General Motors introduced the 2014 Chevrolet Trax, a small size SUV at the ongoing New York International Auto Show for the US market. The Chevrolet Trax is a simpler version of the Buick Encore that is already on sale in the States. Launched in 2012 globally, the Trax has been selling in over 60 markets including Mexico and Canada, before the SUV made its US entry. GM already had the Chevrolet Equinox and did not want cannibalize the sales with the launch of the Trax SUV. However, the success of the Buick Encore was a major contributor to GM’s decision to bring the Trax to the US.
GM states that the emerging compact SUV market is expected to grow more than 80 percent by 2016. Customers will get to choose from an additional option in the Chevrolet family with the launch of the 2014 Trax. Much like the Buick Encore, the Chevrolet Trax is powered by the 1.4-litre turbocharged Ecotec engine producing 138 HP and 200 Nm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic offered as standard, along with the optional all-wheel drive system.
Inside the cabin, the 2014 Chevrolet Trax offers the same space as the Buick. You get a 5-seater layout with 530-litres of standard boot space, which can be increased with the 70:30 split-rear folding seats to 1371-litres. The compact SUV comes loaded with a host of connectivity options including OnStar 4G LTE and MyLink with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Customers also get a 7-inch touchscreen display unit and ten standard airbags are available across all the variants of this compact SUV.
So will the Trax ever be launched in India? The compact SUV measures 4.2 metres in length and would not qualify for the excise benefit, however it would still make a compelling buy that will be competing against the likes of the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and the upcoming Maruti Suzuki S-Cross in the segment. GM on the other hand showcased the Adra concept for the compact SUV segment in India and could stick to launching the same in 2017.
GM India had confirmed earlier that there will not be any new launches in the next couple of years in the Indian market. The company instead will update the existing lineup with new and better features, whilst also changing the brand perception in order to improve its market share in every segment. We hope the American automaker has a change of plans and we get the Trax sooner than expected. The US though will get the Trax on sale by next year with three trims namely LS, LT and LTZ on offer. The Trax is most likely to be priced around the $20,000 (Rs. 12 lakhs) mark, marginally less than the Buick Encore which retails at $24,950 (Rs. 15 lakhs).
