Chevrolet Trax....

[2o6]

OK, why does the Encore exist? This makes perfect sense as a Chevy to slot under the Equinox.


http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-chevrolet-trax-small-crossover-is.html

[TurboDan]

It looks 10x nicer than the likes of the RAV4, so I guess that's a plus. But if they want to add another SUV, why bother with this thing? The new TrailBlazer should be sold here. America does not need this vehicle at all.

[2o6]

It looks 10x nicer than the likes of the RAV4, so I guess that's a plus. But if they want to add another SUV, why bother with this thing? The new TrailBlazer should be sold here. American does not need this vehicle at all.

If anything, this is a better fit than the Trailblazer. The Trax is based upon the B-segment Sonic, and is similar in size to the Nissan Juke. The Trailblazer is BOF, and about the same size as the Equinox.


It's perfect for the US, makes more sense than the Buick Encore.

[TurboDan]

If anything, this is a better fit than the Trailblazer. The Trax is based upon the B-segment Sonic, and is similar in size to the Nissan Juke. The Trailblazer is BOF, and about the same size as the Equinox.


It's perfect for the US, makes more sense than the Buick Encore.

I'm not saying the Buick Encore is a good idea, or the Trax is necessarily a bad idea, just that we're reaching market saturation with these crossovers beyond belief. If the Trax has something going for it, it's the fact that it doesn't look like a Fisher Price toy like a Juke, but GM can sell the type of vehicle 20 other automakers are selling, or they can make something different.

[2o6]

I'm not saying the Buick Encore is a good idea, or the Trax is necessarily a bad idea, just that we're reaching market saturation with these crossovers beyond belief. If the Trax has something going for it, it's the fact that it doesn't look like a Fisher Price toy like a Juke, but GM can sell the type of vehicle 20 other automakers are selling, or they can make something different.

The Juke is the only SUV of that size on the market, and IIRC it's selling very well.

[Catman]

Looks cool.  I like the styling.

[TurboDan]

The Juke is the only SUV of that size on the market, and IIRC it's selling very well.

The Juke has tons of competition, more on style and less on exact proportions. It competes with all of the other Fisher Price toy spaceship cars that automakers seem to think entice young buyers these days.

Which is why I actually think the Trax MIGHT make some sense, considering all of its competitors look like jokes on four wheels. But at the same time, the CUV market is flooded beyond saturation. It's time for SOME carmaker to do something different. If history repeats itself, gas will be back down to $1.85 by the election.

[Speed_Racer]

That is a tall front fascia.

[2o6]

The Juke has tons of competition, more on style and less on exact proportions. It competes with all of the other Fisher Price toy spaceship cars that automakers seem to think entice young buyers these days.

Which is why I actually think the Trax MIGHT make some sense, considering all of its competitors look like jokes on four wheels. But at the same time, the CUV market is flooded beyond saturation. It's time for SOME carmaker to do something different. If history repeats itself, gas will be back down to $1.85 by the election.

The Juke is a B-segment SUV. It's the only B-segment SUV on the market....everything else is a lot bigger.

[68_427]

 Countryman

[2o6]

Countryman

Although they're the same size, A basic Countryman is a 3K price premium, has a basic 1.6L making 120HP and doesn't offer AWD.

[TurboDan]

The Juke is a B-segment SUV. It's the only B-segment SUV on the market....everything else is a lot bigger.

That's why I said my argument was not about size. The reality is that there are plenty of weird looking, small, hatch-y, cheap vehicles out there these days that are cross shopped regardless of size. The Trax would be one of the few (if not only) respectable looking vehicle in this segment. Juke buyers really wouldn't cross-shop the Trax because despite being similarly sized they are radically different in the demographic department. Juke buyers are cross shopping with Scion xB/xDs, Versas, Fits, Souls, Velosters, etc. - NOT with other CUVs or SUVs.

The question, of course, is whether the type of buyer who would be attracted to the Trax (ie. people who want something more mainstream looking than the radically designed, contrived "youth" cars I just mentioned) would want this vehicle over established options, even if they are slightly larger or more expensive. I'm talking about the Escape, RAV4, CR-V, Equinox, etc.

I think selling this vehicle would be worth a roll of the dice, but I also think GM should consider a small SUV that is NOT a crossover or glorified hatch to appeal to buyers who have seen all of their smaller SUV options disappear in favor of an overloaded CUV market that is now being divided even further everywhere you look.

[LonghornTX]

OK, why does the Encore exist? This makes perfect sense as a Chevy to slot under the Equinox.


http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-chevrolet-trax-small-crossover-is.html

Because Buick is not a true global brand, Chevy is. Thus, the Encore can be sold in the US (with higher prices and margins), adding youth to the Buick brand (a key objective), while the Trax will be sold elsewhere, where the Chevy brand is stronger. Seems like a good plan to me.

[2o6]

Because Buick is not a true global brand, Chevy is. Thus, the Encore can be sold in the US (with higher prices and margins), adding youth to the Buick brand (a key objective), while the Trax will be sold elsewhere, where the Chevy brand is stronger. Seems like a good plan to me.

I dunno, it seems too downmarket for Buick, though. We will have to see what happens when it comes out.

That's why I said my argument was not about size. The reality is that there are plenty of weird looking, small, hatch-y, cheap vehicles out there these days that are cross shopped regardless of size. The Trax would be one of the few (if not only) respectable looking vehicle in this segment. Juke buyers really wouldn't cross-shop the Trax because despite being similarly sized they are radically different in the demographic department. Juke buyers are cross shopping with Scion xB/xDs, Versas, Fits, Souls, Velosters, etc. - NOT with other CUVs or SUVs.

The question, of course, is whether the type of buyer who would be attracted to the Trax (ie. people who want something more mainstream looking than the radically designed, contrived "youth" cars I just mentioned) would want this vehicle over established options, even if they are slightly larger or more expensive. I'm talking about the Escape, RAV4, CR-V, Equinox, etc.

I think selling this vehicle would be worth a roll of the dice, but I also think GM should consider a small SUV that is NOT a crossover or glorified hatch to appeal to buyers who have seen all of their smaller SUV options disappear in favor of an overloaded CUV market that is now being divided even further everywhere you look.

The Juke is an SUV, period. Styling is irrelevant; the styling option of the Versa is the Cube. Juke also offers AWD, sonething most B-segments do not offer.

[Atomic]

The Buick Encore looked very, very odd and ill proportioned when displayed at the NYC auto show. There is likely no warming up to it, IMO. Every part looks okay, but not together. It is very stubby and nothing about the design works. The Chevy looks better than the Buick in pics but the Encore photographs better than it looks and that is mighy scary. Would have to see the Chevy in person.

[CJ]

That Encore monstrosity looks absolutely wretched in person.  It looks like it's going to tip over standing still.

[Atomic]

That Encore monstrosity looks absolutely wretched in person.  It looks like it's going to tip over standing still.

It's not unlike the old GM. So disappointing. It is this kind of ill thought out planning that killed off Pontiac and even Saturn (think of Saturn's initial mission and the highly regarded first statement from this "new kind of thinking" -- a division made up of all unique dent resistent vehicles, built in their own special fashion at their very own factories)... Pontiac suffered the same fate for other horrible practices, yet equally destructive.

[2o6]

To be fair, old GM made crap. This car may be not the best idea, but it shouldn't be crap.

[Madman]

GM seems to have a thing about bringing it's most useful and fuel efficient models (Trax, Orlando, etc) to Canada but not the USA.  While I have no burning desire to own this thing, I find it a bit incredulous GM thinks it's American customers don't deserve to have a choice.

[cawimmer430]

GM seems to have a thing about bringing it's most useful and fuel efficient models (Trax, Orlando, etc) to Canada but not the USA. 

Canadians obviously don't have to merge unto a freeway in under 4 seconds! 

[SVT666]

Canadians obviously don't have to merge unto a freeway in under 4 seconds! 

Our fuel prices are pretty high here...not like you, but on average about 30% higher than the US.

[68_427]

The interior of the Encore is really nice.

[2o6]

The name Encore conjures up images of this in my mind:

[cawimmer430]

Our fuel prices are pretty high here...not like you, but on average about 30% higher than the US.

Do you have a gas tax?

[TurboDan]

Do you have a gas tax?

They do, and we do. In the U.S. there are national and state gas taxes but they're just not as high as Canada or Europe.

[SVT666]

Do you have a gas tax?

Of course.  Depending on the province and region the taxes could account for as much as 30% of the retail price.  That is only the taxes at the pump though and doesn't include the taxes that are paid prior to it reaching the gas station.

[cawimmer430]

Of course.  Depending on the province and region the taxes could account for as much as 30% of the retail price.  That is only the taxes at the pump though and doesn't include the taxes that are paid prior to it reaching the gas station.

Still cheaper than Europe, where the gas tax (from the government) is close to 70%.

[SVT666]

Still cheaper than Europe, where the gas tax (from the government) is close to 70%.

Yeah, well Europe's taxes are draconian and unfair.

[cawimmer430]

Yeah, well Europe's taxes are draconian and unfair.

A car is a luxury in Europe. Any car.

[TurboDan]

A car is a luxury in Europe. Any car.

It's 2012. A car should not be a luxury. But if the majority of the people in your country elect those who think that way, I guess it is what it is.

I know my relatives in Ireland consider their cars a necessity. Of those I know well, they drive Fords and Volvos. They were a bit angry I bought a British SUV.