWS. Love the present Blazer!!! Maybe GM is listening. I hope after the refresh the V6 will be available. I like the gas powered engine but a hybrid ICE/battery power would be interesting.
With a Blazer upgrade coming, along with GM’s new V8 engine in the works, it’s time to combine them and build an ICE-based Blazer SS with a V8.
Build it on the Alpha platform and give it a V8 with optional AWD.
I’m glad to see an ICE Blazer continue and made in the US. It seems like it should get a little bigger to differentiate itself from the Equinox more.
This is 3rd out of 5 of the current GM mom-mobile line up? (Trax, Equinox, Blazer, Traverse, Tahoe)
Hey…you forgot my Trailblazer!
YOU WANT TO SELL THE BLAZER, YOU TOSS THE CURRENT ONE IN THE TRASH CAN. IT’S A JOKE. YOU REDESIGN IT TO ACTUALLY COMPETE, BUT INTELLIGENTLY. LIGHTWEIGHT, TRIM ALL THE FAT, 4WD ONLY, THAT FOCUSES ON CAMPING, HIKING, OFF ROAD ACTIVITY AND AT LEAST 300 HP/ LB FT TORQUE. NO 4 CYL CRAP.
ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS THE OLD DAYS AND THE GMC JIMMY UNDERSTANDS.
THE BRONCO IS KILLIN’ IT. HONDA JUST REVAMPED THE PASSPORT TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON THAT AS WELL.
Keep the V6 going
When will we be able to purchase the ICE 2026 Blazer?
I like the idea of the Blazer but please make it more of an off-road vehicle like it was in years past. It needs to be able to compete with the Bronco type, like it also did in past years. Yes I’d definitely would like it more. Too many Suv’s you have now between the Trax, Trailblazer, Equinox, Blazer, Traverse, Tahoe, and Suburban. Why are there so many?
You know why GM won’t come up with a true 4WD OFF ROAD BLAZER?…It’s because we’re living in the matrix simulation and they can’t come up with anything new…they just copy everything all of the car companies do it these days nothing no car made today except for the Corvette is built on its own platform and totally unique! I say the heck with a four door blazer make it a 2 door like the old K5 Blazer used to be with a V8 and you’ll see people line up to buy it!
Interesting. I have a 2019 Blazer RS V6 that has never given me a bit of trouble. I’ve liked it from the first time I was allowed to drive it out of the showroom at my dealership. I usually keep my vehicles 10 yrs. before getting the “new car itch”. But now after reading about a possible update/redesign of the Blazer I might be getting the “itch” a bit sooner. If GM keeps the V6 and a few other options that’s a “must have” for me, that just might be the scratch for that itch. 😉
only a v8 itch
This is GM, so my prediction for the “update” will be new color choices, a 1 inch wider display screen, and the V6 will be dropped for the 4 cylinder turbo.