GM Calls 2015 Chevy Colorado Slimmed Down, Compares It to Tundra
Tim Esterdahl | Mar 24, 2014 | Comments 16
Yes, you read that headline right. And yes, I know that the Chevy Colorado is a mid-size truck while the Toyota Tundra is a full-size. You don’t need to tell me, but somebody should tell GM that.
GM says the 2015 Chevy Colorado weighs a lot less than a full-size truck. Really. A mid-size truck weighs less than a full-size. Who knew?!?
In the most laughable and confusing press release I have read in a long time, GM has compared the curb weight of the new Chevy Colorado to full-size trucks. It boasts the Colorado weights 800 to 1,400 lbs less. No kidding, a mid-size truck weighs less than a full-size?!?
The press release is full of “huh?” moments. GM says that the Colorado is substantially slimmed down thanks to “engineering techniques and lightweight materials.” Also that the truck will be the “most fuel-efficient in its segment.” Which segment is that again?
Further in the press release, GM states that it believes the Colorado will “lead the midsize segment with up to 6,700 pounds of available towing capability.” It also says the truck fits “neatly” in their lineup with it slightly smaller dimensions and is a great option for people looking for a smaller option than a full-size truck.
While the whole press release left us confused with its flipping back and forth between segments, there was this chart that really grabbed our attention. Here it is:
| Curb wt., Lbs. | Difference | |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Colorado short box crew 4x4, 3.6L V-6 | 4,329 | |
| 2014 Silverado 1500 short bed crew 4x4, 5.3L V-8 | 5,218 | 889 |
| 2014 Nissan Titan short bed crew 4x4, 5.6L V-8 | 5,300 | 971 |
| 2014 Ram 1500 short bed crew 4x4, 5.7L V-8 | 5,341 | 1,012 |
| 2014 Ford F-150 short bed crew 4x4. 5.0L V-8 | 5,586 | 1,257 |
| 2014 Ram 1500 short box crew 4x4 3.0L diesel V-6 | 5,633 | 1,304 |
| 2015 Toyota Tundra short bed crew 4x4, 5.7L V-8 | 5,760 | 1,431 |
An interesting comparison of apples to oranges if you ask us. (Did you catch the reference to a “2015” Toyota Tundra?)
Now, you are probably wondering, how much does the Tacoma weigh? A 2014 Toyota Tacoma 4wd, crew cab with a 4.0L V6 tips the scales at 4,220 lbs. That’s a difference of 109 lbs. Yep, the “engineering techniques and lightweight materials” resulted in a truck that weighs MORE than the current Toyota Tacoma. Oh and by the way, Toyota hasn’t really updated that truck in a long time.
(FYI – A Nissan Frontier with the same specs weighs 4,454 lbs.)
Good job GM! All that hard work resulted in a heavy truck and one confusing press release.
Want to check out the press release for yourself? Click here to read it.
What do you think? Is it confusing or does it make sense to you?
Related Post:
Filed Under: Auto News
What is the story here? Is it that major companies misleading advertising practices haven’t changed is 200 years? If so, I agree.
Yep, the misleading is the story. I thought it was interesting and I thought you guys would enjoy it.
Also, I would guess, this is a precursor of what is to come from GM concerning the Colorado.
Lastly, I found it really interesting that the curb weight of the Colorado is still more than the Tacoma, even after, all the things GM did. Pretty much a “fail” if you ask me. I completely expected it to weight less, tow more and get better MPGs. I guess two out of three isn’t bad.
-Tim
GM Emergency Press Release:
“Since we have absolutely no idea what we are doing with the Chevy 1500 we thought we continue in that path and build an even sorrier compact fake truck.”
GM’s death plan is firmly in place; your tax dollars at work. Taking on water and sinking fast. Look quick or you will miss it.
Probably 90% (or more) of the advertising that auto companies do is misleading at best.
The bad part is that most people don’t know the difference.
Strange marketing it would seem. I thought the average truck buyer was a little more savvy than that.
My 2000 Tundra weighs less than that. Granted mine doesn’t have 4wd but it’s also a bigger engine, bigger overall dimensions, and more towing/payload. Well done GM
Mike,
LOL! Good point. Fourteen years of engineering improvements and a plethora of new age metals result in a truck that weighs more than one did in 2000.
-Tim
Good ole GM is on fire!
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/0.....l-comments
LOL. I just saw that a little while ago.
I want to know, did the guy buy it?
-Tim
Hahahaha….I wonder if the saleman could pitch a burning deal for him.
Tim,
I think it makes perfect sense to compare these trucks to full-size half tons.
after all, they cost just about as much.
maybe one of the trucks caught on fire in their building and they inhaled too much smoke and thought this made sense.
ROFL. You had me going for a second too!
-Tim
Why on earth did we not let GM go into bankruptcy and stay there until they were finally dead.
We kept the alive to do this kind of marketing.
Next they will publish the fact that they weigh less then and M1 tank and go faster as well.
There is just no helping this company.
Larry,
Simple. Losing GM would have meant Ford AND Chrysler would have gone under. Both Ford and GM use many of the same parts suppliers. GM goes under, those parts suppliers go under and then Ford goes under. It would have been a gigantic domino affect.
By bailing out GM, we also saved Ford, Chrysler and hundreds of mom and pop businesses.
Here is the story: http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs.....59133.html
-Tim
I would have been okay with that. That’s what the free market it all about. Things would be difficult for a while then Toyota, Subaru, Nissan etc would have gotten the job done.
By not letting it happen we only guarantee it will continue to get worse.
If the US does accept failure soon, it will also never again know success. Its no wonder China is stepping up. I love it when the analysis’s talk about the problems in the China markets. GDP of 6 percent and they are the ones in trouble?
Detroit MI or China,,,,,,, where is the safest place to invest? Long term I will take China over the S&P 500 any day.
Chrysler/Dodge did go under, Fiat now owns them.