General Motors doesn’t like the idea of being last to the party when it comes to 4×4 SUVs. So when it comes to building something that could rival the Ford Bronco or the Jeep Wrangler it’s decided simply not to try at all. A new report suggests that instead, it could build an electric challenger.
GM seems to be missing out on a segment of the market filled now by the Bronco and Wrangler. Despite that, it’s put little to no effort toward changing that fact. Now, we have a better idea about why it’s not brought a rival to the market.
According to a report from TheDrive, GM’s President, Mark Reuss specifically said “I’m not gonna do a Bronco” because he doesn’t want to be “late to the party.” Evidently, he doesn’t believe the adage about better late than never. Instead, he specifically didn’t rule out the possibility of bringing an all-electric 4×4 SUV on line in the future.
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That makes sense given Reuss’ claim that Ford sells hybrid vehicles like the Maverick pickup truck in an effort to improve corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) numbers. It evidently wouldn’t need to do that if it didn’t sell so many internal combustion vehicles. Avoiding the development and sale of a Bronco or Wrangler rival keeps GM from having to do that same dance.
At the same time, it seems reasonable to think that GM might have at least one if not multiple all-electric SUVs in the pipeline. We already know that the Blazer EV is coming soon. The Cadillac Lyriq is already in production, and there are rumors about a smaller Hummer EV as well.
All of those should use a variation of the Ultium platform and presumably, an off-road-focused 4×4 SUV could do the same thing. Certainly, it’ll need a name other than Blazer though. Maybe it could simply be called the K5. Oh wait, they’re late to the party on that name too.
