Chevy's Hot SUV: Buyers Snapping Up The Last Of The Avalanches

[Perian]

Automotive News

January 14, 2013



Article Quotes:

DETROIT -- Sales of General Motors' aging pickups have lagged lately. But one long-in-the-tooth nameplate is hot: the Chevrolet Avalanche.

Sales of the outgoing pricey pickup in 2012 were up 19 percent, to 23,995. Sales of GM's full-sized Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups rose 2 percent for the year.

Dealers say that some Avalanche owners -- a particularly loyal fan base -- are eager to buy the quirky truck's final model-year version. Production of the 2013 Avalanche and its Cadillac Escalade EXT sibling will end within a few months in Silao, Mexico, a GM spokesman says. Next month will be the last chance for dealers to order the Avalanche.

"I think there has been some resurgence because people know it's the last year for it," says Tim Colussy, co-owner of Colussy Chevrolet in Bridgeville, Pa., near Pittsburgh. In 2012, his Avalanche sales totaled 16, up from 12 in 2011.

"It's got a pretty loyal following, so people who've bought them in the past are trading in and up to a new one," he says.

The Avalanche, launched in 2001 as a 2002 model, features unusual styling and a midgate, a cargo door at the rear of the passenger cabin that allows the bed to extend into the cab. Its lofty price tag -- $36,975 for a base 2013, including shipping -- make it a low-volume, high-margin seller for most dealers.

Enhancements that GM added for the final model year, as well as a lower price, have stoked demand. A 2013 Black Diamond edition includes body-colored bed surrounds and a unique badge, as well as the addition of a rear camera, rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lamps and remote start as standard equipment.

"We knew there is a core group of buyers who really like the Avalanche, so this special edition was partly an incentive to get them off the couch to go buy one," the spokesman says.

Martin NeSmith, owner of two Chevrolet-Buick-GMC stores in Georgia, will miss the Avalanche -- not just in his showroom. He drives one as his personal vehicle.

"It's a niche market, but it's always been a good seller for us," NeSmith says. "It suits me where a Tahoe doesn't. You can use it for work or pleasure."

NeSmith understands GM's decision to discontinue the low-volume pickup but believes "it's a terrible mistake." He says: "Everyone who's got an Avalanche loves it."

[Perian]

A solid money-make for GM, should the Avalanche return, perhaps it would be better to base it off the new Colorado platform.

[rlhmarine]

I don't see the problem since its' based off the suburban suv, low volume should not be an issue with concerns to the higher sales that the suburban offers off this platform.

The Avalanche gave GM the first modern day pickup with rear coil springs well before the latest ram pickup decided to use it and another innovation that GM introduced on the Avalanche that ram decided to also copy, the pickup box side rail lockable storage compartments. When you have a better idea other's will emulate.

I think it's a big mistake to not bring back the Avalanche on the next gen suv platform because it is in my opinion the best riding truck GM makes.

[98sonoma]

I wish that I could get one. Stupid 100 mile daily drive!

[Lowboy]

I don't see the problem since its' based off the suburban suv, low volume should not be an issue with concerns to the higher sales that the suburban offers off this platform.

Completely agree with you but yet GM will keep the Regal around?!?!

[Fyeoms]

I had heard a rumor over a year ago that the GMC Canyon was going to be a mini avalanche! Would be cool IMO.

[funkypunnk]

Best truck or SUV I ever owned, wish I still had one but the wife thought it was too "trucky" so we got the Burb instead.

[454SSChevy]

Take the plastic stuff off the back and you have the most beautiful Silverado Chevrolet never built. Had that been the Silverado, I would Not have bought my Super Duty. I would have bought this instead. I venture to say many who were turned off by the by the ugly Silverado we got instead and passed on it would have bought this in a split second. Not even Ford's F-150 looks this good and it's no doubt the best looking truck on the road. Ford would have lost thousands of sales to this Chevrolet.

Stupidity was running full force at GM when the decision was made to not have this be the Silverado.

They also need whoever did those gorgeous clean wheelwells to redo the next Silverado. He/She obviously knew how to make them look nice. That's how it's done. No tacky gaudy fender-bed bulges anywhere in sight.

[TruckMan]

This is such a shame. I'm so torn between picking up one of these and waiting for a new Silverado. I just don't have the cash right now, and I like the new trucks. If a K2XX Avalanche was available, my decision would already be final. Stupid bean counters.

[ausrutherford]

Wouldn't that be SUT?

[Cajun G8]

I've got a 2007 LTZ for my company vehicle and it's great! Very versatile. Have fit 30 wheels in the back with panels removed and midgate open. Only thing I don't like (aside from the horrible mpgs) is the fact that water leaks into the bed area every time it rains.

Can't believe they are discontinuing this truck, though. I see them everywhere around here.

[SeetheUSA]

Yes- the Avalanche will be sorely missed. GM did a great job evolving this truv. It got a little pricey in it's later years, and that was one of the reasons I dismissed it from our last purchase. I think GM is doing itself a great disservice by not continuing it on with the next gen. Oh well...RIP Avalanche!!

[Chevy South]

The Avalanche is dead because of the new CAFE rules. It is classified as a truck, but has a higher standard becauseof its wheelbase.

[69project]

I don't see the problem since its' based off the suburban suv, low volume should not be an issue with concerns to the higher sales that the suburban offers off this platform.

The Avalanche gave GM the first modern day pickup with rear coil springs well before the latest ram pickup decided to use it and another innovation that GM introduced on the Avalanche that ram decided to also copy, the pickup box side rail lockable storage compartments. When you have a better idea other's will emulate.

I think it's a big mistake to not bring back the Avalanche on the next gen suv platform because it is in my opinion the best riding truck GM makes.

GM first came out with coil springs for the their trucks in 1960 and made that way through 1972. I consider that part of the modern era, but you may not. They essentially the developed the truck arm suspension used in NASCAR still today.

[roy219]

NeSmith understands GM's decision to discontinue the low-volume pickup but believes "it's a terrible mistake." He says: "Everyone who's got an Avalanche loves it."

There is no understatement in stating that Chevy Avalanche is one of GM's finest vehicles to date. In fact, I'd aver that Avalanche is the single best light truck in GM's U.S. lineup for model year 2013.

Combine the Avalanche's versatility, style, ride, reliability, and E85 flex-fuel capability with its class leading scores in Consumer Reports' road tests and J.D. Power's most recent APEAL study, and this product has the elements of a winner regardless of the sales numbers.