Next Equinox Getting Smaller, Going Global

[nsap]

Next Equinox Getting Smaller, Going Global
Next Equinox expected to merge with Chevrolet Captiva.
www.GMInsideNews.com
March 25, 2011
By: Nick Saporito

The next Chevrolet Equinox crossover will advance GM's efforts to globalize the Chevrolet brand, but also shrink in both size,and weight. The move downward in both size and weight is all part of GM's strategy to meet new stringent fuel economy standards all over the world. Equinox's transition is also part of a new global crossover plan involving an entirely new line of sub-compact crossovers.

According to GMI sources the next Equinox is likely to be built off of the Global Delta architecture. Delta currently underpins the Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano, among other global products. The next iteration of the Delta platform is supposed to have the goal of cutting 300-400 pounds across the board along with the ability to support crossover applications. Transitioning some crossover models to Delta will allow GM to advance it's goal of reducing the amount of platforms the company uses.

The all-new Equinox will also replace the Chevrolet Captiva in global markets (Holden Captiva in Australia) and will only come in one wheelbase, unlike today’s global Captiva. While the new crossover will be a global model, it is expected to follow the Aveo/Sonic name setup by continuing the Equinox name in North America and the Captiva in international markets.

International markets are also expected to receive an optional third row seat.

While the Equinox is moving down in size, it won’t be the smallest crossover in the GM stable. GM is developing a lineup of sub-compact crossovers off of the Global Gamma platform that underpins the upcoming Chevrolet Sonic. GMI has already reported that the Buick Encore crossover will be based on the Gamma platform and that Chevrolet/Holden will also receive one as well. If approved, the GMC Granite will be built on Gamma as well.

The Delta-based Equinox/Captiva is slated to launch in mid-2015 as a 2016 model. The current Equinox is expected to receive a refresh for the 2013 model year.

[mbukukanyau]

Captiva will become Equinox and drop the 7 seat? or will Traverse go global too?

[FenwickHockey65]

What are they planning on doing with Terrain and SRX then?

[Timekeeper]

Four years on a weight loss program. Damn, I wish they gave me that long to lose weight.

[nsap]

What are they planning on doing with Terrain and SRX then?

Terrain will go Delta too. SRX was supposed to stay on TE, but that isn't a done deal yet from what I hear.

[calgaryhhr]

Captiva will become Equinox and drop the 7 seat? or will Traverse go global too?

What? The posting mentions that for international markets the third row (7 seat) is optional.

[mbukukanyau]

What? The posting mentions that for international markets the third row (7 seat) is optional.

I see, that now. Will traverse stay a north american only vehicle?

[FenwickHockey65]

Terrain will go Delta too. SRX was supposed to stay on TE, but that isn't a done deal yet from what I hear.

Hmmm...Alpha maybe?

Perhaps Cadillac is getting all their ducks in a row now.

[jckjds]

It's nice to hear that delta is going on a diet.

I am anxious to see if GM has some success taking weight out of the next gen lambdas. We have a large-ish family and would like to get a lambda, but I want to see some fuel economy improvement first. In addition to weight loss, eAssist or a small diesel would be great in that application. The cost would be more readily absorbed in a $30-50K vehicle, and payback would be faster because of the relatively high fuel consumption. The lambdas are already a great value proposition for 7-8 passenger vehicles. Adding a $2K-3k option that reduces fuel consumption by 25% would make it even better, IMO.

[civilzues]

What is coming of the Theta Platform? Will the Acadia, Enclave, Traverse move to Theta? Or has Theta come to an end?

[calgaryhhr]

It seems a little odd to me that GM would downsize the current Equinox. I thought a lot of people were happy with the Equinox. Shouldn't GM have a sub-Equinox CUV, an Equinox sized CUV and the larger Traverse sized CUV? Won't this leave a fairly large size gap between the new, down-sized Equinox and the Traverse?

[62impala]

I bet that Traverse gets down-sized too, to make room for a down-sized Tahoe...

[FenwickHockey65]

It seems a little odd to me that GM would downsize the current Equinox. I thought a lot of people were happy with the Equinox. Shouldn't GM have a sub-Equinox CUV, an Equinox sized CUV and the larger Traverse sized CUV? Won't this leave a fairly large size gap between the new, down-sized Equinox and the Traverse?

Hmmm I'm thinking the same thing. I have to wonder just how downsized this new Equinox will be. Seems to me like the current line up works just fine, especially once they have that Gamma-II CUV.

[Amphibian]

I've actually been calling for this very move myself. A global small SUV just as Ford is doing brings the Equinox's size down to where it should be with other small utes. Right now, the Equinox and Traverse's sizes give GM a couple of holes. They have no small SUV and no midsize SUV with a decent couple of rows (or not).

This gives GM room for a more midsize SUV.

[Dr. Show-Me]

Terrain will go Delta too. SRX was supposed to stay on TE, but that isn't a done deal yet from what I hear.

To me, the right platform for the SRX is the Alpha platform, with its rwd/awd architecture.
Have you heard any such plan for the Alpha?