India-bound 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV enters production in Thailand

Earlier, this year we had reported that General Motors is planning to bring the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV in the Indian market, following its launch in Thailand from where the model will be imported in to the country via the CKD route. Now, according to reports coming out of Thailand, the 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV has officially entered production and the very first unit of the model has been rolled out from General Motor's plant in Rayong. 

The range-topping LTZ model fitted with a 2.8-litre Duramax turbo-diesel engine was greeted by the plant's 5,200 employees, key suppliers and Chevrolet dealers from across the country. The Rayong plant is the first in the world to build the new Trailblazer, which will first be launched and sold in Thailand and will then be exported to more than 50 markets across the world, including India. The SUV, which is based on the Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck was first showcased in concept form at the 2011 Dubai Auto Show back in November 2011 and was later revealed in production form at that Bangkok Motor Show. 

Based on General Motors’ new global body-on-frame midsize truck architecture, the seven-seat Trailblazer features premium ride comfort and handling dynamics for urban and highway driving, matched by superior off-road capabilities.

The Trailblazer will be available in seven exterior colors: Summit White, Black Sapphire, Sizzle Red, Auburn Brown, Blue Mountain, Royal Gray and Switchblade Silver.

The SUV will come with a choice of two turbo-diesel engines, a 2.5-litre with 150PS of power and 350Nm of torque and a 2.8-litre unit that produces 180PS of power and 470Nm of torque. The engine will come mated to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Indian-spec Trailblazer will be imported from the Thai market via the CKD route and will be locally assembled at GM's plant in Halol, Gujarat. Assembling the Trailblazer locally will help the company to price the new SUV aggressively between Rs 17 lakh and Rs 21 lakh. 

The Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV is expected to land on Indian shores by the end of 2012 or early 2013. In the Indian market, the Trailblazer SUV will compete with the likes of Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Outlander and the Renault Koleos.  

“The Trailblazer will be built in Thailand for Thailand, and will soon also make its way into the rest of the world. And delivery of the Trailblazer to our customers starts right now,” said Martin Apfel, president of GM Thailand and Southeast Asia.

“Production is now getting into full-swing. Since May this year, we have added a third shift to our assembly and powertrain plants,” Apfel said. “The increase in production isn’t just to meet customer orders for the Trailblazer, but also to address increasing demand for the Colorado truck, which we have started exporting earlier this year. At the same time, demand for other models is also growing. This will be a very busy year for Chevrolet.”