US carmaker General Motors (GM) has begun the production of 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV at its Rayong production line in Thailand.
The first produced LTZ model is powered by a 2.8litre Duramax turbo-diesel engine generating 180hp output and 470Nm torque.
GM said that the new SUV is also offered with another diesel powertrain option which includes a 2.5litre turbo diesel engine which will deliver an output of 150hp and 350Nm of torque.
GM Thailand/Southeast Asia President Martin Apfel said, "The Trailblazer will be built in Thailand for Thailand, and soon also make its way into the rest of the world."
Both the engines will be mated to either a five speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
According to the company, the seven-seater SUV is based on its new global body-on-frame midsize truck architecture.
Chevrolet Trailblazer will feature some safety technologies, which include the hill descent control, the panic brake assist, dynamicrear braking proportioning, engine drag control, traction control, ESC and ABS with EBD.
The new SUV will be on sale in Middle East and the company will launch right-hand drive variants for South Africa in late 2012 as well as Australia as Holden Colorado 7, while North American sales are expected to begin in 2013 or 2014.
