Despite previous denials, it looks as though Chevrolet’s Colorado pickup truck concept is heading to U.S. showrooms. General Motors new agreement with the UAW revealed that the automaker is planning to launch a new generation of its compact pickup truck.
Although the current Colorado is only seven years old, the compact truck feels far beyond its years, largely due to a dated interior and rather poor packaging. However, those problems could soon be solved as GM is planning to launch a new version of its compact truck within the next four years.
In its latest contract with the UAW GM confirmed that the next-generation of its Colorado pickup will be built at its Wentzville, Missouri production plant. Although no timeframe was given for the start of production, the UAW’s contract spans four years, so look for the truck to arrive on dealer lots before 2015.
No other details were given on the truck itself, but GM has been touring a Colorado concept around the globe for several months now. That truck shares much of GM’s U.S. Styling, so the Colorado concept wouldn’t look out of place in U.S. showrooms. However, the concept is based on a tradition frame, so it remains possible GM could opt for a more car-like unibody design.
GMC dealers won’t be left out of the loop as a successor to the Canyon is also in the works.
GM’s timing with the Colorado could be near perfect as both Ford and Chrysler are abandoning the compact truck market. Chrysler has officially ended production of its Dakota small truck and Ford will kill off its antiquated Ranger later this year.
References
1.’Proposed GM contract…’ view
