2016 Chevy Colorado Duramax Delivery Date Rumors and Conjecture (Follow -up)

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A couple of weeks ago we wrote a story about the delayed delivery of the new 2016 Chevy Colorado Duramax with the diesel engine. You can read that story HERE.

This morning we received this email below from Ryan January who ordered the truck, but is still waiting for it to be delivered from the factory to his dealership.

Ryan writes:

I’m not sure if you guys heard anything from GM or have been keeping an eye on the diesels so figured I’d give a quick update.  Not long after your article went live my dealer was asked to inform me that my TPW is 1/18 and indicated this one should be for real.  I didn’t get an answer to where that phone call came from.  

GM is currently encouraging employees to work through the plant ‘shutdown’ which is 12/24 to 1/11 to help keep up with demand.   Inside sources seem to indicate whatever issues they were having with the truck have been resolved and GM will be ramping up production mid January.  Rumor is that a software issue is to blame.  One plant employee was informed that the backlog of trucks should start shipping soon, and would continue through the plant shutdown.  He was told his truck should be shipping this week.

A few prospective diesel owners who have VIN’s activated OnStar on their trucks for more data points.  Recently these trucks were started and moved.  If they were working on reflashing the backlog, it lends credibility to software issue resolution.

It’s all rumor and conjecture at this point. Whenever I see more solid info I’ll let you know.

Ryan also provided the following quote from Kelly Wysocki, Media Contact for the GMC Canyon:

“The highly anticipated 2016 GMC Canyon diesel has begun shipping to dealers. We look forward to getting these trucks in the hands of our customers and appreciate their patience.”

We have yet to hear anything from our sources at GM. You can bet as soon as we have an official statement, we’ll let you know the status of the only diesel mid-sized truck available in the United States.

Earlier this year we requested the truck from GM for Colorado testing and we just received wordthat we’ll be getting the the GMC Canyon with the Duramax for TFL testing next month. This is the GMC twin of the Chevy Colorado. We plan to take it around TFL’s MPG loop as well as run it up the Ike Gauntlet…weather permitting. We will also enter it into this year’s TFL Gold Hitch Awards.

We are as curious as you are about these new mid-sized diesels from GM. Please stay tuned for complete test results and Real World MPG and Ike Gauntlet video reviews.

Roman Mica
Roman Mica is a columnist, journalist, and author, who spent his early years driving fast on the German autobahn. When he’s not reviewing cars or producing videos, you can find him training for triathlons and writing about endurance sports for EverymanTri.com as our sister blog’s publisher. Mica is a former broadcast reporter with his Master’s Degree in journalism from Northwestern University.