Chevy Just Confirmed The Gas Blazer's Lifeline

GM Investing In Diversification

As you’ll read elsewhere on this site, General Motors recently earmarked around $4 billion to upgrade three of its factories (in Kansas, Tennessee, and Michigan). The major takeaway is that the affordable Bolt EV will enter production this year, and another “affordable EV” will follow in 2027. But GM isn’t only focusing on keeping electric cars affordable, because it’s also looking at how to make existing products more popular. The Blazer EV recently lost its RWD configuration due to low market demand, but rear-drive may be about to return with a gas engine instead. We’re dreaming, of course, and wishing that Chevy decides to make it like the K5 Blazer and not the current model. But why would it? The current configuration of the gas-powered Blazer is arguably more popular than the EV, though GM is now the #2 brand in U.S. EV sales with 62,000 sold this year through May. Perhaps a hybrid is the right way forward, but GM didn’t get that specific.

GM’s Gas Blazer To Be Revitalized In 2027

The Blazer was a gas-powered SUV of various descriptions for most of its life, but then it went electric as well. By maintaining combustion with a badge that was always associated with it, Chevy could sell the gas-powered model alongside and with the exact same stunning styling as the Blazer EV, giving customers the same sort of choice that BMW i7 and 7 Series buyers have.

So will it continue with the same recipe, or will it try to steal sales from its old indirect but more off-road-focused rival, the Bronco? Doubtful. Yes, the gas-powered Blazer was expected to be killed off this year, at least according to GM Authority, and after trailing the Subaru Outback, Kia Sorento, and Hyundai Santa Fe in Q1 2025 (despite beating the Mitsubishi Outlander), it seemed plausible. However, this announcement only suggests a continuation of the segment contender; we can’t see GM investing in a whole new direction for the platform in such uncertain times.

GM’s announcement says only that it will add production of a gas-powered Blazer SUV to its Spring Hill factory in Tennessee in 2027. Whether that’s early or late in 2027 is also a mystery, but given how long plant upgrades can take, not to mention other potential stumbling blocks like supply chain delays, workforce shortages, and more, we might expect it toward the end of that year. On the other hand, the fact that Chevy is talking about it means the beginning of a long teaser campaign, and that suggests strong confidence in this plant upgrade schedule. Regardless of when the new Blazer arrives, the current one appeared back in 2019, so we hope Chevy can meet its own deadline without any hiccups.

GM Spending $1 Billion On Combustion Engines Alone

Although there are plenty of electric options popping up from GM’s brands – the Cadillac Escalade IQ, GMC Hummer EV, and Chevrolet Silverado EV come to mind – the automaker hasn’t survived 116 years by putting all its eggs in one basket. GM is catering for those who appreciate the serenity, ease of operation, and advancement of EVs (and as they continually improve, that number will surely grow). But for those who aren’t quite ready to take a risk on lean infrastructure, recharging times that are not yet as quick as refueling, and potentially poor resale values, it’s investing $1 billion to keep building on its internal combustion foundation.

With one side of the company developing 1,064 horsepower from little more than fuel, spark, and compression, and the other side promising two affordable new EVs in the next couple of years, a gas-powered Blazer fits beautifully into the middle. Bravo, GM. We’re watching closely.