Chevrolet Colorado Pickups

2004: First Generation

In the United States, Chevrolet (abbreviated to "Chevy") represents one of the automobile divisions of the manufacturer known as General Motors (GM).

Hence, GM's operations in North America is the leading role for the design of the Colorado and the Canyon, along with GM Brazil and Isuzu.

Even so, the Isuzu i-series (similar to the D-Max models), was a version offered in North America towards the end of 2005. This model shared powertrains, styling, and various other equipment with the Colorados and Canyons.

Here's the thing:

Worldwide, the General Motors Truck (GMT 355) platform is the basis used for all Chevrolet, Isuzu, and for the General Motors Company (GMC) versions. Whereas, the GMT 345 provides the basis for the Hummer H3.

The GM plant in Rayong, on the eastern seaboard of Thailand, is the location chosen for the manufacturing of Colorados marketed outside of North America.

In fact, General Motors and Isuzu have an arrangement that goes back to the 1970s to build a light-duty truck and offer it to North American markets.

Pro Tip: Check out our automotive blog posts for a list of cars named after US states and famous cities in Europe.

2011: Second Generation

The Bangkok International Motor Show was the chosen venue to reveal a prototype version of the all-new second-generation Chevrolet Colorado in March, 2011.

They showed it as an extended cab pickup truck with a rear access system and some high-tech equipment accessories.

But, Chevrolet waited until June 2011 to reveal the adventure concept crew cab model at Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The following month, a Holden version of the same crew-cab concept made its premier at the Australian International Motor Show.

They keep the three body styles as Single Cab, Space Cab, and the Crew Cab. But, customers can choose between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models.

Duramax Engine Plant

General Motors (Thailand) Limited (GMT) launched the diesel engine manufacturing plant in September of 2011. This is the location for the manufacture of the Duramax engine used by the Chevrolet Colorado.

They rebranded it as the VM Motori turbodiesel engine (an Italian diesel engine manufacturing company) with either 2.5 or 2.8-liter options, and available with manual or automatic transmission.

2023: Third Generation

Despite debuting in July 2022, the third-generation Colorado and Canyon entered the market for the 2023 model year. Even so, new models are only available with a Quad Cab and a single cargo bed length.

It shares the GM L3B turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and chassis with the full-size Chevrolet Silverado.

The third generation Colorado is still classed as a mid-size pick-up. But, some of the dimensions are bigger than the full-size Silverado.