This dont look to good

Duramax kid · August 8, 2002

Why are they redesigning the heavy duty silverado's! I thought they were mean enough looking, but with the avalanche grill in the front it makes it look like a pile of crap.

But I did like GMC's new style of the sierra.

JimWilson · August 8, 2002

Seeing as how you're new to the forum we'll excuse you this time...

That has been debated here before -- many times, actually -- and the (almost) unanimous consensus is the same; no one can figure out what GM was thinking. I rushed an 02 order through because I didn't want a HD Avalanche! Bleech.

TxDoc · August 9, 2002

They look better in person and even better going down the road. If they sell like the AVs do, they will be setting new sales records.

JimWilson · August 9, 2002

They look better in person and even better going down the road. If they sell like the AVs do, they will be setting new sales records.

The only reason they look better going down the road is because they're driving away from you!

Time will tell, but I'll be willing to bet that GM's sales plummet.

DMAX Daddy · August 9, 2002

Well with my new 03 on its way to the dealer, I went and test drove one this weekend just for giggles.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldnt see the new front end from the drivers seat. I was able to see the dual climate control, a much improved radio, better leather seats, rear seat audio controls, and a few more things that arent on 02's. Thats why I picked an 03.

I also am curious if the 1 to 2 MPG increase in fuel economy because of the new front end is true. THAT may be the reason they changed. It was strange a GMC 2500 got better gas mileage than the Chevy 2500 with the power dome hood.

I still would have preferred th old hood though. ???

maggot · August 9, 2002

They are weird looking, not at all like a TRUCK should look. GM designes are goofy and Cheverolet has to put up with that. What ever happened to Cheverolet designing their own stuff and letting GMC use their design. Now GMC is cramming crap down Chevys throat. Looks like GMC is ruining Chevy. Young yuppies may like the looks but young yuppies will never use the truck as a truck.

Now anybody who buys one they are still great trucks. Just frigging werid looking to me.

CMNTMXR81 · August 12, 2002

See my response in the Anything Goes section. It's the same response I've posted numerous times.

Like TxDoc said, I have a feeling they'll be setting all time sales records.

As to why GM is redesigning them, they are following in the Japanese manufacturer's footsteps. The Japanese "freshned" their vehicles (no matter what they were) every 2-5 years. Whereas, GM, ford, and Dodge did theirs every 5-10 years. Doing that put them behind the design curve.

As posted previously, GM namely Chevy has a winner in the Avalanche. People are buying them faster than GM can deliver them. The Avalanche's design spawned the TrailBlazer's front end. In case you haven't seen recent sales figures, the TrailBlazer is nipping at the heels of the #1 selling Exploder. Point being, someone out there likes the design as GM is selling them.

So as a recap, whether YOU like them or not, people plunking down their cash do. GM has two winners, so you implement what wins onto your other trucks.

JimWilson · August 12, 2002

Those sales figures are a bit misleading. You'll always have the "I want the newest stuff" type of people, who'll buy anything just because it's new. There's also the "makes me stand out in the crowd" group as well, those who feel the need to make some type of fashion statement (even though fashion is a highly subjective matter). And what about the strict brand-loyalists? You know, the "all I buy is GM" crowd who wouldn't even think of looking at any other manufacturers vehicles. Of course, you can't discount the fact that the Avalanche has 0 competitors because no one else makes anything like it, so it gets all those peoples sales. And what about the Trailblazer? Due to it's size it realistically has 1 competitor, the Durango, so that's not much competition either. Finally, there is probably a small percentage of people who perhaps genuinely like that look and are buying it because they do. Generally speaking though, fad vehicles don't have sustained sales. Just think Miata...

CMNTMXR81 · August 12, 2002

I fail to see how those sales figures are misleading.

The Avalanche has a competitor somewhat called the ford explorer SportTrac and in one sense, the Nissan Frontier crew cab thingy. I know, I know, they may not have the innovative midgate, but they do compete in what is called the "Crossover" segment. Crossover between SUV and truck. But then their is it's own stablemate competitor, the Escalade EXT. Now perhaps in some areas of the country, these may not be that popular, but around here, EXT's (as well as the Escalade itself) is on every corner.

The TrailBlazer regardless of size, competes solidly in the midsize SUV market. The regular TrailBlazer's dimensions are right on par and maybe slightly smaller that the segment leading exploder (which would pit it right up against the exploder instead). The EXT version may be more on par with a Durango, but the EXT's haven't been out long enough to develop a sales trend. The regular TrailBlazer has and it's knocking on ford's back window in terms of sales.

Both the Avalanche and TrailBlazer have been on sale for a couple of years now. They seem to sustain sales. As a matter of fact not only have I seen tons of 1500 Avalanches's around here, but suddenly there's been an explosion of 2500 Avalanche's. That means, sales must keep getting better and better.

As I've said previously, most people don't like change. Same can be said here. Fact is they are selling like hotcakes (Avalanche's and TrailBlazer's) here. I am in the third largest metro area in the country, so if they're hot here, chances are they also are hot in NYC and L.A. areas. Fact is, Regardless of whether someone wants to be the first on the block to have the latest toy, more people have been inquiring positively to the three we had on the lot. Those that test drove them, said the same thing DMAX Daddy said, they immediately noticed the improved interior/comfort items.

Sorry, I like them personally and I look for them to sell like no one's business. Accept change folks...

JimWilson · August 12, 2002

While I'm certain GM wants to scavenge sales from Ford I very seriously doubt anyone considers the Avalanche and SportTrac in the same sentence, so realistically the Avalanche has no direct competition.

The Escalade and EXT must sell a whole lot more around you then they do in northern New Jersey because I can't remember when the last time I saw either one of them. AAMOF, I'm not certain I've ever seen an EXT, and I travel 100 miles a day commuting so you'd think I would have seen it once. In these parts that vehicle is a non-issue.

Again, I'm sure GM wants nothing more then to steal Exploder sales but I still see the TrailBlazer as more of a Durango-class truck. For sure it will compete with the Exploder far more then that puny little Blazer ever could, but I think they want a bigger target. And that larger TrailBalzer that's do out soon seems to be encroaching on Tahoe territory, so I don't understand the logic of that one at all.

Change for the better is not a bad thing, but change for the sake of change is. Chevy can hardly make enough Silverados to keep pace with demand, so why do something silly now? To follow the "lead" of the Japanese? I just don't see that as a valid reason, but maybe it's just me. The General could have freshened up the interior without much complaint from anyone -- heck, it would probably have been welcomed with open arms, especially a real stereo -- but to mess with the exterior seems like a mistake. The appearance of a vehicle is what attracts/repels people right off the bat, so when you finally do hit on a winning formula you should try to take advantage of it.

MarkD · August 12, 2002

Jim, CMNTMXR81,

I agree with both of you to an extent.

I think change for the sake of change is not smart. At our current point in the US economy, I think all businesses feel like they are missing out on some money making opportunity.

Also, GM needs to refine their interiors before changing the outside. I am sure they get much more feedback about interior attributes than body styles.

I think GM hit a nerve with the Avalanche. People who "need" an SUV and occasionally need a truck bed...like me. I couldn't justify the cost though.

The 'lanche and the EXT are wildly popular in my city of 65,000 (small). Most people with family incomes between $100k and $200k are single income families with the bread winner being a doctor or lawyer. As popular as home improvements have become, everyone wants a truck bed these days.

I also see the Trailblazer and Envoy competing with the Exploder. A lady at my work just replaced her 3rd Explorer with an Envoy. I would tend to put the Blazer in a category with the Ford Escape.

I also see the T'blazer/Envoy as a lower cost option for those that can't afford a $40k+ Tahoe/Yukon.

whitesnake01 · August 28, 2002

Change for the sake of change is not always bad either. Autos are disposable commodities that combine a transportation utility with fashion. Like it or not, people get tired of seeing the same thing even if it looked great a few years ago.

conradv · August 29, 2002

What ever happened to Cheverolet designing their own stuff and letting GMC use their design. Now GMC is cramming crap down Chevys throat. Looks like GMC is ruining Chevy.

WTF? GMC cramming crap down Chevy's throat? Looks like the Chevrolet Avalanche drunken designers are cramming crap down their own throats... ;)

If you're confused, GMC and Chevrolet are both divisions of General Motors. Granted they've been nearly identical since 1968, but as any FoMoCo nuthead will tell you (and I sure ain't one!) "Ford has been the best selling truck for 25 years straight". Only becuause of the separate divisions of GM - they are counted as separate vehicles. Now if they merge both into one "GM Truck", pray that they take the GMC front end and not the Averado front end. A "Heavy Duty" attitude it just doesn't have.

hogger999 · August 29, 2002

GM does have a hit with the Av. I think the reason is that the owners just want something thats different and like the looks. I mean who relly buys them because the need an SUV and on occasion a truck? You can acheive the same with a crew cab and a bed cover. Your only gonna use that mid-gate if your gonna haul something that is going to be a problem when it comes in the cab and when the weathers nice.

Believe me I'm all about different, but I think they should have got the design team to hit a seperate home run instead of just sticking the same grill on everything.

Did you see the Brady Bunch movie when all of Mike's designs look just like his house. LOL

TxDoc · August 30, 2002

Change for the sake of change is not always bad either. Autos are disposable commodities that combine a transportation utility with fashion. Like it or not, people get tired of seeing the same thing even if it looked great a few years ago.

"Derrived Demand"