GM Considers An X3 Fighter For Cadillac As Chevy TrailBlazer Denied Entry To America

A double shot of news on the General Motors SUV front. Automotive News is reporting that Cadillac considering a small SUV to compete with the BMW X3. A separate article suggests that the General will give auto writers another excuse to bitch about the lack of body-on-frame SUVs, with its decision not to import the Thai-engineered TrailBlazer.

Although the Cadillac SRX is about 8 inches longer overall than the X3, the two have nearly identical width, height and wheelbase measurements. The X5, by comparison, is almost the same length but has a wheelbase 5 inches longer than the SRX or X3. Is Cadillac looking for a new crossover derived on the Alpha platform? Or something smaller, based on a compact FWD platform, ala the “baby Enclave” Buick Encore? After all, what America really needs is (if one listens to auto pundits on their one-(wo)ma(y)n social media soapboxes) compact, Continental-style luxury cars…until, someone actually brings one to market.

On the “Bass Pro Shops” and “Draft Perry 2012” end of the spectrum, GM is setting body-on-frame fans up for disappointment, with their apparent disavowal of any American sales for the 2012 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. The new TrailBlazer is based on the new Colorado compact pickup, developed in Thailand and set to go on sale in 2013. Automotive News quotes a GM exec stating “… we have no plans to bring it here.” The TrailBlazer is possible competition for the Traverse crossover, which is the same size and does the same things as the TrailBlazer – and yes, the Traverse can apparently tow up to 5,200 lbs, which is adequate for a fair number of customers. While the Traverse has GM’s familiar 3.6L V6, the TrailBlazer’s sole engine choice for now is a 2.8L Duramax diesel – one which American customers are seemingly allergic to, if you ask anyone at an OEM marketing department.