The Chevy Avalanche was groundbreaking, but now GM is burying the model that redefined trucks under that same ground.
Last of breed
The 2013s will be the last of this rare breed, the Chicago Tribune reports. Same for the Cadillac version, the EXT. Introduced in the 2002 model year, the Avalanche broke barriers as soon as Chevy rolled it out.
The first barrier to fall was the solid wall between bed and cab; the second, the line between bare-knuckled haulers and sophisticated sedans.
Car-like comforts in a truck
Avalanches combined luxury with sturdiness and made driving a truck feel more like cruising in a car. Other manufacturers were soon delivering truckloads of four-door and extra-cab options.
The Tribune article noted that, “This new concept of a well-equipped light-duty four-door pickup that could tow, haul and carry the family attracted enough interest to produce as many as 93,482 sales in 2003, its third full year of production.” It further noted that, “Recognizing the appeal, other truck makers began developing light-duty crew cab pickups as well. Now, nearly 65 percent of all light-duty pickup sales are trucks with four full-size doors, and the unique look, clever bed storage and removable hardtop just added to its tremendous flexibility.”
Surprisingly handy options
Among the Avalanche’s unexpected options were bed-area storage compartments that secure cargo, and even include drainage in case owners decided to fill the compartments with ice and use them as coolers.
Purists scoffed, but the Avalanche’s admirers remained ardent. The truck was named Motor Trend’s truck of the year in 2002, and the 2007 Truck of the Year by the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada.
Fans decry Avalanche’s passing
Avalanche Fan clubs are still thriving across North America, and owners are distraught.
“I can’t bear the thought of not being to own an Avalanche for life!” mourns one poster on the Chevy Avalanche Club’s Facebook page. “I better keep on pampering mine!”
Originally offered in half- and three-quarter-ton configurations, Chevy took away the lower-capacity option when it introduced the new-generation Avalanches in 2007.
Commemorative 2013 Black Diamond edition
To mark the Avalanche’s bittersweet last lap, GM is unveiling a made-for-the-museum 2013 Black Diamond edition that features body-colored bed surrounds, badging and lower prices across the lineup, according to the Tribune. “More than 580,000 Avalanches have been sold since its introduction in late 2001, and Avalanche has won major awards and recognitions throughout its run,” said Avalanche marketing manager Mark Clawson in the Tribune article, adding, “So it is only fitting that Avalanche retires on a high note.”
Demand still high for luxury trucks
Ford, GM and Chrysler all say demand remains strong for luxury trucks--even with gas prices topping off at near $5 a gallon. While they don’t sip fuel like a Prius, luxury truck owners are mostly well-healed and willing to pony up for the extra ponies and hauling capacity. Besides Platinum editions of Ford's F-250 and F-350 coming out later this year, GMC is debuting the Sierra HD Denali, and Chrysler is showing off its Laramie Longhorn with Laramie Limited versions of Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. They typically sell for $50,000 to $60,000 and up. Most are sold heavily optioned with big V-8 diesel engines for towing power and long-haul efficiency. They typically tow expensive trailers that tip the scales at eight-plus tons and often cost twice as much as the truck that will tow them.
Thanks in part to the Avalanche’s success, trucks have become a new form of luxury vehicle.
Brenton hails from San Antonio, Texas where he is an expert on truck bed accessories. His specialty is Bull Ring retractable tie downs.
 |
| image |
The 2013s will be the last of this rare breed, the Chicago Tribune reports. Same for the Cadillac version, the EXT. Introduced in the 2002 model year, the Avalanche broke barriers as soon as Chevy rolled it out.
The first barrier to fall was the solid wall between bed and cab; the second, the line between bare-knuckled haulers and sophisticated sedans.
Car-like comforts in a truck
Avalanches combined luxury with sturdiness and made driving a truck feel more like cruising in a car. Other manufacturers were soon delivering truckloads of four-door and extra-cab options.
The Tribune article noted that, “This new concept of a well-equipped light-duty four-door pickup that could tow, haul and carry the family attracted enough interest to produce as many as 93,482 sales in 2003, its third full year of production.” It further noted that, “Recognizing the appeal, other truck makers began developing light-duty crew cab pickups as well. Now, nearly 65 percent of all light-duty pickup sales are trucks with four full-size doors, and the unique look, clever bed storage and removable hardtop just added to its tremendous flexibility.”
Surprisingly handy options
Among the Avalanche’s unexpected options were bed-area storage compartments that secure cargo, and even include drainage in case owners decided to fill the compartments with ice and use them as coolers.
Purists scoffed, but the Avalanche’s admirers remained ardent. The truck was named Motor Trend’s truck of the year in 2002, and the 2007 Truck of the Year by the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada.
Fans decry Avalanche’s passing
Avalanche Fan clubs are still thriving across North America, and owners are distraught.
“I can’t bear the thought of not being to own an Avalanche for life!” mourns one poster on the Chevy Avalanche Club’s Facebook page. “I better keep on pampering mine!”
Originally offered in half- and three-quarter-ton configurations, Chevy took away the lower-capacity option when it introduced the new-generation Avalanches in 2007.
Commemorative 2013 Black Diamond edition
To mark the Avalanche’s bittersweet last lap, GM is unveiling a made-for-the-museum 2013 Black Diamond edition that features body-colored bed surrounds, badging and lower prices across the lineup, according to the Tribune. “More than 580,000 Avalanches have been sold since its introduction in late 2001, and Avalanche has won major awards and recognitions throughout its run,” said Avalanche marketing manager Mark Clawson in the Tribune article, adding, “So it is only fitting that Avalanche retires on a high note.”
Demand still high for luxury trucks
Ford, GM and Chrysler all say demand remains strong for luxury trucks--even with gas prices topping off at near $5 a gallon. While they don’t sip fuel like a Prius, luxury truck owners are mostly well-healed and willing to pony up for the extra ponies and hauling capacity. Besides Platinum editions of Ford's F-250 and F-350 coming out later this year, GMC is debuting the Sierra HD Denali, and Chrysler is showing off its Laramie Longhorn with Laramie Limited versions of Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. They typically sell for $50,000 to $60,000 and up. Most are sold heavily optioned with big V-8 diesel engines for towing power and long-haul efficiency. They typically tow expensive trailers that tip the scales at eight-plus tons and often cost twice as much as the truck that will tow them.
Thanks in part to the Avalanche’s success, trucks have become a new form of luxury vehicle.
Brenton hails from San Antonio, Texas where he is an expert on truck bed accessories. His specialty is Bull Ring retractable tie downs.
No comments:
Post a Comment