Brenda Priddy & Co. have taken some new shots of the upcoming Lamda-based Chevy CUV. GM currently has three CUVs based on this platform, the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook. It is up in the air if Chevrolet is going to stick with the Traverse name when the CUV debuts in 2009.
The front end of the CUV will draw cues from the all new Chevy Malibu.
Codenamed the GMT 561, the Chevy Traverse will be built at the old Saturn plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee starting in August 2008. It could debut early next year at the start of the auto show season.
I still think it is interesting that GM decided to release the Saturn, GMC and Buick versions of this vehicle before its largest brand Chevrolet. It will be interesting to see how GM fits the Traverse into its existing lineup. Is this badge engineering going to work? Will the Traverse steal sales from the existing Outlook, Enclave and Acadia?
Click the link below to see the full photos.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (6)
Possibly because they wanted to test the waters a bit with the others? I'm sure they are not selling as many of the full-size SUVs these days, but that leaves a big gap above the Equinox for those who want the cargo/passenger room. Traverse will help them out in this situation. It (and the Acadia) is bigger than an Equinox, but not too big. More powerful than the competition in its class, but with excellent mileage for its size. Especially since it comes standard with a 6-speed auto.
Anyway, it should do well enough as long as they don't screw the looks up.
Posted by Alexvrb | August 14, 2007 8:33 PM
Posted on August 14, 2007 20:33
Not sure I understand the purpose of having both the Outlook and Traverse...it would seem they are going after the same audience. The need for both the Enclave and Acadia is borderline, with both going for the high-end, but at least the Enclave is going to look unique compared to the other three. Long-term I don't believe GM will be able to market what amounts to four copies of the same vehicle, though. Those old days of badge engineering are over.
Posted by WS | August 15, 2007 10:45 AM
Posted on August 15, 2007 10:45
Where does this leave the Chevy TrailBlazer. It is about the same size, although not a cross over type vehicle, does it still need to exist ?
Posted by Ozric | August 16, 2007 9:55 PM
Posted on August 16, 2007 21:55
They'll probably phase out unneeded models if the sales demand drops off.
Posted by Alexvrb | August 16, 2007 11:21 PM
Posted on August 16, 2007 23:21
If the new Traverse is going to replace the Trailblazer they need to beef up its towing capacity over that of the Acadia. The I believe the Trailblazer has a towing capacity of around 6,500 lbs, while the Acadia is limited to just 4,500. My current 1998 Blazer had a capacity of 5,000 and I find it marginal. Basically I prefer an SUV over a pickup but still need to tow my toys. The Traverse sounds appealing as long as they do something more than just copy the Acadia.
Posted by Rbliss | August 27, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on August 27, 2007 10:56
BECAUSE THEY'RE MORONS!!!!!!
It's been a long time since the big 3 got anything right. Now they're the not so big three.
Posted by ex chevy | November 12, 2007 9:44 PM
Posted on November 12, 2007 21:44