Autoblog

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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