GM completely redesigned its large SUVs - the Chevy Tahoe and Avalanche, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade - for the 2007 model year. The new versions went on sale in early 2006.
These vehicles were worth the time and expense to redesign and re-engineer because full-size SUVs have a core group of buyers who really do use the towing, hauling and off-road abilities these vehicles offer.
But market share for these vehicles peaked in 2004 at 4.35%, according to PIN, and the trend has been downward since then.
GM sold 146,300 Tahoes last year, about the same number that it sold in 2000, according to PIN. But that was a drop from 161,500 the previous year.
GM is reportedly considering a switch to car-based engineering for the next generation of these vehicles. Without a big, heavy sub-frame, these vehicles will get better fuel economy. The challenge will be to maintain the towing and hauling ability the core buyer wants.
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