QOTD: Is The Chevrolet Trax Debuting In New York?

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Sources tell us that General Motors is set to debut at least one new model at the 2014 New York Auto Show, and that model will apparently be a small crossover for the Chevrolet brand.

Based on what we know, it’s likely that the vehicle in question is the Chevrolet Trax, which is related to the Buick Encore and Opel Mokka. The Trax is already sold in Canada, and ostensibly homologated to meet Canadian standards (which are very close to America’s FMVSS standard), which should reduce the normally prohibitive harmonization costs that tend to prevent world market vehicles from being sold in North America.

If the Trax is indeed the debut, it would be a shrewd one by GM. The small crossover segment is booming worldwide, and even Americans, with their legendary aversion to small hatchbacks, seem to be embracing them as long as they ride a little higher and look a little taller. The Buick Encore is selling better than expected (and completely counter to my own predictions), and while 30,000 units isn’t going to set the world on fire, it’s a good indication that a Chevrolet counterpart will succeed in the market. With Nissan’s Juke and the BMW X1 already occupying the segment, and competitors from Honda and Jeep on the way, as well as entrants from Mercedes and Audi, the small crossover segment will be the one to watch in the coming years. And don’t be surprised if sales of small sedans shrink proportionately.

Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe there is a new Zeta-based Caprice? Some kind of new Buick based on the Opel Adam or Cascada? Perhaps a new body-on-frame SUV? Or even the Orlando? We’ll know starting April 14th, when the NY Auto Show kicks off.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Chicagoland Chicagoland on Mar 21, 2014

    Face reality, our car market will never be like Europe's. Unless you want 'big govt' to force us with $8 gallon of gas? That will go over well.

  • 3Deuce27 3Deuce27 on Mar 21, 2014

    Hope your wrong, Derek, and we get a version of the Opel 'Adam'.

  • Geozinger Geozinger on Mar 21, 2014

    I never quite understood why GM released the Encore, but apparently it was a good move as it tests and sells well. I can remember the design studies for the Trax a while back, I was rather enthusiastic to see a neat little SUV/CUV from GM, but it never made it here to the States. Maybe it will come here, finally. It appears they're following the Buick Enclave/Chevy Traverse release schedule; start out with the high value/high dollar machine and then follow up with the "mainstream" version. A Trax for the US would be great (it would put GM/Chevy back on the shopping list for a replacement SUV for us), but I think the Opel Adam would rock the segment. Even as a Buick.

  • Mikey748 Mikey748 on Mar 22, 2014

    I hope they keep that ugly thing in Europe.

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