Should GM Discontinue Their Mid-Size SUVs?

Most of those vehicles are just used to circumvent car auto standards. By calling them trucks they don't have to meet the same milage and safety stadards of cars. Just a huge loop hole that has helped to facilitate the destruction of our domestic industry. A short term crutch. Yes they should get rid of them. I would say get rid of the bigger ones first though. And no I have rarely seen anyone towing anything with one of those.

Crossovers are long nosed minivans still subject to the same urban claustrophobia as minivans due to low driver point of view. I think trailblazer comes close to an unrealized niche which is the family car for those that will NEVER drive a mini van.

If they make it an AWD rather then 4wd/2wd exclusive and release a hybrid or diesal version you have a vehicle that has all weather traction, room for the family, wide enough back seat that you don't need a death trap 3rd row seat to fit 3 kids, and enough hood up front to provide a bit of safety in a head on collision.

suv, is not a nature friendly ride

Let the market decide. Good business people won't throw money at something that won't yield returns. If people are buying the mid-sized SUV they will continue to produce them. If the market dries up, they'll quit.

I didn't buy my vehicle for gas mileage. I bought it for safety and comfort. If you care about mileage, buy fuel efficient vehicles. Just don't compain because they are not as safe as the larger vehicles. Conversely, if you buy an SUV, don't complain that they don't get 50 mpg.

I bought a "GM midsize SUV" with a 400HP V8 because it is fun to drive. Gas is cheap, Human CO2 caused global warming is a joke, and I love irritating Prius and other Hybrid drivers with such a "decadent" vehicle.

Perhaps if there weren't all the "regulations" on regular cars, I'd be driving a 400HP Car that got 20MPG instead of a SUV that gets 15. But no, that would reduce the car CAFE average and I'd have to pay a guzzler tax. So thanks to these well thought out regulations, I introduce you to the Trailblazer SS. Thank you politicians. It is great fun!

hmmm - but the SUV market is slowing down anyways.

As an EX owner of an SUV (The very popular Ford Explorer) - it was useful for what I needed it for at the time for work. Luckily, I had bought a sports car when gas prices hit $3 two years ago.

I know that I would still be spending almost twice as much for gas if I still had the SUV.

Lets see, spending more on gas = more dependence on oil from violent middle east (thats what our boys are dying for) and making money for big-wigs and various polticians. Yeah, OIL companies are posting RECORD profits.

Er, safety? Its a proven fact that SUVs are not SAFER than cars - and comfort? No more and no less than any other type of automobile. You can get a lame SUV or a top of the line SUV.

And using your phrase : Don't complain when you roll your SUV because of its design. I have a few friends who drive big-rigs (18 wheelers) and since they do A LOT of driving - they said every SUV crash is mostly a roll-over... and lots of them. Not mini vans or cars. (They drive CARs when not working)

And Roll-overs are very deadly. Not including roll-overs, SUVs are no safer than cars and crumple as well. But the larger size does help the SUV kill people in cars, and some of these SUV owners enjoy that thought - sick.

Want usability, a typical MINI-VAN has more "UTILITY" than an SUV. My sports car has almost the same storage space as the H3... a smaller uglier H2. nevermind that MOST SUV owners never actually drive OFF ROAD... so whats the point? A gas-guzzling, dangerous Truck that is bought for I M A G E. Which in turn = idiot.

Drive a Dodge Minivan, it smokes most SUVs in handling, comfort, space and UTILITY. I've been in $60K SUVs that were not as nice as $25K minivan... LOL

PS: I have avoided accidents with my 2-door sports car with manuvers that would have wrecked my SUV.

Eric sez "Human CO2 caused global warming is a joke".

You most likely need that 400HP V8 to haul your lard butt around. Compensating for something a bit 'short' in stature?

A whole globe of scientists aren't wrong on this one. You are one of those drivers that makes me glad I work from my home and have no commute.

I like it when i read a news story and it says an SUV ran over people or an SUV crashed into a tree? Where do you get these auto-piloted SUV's? Are these rogue vehicles driving themselves! Aren't people suppose to be driving them? No wonder these SUV's have so many accidents, no one's at the wheel!

"Compensating for something a bit 'short' in stature?"

You are a MORON!

Are you saying that that all people who drive nicer cars have this problem??

some people like a powerfull car, others don't.

I drive a 350z, because i hate SUV's

That does not mean that i hate the people who drive them!

Everyone likes something different.

some people could care less what they drive because other possesions are more important than a car to them.

Just because some one drives a nice car it does not mean they are a jerk, and if you engage them on the freeway they are only responding to how you treat them. although there are a few jerks out there.

Cheers Chump

The key phrase here is “Truck based SUV”. Crossover SUVs and mini vans use a frameless body to reduce gross vehicle weight and are built for blacktop driving. But for someone living in a rural environment, it’s about off-road versus blacktop.

Trucks and truck based SUVs are the only vehicles that can put up with the demands of frequent off road and heavy snow driving.

I love my Ford Excursion. Wish Ford still made them, I would buy another.

I think it's sad that the planet has given us so much and so few of us are willing to do anything to give back.

"If you care about mileage, buy fuel efficient vehicles. Just don't compain because they are not as safe as the larger vehicles."

Dude, tell that to a biker or somebody in a sub compact that gets hit by some soccer mom in an SUV. If everybody drove small cars, they would be safer (unless you are talking head-on collision at 50 mph, in which case your SUV isn't going to save you).

I chose the Trailblazer SS with 400HP because I have many friends that work at the assembly plant that makes them, and I very much enjoy drag racing on weekends. This is a fun SUV to drive. Yes, some people enjoy driving. I've been to driving schools, raced, and yes, I even drive on the weekend to random places for fun!

Let's assume C02 causes global warming (which I don't agree with, and I am an Engineer with Masters degree, not some Holywood moron actor/actress who barely got out of highschool). The mere fact that ONE single california forest fire emits more CO2 than an entire lifetime of vehicles emits, makes me question the practicality of limiting human created CO2. If environmentalists were so concerned with CO2 emissions, they'd allow for dirtier diesel emissions to compensate since they reduce C02 by 30% vs gas.

In my opinion, the real drive behind reducing C02 emissions isn't global warming, it is energy conservation. Global warming is just the thing to scare/force peolpe into it. I'm all for conservation, so long as it isn't forced on me. I buy CFL lights and use a high SEER A/C unit with an over 92% efficient furnace. I own a HE washer, and have laptops in place of desktop computers. I buy efficiency where there are no compromises. No one mandated a single one of those things. When there is a US owned manufacturer's vehicle that accelerates from 0-60 in 5 seconds, does the 1/4 mile in under 14 seconds, and handles like the TBSS for under $35,000, I'll buy it.

"I am an Engineer with Masters degree"

So? Have you spent years researching data? Is that your field?

Most of the scientifc community states that global warming is quite real. Proof is in the amount of LIGHT, the air, water, plants, animls, etc.

Perhaps watch a simple movie : The Unconvient Truth.

After 100 years of cars & trucks - fuel use & weight designs are not moving very fast.

Global warming...........Pffffft!!!!

Just kill GM's midsize SUVs cause they are poor vehicles. Thats the best reason.

"I am an Engineer with Masters degree"

Yea, I guess that makes you an expert in climatology... Pleaase...

As people stated, there is a scientific consensus on the topic with top experts from every major scientific body behind it and a small Big Oil-backed minority trying to create confusion.

All these arguments of forest fires emitting CO2, warming on Mars, sunspots, etc. have already been discussed to death and rebutted -- Google is your friend.

I'll agree with one thing -- having politicians and Holywood elites jump in on the issue didn't do it any good. But politicizing of global issues likes this one is nothing new and to be expected...

To Eric:

Pontiac GTO 6.0L? Can get those for around $30,000 now and there's still new ones on the lots. Or pick up a used 2-3 year old Vette that gets 18/29 mpg. Pontiac's also got the G8 coming out in 2008. Then the new Camaro in 2009-10.

I'm with you on global warming. To me scientists are jumping on the global warming band wagon because otherwise they wouldn't get funding. There's far more research money in proving that global warming is real than false, so thats where they go. There's still plenty of scientists who say its not caused by man.

Look at Mars. Scientists determined its average temperature has increased 1 degree C in the past 15-20 years (maybe it was 30). That's equivalent to how much the Earth has warmed in the same time frame. Did we cause global warming there as well with our few probes we sent? No. What is the likely cause?

Hmmmm...maybe that giant ball of burning hydrogen we like to call the sun. There has been more solar activity in the past few decades. But no a giant ball of flame that outputs heat and has been outputting more in recent years couldn't possibly cause the temperature of the Earth to rise. That just wouldn't make sense.

Natural occurrences output far more CO2 than cars in the world. Volcanoes, forest fires, cows farting in fields. Yes I think pollution has an impact on the local scale. Thats why things like smog exist. But globally? No.

Funny, I am an Engineer too and I don't aggree to just believe every word anyone says, I do my own research and have found that if I pick a stance I can find research and scientists to back that fact. I have to read between the lines on both sides to get any kind of accuracy.

well look at it this way I am planning to buy one of these 400HP gusslers, if they are discontinued before I get the chance to buy one then Ill continue driving my 11 MPG 3/4 ton 79.

minivans are also designated as trucks so the safty point is mute, plus the more mass you have the less you will be hurt in an accident, real accidents do not occur against a reinforced steal wall.

I have never seen a ninivan ie unibody vehicle that is rated to tow 1/3 of what a fully framed TB is rated.

the Eco movement is notorious for attacking the smallest possible problem, this is no exception, no one who believes in a cause will go after the small cause first, theirfore I state based on the actions of the people that believe in human caused global warming that it infact does not exist. (I cannot support a cause that is lead by people that cannot even look at a piechart and find the big slice)

750 HP SUPERCHARGED TRAILBLAZER SS FTW !!!

LMAO

take that tree huggers! hahahaha

ya only live once. so do it your way...

I was absolutely disgusted with the trailblazer. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with the entire truck, just the interior. The exterior of the truck is beautiful. It's somewhat cutting edge, spacious, innovative and looks good with rims on it. The interior however made me absolutely sick. I was ready to buy this truck until i got in it. I felt like i fell through some type of vortex back through the future and landed in the driver seat of a Blazer from the 90s. The harsh duality is that what makes Chevy good, also makes them bad. The refusal to part with Classic traditional styling is what keeps their vehicles from overcoming the foreign competitors.

I bought a 07 Trailblazer 4 months ago, it is a great vehicle for it's intended purpose. It is ment as a high performance SUV, nothing more and nothing less. Back in the 60's, which I was a part in, some of the greatest performers where the plainest. People ordered big block engines, no heaters, radios, a/c,and other unneeded items. The point was less mass, the better the performance. I know people today expect all the luxury items on an automobile, but if you want these items, than buy a luxury vehicle. The Trailblazer SS is a performance vehicle, plain and simple, don't expect to get all the luxury items on this vehicle, although nicely equipped, it's not a Cadillac Escalade.
As for the global warming, it might be real, or not. man may have some part in this situation, but to put the sole blame on automobiles is wrong, there are other industries that cause or contribute as much toward pollution as driving automobiles. Yes we are using resources that in all likelyhood will not last forever, and we all need to seek out ways to help to reduce the usage of these valuable resources, but all this said, until everyone including the government accepts the fact these resources aren't endless, and everyone needs to do their part in conserving, nothing will be accomplished. The world changes every day, and who knows what impact those changes have on this entire situation??????
I may drive what some consider a gas guzzler, but with my cold air intake, programmer, I average 19-22 miles per gallon combined driving, my wife's PT Cruiser with 4cyl, doesn't do any better !!!!!!!! I also conserve by not driving around just for the sake of driving. I plan my trips, and do everything I can while I'm out.

Ok....These are very extreme opinions.

Human produced Co2 does cause global warming, for the few weeks when flights were stopped after 9/11 every bit of sky in the U.S. was clearer and daily pollution came down considerably in addition to climate.

Also, saying that SUV's guzzle gas is a wide generalization, you can get a Chrysler 300c and the current fuel rating is now 15 city and 23 highway, and and the V8 5.3L is rated at 16 city and 20 highway. It all depends on the engine, you can put a huge engine in a car and it will still get bad mileage and a small gas saving engine in a truck and it will get decent mileage.

A 403 horse power sierra Denali is an amazing vehicle. It is a 6.1L V8 with 417 lbs feet of torque.
The base price is a mere $38,000 and is nicely equipped well at $41,000. It gets a fairly sad 14 city, 18 highway, but reports of using an air intake valve the economy increases to 18 city, 24 highway and increases the horse power, by a few notches. With this much torque and horsepower it would actually take less power to accelerate and start from a stop.

As an edit to my post, I would like to mention that the first vehicle i was comparing the chrysler 300c to was a GMC Sierra.

Regarding the Trailblazer, GM needs to come up with a mid-sized, off-road SUV that gets good gas milage. The crossovers are not SUV's, they are glorified station wagons. Crossovers shouldn't even be called SUV's- they can't be used for off-road use and most can't tow much weight. They are basically cars. There are still a number of people who need tough OFF-ROAD vehicles or vehicles that can tow. We just need a true mid-sized hybrid SUV with better gas milage. Of course, Chevy probably won't make one since they are so busy coming up with the BIG hybrid SUV's (Tahoe, Suburban) since they make SO much money on them.

Regarding the existing energy crisis- this country is a joke. In the 1970's when gas prices went up, speed limits were reduced to 55 to conserve fuel, people were told to turn down their furnaces, and everyone (including the car manufacturers) took action to reduce their consumption of oil and gas. Everyone in this country, including the President took action to reduce fuel consumption, and the result was lower fuel costs for many years after.

The problem of high gas prices is not rocket science- it is SIMPLY supply and demand. If we greedy and selfish American people would all sacrifice a little together and reduce our demand on fuel, the Middle East wackos would be pounding sand and the price of oil would plummet. However, today, everyone is driving huge vehicles and very fast cars. Furnaces are turned up to 75 degrees. Energy crisis- what energy crisis? None of our leaders or even media are saying anything about Americans cutting down on the amount of fuel we use or selling their huge vehicles. In this ME-ME world (screw my neighbor society) we have arrogant and selfish people who snub their nose at everyone else and the undeniable reports of global warming. They say "I will drive what I want whether it helps the rest of the country (and American people) by reducing the cost of gas or not. It is my choice whether you like it or not". Of course, Bush is a HUGE problem too as he WANTS everyone to drive big, gas guzzling vehicles so his oil stock prices goes up and big business to get richer. He (and the rich Republicans) need to leave the White House ASAP.

While it is OK for anyone in this free country to do what they want if it doesn't affect other people, it is NOT OK when it negatively impacts other people. It's like second hand smoke- you still have a right to smoke, but not where your cancer-causing second hand smoke is blowing in my face. All I have to say is I am getting pissed off at all you people driving gas guzzlers which is keeping the price of gas coming down from $3.50 a gallon. We need to implement the following: 1) new higher cafe standards on the greedy American Auto makers which force them to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles, 2) tas on the gas guzzler vehicles- except for businesses that can prove they really need these vehicles for their business, 3) car magazines to stop glorifying higher and higher horse power cars and trucks as a necessary requirement for most people, and 4) reduced speed limits on many of the expressways (back to 55 or 60 MPH). If Americans did this, you would see our demand for oil drop SIGNIFICANTLY, our dependence on Middle East oil drop, the price of fuel would drop significantly, and our environment might last long enough for our great grand children.

While it is OK for anyone in this free country to do what they want if it doesn't affect other people, it is NOT OK when it negatively impacts other people. It's like second hand smoke- you still have a right to smoke, but not where your cancer-causing second hand smoke is blowing in my face.

Actually in practice there are laws and rules in place banning smoking even when it could not possibly affect another person---because people dislike it!

And the Freedoms of this country were based on Freedom "of" not Freedom "from"---too many have forgot this simple fact

Now we regulate ourselves into oblivion and the whining wheel gets the oil-so sad

While it is OK for anyone in this free country to do what they want if it doesn't affect other people, it is NOT OK when it negatively impacts other people. It's like second hand smoke- you still have a right to smoke, but not where your cancer-causing second hand smoke is blowing in my face.

Actually in practice there are laws and rules in place banning smoking even when it could not possibly affect another person---because people dislike it!

And the Freedoms of this country were based on Freedom "of" not Freedom "from"---too many have forgot this simple fact

Now we regulate ourselves into oblivion and the whining wheel gets the oil-so sad

While it is OK for anyone in this free country to do what they want if it doesn't affect other people, it is NOT OK when it negatively impacts other people. It's like second hand smoke- you still have a right to smoke, but not where your cancer-causing second hand smoke is blowing in my face.

Actually in practice there are laws and rules in place banning smoking even when it could not possibly affect another person---because people dislike it!

And the Freedoms of this country were based on Freedom "of" not Freedom "from"---too many have forgot this simple fact

Now we regulate ourselves into oblivion and the whining wheel gets the oil-so sad