If they can re-engineer the GMT-355 platform to accept the I-6 and V8's alot easier I could say it would be better suited to replace the 360 platform. With GMT-355 being more global it coudl help spawn SUV's and trucks all around the world being able to fit engines of all sizes depending on the region.

GMT355 already has along wheel base SUV. It is the MU7 basedon the Isuzu Dmax. It already seats 7 and could be built in Thailand or in the Shreaveport plant with little to no change.

http://www.isuzu-tis.com/model/mu7/mu7_main.html
You could also put out a short wheel base version as a Chevy to help lower costs on the H3, if needed.

But the real question isn't if it's doable, but if doing so would be an improvement over the current GMT-360s. Those are damn good midsize SUVs as is.

I support keeping the current GMT 360's indefinitely, with interior improvements and maybe updating the front and rear styling. I don't support spending the money developing an SUV off GMT 355 for the North American market because higher fuel prices mean that mid sized truck based SUV's are a shrinking market.

Edited October 23, 200519 yr by ehaase

Hmmm... GMT360 isn't global...

But, GMT355 is global. :) Interesting.....

Well, GMT360s are sold in small numbers in Europe.... (TrailBlazers). I've seen them in France and Italy..

I think I'm more with ehaase. The 360s are very competent vehicles, and with the market shrinking they can get away with redesigning them as sparingly as they did in the 80s and 90s. Incremental improvements will be fine as dynamically they are good. I do think it would be a gross misuse of funds to develop an SUV off the 355 because it would involve a lot of altering and reengineering for a shrinking market. If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

I think I'm more with ehaase.  The 360s are very competent vehicles, and with the market shrinking they can get away with redesigning them as sparingly as they did in the 80s and 90s.  Incremental improvements will be fine as dynamically they are good.  I do think it would be a gross misuse of funds to develop an SUV off the 355 because it would involve a lot of altering and reengineering for a shrinking market.  If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

Yes, being only 5 years old, I could see them going another 5 years with a facelift and interior redesign...keep making improvements from year to year.. look what Ford is doing with the '06 Explorer--the current model dates back to '02 also, and the facelifted '06 probably will run until at least 2010..

Edited October 23, 200519 yr by moltar

Probably longer. There really won't be a compelling reason to improve the ride/handling as consumers switch to crossovers. Keep the BOFs the way they are, they will always have a loyal market.

I think I'm more with ehaase.  The 360s are very competent vehicles, and with the market shrinking they can get away with redesigning them as sparingly as they did in the 80s and 90s.  Incremental improvements will be fine as dynamically they are good.  I do think it would be a gross misuse of funds to develop an SUV off the 355 because it would involve a lot of altering and reengineering for a shrinking market.  If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

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I agree completely Croc. GMT360s are great. When the redesign comes it was supposed to move to a single wheel base smaller than the EXTs and larger than the SWB models. Also it was supposed to have 3 rows of seating. I would actually preffer a GMT360 based pickup over the GMT355 twins. A Trailblazer based pickup would offer more room and improved handling AND better towing capacity than the GMT355s while having more power and better gas mileage than the Dakota or import trucks. This was apparently considered for the GMT360s originally but GM decided that a smaller 355 based pickup would force people to upgrade to the GMT800s. Its quite a shame I think that GM would have owned the midsize truck category instead of not participating in it.

Please forgive spelling and grammar issues, didn't get much sleep last night guys.

I agree completely, to go on, there is no room at GMC for a Lambda crossover, leave that to buick or pontiac, but not both! http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/AH-HA_wink.gif

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I agree 100%. Why is that so hard? Leave the true SUVs to Chevy and GMC. Give a Lambda to Buick, Pontiac, and also Saturn. That's it.

GMC gets a Lambda in lieu of Pontiac. Buick also gets one. The GMC will pretty much replace the Astro I believe. Again, all three are sold at the same dealership...does it really matter? No.