Why did GM quit making 2wd Blazer in 1982 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

natedogg · 05-11-2014, 01:22 PM

Always wondered why GM stopped making 2wd Blazers in 1982? There are 2 77 -78 2wd Blazers sitting at a local used car lot.

**special-K** · 05-12-2014, 09:08 AM

Limited sales numbers combined with introduction of the downsized S10 to fill consumer desire for better fuel economy? Those are my guesses. Competition in the market had developed in SUV availability and a large vehicle made for hauling 4-5 people wasn't so practical compared to a lighter 4wd that could haul the people and get better mileage. Fuel economy was the number one concern of the market in the early-80s. People were selling nice American cars from the '70s for $300 to buy a Japanese econobox.

Keith Seymore · 05-12-2014, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Limited sales numbers .

This.

Very low "take rate". It wasn't worth pursuing anymore based on the sales.

K

justcuz · 05-12-2014, 01:00 PM

Same reason the newer body style Blazer 92-95 lost out to the Tahoe. Sales, pure and simple.
If GM could sell enough of them to justify production, they would still be making them. However the convenience of 4 doors on just a 9" longer wheelbase (108/117) converted the market.
Same story with the Bronco/Expedition.
I had heard that after selling 250,000 vehicles the development cost of a vehicle was paid for. The rest was materials, labor and profit.
So 2wd Blazers did not sell well enough to cover the costs of manufacturing them.
Too bad too, because here in Southern California they were coveted as pre-runners by the desert crowd. I have 3 friends that owned them.

05-11-2014, 01:22 PM	#1
natedogg Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West, TN Posts: 312	Why did GM quit making 2wd Blazer in 1982 Always wondered why GM stopped making 2wd Blazers in 1982? There are 2 77 -78 2wd Blazers sitting at a local used car lot.

05-12-2014, 09:08 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Why did GM quit making 2wd Blazer in 1982 Limited sales numbers combined with introduction of the downsized S10 to fill consumer desire for better fuel economy? Those are my guesses. Competition in the market had developed in SUV availability and a large vehicle made for hauling 4-5 people wasn't so practical compared to a lighter 4wd that could haul the people and get better mileage. Fuel economy was the number one concern of the market in the early-80s. People were selling nice American cars from the '70s for $300 to buy a Japanese econobox. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-12-2014, 01:00 PM	#4
justcuz Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, Ca. Posts: 930	Re: Why did GM quit making 2wd Blazer in 1982 Same reason the newer body style Blazer 92-95 lost out to the Tahoe. Sales, pure and simple. If GM could sell enough of them to justify production, they would still be making them. However the convenience of 4 doors on just a 9" longer wheelbase (108/117) converted the market. Same story with the Bronco/Expedition. I had heard that after selling 250,000 vehicles the development cost of a vehicle was paid for. The rest was materials, labor and profit. So 2wd Blazers did not sell well enough to cover the costs of manufacturing them. Too bad too, because here in Southern California they were coveted as pre-runners by the desert crowd. I have 3 friends that owned them.



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