Full-Size Chevy Crossover on the Way

According to a few unnamed-but-in-the-know sources, Chevrolet is busily planning a three-row crossover based on the recent trio of the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia (shown here) and just-released Buick Enclave. The move is in response to dismal sales of the aging TrailBlazer, and rumors have the new crossover getting the name Traverse.

The report also says the TrailBlazer will stop being sold by 2010. That seems like a long time for a vehicle that's not due for an update to stay on the market. There’s also a reference to Chevy dealers feeling cheated by not getting the same new products their GM brethren did. That might have had the biggest impact on the decision to bring the Traverse to market so quickly.   

Do you think this is a good move for Chevy, or is it a mistake? Or are you like us, and just don't like the name?

Finally, a Chevy Crossover (The Detroit News)

Comments

I think it's just another example of GM having TOO many brands. Here you have Chevy competing with Buick and Saturn and GMC. And they wonder why each brand doesn't have an identity.

On top of that, they cars all look so similar - enough to confuse consumers.

i think GM should make up their mind.c mon all their brand names cars look the same theres like no difference.the trailblazer should be taken of the market a long time ago that car is no good just like the blazer it has really cheap material in the interior than a durango,thats why i stick to the ford motor company because they have less prerecessors.

This is another bad case of Trailblazer, Envoy, Rainier, 9-7, Bravada, Ascender. I'm all for saving money by using similar platforms, but why does GM have to continue badge engineering? Consumers are too smart for this type of marketing.

I'm sure Isuzu will have one next.

bowrider,

You picked my favorite example--most people forget about the Bravada. Agree totally--too much badge-engineering. They need to just admit defeat and merge some brands if they're going to do this.

Does GM look at these blogs? They should. Maybe then they wouldn't be billions in the hole.

Just when I thought GM was starting to care about Saturn they get shafted again. I hope they come up with some way of differentiating the Outlook and the Traverse (yup, that's a stupid name). Maybe a hybrid Saturn Outlook: that would fit the Saturn image well.

This is exactly the kind of thinking that landed GM in trouble in the first place. Outlook, Acadia and Enclave are already too much.

GM: there are signs that you might pull out of the product hole yet. Resist the temptation to take this quick fix. Continue to focus your Chevy energy on the Malibu launch.

Yes, probably too many brands and the same model, but basically all automakers do it, look at an expensive Toyota and a cheap Lexus, they look similar don't they? Or Lincoln and Fords? The Trail Blazer can do Ok with just cosmetic changes and improved engines.

Hey ALF, Lexus and toyota, Lincoln and ford, are doing this because some people can't afford a Lexus so they get a toyota, and same thing with ford and lincoln, nissan and infiniti. It's ok to have two cars that look alittle alike it's like theres a cheap version and a luxury version, but have 3 or 4 of them look almost the exact same is alittle too much don't you think??

I think you are right LM. Just too many brands for GM. It is too hard to distinguish them from each other and keep manufacturering costs reasonable. I was surprised and happy to see the Acadia and Outlook as the only two variants of the model and they seemed to be different enough to merit two versions. Then the Buick version added nothing and now this is out of control. I am guessing the Chevy will be the volume leader.

I think the GMC brand could go away since for the most part it sells all the same stuff you can buy as Chevy trucks. Buick for the most part lost its older following when the dumped models like the LeSabre and Century that had a loyal fan base with so I am not sure I see the purpose to that division either.

Actually, I think GM is doing it right this time. These vehicles look very distinct from each other in person and the Buick actually is a kick ass vehicle. Plus, I went to test drive an Acadia and there was a two month wait for delivery due to demand despite the ridiculous gas prices. I think the General may have gotten this right.

Chevy wants one because they are having trouble moving equally sized (and gas sucking)Tahoes and Suburbans (stretched Tahoe). I thought Chevy was suppose to be the "value" brand. GMC, Buick, Saturn are suppose to be "premium". The new "3some" are premimum vehicles. There's no way Chevy can bring in a base model under $25K. Anything more competes with the other nameplates. I thought GM figured this out, "You can't be all things to all people". Guess not...

To Jay...Saturn a PREMIUM brand? Since when? Saturn was a Different Company, Different Car. Now they are just the same. How long til Chevy wants a version of the Vue?

I think with Cadillac they need to get rid of Buick. Here's what GM needs:

Chevy (up again Toyota), Cadillac (Lexus) and Pontiac (sporty) if need be. That's it.

Then Saturn on it's own keeping with it's no haggle philosophy. It works for Scion, let it work for Saturn.

They should kill GMC Trucks AND Buick.

This would save product development costs and allow them to focus their marketing. I am a huge Toyota fan, so honestly if they don't and continue digging their grave deeper, that's fine. However, even I can see why they are failing. If they continue to fail, then good riddence.

To LM, have you seen the new Saturns coming out? When Saturn came out a decade ago, they were to compete on the "value" end of the import business because thats where Toyota and Honda were playing. Saturn replaced what Oldsmobile was trying to do. Toyota and Honda decided to go up-market to the premium segment (not luxury) so thats where Saturn had to go. It has always been Saturn's business case to go up against Japanese imports. I agree with you that GMC should be dumped but not Buick. With the Enclave, (if America could get) the Park Avenue from China, and upcoming Riviera, they have a better business case and look than Cadillac.

Guys,
Remember GMC is one of GM's most profitable brands.

how can you guys say that GMC should be dumped? looks like me and Dave T. are the only sensible ones here. heres what I think

GM keeps GMC, Chevy, Cadillac, Buick, and Saturn (at least until 2010, if Saturn is growing keep it).

Sell 25% of Saab off.
sell 100% of Hummer.

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