Images taken at a Chevrolet press event held in India recently reportedly reveal the design of an upcoming Chevrolet TrailBlazer Concept, confirming Chevrolet’s intentions of bringing back the Trailblazer moniker for 2013. The revamped Trailblazer will feature a body-on-frame SUV based off of the new Colorado.

The 2013 Trailblazer will be available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models, looking to fight it out against the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner. GM has already confirmed the return of the Trailblazer, but has yet to say if, like the Colorado, it will be offered in the U.S.

GALLERY: 2013 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Concept

[Source: DriveArabia via The Car Connection]

America’s most popular vehicle hasn’t gone unnoticed at the 2011 SEMA show, as Ford brought out a few customized concepts showing what tuners can do with the Ford F-Series pickup trucks.

First up is the 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Superlift Suspensions, a show vehicle prepped in collaboration with Matchbox. Painted in an outrageous shade of orange, the truck features a 10-inch lift kit, 41 inch Interco IROK tires and all kinds of emergency lights, brush bars and other gear designed to resemble a Matchbox die-cast emergency vehicle. The truck is absolutely massive in a way that photographs simply can’t capture, but the effect is stunning.

Hulst Customs also showed off an F-350 Super Duty, though the aesthetic is very different from the Matchbox vehicle. Clad in a glossy black paint scheme with a silver hood and a custom stainless steel grille, the Hulst truck barely scrapes the ground, and is focused more on luxury than utility. Rear suicide doors with a Scissor Doors hinge kit allow access to an opulent, leather-and-wood lined interior while the gigantic alloys show that this truck is staying on the pavement at all times.

Also on display was an F-650 customized by Mobsteel, dubbed the “Hollow Point”. Said to be “a huge dose of pure gangster attitude”, the Hollow Point rides on 24″ rims and features a Caterpillar C7 engine and a 6-speed Allison transmission. PPG paint and a 2600 watt JL Audio System round out the whole package.

Gallery: Ford F-Series

The world’s largest aftermarket expo is just days away and Ford has released a second batch teaser images, highlighting the customization potential of its truck and SUV offerings.

Three modified versions of the new Ford Explorer will be on hand at the 2011 SEMA Show. The first, called the “Business Edition” Explorer is built by Stitchcraft Interiors will feature luxurious leather and Alcantara interior with a custom charcoal and orange exterior. The DSO Eyewear Explorer is designed to embrace a “active urban lifestyle” with 24-inch Niche wheels, a pear white paint job and “Midnight Tuscany” leather interipr with “Raven Suede” accents. And finally there’s the Tjin Edition Explorer, also with 24-inch wheels (from iForged), Eibach suspension, a Baer brake upgrade, while inside the car gets a Lamborghini-esque black leather interior with orange stitching.

Heading into the realm of real trucks, you won’t be able to miss the F-350 Super Duty, which has been transformed into the Matchbox Superlift Brush Truck. With a 10-inch Superlift Suspensions lift kit and 41-inch wheel and tire package. Painted “Oh, So Orange” the truck gets a complete firefighting utility bed and equipment, along with all the necessary lights and sirens. (And we secretly think its a Transformer).

The “Project No Compromise” F-150 gets a solid array of mods, from a MagnaFlow exhaust and Skyjacker Suspensions four-inch lift, to a two-inch fender flare kit. A real truck, it also boasts Ford’s new fuel efficient and powerful EcoBoost V6 engine.

Built by CGS Performance Products the “Tarmac” F-150 is notably more urban, sitting low to the ground with an extensive list of mods that include Colorado Custom billet wheels, a Whipple twin-screw supercharger, a modified exterior with a new hood and grille, plus a custom red leather interior.

And finally there’s the “Black Mamba” F-350 Super Duty (above) with its Bentley-styled front-grille and suicide rear doors.

GALLERY: Ford Explorer, F-Series SEMA Show Cars

Check out AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here.

Chrysler has announced that it will expand its Ram trim levels for 2012, offering two new ones on the 2500 3/4 ton Power Wagon, plus a limited run “Mossy Oak” Edition as part of the 1500 1/2 ton lineup aimed at the hunting and fishing set.

Getting back to the Power Wagon, the two trim levels include a base ST, essentially a no frills version of the heavy-duty off road rig, that features a black painted grille and bumpers, single tone paint and available roof mounted clearance lights – a truck largely aimed primarily at the likes of mining contractors, forestry services and border security agencies (essentially fleet buyers who need some serious four-wheeling capability). Plus, Ram will also offer a luxo-lined Laramie trim (shown) that slots in above the existing Power Wagon (which will be called SLT).

Like other Laramie trimmed Ram trucks, the Power Wagon version sports all the creature comforts one could ask for, including a woodgrain dash, leather seats, dual zone air conditioning, premium sound system and on the outside, plenty of chrome gingerbread, including the grille, bumpers, exterior mirrors and door handles. The base Power Wagon ST has a MSRP of $42,620, the mid-range SLT, $46,560, while the new Laramie retails for $51,995.

Moving on to the Mossy Oak, this truck is designed to capitalize on the success of the Outdoorsman and indeed is based on this truck, adding special “Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity” camouflage on the pickup bed trim and tailgate, plus the dash and door panel inserts.

There’s also Mossy Oak logos on the head rests and on the rear quarter panels. Retailing for $39,910, the Mossy Oak Edition will be offered in a variety of exterior colors (including Black, Bright White, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl (all of these in either mono or two tone), plus Mineral Gray Metallic, Saddle Brown and Sagebrush monotone. However, it will only be offered as a crew cab rig with four-wheel drive.

According to Ram Division, the Mossy Oak Edition answers a need for a “premium” outdoor truck, since demographics supposedly indicate that 30 percent of all Ram 1500 buyers like to hunt, while 42 percent like to camp and 44 percent like to fish.

Obviously, with stats like that, the former sun belt urban cowboy buyers, who once snapped up two-tone Laramie 1500s by the bucket load, must have largely evaporated.

GALLERY: 2012 Ram Power Wagon Laramie

The rising yen is making exports from Japan increasingly unprofitable and Honda is looking to cut vehicle exports by 50 percent over the next 10 years as a response to the change in currency valuations.

Honda hopes to sell as much as 90 percent of its vehicles in markets that can use locally sourced vehicles. Honda operates a number of regional plants in Asia, Europe and the Americas to help limit exposure to currency fluctuations.

The Japanese automaker will rely on 660cc-minicars, known as kei cars, to help strengthen their market share position in Japan, where demand for traditional cars has been steadily contracting. Currently, Japanese exports make up 34 percent of Honda’s output, but the company hopes to reduce that to between 10 and 20 percent by 2021.

[Source: Automotive News]

Given how hotly contested the full-size pickup truck market has become in recent years, those manufacturers participating are constantly looking for ways to one-up each other. Most recently, in the half-ton segment, Ram has attempted to do such a thing by going after the fleet crowd with its 2012 model year 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty.

Although only offered as a no frills work truck, which means just two-wheel drive, a regular cab and eight foot box, the Heavy Duty Tradesman is essentially a half-ton, entry-level rig with 3/4 ton cargo and towing capacity, something the brand believes will appeal to value conscious commercial buyers during these hard, Dickensian times. Besting both Ford and GM’s current entry level work trucks in terms of loading and hauling capability doesn’t hurt either.

Ram has also been playing around with other 1500 options and features, in the Express line, for example, buyers can now opt for Quad and Crew Cab configurations, as well as a Ram box  bed in six foot, four-inch configuration.

Considering that the Express Quad starts at $28,050 and the Crew version at $30,010 (with standard 5.7-liter Hemi V8 no less) these new configurations and the HD Tradesman should be enough of an incentive for more folks to consider stopping by their local Ram showroom.

GALLERY: RAM 1500 Tradesman HD

Ford is continuing to update its F-150 SVT Raptor model, announcing some new equipment for 2012 that is sure to please off-roading enthusiasts. While a series Baja buggy, with incredible suspension travel and tremendous jumping capability the Raptor was less ideally suited to low-speed rock-crawling. That, however, is no longer the case with a new Torsen front differential that can send power individually to each wheel, putting traction where it’s required.

Another fun add-on for 2012 is an optional front-facing camera. Designed to let the driver see what’s up front (again, ideal for rock crawling), it can be activated at speeds below 15 mph.

Other updated for 2012 include new Euroflange wheels, optional cooled seats, a matte anodized blue accent package and some new exterior graphics.

GALLERY: 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

The opening of the Texas State Fair is always sure to usher in a new group of pickup trucks, with every automaker looking to use the event as a staging point for their latest vehicle. The venue couldn’t be more perfect, with pickup trucks making up one quarter of all vehicles sold in the state.

While new and updated models are expected from the domestic truck makers, Toyota is also showing off its latest wares, including its most hard-core Tacoma yet. Based on the best-selling compact pickup, the TRD T/X Baja Series limited edition takes the Tacoma’s off-road capability to new levels with 60mm piston Bilstein race shocks and TRD coil springs, allowing for an extra inch in wheel travel up front with an extra 2-inch ride height. While out back the truck gets 50mm Bilstein shocks with a remote reservoir to better dissipate heat. Rear wheel travel has been increased 1.5-inches.

Other goodies include a TRD Off-Road package, custom wheels, BF Goodrich T/A KO tires (LT265/70R16), a TRD cat-back exhaust and, of course, some custom Baja Series graphics.

And let’s not forget the electronically-controlled locking rear differential, Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC). All Baja Series models come equipped with Toyota’s 4.0-liter V6 engine with either a six-speed manual of 5-speed automatic.

“The Tacoma has long been the sales leader by a wide margin in the compact pickup segment thanks to its well-earned reputation for stellar quality, durability, reliability and off-road capability,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division.   “The limited edition TRD T|X Baja Series adds another chapter to Toyota’s truck legacy by offering a new level of capability for off-road enthusiasts.”

For 2012 all Tacomas feature an updated exterior and interior. The special edition Tacoma is set to go on sale in late Spring of 2012.

GALLERY: 2012 Toyota Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series

A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed a significant drop in fatalities involving accidents between a car or a minivan versus an SUV of comparable weight.

By comparing two sample sets, one used to record the number of crashes involving SUVs registered in 2000-2001 and another to record SUVs from 2008-2009, IIHS discovered that fatalities have decreased from 44 deaths per million registered vehicles to a dramatically improved 16 deaths per million. Only SUVs and trucks weighing between 3,000 to 3,499 pounds were recognized for the study.

Specialists have concluded that the positive findings have the continuing innovations on safety to thank. Late model cars and minivans possess more effective crumple zones, stronger structures, as well as curtain airbags. Preemptive sensors such as lane departure and blind spot warnings also improve a driver’s odds of avoiding an accidentally completely.

Newer SUVs and pickups have also lowered their crumple structures to better align with cars, allowing optimal energy absorption before violent forces from the crash enter into the passenger cabin.

It’s almost ready to rumble, but unfortunately, it won’t be doing any rumbling here. In an official press release, General Motors has stated that the new Chevrolet Colorado will indeed be built for ‘rest of the world’ consumption, much like its new Ford Ranger competitor.

The ‘global’ Colorado (currently undergoing final testing – see above) will be offered in a choice of extended and crew cab configurations and feature 2.5 and 2.8 liter Duramax diesel engine options under the hood with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions. It will be assembled at GM’s facility in Rayong, Thailand, which has undergone a tooling upgrade of some $300 million to handle production of the new truck and Thailand, understandably will be the Colorado’s launch market.

Launches in other markets across Asia and the Pacific Rim, as well as Africa, the Middle East and South America will follow.

Having spent much time in Thailand during the vehicle’s development process, in order to gauge the kind of buyers found in the local pickup market as well as driving conditions many trucks are subjected to, Colorado chief engineer Roberto Rempel and his team believe that Chevy’s new mid-size pickup is more than up to the task.

“We know customers of this type of vehicle want a workhorse and a daily-use vehicle all in one, so our product has to deliver. We have benchmarked the toughest, most flexible vehicles around the world,” Rempel said. “When you combine that approach with our detailed consideration of global expectations, we are confident the new Colorado will be a winner.”

So why can’t we in North America have one?