GM Unveils Chevy Colorado Concept
By Michelle Krebs March 21, 2011
General Motors unveiled a concept version of its Chevrolet Colorado truck at the Bangkok International Auto Show today. Bearing a striking resemblance to the Honda Ridgeline minus the rear doors, the midsize pickup goes on sale in Thailand later this year; something similar could be sold in North America eventually.
Powered by a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine, the show truck features an extended-cab body that sits atop a high-stance all-wheel-drive chassis and rides on 20-inch wheels and off-road tires. Other styling cues include a “cab collar” with a body-color hard tonneau cover on the bed. Inside, the truck features Chevrolet’s signature dual-cockpit instrument panel design.
“Although this is a show vehicle, the basic proportions and form conveys the vision for the next-generation Colorado that we will bring to market,” Brad Merkel, GM's global vehicle line executive, said in the company’s statement released Monday. “It reflects a stylized version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use needs.”
Thailand, which is a big truck market, has become a global center for truck manufacturing for all makers. In 2010, the pickup truck segment accounted for 43 percent of vehicles sold in Thailand. “Thailand is the world’s-largest market for midsize pickups, so this was the perfect location in which to unveil our new Colorado,” said Susan Docherty, vice president, GMIO Sales, Marketing and Aftersales.
Added Roberto Rempel, GM's global vehicle chief engineer: “Pickups are instrumental in the vibrant Thai economy and owners take great pride in their trucks, which are used for both work and personal driving. These customers ask a lot of their trucks, so the powertrains and chassis must be very robust to earn their trust – and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered.”
North America Bound?
GM had been expected to drop midsize pickup trucks – sold in the U.S. as the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon – from its line as it also closes the Shreveport, La., plant that assembles them next summer. However, in recent weeks, company officials have hinted it may replace those models.
“The Colorado show truck was developed to test consumer interest in this growing segment around the globe. It's an exciting statement of capability and performance, two traits that have become synonymous with Chevrolet,” a Chevrolet spokesman told AutoObserver recently. “Beyond that we have no production plans to announce. However, we expect the Colorado to remain a part of the Chevrolet portfolio in North America.”
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