Like the Ford Explorer, Chevy Trailblazer sales have been in a tailspin lately, dropping 33 percent in the first four months of 2007. Unfortunately for Chevrolet dealers, there's not a full lineup of crossovers to take up the slack. When General Motors was developing its "Lambda" crossovers that include the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, it didn't foresee the Trailblazer dropping off so quickly and left Chevy completely out of the plan.
GM is now scrambling to create Chevrolet a variant of the Lambda platform that underpins the Outlook, Acadia and Enclave. The Spring Hill, Tennessee plant that until recently was the home of Saturn will now be the production site for the Chevrolet crossover that the Detroit News is reporting will be called the Traverse. The new model will probably debut next January at the Detroit Auto Show and the Trailblazer will like roll off into the sunset by 2010.
[Source: Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Rick Lyon @ May 29th 2007 9:39AM
Wow, so 4 versions of the same car, eenie meenie minie-who gives a crap about retread us cars. That did Ford in and wow, it doesn't bode well for GM or Chrysler.
Don @ May 29th 2007 4:32PM
GM's always had cars across the same platform.
What's your problem with them now?
bmoredlj @ May 29th 2007 9:41AM
While prone to mispronunciation, it's a good name, and a good idea to keep "Nomad" available for a more sporting vehicle down the road. Chevy should have gotten the Lambda before - or instead of - GMC.
I really have no idea why they'd sell it as a GMC first...now people might see it as a GMC clone instead of a genuine Chevy. GMC used to be called "GMC Trucks" for a good reason, that's all they sell.
DCX didn't start selling the Pacifica as a Freightliner.
jgp @ May 29th 2007 9:50AM
Back in the day, GMC used to sell a rebadged El Camino called the Caballero. This isn't the first time they've sold a car-based vehicle.
Actually, I'd prefer it if there was no Chevy version of the Acadia. GMC needs to have something unique.
Avinash machado @ May 29th 2007 9:45AM
I hope they do not do a SAAB version as well.
Avinash machado @ May 29th 2007 9:48AM
I hope they do not do a SAAB version as well.
Jon @ May 29th 2007 9:53AM
Arrgghh
This is why the big 2.8 are failing against all the imports by rebadging the same vehicle, in GM's case - 4 times.
Will they ever learn?
Big Mike Wood @ May 29th 2007 10:00AM
There's definitely room for a Lambda based Chevy but it better go on sale within 12 months and sell for 23k-25k. If not then the only people buying it would be the ones not smart enough to know a Traverse is the same as an Outlook that's been on sale for months already.
Ken @ May 29th 2007 10:02AM
Here's an idea....
Build the Saturn at the Saturn plant in Spring Hill instead of building the Chevys there and Saturns somewhere else.
I understand there are other considerations to made regarding this, but honestly, they should have thought of those before beginning production of the Saturns at a non-Saturn plant. Now they will have Chevys, but no Saturns being built in Spring Hill.
British_Rover @ May 29th 2007 10:07AM
Oh you know there will be a SAAB version called the 9-9X.
jgp @ May 29th 2007 10:11AM
And I'd have no problem with that, as long as the Saab version is properly differentiated from the rest, just like the Buick version was.
C. McFeeny @ May 29th 2007 10:23AM
I'm probably not the only one to say this, but I think it's stupid for them to have four of the same CUV's. The only reason that they're building this thing is because dealers think they need it. Whatever. If they sell more cars, I guess it is worth it.
Joe K. @ May 29th 2007 10:25AM
STUPID! I swear, his is so retarded, and yet they ponder out loud why they are not selling enough vehicles... I have no problem sharing platforms, but this is just rebadging and changing the interior trim from metallic plastic to woodlike plastic to regular old plastic... I mean maybe if there we different curves or shapes or seating or whatever, but in the past it has just been a new front clip and rear bumper cover... At least when Toyota, VW, etc. do it they make it less obvious (i.e. RX350 to Highlander, totally different roofline making it so that the toyota is less sleek looking, but more functional) I mean seriously guys, get a clue...
3cubedminus3squared @ May 29th 2007 10:32AM
I can see a place for the Buick and GMC to be there, but the Chevy and Saturn versions can't coexist.
They are supposed to be the cheap models and the Saturn starts at $27,900. The Chevy better be cheaper than that.
British_Rover @ May 29th 2007 10:34AM
Well the buick version looks totally different then the GMC and Saturn versions. The GMC and Saturn versions look similar to me though.
Michael Crow @ May 29th 2007 10:49AM
this is what they think it will look like
it is forseen to share much sheet metal with the saturn
Michael Crow @ May 29th 2007 10:50AM
except for the big bowtie
The Other Bob @ May 29th 2007 10:53AM
Its should be styled like a larger HHR - kinda retro, closer to the size of the old suburban that inspired the HHR.
I'd buy it.
Tool @ May 29th 2007 10:59AM
While I am not surprised that Chevy will get its version of the Acadia/Enclave/Outlook, I am concerned that GM is going back to its own tricks by creating a not differentiated-enough, badge-engineered vehicle.
Of course, this is the problem with "too many divisions, too many dealers" conundrum that GM faces.
Hopefully the extra development period from now to 2009 will give GM the time necessary to come up with a real winner.
Steve @ May 29th 2007 11:09AM
Maybe the rebadge cries would die if they gave it sliding rear doors.... & the Saab variant...hmmm... The doors from the Aero-X!