Chevrolet Trailblazer may be Sacrificed for a New Hummer

[YSSMAN]

General Motors may dump the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and effectively replace it with a new Hummer model called the H4, according to a report today by the Detroit News. While Chevy will also get a more car-like crossover to fill the gap in its lineup, the midsize body-on-frame truck slot would be filled by the H4. The rumor comes a week after we reported GM had cancelled plans for a new versions of the TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. GM reportedly decided to keep the existing models in production indefinitely. Global Insight analyst Rebecca Lindland says the new Hummer would arrive in 2009 and be built on a smaller verison of the H3 chassis.

I'd say that it is a smart move on GM's behalf. Beyond the full-size GMT900 SUVs and Pickups, Chevrolet really doesn't have a need for another SUV in their lineup. Granted, the Trailblazer is one of their best-sellers, but they are going to need to go smaller to be more compeditive with Ford and DCX, both of which seem to be moving twards crossovers, but are maintaining their stance on other large SUVs.

But it does make me wonder. If Chevrolet is going to be using the new Lambada spinoff, the GMT960, does that mean they are going to be axing the Equinox as well?

 

[niky]

Errh... doesn't make sense to me... It's like axing the Corolla to make an entry-level Lexus... or something like that. Sure, the funky anti-design of the Hummer may garner sales, but wouldn't they be much higher with the Trailblazer, anyway?

 

[YSSMAN]

Yes and no. GM has said in the past that they are looking to save brands by cutting models, thus I think the majority of truck production and sales are going to be split between Chevrolet, GMC, and Hummer (Hummer selling SUVs as their specialty).

 

[Tornado]

Makes no sense. As niky said, killing a model to sell a more expensive, less practical model is dumb. Chevrolet has a lot more dealers than Hummer, and Hummer has also been getting alot of negative press in the past 5 years (in fact, the very idea that GM still hasn't dumped the brand confounds me). I think they should just supplant the Trailblazer with this Hummer for 4 reasons:

1. The Trailblazer is a legitimate competitor to the Dodge Dakota and Ford Explorer. No hummer would be.
2. This "H4" (they really should think of names that don't sound like ass) would eat the already admittedly poor H3 sales.
3. The people that would buy the H4 would not be the people that would buy the Trailblazer.
4. The Trailblazer is quite the piece of practicality, being able to be had with things like 3rd row seating. I doubt GM would pay to make things like this appear in the brash Hummer image.

 

[YSSMAN]

Reportedly, the Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy would be replaced by GMT960 models, un-named for Chevrolet, and the Acadia for GMC. This is the same platform that rides beneath the Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave, smaller, crossover SUV's that have optional FWD and AWD setups.

GM's reasoning continued sales of the Hummer brand have been that they have planned the brand so that low-sales are okay. They realise that not everyone wants a "hard-core" SUV, thus they cater to the tastes of particular customers.

...I find it interesting that the Autoextremist semi-predicted this late last year. He wanted the majority of the truck production to shift to Hummer and GMC, leaving Chevrolet with just a truck or two, and a crossover as well.

 

[xXSilencerXx]

That would be very stupid. I think the H3 is fugly so the H4 cant be much better. I say leave the TrailBlazer as is.

 

[JCE]

Once again GM has proven to be complete idiots by giving in and not actually doing any real R&D for something GOOD and or revolutionary. I bet they are thinking; "oh lets anally rape the public again with an expensive SUV". They are making another Hummer because Americans want Hummers...it's an icon. It's like the Brittish owning Range Rovers...well no...those are at least worth something. GM will overcharge for the H4 and makes tons of money on it so I guess GM is smart business wise...

The H2 looks like ass, the H3 looks like ass, and both are $15k too expensive. So I'll guess the H4 being between these two in size costing around $40-48k. What a complete waste of money.

 

[McLaren]

GM's in a "money" problem right now, so who on earth was smoking the weed when this decision was made?

 

[YSSMAN]

I doubt they are going to price the H4 any higher than the outgoing GMT360 trucks, but of course, the story is more of a rumor than anything else.

Chances are, Chevrolet will end up keeping the TrailBlazer for a while, but I can see the Envoy and Raineer getting dumped. Thus, Chevrolet and Saab will run the production lines of the GMT360s untill a further decision is reached on the future of the trucks.

...I think GM is watching what is happening at Ford. There were stories that Explorer sales (the best-selling SUV annually) had dropped signifigantly, almost to a grinding halt. So why would GM continue making something that won't make a whole lot of money?

I think GM is looking to make Hummer the SUV brand, for the most part, while Chevrolet/GMC/Cadillac continues on with their GMT900s.

This whole shift at GM is getting confusing. Someone should make a pie-chart or something...

 

[JCE]

This whole shift at GM is getting confusing. Someone should make a pie-chart or something...

YES FINALLY YOU GET CONFUSED LIKE THE REST OF US! 👍 👍

 

[Tornado]

...I think GM is watching what is happening at Ford. There were stories that Explorer sales (the best-selling SUV annually) had dropped signifigantly, almost to a grinding halt. So why would GM continue making something that won't make a whole lot of money?

Yeah, but

1. The only Trailblazer that has ever sold like garbage was the Envoy XUV, because it was a good idea executed with all the greatness of the plague (let's build a sliding roof that leaks more than a '55 Skyliner!)
2. The Ford Explorer has been a piece of crap for 7 years (basically, ever since Ford started selling it as a mid-size SUV with all the space inside of a Ford Escape). It's surprising enough that it's been selling well enough this long.

Let's face facts: Hummer as a brand is pretty much dead. The only car that was actually worth the name is no longer sold. People are starting to realise what rip-offs they actually are. Then there's the negative press cast by the media and the war (which probably has had far more to do with sales than anything else). With the flagship gone, all that is left is a bunch of overweight pigs that can't do anything better than any other SUV on the market. The H3 is so anemic and heavy that it's gas mileage is worse than the bigger, more powerful H2, and it isn't even that good off-road considering. The H2 is a gussied up old Escalade with a "killing the Earth" mantra following it everywhere. Whoever even contemplated this decision must really be working for Ford, because it can only hurt GM.

 

[YSSMAN]

I don't think Hummer's sales are that bad, as they build into their lineup rather low production numers, as they know that they have to satisfy certain people, not everyone like Chevrolet or GMC. Granted, sales are not nearly as great for the company as they were in 2002/2003 with the introduction of the H2, but they are selling enough vehicles to turn a profit, and thats all that matters.

Quite frankly, the dissapearance of the GMT360 isn't the end of the Earth as we know it. The platform is old and tired, and a bit flimsy in comparison to that of the Durango and Explorer. I do think that the platform is worth of a revamp, and atleast the Traliblazer for a refresh, but generally speaking, there isn't a need for the rest of the GMT360 lineup. Most of those brands are going to be recieving GMT960 trucks, larger crossovers in comparison to the Ford Edge, but smaller than the current Trailblazer/Envoy, etc.

 

[JCE]

Yeah, but

1. The only Trailblazer that has ever sold like garbage was the Envoy XUV, because it was a good idea executed with all the greatness of the plague (let's build a sliding roof that leaks more than a '55 Skyliner!)
2. The Ford Explorer has been a piece of crap for 7 years (basically, ever since Ford started selling it as a mid-size SUV with all the space inside of a Ford Escape). It's surprising enough that it's been selling well enough this long.

Let's face facts: Hummer as a brand is pretty much dead. The only car that was actually worth the name is no longer sold. People are starting to realise what rip-offs they actually are. Then there's the negative press cast by the media and the war (which probably has had far more to do with sales than anything else). With the flagship gone, all that is left is a bunch of overweight pigs that can't do anything better than any other SUV on the market. The H3 is so anemic and heavy that it's gas mileage is worse than the bigger, more powerful H2, and it isn't even that good off-road considering. The H2 is a gussied up old Escalade with a "killing the Earth" mantra following it everywhere. Whoever even contemplated this decision must really be working for Ford, because it can only hurt GM.

The H2 is based off of the Tahoe chassis I believe...and if the H2 was $10k cheaper it might not be so bad. It isn't that bad off road (if it ever sees dirt), and it's not ugly ugly. It's just obtrusive and way too large. NOW, the H3 is off of the Colorado chassis...and...frankly the Colorado isn't that great...the H3 is a $30k POS that can't do ANYTHING well but suck gas. THE THING WEIGHTS 4700 FREAKING POUNDS!!! OH and it only has 220bhp...yea ok that's like stuffing the Ford 2.3L Mustang 4cyl motor in the Crown Victoria...0-60 in NEXT YEAR! Too bad, GM's sales of these obtrusive gas guzzling pigs aren't slowing down fast enough. We need $5.00 per gallon gas prices to curb it's sales.

...I just went to Hummer.com and read that as of June 2006 te H1 Hummer--the best Hummer of them all--is now dead...for the public. The US Military is still getting it's Humvee's so it's possible you might be able to pick a used (really used) one up...if you are lucky.

 

[YSSMAN]

The H2 is due for an overhaul, but nothing apparently has been planned as of yet. It's a chassis behind now, and once the new Trucks are out, it will be the only GMT800-based vehicle on sale. If they do move it to GMT900 (expect a debut around Detroit-time), I'd expect the weight and size overall to go down, fuel-mileage to go up, and overall driveability both on and off-road to dramatically increase.

As for the H3, it is in a tricky spot. On one hand, it gets sales because it has offroad capability unlike anything else available (okay, the Toyota FJ might come close), and is "efficent" with it's "powerful" I5. But, last I had herd, Hummer was working on a turbocharger setup on the H3, or possibly dumping the I5 as a whole, moving up to the 4200 I6 from the Trailblazer.

But generally speaking, I think the entire GMT355 program needs to be scrapped. The trucks simply do not perform well, neither off-road nor on. GM would be far better off taking the Zeta platform and baisically selling a US-spec version of the Holden Ute/Crewman. I have posted several times before that the Ute/Crewman is actually rated better than the GMT355's in the towing and hauling departments, and from what I understand, they are quite capable off-road as well.

 

[Tornado]

As for the H3, it is in a tricky spot. On one hand, it gets sales because it has offroad capability unlike anything else available (okay, the Toyota FJ might come close), and is "efficent" with it's "powerful" I5. But, last I had herd, Hummer was working on a turbocharger setup on the H3, or possibly dumping the I5 as a whole, moving up to the 4200 I6 from the Trailblazer.

Bull. A Jeep Liberty specced out right will out-go the H3 anywheres. As will an Xterra. Hell, my truck can go pretty much anywheres an H3 could go (according to Truck Trend).
And the gas mileage from the I5 is worse than the H2's because it is overworked to the max, keeping it from being able to cruise effectively in high gear. Even the H2 can manage that because of the torque the 6.0L has.

 

[YSSMAN]

Car and Driver said that they were surprised by the capability of the H3 off-road, but on-road, things simply sucked. There isn't enough power in the I5 to do much, but it has enough for some low-speed moving on the trails.

That said, I'd never buy one. If I want to go off-road, I'm going to buy a used Wrangler and mod it, not some brand-new Humvee-wanabe.

 

[JCE]

But generally speaking, I think the entire GMT355 program needs to be scrapped. The trucks simply do not perform well, neither off-road nor on. GM would be far better off taking the Zeta platform and baisically selling a US-spec version of the Holden Ute/Crewman. I have posted several times before that the Ute/Crewman is actually rated better than the GMT355's in the towing and hauling departments, and from what I understand, they are quite capable off-road as well.

Everything in bold here is exactly right...and is every reason for GM to do it. GM's going to be converting alot of the current car platforms to the Zeta platform...why not just add more? The Ute/Crewman is sweet as hell...bar-none.

 

[YSSMAN]

Theoretically it would reduce production costs, and it would allow for further development talent to be moved twards styling, performance, etc.

 

[JCE]

Theoretically it would reduce production costs, and it would allow for further development talent to be moved twards styling, performance, etc.

EXACTLY my point. If GM would think smart they could EASILY dominate the US. I mean lets face it, GM AUS has it right GM US has it all wrong. GM's AUS division has SEXY VEHICLES, GM's US division doesn't. Not only that the more money saved the more money spent towards a) debt b) research and development. And the greatest perk of all this? We can thusiasts get some freaking sweet as rides! I would buy a Ute/Crewman IN A FRACTION OF A MILLISECOND! For that matter I'd buy even the base of the base Vectra if it was brought here.

You seen the new Vectra hot hatch? It's so sexy...

 

[JCE]

Wow, talk about a computer/keyboard hiccup. Please delete.

 

[Jim Prower]

The Trailblazer is common as dirt around here, mostly bought my upper-middle-class people who don't know how to drive.

However, I wouldn't miss it if it dropped off the face of the planet. Kill it, for all I say.

 

[niky]

@JCE3000GT: Tahoe=Escalade=H2. Heck, after an uncle got the Escalade, his son realized this same thing, and wanting to get a similar vehicle, merely bought a specced up Tahoe instead.

Actually, re-reading the news bit, I kind of a gree Chevy should go the unibody/crossover route. It rationalizes the line somewhat, with Chevy making cars and car-based SUVs, and the new trucks coming in under GMC and Hummer nameplates.

But then, most Hummers are pretty useless. With the Escalade craze over (or is it? Pardon, but I'm not up-to-date on sales), I don't think people are as enamored of re-bodied cheap cars posing as luxury-mobiles anymore.

 

[YSSMAN]

Actually, all of the new GMT900 SUVs are selling very well in comparison to their American and European competition. The cylinder deactivation and E85 capability have sold quite a few people on the "economy" of their $35,000+ SUVs, and with the Hybrid versions comming down the line as early as this year, sales are sure to go up once again.

 

[JCE]

Actually, all of the new GMT900 SUVs are selling very well in comparison to their American and European competition. The cylinder deactivation and E85 capability have sold quite a few people on the "economy" of their $35,000+ SUVs, and with the Hybrid versions comming down the line as early as this year, sales are sure to go up once again.

Anything that gets less than 20mpg can't be considered economical...

 

[YSSMAN]

Ah, but in the SUV world, anything above 20 MPG is considered quite economical. I can think of a few Germans who cannot match those figures, so don't point fingers only at the Americans. Atleast with GM, they have pretty much moved the fuel mileage standards forward, so it will be interesting to see how both the Germans and the Japanese deal with their new SUVs.

 

[niky]

Yeah, Toyota... start putting your trucks where your green tounge is...

 

[YSSMAN]

Yeah, I can't wait to see how "economical" the new Tundra is with it's huge V8 that is supposed to "out-power" Nissan, Ford, Dodge, GM, etc.

 

[JCE]

Yeah, I can't wait to see how "economical" the new Tundra is with it's huge V8 that is supposed to "out-power" Nissan, Ford, Dodge, GM, etc.

HAHAHAHAHAHA...AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...AHAHAHAHAHHAHAA! Hahahaha...hahaha.. Seriously Toyota is the last company to "out power" anyone. Haha...what a joke. Thanks for brightening up my day. Seriously...haha..."out power" haha.

*edit*
Ford, GM, and Nissan can COUGH on their V8's and out power anything Toyota brings out. Haha...dude I'm actually laughing out loud.

 

[YSSMAN]

The best part of their whole Tundra campaign (I don't know if you went to any of their autoshows with the New Tundra Tour) was when they claimed that the next-gen Tundra can tow up to 10,000 lbs even as a basic model.

...Chevrolet can allready do that even on their 1500 models of the Silverado, and I'm certain that the next-gen GMT900 models equipped with the Vortec 5300 should be able to outhaul the Toyota without a problem.

 

[JCE]

The F150 also with the towing package goes over 11,000 lbs. I seriously doubt Toyota can compete with any of the 3 American trucks and the Nissan trucks. Seriously doubt it.