Rodeo to become Colorado mid-year

[cwhast]

GM HOLDEN will retire its popular Rodeo nameplate within months because it does not own the right to continue to use it.

It's all due to GM selling their remaining share in Isuzu, and Isuzu are preventing Holden from using it.

Also:

Rodeo will be renamed Colorado from mid-year
Colorado to be imported from Brazil from 2010
Isuzu to enter Aus market with D-Max (Rodeo) ute soon
Isuzu Australia to shack up with Mitsubishi
D-Max to compete head-to-head with Colorado


http://www.autoincar.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/2008-chevrolet-colorado-2.jpg

Isuzu preventing Holden from using the Rodeo badge is one thing, but entering the Australian market and not actually using it is just plain weird.

Read more here (http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/7F1AD5B3DE69669FCA2574020014B967)

[Marco]

Okay, this is more than a bit confusing. The ute in the picture looks like a Rodeo with a Chev front end, so can I safely assume that it actually is a Rodeo and comes from the same plant in Thailand?

So we'll have two largely identical utes coming from the same plant, both of which are pretty much the current Rodeo, except that neither of them will actually be called the Rodeo. So Holden loses a badge they've been using for nearly 30 years, but Isuzu won't be picking up that badge and cashing in on it.

Hmm.

[vicarious]

from the side that more looks like an old style hilux with the chev front end, not liking the colarado name though its too american

[SOBSE]

I would have thought that Isuzu is one that GM would keep as they make good trucks and diesel engines.

[Danv8]

Im gonna keep my Rodeo thanks its been dead reliable too me. :)

[chevypower]

I would have thought that Isuzu is one that GM would keep as they make good trucks and diesel engines.

Isuzu trucks and engines will still be around, just no Isuzu branded cars and pickups anymore. The Ascender was just a Trailblazer and the i290 and i370 is just a Chevy Colorado / Holden Rodeo. The Isuzu branded vehicles didn't sell very well. The Trooper/Jackaroo has been gone for years and so has the Isuzu Rodeo (Frontera), I am sure the brand won't be missed.

[CLUB_819]

My local holden dealer told me to go here and check out the next rodeo.

http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado/

Cheers
Scotty

[theVman]

Wow thats all very confusing.

So... Holden are going to release a restyled Isuzu made Rodeo in June but its going to be called the Colarodo?? Then an all new Brazil sourced Colarado will be released here in 2010.

Meanwhile Mistubishi will be working with Isuzu to sell the same Rodeo here but as a D-Max and not through Mistubishi dealers.

You would think Isuzu would just give Holden rights to the 'Rodeo' name as they arent even using it!! Bloody strange and confusing if you ask me - they will all certainly loose customers this way!! :confused:

[DaveHAT]

http://www.autoincar.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/2008-chevrolet-colorado-2.jpg


If this IS to be the Rodeo replacement ... all I can say is thank god for the death of the Dame Edna styled front end on the current Rodeos. :spew:

It's looked shit since the release of the RA models. :1peek:

I do like the styling of the vehicle pictured but naming it a "Colorado" whilst potentially smart may be marketing suicide.

Aussies are familiar to the name Rodeo and re-naming a ute with a septic title doesn't sound terribly smart. It'd be like Toyota suddenly renaming the HILUX and calling it the Persephony or similar. :shock:

I have doubts that it'll work or particluarly how the Australian market will take to a ute with a Yank name. :cool:

[glen III]

Had a (quick) look around the Chevrolet website, and I certainly hope that they offer different engine & body style combinations.

For instance, there's only a 2.something L 4cyl and a 3.7L five cylinder. As it's the same vehicle, you'd certainly hope for the Alloytec to get a run. I couldn't find a diesel either, but it was only a quick look.

That said, I do like the styling of the new one in post 1. And I'd guess it'll have a different name than Colorado, one thing Holden does pretty well is marketing and the number of foul ups compared to other brands is minimal.....

And hey, maybe what Holden means when they say they won't be without a contender in the crew cab market is a new Crewman.....?

Cheers

Glen

[Black AH CDX]

Colorado = Rodeo with a different face and name. Same car.

[iamhappy46]

I think Holden would have been wiser to name it after a place in Australia, rather than America. The Kakadu or the Nullabor or something, even Ford can sell a crap falcon based 4WD with an 'outbackish name'

[Micks]

I had three Rodeos all V6's afore I bought the Tonner. All three were thirsty pigs but pretty unbreakable. My v8 is more fuel efficient than the Rodeo's.

Cheers
VYT

[VL Executive]

Ive got a V6 Rodeo myself. (1999 Single cab trayback, 3.2 lt) It likes the juice a bit too, but its not that bad. Got plenty of power and goes pretty hard. Have owned it since 2004 and the only thing that Ive had a problem with is the starter motor. Which I got reco'd and good as gold again.

Im very happy with mine, and plan on keeping it for a while yet. Shame to see the Rodeo name go after all these years.

[CharlieDontSurf]

Colorado = Rodeo with a different face and name. Same car.


So will the car come out with same engines or have the US 5cylinder thats in the HUmmer? Also the US models have curtain airbags and traction control on 2wd models. Do these get a run??

Personally due to OH&S laws(a vehicle is considered a workplace) the first manufacturer to put ESP in a 1 tonne ute (not VE ute) will be on a goldmine

[Hamico]

My Rodeo has been worked since day one and never missed a beat, can definitely recommend them as a honest tough workhorse.

It's a pity that Isuzu want the name back as the Rodeo has a good reputation in the market place second only to the Hi-lux.

The new name Colorado will take time to build up a profile again which could hurt sales.

When the Isuzu D-max arrives though it could be interesting, a bit like the Ford Ranger + Mazda BT-50 twins

.

[cwhast]

The changes should take place in a few months, if the GoAuto article is anything to go by. The new turbo diesel was added to the Rodeo range a few months ago so I'm assuming it will stay. I think it's safe to say the current range of engines will continue on, possibly with some minor tweaks. Isuzu sound like a bunch of bitches by holding back the naming rights and not using it themselves, but that's business.

Just to clarify, in a few months time Holden will redesign the front-end and relaunch the Rodeo as the Colorado. While the name has Americana written all over it, it should become more accepted as time goes on. Ford were very successful at replacing the long-lived Laser nameplate with Focus.

Holden will be importing the Colorado from Thailand, which is where the Rodeo is currently built. This will continue until sometime in 2010 because that's when the next gen Brazil-built global Colorado is due to hit the streets. Holden won't be importing the Shreveport, Louisiana-built Colorado because they can't justify the engineering costs for just 2 years of service before it's due to be replaced.

[chevypower]

The Rodeo name wasn't unique to Australia, but in other markets, "Rodeo" reffered to the Isuzu-built SUV, called the Frontera in Australia. Rodeo is probably as American as Colorado, I don't remember actual rodeos being that common in Oz. Anyway, I think the point has been made over and over, the only thing in Oz to change from it is the same car will be called the Holden Colorado, not Holden Rodeo. It's a bigger change in the US, where a few cars have been pulled off the market. It's not a big loss as they didn't sell very well, and were just re-badged Chevrolets.

[mickeyVX350]

Rodeo's Great things... just wish someone'd buy my 88!!!

[CharlieDontSurf]

Ford were very successful at replacing the long-lived Laser nameplate with Focus.

.

I think you will find that Ford admit this was a big mistake for Ford in terms of timing and lack of funds to promote the Focus name. They released it when the BA Falcon came out and still havent reached the sales Figures of the last lasers.

Have a look at Nissans sales of Tiida after the Pulsar. They also admitted a big mistake. Toyota Australia is the only Toyota country to still use the corrolla name based on their research and the above to examples in the same market segment.There has been very few succesfull name changes/product changes/badge engineered models in Australia.

Holden will lose massive sales andToyota must just be sitting back and creaming themselves

[cwhast]

I think you will find that Ford admit this was a big mistake for Ford in terms of timing and lack of funds to promote the Focus name. They released it when the BA Falcon came out and still havent reached the sales Figures of the last lasers.

Have a look at Nissans sales of Tiida after the Pulsar. They also admitted a big mistake. Toyota Australia is the only Toyota country to still use the corrolla name based on their research and the above to examples in the same market segment.There has been very few succesfull name changes/product changes/badge engineered models in Australia.

Holden will lose massive sales andToyota must just be sitting back and creaming themselves
I'm not doubting that it would've dented sales of the Laser, but the fact is it's now one of the biggest selling badges in the world (the most popular depending who you ask). A lack of funds and being launched in the BA's shadow certainly wouldn't have helped, but it's building a name for itself and it's a crucial segment in the new vehicle market as is the light commercial segment.

Nissan made a huge 'my bad' with Tiida. It's ugly as hell and I'm sure some people wouldn't know how to pronounce it if it weren't for the Kim Cattrall ads.

Isuzu wouldn't use the Rodeo name because the Isuzu Rodeo is known across the world as an SUV (see Holden Frontera).

[caz375]

They could've done worse and called it the Holden Canyonero i suppose


http://www.sunnybreaks.org/wp-content/20041201canyonero.jpg

[chevypower]

I heard the 5.3 gets better mileage than the 3.7 in the Hummer H3, but don't know if that's accurate. The Chevy Colorado is supposed to get the 5.3 as an option soon. Better still, that 2.9L V6 diesel that will go in the CTS and Commodore will also go in the H3 and Colorado, which would put it way ahead of the current 3L diesels in that class in Australia. In 2010, Nissan will have a 3L V6 diesel with 195kw/550Nm, that I bet will find it's way in the Navara.

[theVman]

I'm not doubting that it would've dented sales of the Laser, but the fact is it's now one of the biggest selling badges in the world (the most popular depending who you ask). A lack of funds and being launched in the BA's shadow certainly wouldn't have helped, but it's building a name for itself and it's a crucial segment in the new vehicle market as is the light commercial segment.

Nissan made a huge 'my bad' with Tiida. It's ugly as hell and I'm sure some people wouldn't know how to pronounce it if it weren't for the Kim Cattrall ads.

Isuzu wouldn't use the Rodeo name because the Isuzu Rodeo is known across the world as an SUV (see Holden Frontera).

I agree - its smart thinking by Isuzu to keep the Rodeo name as its going to be quite difficult for Holden to break back in with a new name for essentially the same product.

You would think Isuzu would take advantage of this my releasing their product here as the Rodeo as a lot of consumers will then relate to the product instantly. D-Max is obviously a name marketting want to use to give the vehicle a new lease of life but the Aussie market certainly dont like name changes.

Had the Tiida been badged as a Pulsar (they had a good rep compared with the crappy Laser) Nissan probably would have had more success apart from the fact its an ugly bit of gear!!

[eminem]

While it will be hard for Holden to market a new name, Ford have done it successfully with Ranger. Its sales have nearly doubled from memory compared to Courier. If they put the right motor combination and a style tweak (which I don't find I that bad, heaps better than rodeo styling) it will sell.

[VL Executive]

Well, Its been confirmed in the papers today (Courier Mail Cars Guide liftout)

Later in the year, (does not give an exact time) The Rodeo will become the HOLDEN COLORADO

Heres some "bits" From the article -

THE Rodeo is dead. Long live the Colorado. That's the new name for the trusty Rodeo badge which is being retired later this year.

The Rodeo name belongs to Isuzu with which Holden no longer has any ties.

In a strange twist, Isuzu is taking the name back and releasing a Rodeo in Australia under its global name of D-Max.

However, it will be distributed by Mitsubishi, not Isuzu.

And Mitsubishi Motors knows nothing about the vehicle.

Mitsubishi Motors senior manager corporate communications, Lenore Fletcher, said they had nothing to do with it.

"Mitsubishi is a large corporation and the link-up could be with another Mitsubishi company, not the motor company," she said.

Meanwhile, GM Holden product information manager Kate Lonsdale said the Colorado would be released later this year.

"There is no official timing yet, but it will be called Colorado," she said.

Holden had an opportunity to badge the popular Thai-made ute with an Australian name, but decided to go with the same name used in Asia-Pacific region.

The Colorado would be "slightly different". "It will be a similar offering, but with slightly different features,"

The new Colorado range would continue to offer a choice of petrol or diesel engines, 4x4 or 4x2 models, and numerous body styles such as single cab, space cab and crew cab.

More details such as price would follow in the coming months.

"We will remain a major player with a highly competitive new entry,"

Current Rodeo owners would continue to be covered by GM Holden's three-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance for 12 months.

"Rodeo owners can rest assured that Holden remains committed to providing superior customer service and parts availability to the current range," she said.

[CharlieDontSurf]

been doing some research on the new colorado. The range will have all the same engines and transmissions and models. The rodeo will be facelifted to the look like the thailand Chevy Colorado the the name changed a few months later so there is a smooth carry over. All that will probably change is the front and the badges. Everything else will be the same Found out some of the stuff from this document
http://rvcs.dotars.gov.au/83_00%20Signature%20Noise%20Data.csv
http://www.chevrolet.co.th