2005 Chevy Blazer Overview

While market share is eroding, and health care costs, plus retirement benefits are eating away at the company's bottom

It is entirely possible that further cuts could include further plant closures. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

line, GM's financial arm has been raking in profits, keeping the automaker in the black. Actually, GM saw a $440 million USD Q3 2004 profit due to its financial division, General Motors Acceptance Corp, despite losing $130 million USD during the same period in global automotive operations. The General's North American automotive operations lost $22 million USD.

No doubt GM will continue to look at opportunities to streamline operations in order to reduce running costs, most likely through simple attrition and allowing some contracts with outside suppliers to phase out. It is entirely possible, however, that further cuts could include further plant closures, more slow-selling models being discontinued, and a more aggressive campaign to reduce the price it pays suppliers for components.

The end of Blazer and Jimmy production will mean the end of a 35 year model run. Both models changed significantly since their 1975 introductions, initially based on shortened full-size pickup truck frames with removable

The end of Blazer and Jimmy production will mean the end of a 35 year model run, which started out with the full-size K5 Blazer and Jimmy. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

fiberglass integrated rear roof sections. The original Blazer and Jimmy, often referred to by their K5 code name have become popular with off-road enthusiasts due to their tough, go anywhere 4x4 capability and large accommodating dimensions. The K5 models, which are now sold as the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, were joined by smaller, S10 compact pickup-based versions in 1983. An updated S15-based Blazer and Jimmy debuted in 1995, which continues virtually unchanged as today's 2005 model.

GM has announced no plans to replace the off-road capable models once production ended, but instead will count on the new car-based Chevy Equinox and upcoming Pontiac Torrent to deliver the sales numbers Blazer and Jimmy once enjoyed.