(November 10, 2011) DUBAI — Chevrolet’s toughest, most- refined midsize sport utility vehicle, the TrailBlazer, made its global debut today at the opening of the Dubai International Motor Show in the Middle East.

The robust seven-seat show vehicle previews Chevrolet’s latest mid-sized SUV offering, which will be sold around the world, beginning with Thailand in early 2012 as a 2013 model.



General Motors has said it will not be offered in North America — for now. The last Trailblazer was sold in the U.S. in 2008. But several sources including at least one major automotive magazine predict that the Trailblazer will eventually be marketed in the U.S. The body-on-frame SUV is based on the new Colorado mid-sized pickup, which will be sold in North America.

The new-generation TrailBlazer combines the hauling and towing capability of a body-on-frame SUV with the ride comfort and efficiency of a crossover. Developed in tandem with the all-new Chevrolet Colorado pickup by GM do Brasil, it shares the same architecture as its truck sibling, with a chassis tuned to combine heavy-duty off-road capability with refined city driving.

The show vehicle features an all-wheel-drive system and is powered by GM’s new 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine, which features a variable-geometry turbocharger for an optimal combination of performance and fuel economy.

"It is a reflection of the importance of the Middle East market for General Motors that a vehicle as important as TrailBlazer is making its global debut at this show,” said GM Middle East Operations President and Managing Director John Stadwick. “Without question, the new TrailBlazer will be one of the biggest and toughest members of the Chevrolet family — the perfect vehicle to take on the Middle East’s competitive midsize SUV segment.

“Although this is a show vehicle, the overall design is faithful to the production version that will arrive in Chevrolet showrooms next year. TrailBlazer will be the ideal fit, not only for consumers in the Middle East, but in every place around the world where it will be sold.”

According to Brad Merkel, GM’s global vehicle line executive for midsize trucks and SUVs, TrailBlazer offers the strength, design, capability and refinement needed to compete with the world’s best off-road vehicles.

“The growing markets of the world want flexibility. That means power and capability combined with comfort and efficiency,” Merkel said. “TrailBlazer does it all. You can tow anything, go anywhere, comfortably seat seven people, and do so with the fuel efficiency associated with a smaller, less capable vehicle. It’s the complete package.”