Found the link online (gotta sign in though)
https://home.autonews.com/clickshare/authenticateUserSubscription.do?CSProduct=autonews-premium&CSAuthReq=1:373299245864644:AID|IDAID=20071217/ANA03/712170342|ID=:9213E446AEDA11B50FA6075307150AFF&AID=20071217/ANA03/712170342&title=GM%20to%20shift%20small%20crossover%20to%20GMC&ID=&CSTargetURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autonews.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Fexec%3Fname%3DMHCPayPerArticleResponse%26nocache%3D1%26AssignSessionID%3D373299245864644%26AID%3D20071217%2FANA03%2F712170342

 

I doubt if CAMI has the capacity to build five products! Unless they're all sales duds!

 

I doubt if CAMI has the capacity to build five products! Unless they're all sales duds!

Well, they currently do build 4 (Torrent, Nox, XL7 5 pass and XL7 7 pass) with the ability to expand already.
With the Nox/Vue/Terrain all being just re-badges, they really only count as one and the Caddy is just a 7-passenger VUE.
And Torrent is no more, so only4 products

 

Do does that mean it's going to be sold here, or just built here?

 

The Terrain will replace the pontiac version

 

Correct.
We will see it in August or so as an 09 modle.
It is currently already in our vehicle locator showing two trims, LT and LS.
Also, the body codes (TS*** for the LS and TK*** for the LT) makes me think that there will only be an LS FWD and LT AWD for trims.

 

They probably will use the SLE/SLT trim levels for the Terrain.
It'll be interesting to see what the new Thetas will look like.

 

see it in August 08? wow, that is soon, and also in line with when the traverse hits. i have to admit, a GMC Terrain might be my cup of tea. If it looks nice and is affordable.

 

I agree, I go off to college in 2009. The Terrain may be my next car. We'll have to see.

 

Many dealers carry both GMC and Pontiac... is this just a wash? This further eliminates the need for GMC IMO.


Chevrolet GMC
Silverado -----------> Sierra
Avalanche ----------> N/A
Tahoe --------------> Yukon
Suburban -----------> Yukon XL
Colorado ------------> Canyon
Equinox ------------> Terrain
Traverse ------------> Acadia
Trailblazer -----------> Envoy

Why does GM need GMC again (besides being "professional grade", whatever that means)?

 

GMC fits in very well with Pontiac/Buick. They have always been sold that way in Canada. In fact GMC traditionally outsells Chev. There is no way a Chev stand alone truck brand would come close to selling as many vehicles as the combined Chev/GMC brands. Also,GMC does not cost G.M. very much to engineer and produce since it is basically a Chevy.

 

I'm glad it won't be a Pontiac anymore. GMC makes more sense, even if it is FWD. Most Pontiac dealers carry GMC, so why not sell it under the Professional Grade's banner. Pontiac is getting the Ute and possibly a wagon so it makes sense to move the Torrent.

 

Wait, so is the Terrain going to have LS/LT trim levels? Because GMCs always had SLE/SLT trim levels.

And that Captiva looks pretty nice.

 

Could we also see the new Caddy out of Cami and perhaps the VUE shift production there too?

I doubt it. The Vue has always been on a SWB version of theta and made elsewhere and I'd guess that will continue. The Caddy is supposed to be on the theta/epsilon platform so once again I think the Mexico plans stay in place.

 

1. Obviously GMC will keep with it's own model designation letters - to think otherwise is to ignore common sense.

2. GMC is justified because every truck it sells earns GM more profit then it would if Chevy sold it. Plus, average household incomes for Yukon Denali owners are actually higher then for Escalade owners. So GMC brings people in who aren't attracted to other GM brands.

 

1. Obviously GMC will keep with it's own model designation letters - to think otherwise is to ignore common sense.

2. GMC is justified because every truck it sells earns GM more profit then it would if Chevy sold it. Plus, average household incomes for Yukon Denali owners are actually higher then for Escalade owners. So GMC brings people in who aren't attracted to other GM brands.

I thought there was an HIDL a few years back that said that the household incomes were larger for Escalade buyers but the Total Net Worth was higher for Denali buyers.
I can't find anything to confirm right now, it is just a little factoid I seem to have retained from the days when I would sit through GM's HIDLs.

 

Are any attempts going to be made to make this GMC different from the Chevy version? Like an off road packing (If that is possible) or more upscale features like dual zone auto climate controls, power liftgate, standard V6 engine (no 4 cylinder options), etc?

 

My God, I hope so. An off-road package probably won't happen, since the Thetas are road-based crossovers, but the upscale features would be great.

So we are not going to see the Rebadged Saturn as the GMC right? we get the next generation version of the truck? If there were to bring the current one here I would've hoped they would use the Captiva as the starting point, since it would be a unique vehicle over here

It won't be a rebadged Saturn Vue. Don't worry. Haha. I second the Captiva idea, I really like that car.

 

So we are not going to see the Rebadged Saturn as the GMC right? we get the next generation version of the truck? If there were to bring the current one here I would've hoped they would use the Captiva as the starting point, since it would be a unique vehicle over here

 

is the new vue on the Theta 2 platform?

 

It's on the Short-wheelbase Theta platform, if that's what you're talking about.
The 2009 Terrain is on the long-wheelbase Theta platform.

 

Here are the known facts at cami

69 workers laid off Dec 27
499 More April 20

As of Jan 14 build levels for Torrent/Equinox are cut almost a hundred vehicles a day...
All these layoffs are a result of retooling inside the plant, primarily within the weld dept, as most of the one side will be shut down

In april plant will go to two shifts (all depts)
Vehicle Launch in summer 09 (Terrain)(GMT 177) (original build numbers to be lower than the equinox/torrent was)
Look for the equinox to be re-done and a hybrid motor offered (3 engine combos) (GMT 172)
Suzuki xl7 production has be reduced due to the lack of sales in canada, and the lack of product knowledge re: the XL7
To be re-evaluated in jan to determine build levels for the 08 year (currently i believe NO 08 XL7's are being built for Canada)

This info is mostly fact as i know it.....

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/update-2009-gmc-terrain-will-join-a-new-chevy-equinox/

 

Look for the equinox to be re-done and a hybrid motor offered (3 engine combos) (GMT 172)

BAS, BAS+ or 2 mode?

And will the new Equinox still be larger than the Vue?

 

Saw a Chevrolet Captiva today... it looks very very good. Better than the Antara / Vue... and different enough that it could be sold tomorrow alongside the Vue without problem, if you ask me. I say convert Cami as soon as possible to build the Vue and Captiva (call it Equinox for the US) and Terrain... though the Terrain needs a new look if they're going to keep the Vue.

 

The Terrain does not need a new look. Waste of money. Just rebadge it and sell via two separate channels. GM essentially wasted money on building two different midsize cars - G6 and Aura - and now one lingers without an update because GM found they can't afford it. As long as Saturn remains a standalone channel, GM should rebadge as it can.

OTOH, when Saturn is finally integrated into GM and its lineup curbed to fit within GM's lineup, no rebadges please.