Confirmed: The Holden Rodeo Is Dead! Chevrolet Colorado To The Rescue

[GMC72]

Originally Posted by FISH

I more a fan of the current gen, with the HFV6.



^I know these are the TD's

Looks like a mini Escalade. Why don't they bring that over here? Much better looking than my 2004 Canyon.

[78chevyman]

Originally Posted by FISH

I more a fan of the current gen, with the HFV6.



^I know these are the TD's


Also can the 'Colorado' be fitted with a tray? Because I know that is not a popular style in the US, but it is a must for Aus.

I LOVE IT!!!

MAKE THIS THE NEXT-GEN COLORADO AND IT WILL SELL FOR SURE!!!

[t-rex]

Hmmm. GM South Africa just released the '08 Isuzu pickups last November. There was no mention of the model being discontinued any time soon, although I've suspected it will eventually be replaced by the Brazilian Colorado replacement.

Why can't Holden just source South African-built pickups until the Brazilian model comes on stream? They're already RHD and use the same engines that the Rodeo used. It doesn't make sense that Australians can't have it, but the South Africans can...

[crooner214]

Wouldn't this be a good way to take up some cheap capacity in the US? Besides, that front end would be a nice upgrade to the ancient one we've had here in the states for so long.

[ctaylorzl1]

You can get "trays" like that here, but they are called flatbeds, and you can only get them aftermarket. And most people, if any, get them on 1-ton duallys! VERY FEW peple here use their Colorado(or eaqual size truck) for any work, most people who use trucks for work get atleast a 1/2-ton, usually bigger. Silverado W/T's are pretty popular here, they are stripped out trucks, with a V6 or base V8, and some are 4x4, but thats about all you get. My dad has a 2500 W/T, but it even has power windows, locks, keyless entry, and heated mirrors!! But the Colorado with a flatbed would suit alot of people fine, I think if it was a factory or dealer installed option and people seen how capeable they were more people would start using them.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

.....the headlights in the truck look similar in shape to a 2008 CTS's.

I made a chrome grille version a while ago to show off that very point..

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

I made a chrome grille version a while ago to show off that very point..

Nice work. IMO, aside from the powertrain choices and cramped interior, the other major problems with the Colorado/Canyon are a lack of ANY decoration on the outside, including in upper levels, as well as a very utilitarian interior. Hard, monotone plastics and lots of carpeting don't look great to my eyes.


In all, the GMT355s wound up with a little too much Isuzu and not enough GM in terms of the design. Really, a nice MCE would help them greatly IMO. Put an interior equivalent to the full size pickups and add a little tasteful brightwork, and they'd be much more appealing trucks. The HFV6 or small block V8 as engine choices would be simple plug-and-play improvements as well.

[paul8488]

Holden should do a version of the GM midsize pickup that can be shared with GMC, and CHevrolet should redo their own version... the Holden / GMC version could have the flatbed option (like they like in Australia), which would finally give GMC some 'Professional Grade' credibility.

[FISH]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

Nice work. IMO, aside from the powertrain choices and cramped interior, the other major problems with the Colorado/Canyon are a lack of ANY decoration on the outside, including in upper levels, as well as a very utilitarian interior.

Wow big difference. Here is a 2007 Rodeo interior.



As to the Tray not being a factory option in the US. Well lets just say, GM better pull their finger out and make it a option or they can kiss this segment, goodbye.

[ctaylorzl1]

What I still dont get is why you guys do not bet fullsize pickups? Wouldnt full-size trucks be popular is AUS? Seems like a good market for them! But Firebird you are rite about the 355's, it does have a little to much Isuzu in them. They are ok looking, but not great, and when compaired with the Tacoma and Frontier they look rathar drab! And the interior would have been great for 10 years ago, but it is a little to utilitarian, especially when compaired to the compitition! Since gas is going up and with the new CAFE regs I think that the small pickup segment will become VERY popluar, and if GM put a fraction of the time and money into the Colorado that thye do the Silverado, GM would have a awesome small truck! Still a decent truck though.

[BBDOS CV8]

We don't get fullsize pickups because there is a strong preferrence for diesel with trays for professionals who do lots of miles or tow. For well less than any fullsize US petrol pickups would cost there are tons of diesel utility vehicles which will carry greater loads at much less expense, both to buy and run. There are tons of Asian and Euro makes like Iveco, Fuso, Hino.

The US fullsize pickup market seems be carried to an extent by consumers who've been conned into buying a class of vehicle well in excess of what they need capability wise. Like a 6,000lb truck towing a jetski or going down to the home improvements store to pick up a few sheets of ply. Here professionals buy the cheapest most utilitatian vehicles that carry the greatest amount for the lowest cost. For businesses who don't need to carry 5 or 10 tonnes, there are Ute, either Holden or Ford or things like the Hilux and a lot of others. Something like a 6 or 8 litre petrol truck doesn't present a good enough performance/price ratio.

Anyway, GM doesn't make any of it's trucks in RHD, so it's a moot point.



This could be very bad news for Holden - they'd finally with the V6 petrol and diesel Rodeos built them up into a decent seller.

[FenwickHockey65]

When the hell are the GMT-355s being redesigned? I like the Colorado/Canyon, but they're starting to get old and stale.

[ctaylorzl1]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

We don't get fullsize pickups because there is a strong preferrence for diesel with trays for professionals who do lots of miles or tow. For well less than any fullsize US petrol pickups would cost there are tons of diesel utility vehicles which will carry greater loads at much less expense, both to buy and run. There are tons of Asian and Euro makes like Iveco, Fuso, Hino.

The US fullsize pickup market seems be carried to an extent by consumers who've been conned into buying a class of vehicle well in excess of what they need capability wise. Like a 6,000lb truck towing a jetski or going down to the home improvements store to pick up a few sheets of ply. Here professionals buy the cheapest most utilitatian vehicles that carry the greatest amount for the lowest cost. For businesses who don't need to carry 5 or 10 tonnes, there are Ute, either Holden or Ford or things like the Hilux and a lot of others. Something like a 6 or 8 litre petrol truck doesn't present a good enough performance/price ratio.

Anyway, GM doesn't make any of it's trucks in RHD, so it's a moot point.



This could be very bad news for Holden - they'd finally with the V6 petrol and diesel Rodeos built them up into a decent seller.

Thats a good point I guess! But I could never do my farm work with a Mitsu truck like that! I could never cross a ditch, especially loaded with seed in something like that! But then again I am one of the few who uses their truck to potential. Famring is big in AUS, rite? Do they also use trucks like that Mitsu? I bet if people here had a clue about Utes/small trucks(especially if equiped with trays) they might get alot more use.

[Kamshaaft]

^ Farmers drive either HiLux's, Rodeo's, or the odd Landcruiser trayback. They're plenty sufficient.

US trucks do sell here but not very well.. ..and by US trucks I pretty much mean Ford F series. I know a guy with an F250, he bought it through an import agent because he works for a logging compan and frequently pulls heavy loads up steep muddy logging trails.

That's not to say they're any good as a general 4WD, especially in comparison to the likes of the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Landcruiser.

Originally Posted by 78chevyman

I LOVE IT!!!

MAKE THIS THE NEXT-GEN COLORADO AND IT WILL SELL FOR SURE!!!

Hahahahaha do you even know what this thread is about?!?

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by FISH

Also can the 'Colorado' be fitted with a tray? Because I know that is not a popular style in the US, but it is a must for Aus.

Here's a Colorado done up with a tray. This was done by an Austrailian company.