What's Wrong With This Picture: No Country For Old-School SUVs Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Based on Chevy’s new Global Colorado, this Trailblazer is an old-school, body-on-frame, SUV… which won’t be sold in this, the erstwhile capital of body-on-frame SUVs. Even though the Colorado will be produced in the US, which would make the Trailblazer an easy addition to the US lineup, Chevy seems determined to keep it out of the US. Because, as GM’s midsized truck VLE (vehicle line engineer) Brad Merkel puts it

The growing markets of the world want flexibility. That means power and capability combined with comfort and efficiency. TrailBlazer does it all. You can tow anything, go anywhere, comfortably seat seven people, and do so with the fuel efficiency associated with a smaller, less capable vehicle. It’s the complete package

But Americans don’t want any of that. Americans want a nice, car-based Equinox or Traverse. And that’s just what they’ll continue to get…



Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Blowfish Blowfish on Nov 12, 2011

    not sure if my optics were off, does it look a Merc GLK?

  • Niky Niky on Nov 13, 2011

    They won't sell it in the US because the market segment it targets doesn't exist in the US. This is for markets where they sell rollover-happy pick-up based BOFs like the Hilux-based seven-seat Fortuner, the (old) Colorado-based Isuzu Alterra and the Montero Sport. Where you're not required to give your trucks electronic stability control or even ABS... or even rear disc brakes. We're getting it. You're not. Blame your sissified government regulations and drivers who can't stand a little death and dismemberment. Nyah nyah nyah.

  • SCE to AUX Figure 160 miles EPA if it came here, minus the usual deductions.It would be a dud in the US market.
  • Analoggrotto EV9 sales are rivalling the Grand Highlander's and this is a super high eATP vehicle with awesome MSRPs. Toyota will need to do more than compete with a brand who has major equity and support from the automotive journalism community. The 3 row game belongs to HMC with the Telluride commanding major marketshare leaps this year even in it's 5th hallowed year of ultra competitive sales.
  • Analoggrotto Probably drives better than Cprescott
  • Doug brockman I havent tried the Honda but my 2023 RAV4 is great. I had a model 20 years ago which. Was way too little
  • Master Baiter The picture is of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
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