February 6, 2008
By MARK PHELAN
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
CHICAGO -- The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse will boost sales for Chevrolet and General Motors when the midsize crossover goes on sale this fall, said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager at the vehicle’s unveiling this morning at the Chicago Auto Show.
“We’re going after the
Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot with this vehicle,” Peper said. Chevrolet also expects to win buyers from minivans with the seven- or eight-seat Traverse.
The Traverse is the fourth member of the growing GM crossover SUV family.
The Traverse will feature a new direct-injection version of GM’s 3.6-liter V6 engine that improves power and fuel economy. The engine produces 280 horsepower.
GM will build the Traverse at its Spring Hill, Tenn., assembly plant. The Enclave, Acadia and Outlook are built at a Lansing assembly plant.
Peper said the Traverse base price will be similar to the Saturn Outlook,
which sells for $28,260, and is the least expensive of GM’s three crossover SUVs. Chevrolet expects the Traverse to get 25 m.p.g. in highway driving.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...1/0/BUSINESS06
http://www.chevrolet.com/traverse/
Photos Courtesy of GM Media