Every automaker has been greatly affected by the coronavirus, but it seems like General Motors has been hit especially hard. Originally, quite a few of the brand’s latest redesigned vehicles were expected to hit the market before the end of the year. A recent report from The Detroit News stated that plans for the majority of vehicles were pushed back because of the outbreak. Now, Chevrolet has all but officially confirmed that the delays are happening.
Looking at Chevrolet's media website underneath the section for the Equinox reveals this statement: "The timing for launch of the refreshed Chevrolet Equinox has been revised. It will now launch in calendar year 2021 as a 2022 model. We will share more details as we get closer to launch."
When Chevy originally unveiled the updated SUV at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, the vehicle was on track to launch in fall 2020 as a 2021 model. It’s safe to say that the automaker is pushing the launch of the refreshed Equinox back by a full year, as we expect to see the Equinox go on sale fall 2021.
The Equinox isn’t the only vehicle that has been delayed. Chevrolet’s website also provides a similar statement for the Traverse, which was just recently unveiled in March. Originally, the updated midsize SUV was supposed to go on sale in the third quarter of 2021. Now, Chevrolet claims the SUV will “launch in calendar year 2021 as a 2022 model.” Since the Traverse was supposed to go on sale in late 2021, we think the delay for the larger SUV isn’t as severe as it is for the Equinox.
Both the 2022 Equinox and the 2022 Traverse are incredibly important SUVs for Chevrolet. Both SUVs compete in hot segments, with the Equinox being a popular option in the compact segment and the Traverse being one of the more spacious offerings in the midsize three-row segment. Having to delay both vehicles, especially at a time when SUVs are extremely popular, is terrible news for Chevy. From our understanding of the situation, Chevrolet will continue to sell the current variations of the new SUVs until the updated ones are ready to go on sale.
The upcoming Equinox will be receiving a mid-cycle refresh that includes a design that’s inspired by the compact Blazer, the addition of a sporty RS trim, and much more standard safety features. Lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, and a following distance monitor are all standard on the SUV. The changes were meant to help keep the third generation of the Equinox, which came out in 2018, fresh.
The Traverse received a similar refresh as the Equinox, also meant at keeping the SUV relevant, as it was introduced in 2018. The midsize SUV receives new exterior styling, also in line with what the Blazer has, and more standard tech features, including loads of driver-assist ones. Automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and a following distance indicator are standard.
So far, Chevrolet is the only automaker that has confirmed that the coronavirus has led to delays for a few of its models. We expect to see more automakers make similar announcements in the near future, especially if the factory closures last longer than originally expected.
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