Ammann, not without a wry sense of humor, quipped that he said it was only peak, before the photo here was briefly shown. Real photo is on page 2 after the continued jump.
At the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars today, General Motors Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dan Ammann provided the first U.S. look at the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickup trucks already on sale elsewhere.
“Below today’s full-size truck we see a segment of the market that’s not being addressed,” Ammann said. “Not being addressed with the quality of vehicle, the capability of vehicle that we see as a real market opportunity.”
Colorado and Canyon will join the all-new 2014 Silverado and Sierra 1500s, and the upcoming Silverado and Sierra HDs to give Chevrolet and GMC customers a line of pickups that cannot be matched by Ram or Ford F-Series. Both Ford Motor and Chrysler Group have inexplicably abandoned the mid-size segment to Japanese automakers, notably Toyota. ( Chevrolet Colorado Midsized Pickup to be Made in Wentzville as GM Tries to Forget Bankruptcy, Hummer and Shreveport)
The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Colorado has single, extended and crew-cab body styles is the product of a five-year, $2 billion vehicle program developed across five continents for customers in more than 60 markets.
The latest version of the Colorado, which replaced the S10, originally debuted in Thailand during the fall of 2011l. Thailand is the world’s second largest pickup truck market after the U.S because of tax subsidies. In Thailand, the Colorado lineup includes 2wd and 4wd regular, extended-cab and crew cab body styles. Gasoline and diesel engines are available, including a new 2.5-liter and 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel engines that produce broad torque bands engineered for excellent cargo and towing capability. Colorado appears to have all the product attributes that make for a marketplace success. GM has withheld U.S. specifications thus far. The new GM pickups also gives GM the chance to add diesel engines to its light pickup line in the U.S. Production is scheduled to start in 2014 at GM’s Wentzville, Missouri plant.
Right now Ram will be alone with a diesel offering this fall. The comeback automaker, Chrysler Group, will have the first light duty diesel engine pared with an 8-speed automatic transmission, both exclusives in the segment. While prices have not been announced, the 3-liter “EcoDiesel” engine will be priced $2,850 above the gasoline Hemi V8 starting late this fall. Ram claims the diesel will deliver best-in-class fuel efficiency along with the greatest torque. Just bring money – this is going to be a +$45,000 (or more) set of wheels, AutoInformed predicts.
See also:
- Light Duty Diesel Ram Ups Fuel Economy Ante in 2014
- Midsize Chevrolet Colorado Pickup Will Be Built in U.S.
- New Ford Ranger Debuts in Bangkok – U.S. Bound?
- Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck Unveiled in Bangkok
- New Chevrolet Colorado Concept Begs the Fuel Economy Question: Where oh where is Ford’s Small U.S. Pickup?
- GM UAW Contract Offers Profit Sharing, Some New Jobs
- UAW has Deal at Ford Pending Local Approvals. 5750 Jobs Added or Retained During Contract. Shared Prosperity Claimed
