Chevrolet and General Motors have introduced two stylish and powerful trucks to the Middle East market — Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT and the GMC Envoy XL — for the year 2005.

It was a unique launch as journalists and retailers throughout the region converged on picturesque Salalah, southwest of Oman, on Sept. 28 to experience for themselves the entire range of Chevrolet and GMC trucks and to see the two latest additions.

“General Motors already has an unrivalled line-up of trucks. No other manufacturer can match the depth and breadth of our offering,” commented Terence B. Johnson, managing director for GM Africa & Middle East. “We are particularly excited by the addition of two more vehicles, which will lift the line-up even further and strengthen our leadership position in this segment,” he added.

“For Middle East customers, the Envoy XL and TrailBlazer EXT feature the latest technology in power train, chassis and safety,” he said.

It was a pleasure ride as Chevrolet and GMC treated over 60 guests from the region to a “trucks experience” in and around Salalah. Journalists and retailers drove the entire range of trucks including the Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer, Silverado and LUV as well as the GMC Yukon and Envoy.

The highlights of the drive were the new TrailBlazer EXT and the Envoy XL, extended versions of two of the most popular midsize SUVs on the market. Both trucks come with the option of GM’s advanced Vortec 4.2 liter inline 6-cylinder engine or all-new Vortec 5.3-liter V8 power train that boasts GM’s innovative displacement of demand (DoD) technology.

DoD technology enables fuel economy gains of up to eight percent under certain driving conditions by reducing the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process.

“The launch of the TrailBlazer EXT and Envoy XL is sure to add to the growing popularity of the Chevrolet and GMC brands in the region, both of which have a heritage in the Middle East stretching back close to 60 years,” commented Tim Allen, regional marketing manager, trucks, GM Africa and Middle East.

“The Envoy XL is an eye-catching on-road performer, equipped for its multi-purpose role with a choice of two tough and powerful aluminum engines,” Allen said.

He added that “Chevrolet is famous the world over for its range of solid and dependable pickups and the LUV is no exception. Whether it is day-to-day transport or a rugged physical task, you can depend on LUV to get the job done.”

The vehicle, which makes its debut in Saudi Arabia and Iraq as a 2005 model, comes with a regular cab and the comfortable crew cab models. Both models are equipped with power steering and a tilt-adjustable steering column while aggressively styled multi-reflector halogen headlamps with oversized lenses improve driver visibility and occupant safety.

There are many reasons for the rapidly growing number of Chevrolet and GMC owners across the Middle East. However, more and more owners are looking to personalize their vehicles and are turning to GM accessories for a styling accent or functional enhancement.

“With genuine GM accessories, every part of the driving experience can be enhanced. From grille guards to under-seat storage, it is easy to customize and stay in style with a wide selection of accessories to give your vehicle the look you want at the price you can afford,” said Glenn E. Heller, manager sales and marketing, AC Delco and GM parts.

Being first with an innovative idea or product that fills a consumer’s needs is what makes a company a name. But being able to sustain innovation is what makes it successful.

It was a wonderful event well managed in Salalah where Hilton Salalah made guests feel at home with fantastic arrangement at hotel to have a look at lineup of various GM vehicles and an arrangement in and around Salalah while having driving experience and Saada Hammad, regional communications and public relations manager, GM Africa & Middle East, did a professional job by taking care of each and every guest to have comfortable stay and smooth travel arrangements.