- Chevrolet's new midsize TrailBlazer utility vehicle for global markets arrives in Thailand in early 2012.
- The 2013 TrailBlazer will share its underpinnings with the new Colorado pickup.
- Chevrolet says there are no immediate plans to sell the new TrailBlazer in the U.S.
DETROIT — Chevrolet's new midsize TrailBlazer utility vehicle for global markets arrives in Thailand in early 2012, but officials for the brand told Inside Line there are no immediate plans to sell it in the U.S.
At a sneak preview here Wednesday, Chevrolet released a teaser image of the 2013 TrailBlazer and said the vehicle would be "built on a new global midsize platform developed by GM do Brasil." That platform is the same one that underpins the redesigned Chevrolet Colorado pickup, which also was developed at GM's Brazilian unit. Chevy also confirmed it's a full truck frame, which makes the TrailBlazer a traditional SUV, not a crossover like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Officials declined to reveal any further details on the new TrailBlazer. But two days earlier Chevrolet released more information on the midsize Colorado pickup that is just going on sale in Thailand and eventually will be built and sold in the U.S.
Chevrolet said the new Colorado pickup "is the product of a five-year, $2-billion vehicle program developed across five continents for customers in more than 60 markets around the world." The new midsize platform is being offered in rear- and all-wheel-drive variants, and is designed to accommodate both gasoline and diesel engines.
In Detroit, officials told Inside Line the new TrailBlazer initially will be built and sold in South America and Asia, with Thailand as the first market.
The TrailBlazer will make its public debut in November at the 2011 Dubai Auto Show.
Inside Line says: With the TrailBlazer as a logical spinoff, GM's massive investment in the new global midsize truck platform begins to make more sense. And don't be surprised when Chevy officially announces a U.S. edition of the T-Blazer.
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ejd1984 says:
07:35 AM, 10/13/2011
This is definitely a WTF moment!
wikiwiki says:
06:29 AM, 10/13/2011
That stinks. We really need another gas guzzling SUV that is touted as fuel efficient in this country. Come on Chevy! We need this!
gam2 says:
04:42 AM, 10/13/2011
I would look at it. My Envoy is the perfect size for me, Has a good tow rating, and is suitable for the medium duty off roading I do. The Acadia triplets are almost as big as a Tahoe, don't tow nearly as well, and I would not take one where I venture off road. Now that the Exploder has turned into a steaming POS, the choices are certainly limited.
doberman1978 says:
01:03 AM, 10/13/2011
jscion your logic is flawed and nissan has plenty of xterra and pathfinder sales in the US do some reasearch dude
jscion says:
05:34 PM, 10/12/2011
Sales of the last generation Trail Blazer, the old Ford Explorer and the old Durango fell off sharply with the infusion of all kinds of crossovers. Why anyone would think this would sell here makes no sense. Nissan barely sells any Xterra's or Pathfinders which are essentially one of the few truck-based SUV's left. Who cares, keep it overseas!
gearheadbrazil says:
02:49 PM, 10/12/2011
It will probably come wit a Diesel, a V6 and a 4 cyl gasonline engine.
We kind of need this car here in Brazil. GM only offers now the small Captiva and our options for a smal SUV are the Toyota Hilux SW4 and the Mitsubish Pajero Dakar, (oh, and that Kia Mohave).
The Colorado, though, is coming to replace de S10. Remember it? It is still sold in Brazil.
And it has a nice range of competitors. Nissan Frontier, Toyota Hilux, VW Amarok, Mitsubish L200, upcoming Ford Ranger and it goes on.
hlisle says:
12:20 PM, 10/12/2011
GM has the midsize SUV (CUV really) covered right ? Acadia, Traverse, and Enclave... Why another? - that is too many models to manage/update and compete with... If we don't like them, then they need to fix them accordingly... And, then they already have the Equinox at the small end of the spectrum... I'd rather see GM invest in diesel/alt fuels than waste more money (oh, that's right, OUR money)...
MH
stress83 says:
12:08 PM, 10/12/2011
Hoping they bring this here.
Our 2007 will hit 100k before the end of the year, and aside from it's sub-20 highway mpg, it's been rock-solid. I've dreaded replacing it with the current crop of CUV's as I thoroughly prefer it's ruggedness (and I'm not really looking for a full-size like a Tahoe -- yet). This gives me hope!
arthurbishop says:
11:10 AM, 10/12/2011
BD
I think they went BOF to accomodate a variety of markets, like Thailand & Brazil that maybe don't have the best roads and where the locals need something a bit more rugged, plus I think it only comes with diesels, at least in Thailand doesn't it?
blackdynamite1 says:
11:01 AM, 10/12/2011
Surprised they didn't go unibody on the Colorado
It'll never tow more than 5k anyway, and the lighter weight and car engines will net good EPA
BD