Autoblog

GMC version of Chevy Colorado to look "significantly differentiated" - if it gets built

Chris Shunk — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST

The mid-size pickup truck segment should get a much-needed shot in the arm when the global Chevrolet Colorado reaches our shores in the near future. We're not exactly sure when the Colorado will be built and sold here, but thanks to its 2011 reveal we have a good idea of what it will look like. We also don't know any specs for the North American model, and we haven't received confirmation whether a GMC variant will follow to replace the current Canyon model.

Car and Driver reports that General Motors President Mark Reuss still won't confirm a GMC spinoff, but he does add that if a "Professional Grade" version of the Colorado is built, it will be very different than its Bowtie-wearing counterpart. As the current Canyon is essentially a badge-swap away from being a Chevy, the idea of increased differentiation strikes us as a welcome development. We aren't exactly sure how much different the would-be pickup might be, but we're guessing that Reuss is referring to more unique parts than than the front fascia and minor trim enhancements that differentiate the GMC Sierra from the Silverado.

Reuss also tells C/D that the new Colorado is surprisingly large - about 90-95 percent of the size of the Silverado, and he notes the truck will feature different powertrains. We assumed that the Colorado will feature different powertrains, and we hope that a fuel-efficient six-cylinder and a diesel offering will be available under the hood.

GMC version of Chevy Colorado to look "significantly differentiated" - if it gets built originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch the elaborate unveiling of Chevy's next-gen Colorado in Bangkok

Chris Shunk — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Chevrolet, Misc. Auto Shows, Diesel

Chevrolet Colorado unveiled in Bangkok - Click above to watch the video after the jump

The next-generation Chevrolet Colorado pickup will be available for sale in Thailand later this year, and the assembled media at the Bangkok International Motor Show received an early look at what the midsize truck will look like. The unveiled pickup, which General Motors is officially calling a "show truck," features a 2.8-liter diesel engine and very attractive sheetmetal, along with showy (and probably non-production) touches like 20-inch wheels and a stylized body-colored tonneau cover.

While we covered the Colorado's unveiling from afar, we weren't able to see it with our own eyes. That changes now, though, with video of the live event. Hit the jump to watch the wild and crazy unveiling, which includes a pair of trucks scaling the backdrop wall, followed by a light show that reminds us of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The video is a bit choppy at first (and not of the highest quality), but you can skip ahead to the unveiling at the 4:30 mark, followed by a question and answer session with General Motors management at 8:45. Hat tip to Chermarn!

Gallery: Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Watch the elaborate unveiling of Chevy's next-gen Colorado in Bangkok

Video: Watch the elaborate unveiling of Chevy's next-gen Colorado in Bangkok originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Another GM plant halted by parts shortage, workers laid off

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors recently announced that it was forced to halt production at its Shreveport, Louisiana assembly facility. Now GM is hitting the brakes on production at its Tonawanda plant in Buffalo, New York as well. The reason for the stoppage? The massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan has caused significant delays from parts suppliers.

The two plants affected thus far are responsible for building the engines found under the hoods of GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado pickup trucks. There is no word yet on when either plant will re-open, but USA Today reports that the stop in production has resulted in 59 layoffs at the NY facility.

An analyst for IHS Automotive suggests that GM should have enough of the delayed parts in stock to keep building engines. However, the automaker is choosing to move the parts around to vehicles that are both more popular and more profitable. This means that the Canyon and Colorado sit quietly while the Silverado eats at the big table.

[Source: USA Today | Image: General Motors]

Report: Another GM plant halted by parts shortage, workers laid off originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM plant shut down due to Japanese parts delay

Zach Bowman — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2010 Chevrolet Colorado - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has announced that the automaker is stopping production at its Shreveport, Louisiana assembly plant next week due to a parts shortage caused by the ongoing tragedy in Japan. The facility is responsible for building both the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado pickup trucks, though GM says that it currently has enough vehicles manufactured to meet consumer demand for the time being. In an issued statement, GM doesn't make mention of exactly which parts are being delayed due to the earthquake and tsunami events, but as Kicking Tires points out, however, both trucks are available with a five-speed manual transmission built by the Japanese manufacturer Aisin.

As of right now, there's no indication as to when the Shreveport facility will resume operations. No other U.S. manufacturing plants have been shuttered as a result of supply problems from Japan so far, though some have scaled back production slightly. Hit the jump for the full press release from GM.

Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Colorado

[Sources: General Motors, Kicking Tires]

Continue reading GM plant shut down due to Japanese parts delay

GM plant shut down due to Japanese parts delay originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #217

Dan Roth — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Etc., Chevrolet, GMC, Infiniti, Smart

Click above to subscribe to The Autoblog Podcast in iTunes

We're recording the slightly belated Episode #217 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and we've put some topics below. Drop us your own feedback and questions or vote on your fellow readers' submissions to help determine what we discuss this evening. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already to hear your question answered.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #217

Subscribe to the Autoblog Podacast and hear your questions asked:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #217 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM recalling pickups for missing child seat tether

Zach Bowman — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, GM

General Motors is recalling nearly 200,000 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon and Isuzu i280 and i370 pickups. The vehicles are apparently equipped with a top child restraint tether anchor that's not accessible as required by federal law in the center seating position. This means parents could fail to secure their children properly, potentially causing injury in the event of a collision. GM says that it discourages using a child safety seat in the center due to the proximity of the airbags. The recall covers 2004-2011 Canyon and Colorado models and 2007-2008 Isuzu trucks.

GM says that its dealerships will service the vehicles under the recall free of charge.

At this point, the company is unaware of any injuries caused by the design defect. Click past the jump for the full press release.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM recalling pickups for missing child seat tether

GM recalling pickups for missing child seat tether originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, South America

2011 Chevrolet Montana - Click above for high-res image gallery

Say hullo to this little truck: It's the 2011 Chevrolet Montana and it might just make its way up from South America into U.S. dealer showrooms. It's a small two-door, two-passenger ute that rides on the same platform as the Brazilian Chevy Agile, a hatchback city car.

According to Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com, General Motors has no successor planned for the U.S.-version of the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon twins. This car-based, front-wheel-drive trucklet could provide a nice stepping stone into its family of larger pickups. The engine would likely have to be beefed up for this market, since potential truck shoppers might be scared off by the Montana's 1.4-liter four-cylinder (it's good for 97 horsepower, 95 pound-feet of torque, and 30 miles per gallon on the highway). Despite its modest power numbers, the Chevy Montana is capable of hauling 1,671 pounds in the rear cargo area - a number comparable to the payload ratings of several full-size pickups.

Is North America ready for a pint-sized, front-wheel drive truck? That's a tough call, especially one with such ~~Aveo-like~~ unique styling. The 2011 Chevrolet Montana might not arrive in the form you see above (and in the gallery), but it could provide a glimpse at what's waiting down the road.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Montana

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado replacements spotted in the U.S. - but where will they end up?

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:53:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC

Ford T6 Ranger spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The fate of small pickup trucks in America is rather shaky. There haven't been any major new entries into the segment as of late (save the Suzuki Equator, of course, even though it's not much more than a rebadged Nissan Frontier). And though we've spied Ford Ranger prototypes testing abroad, it doesn't necessarily mean that a new model is slated for U.S. consumption. Small trucks do well in other markets, and the trucklets seem to be a dying trend here in the States.

Today, though, our spies have not only caught a new Ranger mule (above), but a small GM pickup (right) - the replacement for the aging Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins. Both mules look a bit larger than the models currently on the road, though still more manageable than the top-dog F-150 and Silverado.

Still, though, it's unclear what the future has in store for these new trucks. The fact that Ford and GM are testing these new mini-pickups in and around their respective headquarters in southeast Michigan leads us to believe that there may, in fact, be U.S.-spec replacements in the works. Ford has often spoke of a smaller F-100-style F-150 to replace the Ranger, and reports have shown that GM is working on a new truck to hopefully rekindle the success that the original Chevy S10 and GMC Sonoma had.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Ford T6 Ranger

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Chevrolet Colorado

Spy Shots: Next-gen Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado replacements spotted in the U.S. - but where will they end up? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Bad Chinese parts force GM to idle Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon plant

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, China, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2010 Chevrolet Colorado - click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors' Shreveport, Louisiana plant has apparently been hit with another bit of bad news out of China. Shreveport's KSLA TV is reporting that a batch of contaminated microchips from China will halt production at the plant the week of April 19. Not only that, the chip issue is also expected to impair GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado production in Europe and at the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico.

A supplier in North Carolina provides brake control modules for the trucks, and that supplier gets chips for the modules from a supplier in China. It was the North Carolina company that informed GM of the contaminated parts. Even when Hummer had a chance of continuing, Shreveport was headed for closure and "bad asset" status, but this news doesn't help.

Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Colorado

[Source: KSLA TV]

Report: Bad Chinese parts force GM to idle Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM may euthanize Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon small pickups

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Rumormill

2010 Chevrolet Colorado - Click above for high-res image gallery

The future of the small pickup truck market in the United States doesn't look good. A new global Ford Ranger is in the works, though we have good reason to doubt that will replace the model currently available in North America. For its part, Chrysler has plans to nix the Dodge Dakota next year, and new reports suggest that the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins may have their plugs pulled, as well.

In speaking with General Motors vice chairmain Bob Lutz, PickupTrucks.com asked about plans to kill off the two models, with Lutz responding, "It's uncertain at this point...They may well [go away]."

GM has not announced any official plans to update or kill off the Colorado and Canyon, but we won't be surprised if these two dated models meet that Great Car Crusher in the sky over the next couple of years.

Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Colorado

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: GM may euthanize Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon small pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM considering selling medium truck operations to Isuzu

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Isuzu, Rumormill

Reports are coming in that the General is considering selling its medium truck operations to Isuzu. This news is totally unconfirmed by both parties, though Isuzu says it would be more than willing to listen if GM felt the desire to talk.

All of this comes shortly after Navistar chose not to follow through on its non-binding agreement to purchase the commercial truck unit from General Motors after seeing what's been happening with the U.S. economy and gas prices. After that deal went sour, GM said that it would continue looking for options, so this particular piece of the rumormill pie is anything but surprising. We contacted GM to see if the automaker had anything to say regarding the hubbub, and, as expected, it's staying tight-lipped for the time being. An Isuzu tie-up makes some sense, as the two truck makers have had dealings together in the past, most notably in the design of GM's current mid-sized trucks, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon.

[Source: Forbes]

GM considering selling medium truck operations to Isuzu originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's official: GMC Canyon V8 option confirmed

Alex Nunez — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, GMC

Well, the rumor came true. Mike Levine at Pickuptruck.com noticed that at the website for the '08 GMC Canyon, a V8 engine is listed as an option coming in early 2008. Mike called up the General and got confirmation that yes, a V8 is indeed coming for both 2WD and 4WD versions of the midsize pickup. They wouldn't confirm which V8 the Canyon's getting, but since that platform's already been modified to accommodate the 5.3L unit for the HUMMER H3 Alpha, it's likely to be the same one. Considering that the 5.3 does just fine in the much larger Sierra, it ought to be a hoot in the Canyon. GM hasn't put up a web page for the '08 Chevy Colorado yet, but we have to believe that whatever Canyon gets, Colorado will, too.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

It's official: GMC Canyon V8 option confirmed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You can get a "Tough Box" for your Chevy Colorado, too!

John Neff — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Work, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC

It has been confirmed that Ford will be offering the "Tough Box" as an option on the F-150 as soon as this Spring, but what if you're not in the market for a Blue Oval with a bed? Don't worry, since it seems that there are companies perfectly willing to apply the same treatment to your General Motors pickup, specifically the Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon. SVE Fleet is a company that will add what it calls a Mid-Box to your pickup. Essentially the same thing as Ford's "Tough Box", the Mid-Box features two hinged doors at the leading edge of the bed that open up to reveal a deep storage space or slide out drawers that can store tools. In fact, SVE Fleet can even add a Mid-Box to an F-150 if you really can't wait for the "Tough Box" to become available when the snow thaws.

Speaking of the "Tough Box", thanks to Mike Levine at Pickuptruck.com, we've learned a few more details on Ford's newest feature for the F-150. The Blue Oval has tapped 2nd stage manufacturer Decoma International to build the "Tough Box" option into existing F-150s that are shipped to them from the factory with a short bed on a long wheelbase. The "Tough Box" can also be outfitted in many ways for either storage of larger items or with slide-out trays for smaller tools. Rumor has it that the "Tough Box" came into being from a request by the fertilizer company that produces Scott's Miracle-Gro. Federal regulations demand they keep solid and liquid fertilizers separated during transport, so they were faced with either driving two separate trucks or finding one with separated compartments. In its quest to keep the F-150 atop the sales chart, Ford stepped up with a factory-backed solution.

[Source: SVE Fleet via GMInsideNews, Pickuptruck.com]

You can get a "Tough Box" for your Chevy Colorado, too! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bigger motors mean more power for 2007 HUMMER, Colorado/Canyon

Erin Mays — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 08:05:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Technology, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer

The HUMMER H3, Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon will benefit from more displacement this fall when General Motors rolls out the 2007 models. GM's new Vortec 2.9L inline-four and Vortec 3.7L inline-five, which produce 10 and 22 more hp and 10 and 17 additional lb.-ft of torque, respectively, are given more displacement by bored-out intake and exhaust valves, variable valve timing, an upgraded camshaft, and other changes. In the case of the 3.7L inline-five, a larger and more refined catalytic converter helps it meet new BIN 5 emissions requirements, as well.

Full release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Bigger motors mean more power for 2007 HUMMER, Colorado/Canyon

Bigger motors mean more power for 2007 HUMMER, Colorado/Canyon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jun 2006 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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