Bring the S-10 Blazer back to the North American Auto Market

To Whom it May Concern:

Who We are: We are the loyal owners of GM products, we are the people who have to get up before the sun and don't get to come home until long after it has set. We are the people who depend on our vehicles when it is hot or cold, when there is rain, snow, sleet or ice. We are the people who need a vehicle that is safe, easy and inexpensive to work on, and capable in bad weather. We are the people who need a vehicle with large amounts of power that doesn't take a large amount of our money to buy. We are the people who want the S-10 Blazer to return to the North American car market so we can continue to do our jobs, enjoy driving, and have a safe vehicle to put our families in.

The GMC Terrain is a decent, compact, American SUV currently being offered in the North American market, but it is sorely lacking in its ability to handle anything more that light to moderate terrain when in off-road conditions. The Terrain is, unfortunately, not a suitable replacement for the S-10 Blazer. The lack of a capable, mid-size, American SUV is hurting GM and the US economy. Because the current GM selection is not adequate, people are buying SUV's from the competition such as the Honda Pilot, Nissan Xterra, Toyota Highlander / 4Runner and Jeep Cherokee.

A solution to this problem would be the re-introduce of an updated version of the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer platform such as the South American Blazer. The S-10 Blazer is chosen to represent this vehicle market because it is as close to perfection as any automaker has been in the mid-sized, multi-purpose SUV market. The combination of easy repairs, ample power, durable and safe construction are all present in the S-10 Blazer. The evidence for this claim comes from the millions of satisfied miles we have experienced, and by the hundreds of thousands of these vehicles still on the road today.

We are appalled with GM's decision to completely abandon the mid-size SUV market and to begin producing smaller, less off road capable vehicles. Therefore, we want to see a mid-size alternative to the Suburban. Specifically we would like to see the second generation S-10 Blazer be re-introduced into the North American car market in a similar form (i.e. A four-wheel drive with a longitudinal, ton powertrain.). The South American S-10 Blazer with a tougher powertrain like the one that was originally in the North American S-10 Blazer (V6 engine, 4L60E transmission) would be absolutely suitable to do the work that GM owners demand from their vehicles.

We understand the costs associated with re-tooling a factory, that is why we advocate an Americanized version of the South American S-10 Blazer because of the massive void in the current automobile market, the S-10 Blazer could easily find a niche and be as popular today as it was in the 80's and 90's. Take it from us: the S-10 Blazer goes longer without maintenance and works harder than just about any other mid-size and that is exactly why it is still viable to produce and will still be massively popular.

We also would like to see a selection of different trim levels which will involve changes in suspension and engine (Specifically more powerful engines, hybrids, diesel). We do not want a vehicle constructed like the current GM vehicles relying heavily on plastics for the body and with a total dependence on electronics.

We want you to know that there are people in North America, and all over the world who buy SUV's because of their safety, capability and reliability. It would be a shame to let them put all of their money into the hands of the competition.

The S-10 Blazer is absolutely ubiquitous, and we hope that GM will choose to protect that status and keep putting these exceptionally well designed vehicles on the road.