- Small SUV market share expected to grow by around 50 percent by 2018
- All-new Chevrolet Trax: engineered for today’s urban explorers
- Chevrolet has more than 75 years of competence in building great SUVs
It may not all be about size, but consumers in central and western Europe are trending toward smaller, compact cars as shown by the boom of sales in the mini Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment.
Sales in the segment have bucked the declining trend in the auto industry in Europe and increased from 130,214 cars in 2008, representing a market share of 0.7 percent, to just under 264,000 in 2012, or just under 2 percent of the market.
All the signs point to an ever-increasing market share for this segment. Sales are expected to almost double by 2018 while market share is poised to hit 2.8 percent.
With the all-new Trax, Chevrolet will introduce a contender that has been tailored to meet the demands of buyers whose lives predominantly unfold in the modern city.
“Trax provides Chevrolet an entry into the growing small SUV segment and delivers the flexibility, great fuel economy and car-like handling that urban explorers require,” said Susan Docherty, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe.
Trax will be available as of spring this year at European Chevrolet dealerships with a choice of three powertrains: a 1.4L turbo-charged gasoline engine developing 140hp and 200Nm of torque, a 1.6L gasoline engine that churns out 115hp and 155Nm or torque and a 1.7L turbo diesel capable of 130hp and 300Nm.
Trax has all-wheel drive (AWD) on demand capability in vehicles equipped with the 1.4L turbo gas and the 1.7L diesel engine. It is 4.25 meters long and 1.77 meters wide, making it ideal for both city and country driving.
It comes as no surprise that Chevrolet has embarked on such a project knowing that the first-ever SUV proudly displayed a bowtie. The company is widely acknowledged as the creator of the entire genre with the Suburban in 1935.
“Chevrolet has been known for its dependable and capable SUVs for many decades. Trax will deliver on all of the traditional Chevrolet values and more,” said Docherty. “Trax is the modern expression of one of Chevrolet’s core competencies, which is building and selling great SUVs,” she added.
The Chevrolet Captiva is the Trax’s larger brother and one in a line of SUVs built by Chevrolet. The U.S. line-up includes the Avalanche, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, and Traverse.
Chevrolet Suburban: key dates & developments
1935: Suburban Carryall introduced with two-door body style that would last until 1967. Powered by Chevrolet’s Stovebolt inline-six that produced 60 hp (45 kW).
1936: Hydraulic brakes introduced.
1937: New exterior styling with Art Deco cues; engine power increased to 79 hp (59 kW). New safety glass is introduced.
1940: Sealed beam headlights introduced, offering significantly improved visibility.
1947: The first significant redesign. Increased engine torque gives Suburban excellent towing capability. Flow-through ventilation improves driving comfort.
1955: Second series design launched; small-block V-8, Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, 12volt electrical system, tubeless tires all introduced.
1957: Factory-installed four-wheel drive is offered.
1960: Independent front suspension (torsion bars) is introduced.
1967: All-new styling carries unique three-door arrangement with a single door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passenger side. New safety features include dual-cylinder brake system, energy-absorbing steering column, thicker laminated safety glass windshield.
1971: Standard front disc brakes and engines tuned to run on unleaded gasoline.
1973: Suburban offered in four-door body style for the first time. Increased focus on interior comfort and amenities.
1981: Updated styling. 1987: Electronically controlled fuel-injection and a four-speed overdrive introduced. |
1988: Antilock brakes offered for the first time.
1992: An all-new Suburban; updates include four-wheel anti-lock brakes, Insta-Trac on four-wheel-drive models and new independent front suspension.
1996: Push-button 4WD activation and daytime running lights debut.
1998: OnStar added; right-hand drive version in Australia offered through Holden brand.
2000: Next-generation Suburban brings new styling, interiors and powertrains. Four-wheel disc brakes and a load-leveling suspension system.
2007: Latest generation launched.
2010: 75th anniversary is marked with a limited-edition model.
