Spring Hill Slated For New Product

[Smoothcat]

Originally Posted by SCCA1995

I've owned a total of 3 S10s in my 15 years of driving. They were better (IMO) than the Colo/Canyon. And, I did want to buy a Canyon at one time. But, when I got into one, it just felt cheap. I don't mean "inexpensive", I mean "cheap". It's like GM gave designers a $20 bill & said, "See what you can do with the compact trucks."

I totally agree. The S10, while certainly not fancy, never felt as cheap as the Colorado twins. Plus, I've always been disappointed by the engine options in those. I am a big fan of the 4.3 V6 (except for the gas mileage). I'm sure there is a good reason it wasn't offered, but that's one of the reasons I didn't "upgrade" to a Colorado.

I hope that if replacements are indeed built for Colorado/Canyon, that the trucks actually shrink in size. They need to be S10 size once again. As it stands, to me there is NO REASON to buy a Colorado when it is priced/sized so close to the Silverado. If GM can find a way to put one of their excellent I4s in a compact, BOF truck and squeeze out gas mileage in the high 20s/close to 30, I think they can recapture a lot of the market. I would certainly sit up and take notice.

Also, as a resident of Tennessee that is sick of hearing about Volkswagen and Nissan, and a Saturn owner, I am very happy about the news for Spring Hill. Glad GM is making a commitment to remain in the state.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by 2008hulk

Hopefully this includes the Lambda based Escalade EXT. But i have to agree that this Avalanche Replacement thing should go to GMC and just have these two

Having 4 Lambda SUVs is no problem because the Traverse will be the base and volume model, Acadia will be for those who want something a little more than Traverse but don't have $ for Enclave, the Enclave would target customers looking for lux but not flash of Escalade, and Escalade would be trucklike and hopefully offer a V-8 somehow.

Also, to clarify, LDT will be building the next Traverse, but Spring Hill will be as well. Sort of how Fairfax and Orion both build the Malibu.

Lambda can handle a V8, so that is always an option.

Another interesting point...Spring Hill (the facility) is secured in a line of credit that GM has. This is/was the only non-government secured credit that GM had. However, the interesting point in all of this is that GM was very actively seeking to strike a deal with the secured creditors OUT of bankruptcy court. This would indicate that GM was wanting to keep Spring Hill going.

[04bonnie]

Those who don't like the Lambda platform are few and far between. BUT, to each their own....and it is just proof that the Tahoe/Suburban need to stay around for those customers who want RWD based tow vehicles. However, if any of those out there who are considering a Tahoe, but don't need to tow anything, I would urge you to at least look closely at the Lambdas. They have as much, or more passenger volume, and more room behind the third row (except Suburban). And, they are much less $$$.

[gardnet1]

Originally Posted by Coloradokid

I am kind of skeptical about Spring Hill building the next Traverse. I would not be suprised to see the Colorado/Canyon merged unto the Lambda platform instead of being body-on-frame.

I kind of doubt the next gen Colorado/Canyon going to Lambda but hey the Transit-Connect is Focus-based.

However, I do see the next mid-sized trucks going to Spring Hill unless this is the next nummi venture.

[gardnet1]

Originally Posted by 04bonnie

Those who don't like the Lambda platform are few and far between. BUT, to each their own....and it is just proof that the Tahoe/Suburban need to stay around for those customers who want RWD based tow vehicles. However, if any of those out there who are considering a Tahoe, but don't need to tow anything, I would urge you to at least look closely at the Lambdas. They have as much, or more passenger volume, and more room behind the third row (except Suburban). And, they are much less $$$.

The large SUV market is shrinking but has a nice core group of buyers who need them for boats and such. This would be a great area for GM & Ford to collaborate so they can still make decent money in a shrinking market. Pick the best platform, use a GM big engine and a 3.7 eco-boost base motor, onstar, sync/travelink, Ford's Trailer anti-sway control, etc. They already have the same basic 6-speed transmission. They could swing a profit at lower volumes and prices and put pressure on those that are left such as toyoda (I think nissan and Dodge bailed out already) and be a deterrent for hyundud/kia pet to enter segment.

[2000S10SS]

I also have owned 3 S10 trucks, loved every one of them from my 1991 2.5 Iron Duke to the 2000 4.3 I still have. All these little trucks feel like trucks. I agree with the satement that the Colorado feels cheap inside as well. The replacement for them, in my oppinion, has to be a little cheaper and BOF for sure.

[Gm_Tooler]

I don't think there has been any doubt about SH ending up with some new product (even from a different automaker). The question has been what, and when. It would be a tremendous waste to leave it idled for any significant length of time.

I'm still feeling confused by/with the lack of leadership at GM. I'm not sure they know what the plan is either. Or maybe that is by design?

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by nsap

Also, to clarify, LDT will be building the next Traverse, but Spring Hill will be as well. Sort of how Fairfax and Orion both build the Malibu.

Lambda can handle a V8, so that is always an option.

Another interesting point...Spring Hill (the facility) is secured in a line of credit that GM has. This is/was the only non-government secured credit that GM had. However, the interesting point in all of this is that GM was very actively seeking to strike a deal with the secured creditors OUT of bankruptcy court. This would indicate that GM was wanting to keep Spring Hill going.

Great to hear the Lambda will accept a V8, be a perfect platform to introduce a smaller displacement DI version of the LS engine for the Escalade and Denali models.

If GM created Chevy Astro/GMC Safari minivan variants from the Lambda they could make them at Spring Hill and take advantage of the capacity and allow LDT to focus on Traverse production.

The "Avalanche" needs a GMC Denali platform mate and will require the Lambda be able to be offered in a RWD version that may require a longitude engine confguration to maximize efficiency and lower the price to broaden it's market. This will help the development of Canyon/Colorado replacements that can make use of this capability. AMC made a successful "uniframe" pickup in the Comanche and GM can do the same with an revised Lambda.

Still hope that Janesville can be utilized in some way.

[04bonnie]

Originally Posted by SierraGS

Great to hear the Lambda will accept a V8, be a perfect platform to introduce a smaller displacement DI version of the LS engine for the Escalade and Denali models.

If GM created Chevy Astro/GMC Safari minivan variants from the Lambda they could make them at Spring Hill and take advantage of the capacity and allow LDT to focus on Traverse production.

The "Avalanche" needs a GMC Denali platform mate and will require the Lambda be able to be offered in a RWD version that may require a longitude engine confguration to maximize efficiency and lower the price to broaden it's market. This will help the development of Canyon/Colorado replacements that can make use of this capability. AMC made a successful "uniframe" pickup in the Comanche and GM can do the same with an revised Lambda.

Still hope that Janesville can be utilized in some way.

That's funny you bring up the Astro/Safari "brick vans". Why do we need those again? They were ugly, not comfortable to drive, etc. They towed, but not much more than the Lambdas. Let them rest in peace.

[amsnare]

Forget "small cars", whatever that means..
What we need is a vehicle of the correct size, powered by a Diesel engine.

[GM2004]

Originally Posted by nsap

As far as I know, D-Ham is going to have the Orlando.

Last year GM pulled the Chevy Orlando from Hamtramck

http://www.automotiveworld.com/news/...roit-hamtramck

[nsap]

Originally Posted by GM2004

Last year GM pulled the Chevy Orlando from Hamtramck

http://www.automotiveworld.com/news/...roit-hamtramck

Ehh...I don't entirely believe that. UAW Locals are not good sources of information on product as there is a LOT of propaganda that goes on in those ranks, both from UAW and GM.

It will either be D-Ham or imported from Mexico/South Korea.

[GM2011]

This is good news. Do we know anything else about the GMT-700's?

[stevecmh]

i sure hope the next small trucks are great.. they really are way past due for an update

[boz2730]

What about Janesville building the GMT700s?