2013 Chevrolet Trax SUV

Chevrolet has unveiled the Trax, which is due to make its public debut at September’s Paris Motor Show.

Although the firm is claiming that the small sport utility vehicle is ‘all-new’, perhaps it would be better described as ‘new to Chevrolet’. That’s because beneath the styling changes, it’s essentially a rehashed version of the Buick Encore and Vauxhall / Opel Mokka twins.

Chevrolet Trax (2013) Front Side
The 2013 Chevrolet Trax...
Buick Encore (2013) Front Side
... the 2013 Buick Encore...
Vauxhall Mokka (2013) Front Side
... and the 2013 Vauxhall Mokka.

Detailed specifications have yet to be revealed and, with planned launches in over 140 countries, they are bound to vary by market. The United States is one territory that won’t be getting the Trax though, which is a bit peculiar given that the first sales will be in neighbouring Canada and Mexico towards the end of this year.

The relationship between the Trax and its Buick and Vauxhall / Opel equivalents, especially in terms of prices and equipment levels, is going to have be carefully managed to avoid sales cannibalisation between the brands.

However, that process doesn’t seem to have had the best start, as Chevrolet is already emphasising that ‘Trax’s interior and details will be executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles’ - an allusion to the Encore and Mokka, maybe?

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2014 Chevrolet Impala
New Chevrolet Trailblazer
New Cruze station wagon

Images © General Motors.

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