A version of the all-new Colorado midsize pickup will be built and sold in the United States, Chevrolet confirmed. The first version of the truck is launching this month in Thailand, to be followed by other regions around the globe.
“The new Chevrolet Colorado is generating a lot of excitement as we begin its launch in Thailand,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. “We think the design, capability and fuel efficiency of the new Colorado will make it attractive to U.S. customers.”
Product details, timing, pricing and the production location will be announced later. The current-generation Colorado will be produced in Shreveport, La., through the 2012 model year.
The all-new global Colorado builds on Chevrolet’s strong truck DNA and award-winning heritage, and the show truck versions generated significant attention at global auto shows in Thailand, Argentina, Australia and Germany. Thailand is the world’s largest market for midsize pickup trucks.
In Thailand, the model lineup will include 2WD and 4WD regular, extended-cab and crew cab variants. Gasoline and diesel engines will be available, including new 2.5L and 2.8L turbo diesel engines that produce broad torque bands engineered for excellent cargo and towing capability.
Engine availability for U.S. versions will be announced at a future date.
The new Colorado is based on an all-new midsize truck architecture developed by GM do Brasil within GM’s global product development organization. In major markets where the Colorado will be sold, engineers will tailor the truck to meet local needs.
“For example, Chevrolet Colorado Chief Engineer Roberto Rempel and his team lived in Thailand during the Colorado’s development,” said Brad Merkel, global vehicle line executive. “They immersed themselves in the highly competitive truck market and observed how the Thai people use their vehicles and the driving conditions they experience.
“A similar development process will precede the launch of the truck in the U.S. market,” said Merkel. “We think American customers will be pleased with the results.”
