New Chevy Colorado Is Coming to U.S.

While Ford and Dodge have confirmed that they’re scuttling their smaller pickups for America — the Ranger and Dakota, respectively — Chevy announced today that it will hold steadfast with its Colorado midsize pickup for the U.S. (The vehicle made its global debut last week in Thailand.) Production details, timing and pricing will be announced at a later date, but you can expect the Colorado to be more fuel efficient and affordable compared with the full-size Chevy Silverado. No word if the GMC Canyon — a virtual twin to the existing Colorado — will also survive the redesign process. For more info, continue reading at PickupTrucks.com.

It's Official! The New Colorado Is Coming to the U.S. (PickupTrucks.com)

All-New 2012 Chevy Colorado Revealed

The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado made its global debut today in Thailand, which will be the first market to get the new global midsize pickup truck. There was no official announcement about a U.S. launch, though our friends at PickupTrucks.com say GM will invest $380 million plant to build a new pickup truck platform. (GM's Shreveport, La., plant where current-gen Colorados and GMC Canyons are built is scheduled to close next year.)

Chevrolet will offer Thai customers 26 combinations of Colorado models, powertrains, cabins, and ride heights and a choice of two all-new Duramax turbo-diesel engines. Read all the details and check out more photos at at PickupTrucks.com.

All-New 2012 Chevy Colorado Revealed (PickupTrucks.com)

Recall Alert: 2011 Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon

General Motors is recalling 6,768 2011 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon compact pickup trucks over issues involving the automatic transmission on select trims, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Some models equipped with either a 2.9-liter four-cylinder or 3.7-liter five-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission may have problems with the transmission selector. The PRNDL shift lever icons might not accurately reflect the true gear. Depending on the situation, drivers won’t be able to restart their vehicles or the vehicle could roll away when parked.

GM dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The recall will begin on July 19. Owners can call Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, GMC at 866-996-9463 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Recall Alert: 2011 Chevy Colorado, 2011 GMC Canyon

GM is recalling 4,674 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon compact pickup trucks from the 2011 model year because the windshield wipers may become inoperative, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, the wipers’ motor crank arm nut may loosen if the wipers are operated with a build-up of snow or ice or if the wipers are turned on with a dry windshield. If the nut is loosened enough, the wipers could stop working. This could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin this month. Dealerships will secure the nut free of charge. For more info, owners can call Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, GMC at 866-996-9463 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Few Big Incentives from Chevy in April

This month, Chevrolet continues to offer a few healthy cash-back offers, but some 0% financing on some of the brand’s large SUVs has been taken away.

Chevy’s slow sellers, such as the Avalanche and HHR, continue to offer 0% financing throughout April. The Tahoe and Suburban switch from 0% financing to a still-attractive 2.9% for 60 months, though both models maintain a $2,000 cash-back deal from last month. No Chevy models increase their cash-back offerings.

Chevy’s popular sellers, like the Cruze and Equinox, don’t offer much in terms of incentives, but both models have somewhat attractive lease deals.

Most incentives expire May 2. Continue reading below for more detailed offerings:

Next-Generation Chevy Colorado Revealed

The small-truck market isn’t what it used to be, with Ford and GM focusing new development for the pickups on overseas markets. Today, Chevy revealed its next-generation Colorado small pickup in advance of the Bangkok auto show.

The truck shown above and detailed on PickupTrucks.com is what is called a “show car.” It’s extremely close to production in terms of exterior design, but there would likely be tweaks to the interior fit and finish and materials, if not layout.

Why so much digital ink for a vehicle going on sale in Thailand next year? PickupTrucks.com’s sources say it will eventually go on sale in the U.S.

Read more here.

GM Plant Shuts Down Over Japanese Parts Delay

We have just received the first official word from a U.S.-based automaker that the aftereffects of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami could significantly alter production here.

General Motors announced it would suspend production at its Shreveport, La., assembly plant — where the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon small pickup trucks are made — for the week of March 21.

The specific parts that are causing the shutdown weren’t released, but the two trucks feature a five-speed manual transmission produced by Aisin, a major transmission supplier based in Japan.

Other U.S. plants have canceled overtime shifts but haven’t suspended all production.

The pipeline of parts to the U.S. relies on shipping across the Pacific Ocean. We may start seeing the incoming parts simply not showing up and disrupting U.S. operations.

The Shreveport plant is scheduled to be shut down in 2012 as part of GM’s restructuring plans, and the two trucks made there see minimal sales. As of March 1 there was a 58 day supply of the Chevy Colorado and 58 day supply for the GMC Canyon. The industry average was 60 days as of March 1.

GM Teases Next-Gen Chevy Colorado Pickup

We’ve already heard reports about a new Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup, and the automaker reaffirmed that a new truck is coming soon by releasing this teaser shot today. What you see here is the next-generation Colorado, which will debut March 25 in Thailand, according to PickupTrucks.com.

PickupTrucks.com says the model is expected to come to the U.S. and Canada. There seems to be a lot of design influences from the Chevrolet Equinox, which is probably a good thing considering how quickly that model is selling.

There’s no question that the midsize-pickup category suffers from a dearth of new faces. Believe it or not, the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier (sans the Suzuki rebadge) are the latest entries, and that was more than six years ago. A new Colorado could shake up this sleepy segment.

GM Releases Teaser Picture of Next Chevrolet Colorado (PickupTrucks.com)

Next-Gen Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon May Come to North America

The midsize pickup truck segment does not share in the rapid evolution and competitiveness enjoyed by its full-size brethren (such as the Ford F-150). In fact, the last time a major design cycle happened in the category happened way back in 2004-05, when the next-generation Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Dodge Dakota debuted.

The category definitely could use a shot of adrenaline, and General Motors may be the one to do it, according to PickupTrucks.com.

GM’s midsize pickups — the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon — are in the midst of a complete revamp. The two nameplates will share an all-new platform and are expected to make their global debut this year, sometime, in Thailand. Originally, the automaker planned to discontinue the pickups in the U.S. but has since revised its strategy to include the vehicles, which will probably go on sale here sometime in late 2013 or early 2014.

Read the full story at PickupTrucks.com.

Work on Next-Gen Colorado and Canyon for North America Under Way, Sources Say (PickupTrucks.com)

Recall Alert: 26,751 GM Trucks, SUVS

General Motors has expanded an earlier recall from last month over a potential problem with the rear axle/suspension, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected models include the 2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe; and GMC Canyon, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL. While the initial recall affected only 1,262 vehicles (and all the vehicles were trucks), now 26,751 vehicles (including SUVs) are affected.

In the affected vehicles, the rear axle cross pin was not manufactured correctly. As a result, the pin could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle, causing the axle to lock up. This condition could make maintaining direction control difficult, increasing the likelihood of an accident without prior warning.

GM is expected to begin the recall Jan. 25. Dealerships will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge on affected vehicles. For more info, owners can contact Cadillac at 866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, GMC at 866-996-9463 or NHTSA's safety hotline at 888-327-4236. Owners can also go to www.GMownercenter.com.