What GM Should do With Their Full Size SUV's and trucks

[ChevyRules]

What GM Should do With Their Full Size SUV's and trucks
www.gminsidenews.com
October 13, 2008
By: ChevyRules

The Suburban is one of GM's longest running moniker, how will it survive through the changing market?

It is no secret that GM is under increased pressure from the market's shrinking demand for Body on Frame SUV's and trucks and the stringent CAFE regulations. These two big factors are forcing GM into taking drastic measures from killing of rear-wheel drive vehicles to layoffs and plant closures.

Today we also learned rumors of GM's plans for the next generation of full size SUV's and trucks. Some of these decisions I support where others I oppose. We know the Silverado and Sierra are safe so they will not be mentioned.

Let's start at the Escalade. The criticisms of the current Escalade are that it is foremost a body on frame based SUV riding on the GMT-900 platform. It also strongly resembles its siblings the Tahoe, Suburban and Avalanche. Taking it to an updated version of the Lambda platform is a smart idea. The platform is unibody based and will be able to provide a more luxurious ride especially if they equip it with GM's magnetic ride control. There is already a SUT version of the Lambda's planned, so the EXT trim is relatively safe. The ESV's fate will probably be on the fence depending upon GM's decision on what to do with the Suburban as I do not see GM spending the limited money they have to extend Lambda just for the Escalade.

There are three problems though with this move. One is that Lambda is a front-wheel drive platform. Though that could be solved if the rumors turn out to be true and Lambda can be tuned to be a RWD vehicle. The other issue is the design of the new Escalade. Although the reports say the Escalade will not look like anything like the other Lambda's, they said the same for the Traverse and I can clearly see the family resemblances between the three other Lambda's. So GM may not be telling the truth to the full extent. The last issue and maybe a small issue depending on where the Escalade's competitors stand with fuel economy regulations ramming down their throats as well is there is no available V8 for a Lambda Escalade. As reported a few months back; the Ultra V8, which would have eventually found itself in the Lambda's has been shelved (again). Whether a FWD Small Block V8 much like the LS4 is developed for it has yet to be seen.

The Avalanche is a mystery seeing as how GM has a Ridgeline competitor for Chevy in the works on the Lambda platform. If the Ridgeline competitor is uniquely designed and does not resemble the Traverse, the Avalanche should be its nameplate. The Avalanche moniker is a well established name and if pitted against the Ridgeline has the potential of easily outselling the Ridgeline. If the Ridgeline competitor resembles the Traverse, the Avalanche should die. There is no need for two vehicles that serves a similar purpose. The Tahoe/Yukon has also faced their maker. The Traverse and Acadia will both fill their places easily.

Last, but not least is the Suburban/Yukon XL. GM is considering moving these two vehicles along with the Escalade ESV to an extended Lambda platform. If GM was smart they would keep the Suburban/Yukon XL on the C3XX platform. There are still plenty of people in need for a BOF full size SUV including my family. They need a V8 powered vehicle to tow their trailers, boats, etc and the ability to carry 7 people and all of their cargo at the same time. Moving the Suburban over to the Lambda will alienate the consumers in need for such a vehicle. The Silverado while a capable tower, will not be able to carry 7 people and the Traverse while a capable people mover, will not be able to tow heavy equipment. If GM does go through with this move, they will force my family to go to Ford or Toyota for their next full size SUV to replace our GMT-800 Suburban.

Ignoring GM's whoring of the Lambda platform in these circumstances, the choices GM has to make concerning their full size SUV's is a life or death decision.

[kenman923]

It may be a good move to keep the Suburban/Yukon XL/Escalade ESV as BOF trucks, as the Ford Flex is having dismal sales.

[motorman]

the federal govt will always need black suburbans

[member12]

The whole full sized truck line should remain untouched.

Adjust production to focus more and more on the lambdas....but there will always be a need for real SUVs.

The Escalade could probably go lambda.

[FenwickHockey65]

I can live with Escalade on Lambda, so long as it's not a Traverse with a Cadillac badge slapped on. Completely fresh design, no design elements from the other Lambdas, and I'd be fine with it.

The other GMT-900s would best stay on C3XX. There's obviously still a market for them as people are still buying them. Sure, sales aren't as high as they used to be, but people will always need vehicles like this.

So in short, I agree with ChevyRules's commentary. Nice work.

By the way, congrats on the new title at GMI!

[osv_alero]

Originally Posted by motorman

the federal govt will always need black suburbans

Exactly!

[boynton6spd]

What happened to the awesome new diesel that was supposed to get 30mpg in the silverado???
That with affordable bio-diesel would sell and not hurt cafe ####.
We read about this engine over a year ago...nothing else lately...

[jmlee0695]

IF GM can get Lambda II to be able to tow up to 7,000-8,000 lbs, i wouldnt mind the tahoe and suburban moving to it. it could be called Lambda II HD so the traverse,acadia,enclave,outlook dont have to have the extra weight. then let the sububan 2500 hd go to C3XX

[chevydlrmn]

The Traverse and Acadia can not replace Tahoe and Yukon. The current Tahoe/Yukon owners don't want to go to a lower sitting vehicle with the V8 kick. I love the Traverse and Enclave, but they are not trucks. I don't think it is time to shelf them. It can't be that hard or expensive to have two wheelbases.

[Kamshaaft]

Offer 2 full sized truck/SUVs - a heavy duty work model to compete with the likes of F-250s, and an offroad capable 4WD (RWD at the flick of a switch for picking the kids up) SUV. Then replace everything else with G8 ST*, Sportwagon, and the CTS wagon (even though my lack of faith in that thing is large).

*Not everyone is a fan, so throw in something along the lines of the old Holden One Tonner (not the Rodeo) with leafs and the rest as another variant.

Some of you guys need trucks, plain and simple, and there are a lot of people there that really don't need trucks like they think they do. That is, offer a limited range, which is suitable for all intents and purposes. You can be comprehensive without being comprehensive.

It's not a paradox, it's enlightenment.

[FenwickHockey65]

Oh, and someone brought up a good point on another thread.

Diesels. Now.

[squat]

They need to keep every single truck they have. I realize that they don't want to produce a lot of them, and CAFE doesn't help. But if Chrysler can get a diesel that'll get 25 mpg in the Ram then GM should be able to do the same. Plus the Hybrid V8 system that GM/Chrysler made should help with CAFE as well.

The reason they need to keep their expertise up in trucks is that trucks are the last bastion for the US automakers. No other auto manufacturer can make trucks as well as the US can. We are still light years ahead of the asians and europeans in that department. Hell the new Ram has an interior that rivals lexus. If we let our truck expertise wither we give the foreigners a chance to catch up and then when the market wants/needs trucks again we won't have that advantage anymore.

[mike's 01ws6]

Originally Posted by motorman

the federal govt will always need black suburbans

Oh come on, getting your door kicked in at 3 am by a bunch of guys in black Toyota Priuses, Prii, or whatever you would call more than one of them, would be just as intimidating.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by mike's 01ws6

Oh come on, getting your door kicked in at 3 am by a bunch of guys in black Toyota Priuses, Prii, or whatever you would call more than one of them, would be just as intimidating.

Ehh...about as intimidating as a baby rabbit wielding a big scary cotton ball.

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by motorman

the federal govt will always need black suburbans

thats what i said ealier..

And my fire departments and many others will to.

my family have Suburbans for 23 years.. they are great.. GM dont get rid of them