The Chevrolet Colorado has been hit hard by the semiconductor chip shortage crisis and its sales figures are proof. Sales fell by a troubling 53 percent in the last business quarter and they're not expected to recover by the end of the current and final sales period of the year. As part of an effort to cut back on expenses, General Motors has decided to stop production of Colorados equipped with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four engine, according to GM Authority.
Only "sources familiar with the matter" have revealed this fact and GM itself has yet to comment. Now, this doesn't mean the aging Colorado and, presumably, its GMC Canyon corporate cousin, are ditching the base engine option entirely.
The report goes on to claim four-cylinder production will continue in January. Until then, the Colorado will only be built with the also naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 or the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel. In all likelihood, 2022 will be the final model year for both the current generation Colorado and Canyon. Replacements are due for 2023, assuming things remain on schedule. That's been increasingly difficult for automakers to do lately given the lack of the chips and the major disruptions caused.
Unlike the current trucks, the successors will come be offered with just one engine: the same turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder found in the Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, where it produces a solid 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque.
A 10-speed automatic will be the sole gearbox available instead of the current and troublesome 8-speed slushbox. GM's decision to reduce the Colorado's engine options from three to two will hopefully help enable the Wentzville, Missouri plant to get back on track production-wise.
Last month we reported about dramatically decreased production levels. Fewer trucks rolling off the assembly line means there are fewer to sell, simple as that. The timing of the redesigned Colorado is ideal because an all-new Ford Ranger is also just around the corner. The next-gen Toyota Tacoma also isn't too far out.