How new will the next Holden Colorado be?

The next-generation Holden Colorado may not be as all-new as previously expected.

Speculation is emerging in US media that a plan to underpin the redesigned 2023 version of the popular utility with a new ladder frame chassis dubbed 32xx has been canned.

Instead, a report on musclecarsandtrucks.com suggests the next Chevrolet Colorado will instead feature an updated version of the current platform coded 31xx-2.

Meanwhile, authoritative US trade journal Automotive News is reporting that a planned rival for the Ford Bronco SUV was also scrapped by GM around the same time as the 32xx.

The SUV was reportedly cancelled last November when General Motors hatched a restructuring plan that included slashing 15 per cent of 54,000 North American jobs and ending output at five North American plants.

According to the musclecarsandtrucks.com report, GM’s Brazilian outpost was responsible for 32xx, but ‘market volatility’ has seen that plan delayed or canned.

An intriguing aspect of all this is that GM Brazil was responsible for the original version of the current Colorado platform, which in different iterations underpins versions of the ute sold as a Holden, as a Chevrolet and as a GMC Canyon.

That platform required significant updating and strengthening for its mid-life update, work that carsales.com.au understands was carried out by GM in North America. The Americans had also been reported as taking over as homeroom for the next Colorado.

The Colorado has emerged as a shining light for Holden. Recently given a cosmetic update, the 4x4 version is number four in a congested ute segment in 2019.

Meanwhile, musclecarsandtrucks.com has reported the flagship Z/28 version of the current sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro has also been canned by GM. It was expected to get a 6.6-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine.