As you read this, the Edmonton Motor Show, hosted by the Edmonton Motor Dealers Association will have wrapped up for another year (the 2014 show ran from April 9-13).
Many OEMs and dealers know that Edmonton and the province of Alberta is true truck country, where bigger is better and the likes of V-8 engines, torquey diesels, full frames and real four-wheel drive dominate. Perhaps not surprisingly then, General Motors chose the Edmonton show to introduce its 2015 full-size Chevrolet Suburban to the Canadian market.
Although considered a niche player in the SUV segment these days, for a certain number of Canadians, particularly Albertans, the big, go anywhere Suburban is still unmatched in many quarters when it comes to towing, capacity and endurance.
The 2015 model marks the nameplate’s 80th anniversary and includes a range of features designed to make this big rig more capable for 21st century conditions. Highlights include a more efficient 5.3-litre V-8 engine with Active Fuel Management, updated six-speed automatic transmission and fold flat second and third row seating.
While most OEMs have chosen to exit the traditional, full-size SUV market, GM continues to invest in the segment, filling a niche that while arguably small is still important, particularly for dealers and their customers in parts of the country like Alberta.
Watch for more coverage on this year’s Edmonton Motor Show in Canadian auto dealer’s E-newsletter later this week.
