[Kooper]

GM Authority has always been a big fan of the TRAX, in fact they sparked a bit of controversy within GM when commenting on their motivations for keeping the TRAX out of the US. In fact the Mark Reuss himself moseyed on over to participate in the comments...

About two years ago, then-GM North America President Mark Reuss, who is now running global product development, participated in the comment section of a story regarding the Chevrolet Equinox and why there was nothing slotting below it in Chevrolet’s U.S. lineup. He mentioned that the Equinox is a golden goose of sorts, and a smaller two-row crossover in the lineup would hurt the popular midsizer. But the automotive market remains a very fluid, ever-changing enigma, and little crossovers are becoming increasingly important in the U.S. market. To wit, estimates pin the small crossover market to swell to a volume of 177,000 units sold in the United States alone by 2016. But to really capitalize, it’s important to enter the segment early. Hence the latest business decision to turn shoulder on the Equinox, and integrate the Trax into Chevy’s native land lineup starting the 2015 model year. Finally.

check out the rest... http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/04/chevrolet-trax-first-drive/

 

[James]

I think it would have been a horrible idea to not bring this vehicle to the U.S.
They probably realized the compact vehicle segment is booming like crazy and competition is stepping up to the demand meanwhile they fail to get in early and get a good share of the market. Better now than never

 

[TrainTrax]

Yea, I think that they are now playing catch up because before they were trying to withhold the Trax in order make people buy the bigger Equinox. Other companies didn't do that though, so that put Chrysler behind.

It's a bit of a weird decision considering they already had the Trax selling in other countries.

 

[James]

Canada is one of them and I believe Canadians get both the Trax and Equinox, unless they used Canada to test how sales go their and then launch it across north america.

 

[rmouthaan]

I don't know how well the Buick Encore is selling in the US. But in Europe the Chevrolet Trax and the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka combined take third place on the best selling list of the CUV's. That is remarkable considering the fierce competition over there. Since the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka are in the Buick Encore price range GM likely wanted to offer a more affordable model with the trax. Maybe similar ideas they have with the US market.
However, GM wants to pull the chevy from the european market to give surviving chances to Opel/Vauxhall. (all chevy's except the Camaro, I think)

 

[James]

That is amazing. I have a feeling GM will do just as well all over america to start but come a few years down the road when competition speeds up, it will be tough for them

 

[J.G]

I don't know how well the Buick Encore is selling in the US. But in Europe the Chevrolet Trax and the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka combined take third place on the best selling list of the CUV's. That is remarkable considering the fierce competition over there. Since the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka are in the Buick Encore price range GM likely wanted to offer a more affordable model with the trax. Maybe similar ideas they have with the US market.
However, GM wants to pull the chevy from the european market to give surviving chances to Opel/Vauxhall. (all chevy's except the Camaro, I think)

but its the Mokka carrying the volume, chevy is a nonexistent brand I Europe. So much show they've pulled the plug on chevy in Europe..

 

[James]

it sucks they're pulling chevy out of Europe a lot of people will be out of a job

 

[Carroway]

Sadly that's the nature of business I guess. But it's still a shame all the same.

As far as GM though. I think it's funny how they predicted no one would like the Trax's in the united states, but suddenly now with the rise of smaller, more affordable cars being bought over bigger vehicles they're practically scrambling to try and offer something to compete, more than likely losing potential customers. GM makes some pretty solid vehicles, don't get me wrong, but their business sense seems to always be just a few years behind.

 

[Trax2015]

I bought a 2015 TRAX. Nice little vehicle. A bit over priced but aren't all new cars? For me the dealer experience was poor. I bought the car from the 4th dealer I went to. The first three didn't really want to sell me a car. They wanted me to lease an equinox. There was a little smoke and mirrors around pricing too. It was not a no haggle experience.

so far the car is better than expected. I think GM should consider a CVT over the 6 speed auto. car reviewers do not like CVT's but as a driver I rather like them.

I hope GM gets this message. When a customer shows up and says I want to buy a TRAX they should sell one. At the time I bought the car GM had big incentives on the Equinox.

 

[beeguz]

The Trax having a 6 speed transmission and not a CVT is what made me choose it.

I would rather have a real transmission that shifts into higher gears for highway use.

 

[Kooper]

The Trax having a 6 speed transmission and not a CVT is what made me choose it.

I would rather have a real transmission that shifts into higher gears for highway use.

yea i think the tax is safe from CVTs for a while... i don't even think gm has one?