New Chevy Colorado Two Years Out For U.S. Buyers

[nsap]

2013? Not so fast...
www.GMInsideNews.com
March 19, 2012
By: Nick Saporito

After it’s reveal at the Bangkok Motor Show last year, the new global Chevrolet Colorado quickly gained traction as General Motors announced that it would be coming to the North American market as well. Unfortunately, much misinformation came with it; with publications assuming the truck would arrive immediately following the death of the current Colorado truck, but that is not the case. The new Colorado is still two years away for North America.

The general consensus has been that the new Colorado would arrive in 2013 model year. On the surface, that seems like a plausible timeline considering the truck is going on sale in certain global markets this year and the current Colorado is slated to end production this year. Unfortunately GM has a reputation for waiting extended periods of time before bringing global products to North America and the new Colorado is no exception.

Instead of 2013, expect the new Colorado to launch as a 2015 model year vehicle in North America. There are several, logical reasons for the wait.

For starters, the Colorado that just launched on the global scene is not specifically designed for North America. GMI has been told that GM is holding off and giving North America an updated version of the truck in 2015; one that will meet all U.S. standards and be an overall better truck. This updated version will proliferate the global markets as well.

This launch strategy is not new at GM. The same strategy took place with the Chevrolet Spark mini car. It has been on sale in most global markets for nearly two years, but North America has waited until 2013 model year to get an updated version of the car.

The second issue with the new Colorado is North American production. GM has already announced that the Colorado will be built at their Wentzville, Mo. assembly plant. However anyone with any knowledge on automotive manufacturing knows that it isn’t feasible to retool a plant for a completely new vehicle line and chassis in the matter of a few months (the investment was just announced in November).

Factoring in those two, very large issues and a start of production date in 2014 becomes far more realistic. In fact, when GM announced the new Colorado would make it to the North American market they hinted that it would be awhile until it hits the streets. From GM’s press release announcing the Colorado for the U.S. market:

The new Colorado is based on an all-new midsize truck architecture developed by GM do Brasil within GM’s global product development organization. In major markets where the Colorado will be sold, engineers will tailor the truck to meet local needs.

“For example, Chevrolet Colorado Chief Engineer Roberto Rempel and his team lived in Thailand during the Colorado’s development,” said Brad Merkel, global vehicle line executive. “They immersed themselves in the highly competitive truck market and observed how the Thai people use their vehicles and the driving conditions they experience.

“A similar development process will precede the launch of the truck in the U.S. market,” said Merkel. “We think American customers will be pleased with the results.”

Just like the Cruze, Spark and Sonic/Aveo, it sounds like the Colorado will have its own development process for the North American market.

While Chevrolet has not announced engines for the North American Colorado, GMI has been told to expect GM’s new 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 3.6-liter V-6. Both engines have a wide range of outputs, so specific outputs for the Colorado are entirely unknown at this time.

In most global markets the Colorado is powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine. It is unclear if the diesel engine will make its way to North America as well.

Expect the new, updated Colorado to launch in North America in mid-2014 as a 2015 model.

[Evo69]

Ha! Figured as much. But maybe this is a good thing, enough time for GM make it viable for NA customers with more features.

[JuMPy]

I hope somewhere along the way to coming over here they make it a bit more attractive and masculin looking. In top trim the thing looks sorta OK, but not so much..... for the most part I find this truck rat-ass ugly.

[Rick_VT]

So how long does it take to tool up for a new model??

And why no diesel as well?? Were only getting the 2 diesels here in Australia but no petrols.

[johnstarnes]

Looks nice, a shame the delay.

[chrisfrantz]

Lets be honest. They don't want it to take away from the 14 Silv. launch!

[dslay04]

I think a diesel engine would grab a lot of potential buyers. Especially with an updated interior.

[tripowergto]

And thus GM will cede all mid-sized pickup marketshare to Toyota & Nissan. What else are Colorado & Canyon intenders supposed to purchase during this extended downtime?

[Live001]

Hey nsap. What about the trailblazer? When is that coming to the states?

[Bvonscott]

FYI, they are also working on the GMC Canyon replacement as well. Confirmed.

[mbukukanyau]

Chevrolet is just so messed up. How comes they cannot plan a true global launch?

[john1168]

Too bad it won't make it to the USA sooner. I love the external appearance of this truck. I hope when they say that they're gonna give us a better one means that they're not going to give us an UGLIER one. The current US version is one of the ugliest vehicles I've ever seen. I think it's uglier than an old Pontiac Aztec. I do hope they improve the interior of the new one though because I think it's very yyaaaaawwnnnnn, boring looking. I don't need anything radical, just a little contrast would be nice. I would love to see this truck with a d.i. turbo 4 cyl (290lb/ft of torque), at least a 6 spd manumatic and a good all wheel drive system. This way it'll be good on gas and still be very capable.

[mbukukanyau]

Too bad it won't make it to the USA sooner. I love the external appearance of this truck. I hope when they say that they're gonna give us a better one means that they're not going to give us an UGLIER one. The current US version is one of the ugliest vehicles I've ever seen. I think it's uglier than an old Pontiac Aztec. I do hope they improve the interior of the new one though because I think it's very yyaaaaawwnnnnn, boring looking. I don't need anything radical, just a little contrast would be nice. I would love to see this truck with a d.i. turbo 4 cyl (290lb/ft of torque), at least a 6 spd manumatic and a good all wheel drive system. This way it'll be good on gas and still be very capable.

One wonders then why they bothered with the US show circuit last year for this truck.

[EJD1984]

Shouldn't this vehicle have been designed for the U.S. market from the beginning?! Then there wouldn't be this delay. Just flat-out poor planning.............................grumble

[zabraden]

GM should just go to China and be done with America. Clearly the country that made that great for over 100 years is not a priority for them