Chevrolet Mid-Sized Truck Planned, But Not For US?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Yesterday we suggested that this line drawing of a smaller-than-full-size Chevrolet pickup meant that Chevy would be “recommitting” to the US market for compact pickup trucks. Today, however, Bloomberg reports that Chevy is planning a mid-sized truck for production in Thailand, and that GM is focusing its smaller pickup efforts on the developing markets in South East Asia and Brazil (importation to Europe is also planned). GM’s Martin Apfel explains

The logical consequence is to build where the customer wants it, as that keeps your costs down. [Thailand and Brazil are] the two centers of gravity for midsize trucks

Adding insult to injury, GM is building up its diesel egine plant in Rayong, Thailand, as it prepares to build this smaller pickup. Which means that, like Mahindra and Volkswagen, this primarily diesel-powered small pickup likely won’t be brought to America to cannibalize GM’s full-sized lineup. Once again, US small-truck demand and emissions standards will likely conspire to keep this little truck out of America.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 15 comments
  • Dcdriver Dcdriver on Jun 30, 2010

    I guess the best hope for a good affordable small pickup would have to come from a manufacturer that does not make a full size truck so as to not step on the toes (and big profits) of the full size model, [i.e don't make the Colorad/Canyon too good and affordable, b/c then it will take away sales from the Silverado/Sierra line of thinking] I'm thinking Hyundai.

  • Jimal Jimal on Jul 01, 2010

    I would love a small, utilitarian (to the extreme) pick up that gets pretty good fuel economy for every day driving and can carry say 1,500 - 2,000 lbs. of cargo. I would even take something car-based, like a Cruze-based Rampage or Rabbit type vehicle. Okay, maybe a creature comfort or two since I would use it as a commuter, but a rubber floor covering would be good enough for me.

  • Maximus Maximus on Jul 02, 2010

    Actually, Mahindra’s 2 and 4-door diesel pickups are in fact coming to the US. Yes, there have been some roadblocks, but Mahindra says they will get over them and launch in the US. In fact, not that long ago, the president of the company’s automotive sector announced that they will be in the US December 2010. So forget about these stories – I really think American OEMs have given up on midsize pickups in the US. Which is unfortunate because it’s clear from the blogosphere that there is a trucking community that wants smaller pickups.

  • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Jul 06, 2010

    Good old Detroit. Give up on wagons and then minivans and then small trucks and small cars and electric cars. Make up all sorts of statements about how the American consume doesn't want these. Meanwhile the imports step in to build these products and make a good living doing so. Way to go Detroit. Wonder if my first turbo diesel four door truck will be a Mahindra?

Next