New Details Change Colorado / Canyon Sales Picture

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
2/4/2016

Earlier this week General Motors reported its sales numbers and put such a positive spin on the Colorado and Canyon sales we were faked out. We saw through the hype and reported the decline in sales of the Colorado and the Canyon's very slight increase accurately, but there is more to the story.

These trucks are made in the Wentzville, MO plant. The trucks rely on parts from outside the plant, of course. The Duramax comes from Thailand for example, but GM is a world leader in supply chain management. This week GM reported, "GM inventories are disciplined, and the company expects to operate with about a 70 days’ supply throughout the year in most months, with some months higher or lower." And the company also reported that "Ten Chevrolet models – Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Colorado, Camaro, Impala, Malibu, Cruze, Sonic, and Traverse – grew retail market share in their respective segments." While it may be true that Colorado grew market share while dropping significantly in sales, it seems a little odd to parse it that way and faked us out in the sense that we assumed production was normal for the period.

Looking deeper after being tipped off by a Colorado fan, we asked the Wentzville plant spokesperson if the plant had been idle for longer than the industry's typical holiday shutdown. The response cleared some things up. Darin Copeland, Plant Communications Mgr. at GM's Wentzville Assembly and Stamping plant, told GM-trucks.com today, "As you know the Colorado has been a strong seller since its introduction so during the first two weeks of January we took the opportunity for an extended holiday shut down period to make plant throughput improvements that will increase our line rates to make more trucks for our customers down the road."

The upshot of this is that the dip in sales last month were most likely due to Colorado and Canyon production line upgrades. Even better news is that the changes may give the trucks a bit of a bump in production. Coupled with a decline in GM's commercial fleet business, this could mean more trucks for private buyers on dealer lots starting this month.

[Likarok]

Well I don't know about the rest of you but I can not find a Duramax Canyon / Colorado at any dealers in major centers in western Canada. I am in Arizona now and it appears that there are none around here either. Maybe if they got their act together they may sell a few more trucks!

[towdog333]

Did not know the Duramax came from Thailand .

[MB2008LTZ]

I see very few on the roads around my very populated area. I think they are overpriced personally and my local high volume dealer only seems to keep 4 or 5 in stock.

[GeorgiaBII]

I wanted one but the prices were overboard and supplies limited. I bought a silverado instead.

[MB2008LTZ]

I wanted one but the prices were overboard and supplies limited. I bought a silverado instead.

 

More truck for less $$$

[truckofwinandawesome]

I think GM Lied when they said they released the Duramax engine for the Colorado; I've searched EVERY GM Dealership in ALL OF Tennessee, and NONE have a Duramax Powered Colorado or Canyon.

[Gofas]

Same here as Bill. Wanted a Colorado since I saw one on display at stone mountain several years ago. noticed pricing similar to Tacoma.

Since I've gotten married and have a kid. My wife and mom thought it was too small for family. So went with Silverado and love the space compared to my Tacoma access I had previously owned. I admire em and happy GM was able to come up with a competitive product in the mid size class.

[LGSONE]

Well After waiting to at least check out the new Duramax I went ahead and picked up a Tahoe Z71. Not three days after going in for some small stuff to be taken care of was a shiny new black Colorado Duramax sitting on the Truck lot. Looked nice as I drove by in my '15 Z71 Tahoe. So I do know Hendrick Chevrolet in Shawnee Mission Kansas had at least ONE of them to look at.

 

LGSONE

[Nargg]

From what see around my neck of the woods (I live in prime truck markets) the dealerships seem to have hundreds of Silverados, and maybe a handful of Colorados/Canyons. Always wondered if that was because they sold well, or because they can't get them in stock?

[Janster]

I'm in the process of trying to 'buy' a Canyon. The truck I wanted is at a dealer 60 miles away. The truck had been sitting on their lot for 37 days already, but when my dealer contacted them about trading for it....the truck wasn't available. I guess it's frustrating to see it listed for sale online only to be told 'It's not available'.

 

There are others that we're trying to grasp...but I have a feeling I might be waiting a long time before I see one in my garage.

 

GM better step up their production. People are waiting!! LOL