On Friday we brought you the first pictures of the all-new Isuzu one-tonner, which will reach South Africa in 2013.
Despite GM and Isuzu having severed most of their ties in recent years, GMSA has seen enough value in Isuzu's strong local following to have struck a deal with Isuzu to build the new KB here and export it to other parts of Africa, this forming part of a R1-billion investment.
There's also been some collaboration on the international front, resulting in the new Chevrolet Colorado one-tonner that you see here. Also available in single, extended and double cab variations, this Chev shares its basic architecture with the new Isuzu, although the two have different engine ranges and some significant exterior design changes have taken place.
This begged the question - if the technical similarity is enough to ensure that building the new Colorado in South Africa alongside its Isuzu cousin would not be too costly, could it not make an exciting new addition to our bakkie market?
According to GMSA's product communications manager, Caroline Thomas, the company has no plans to launch a Chevrolet one-tonner in South Africa. She added: "The Isuzu KB remains an important part of our product portfolio with the strong position it occupies in the light commercial vehicle segment of the market and the great reputation it enjoys in the market place."
Evidently the Isuzu brand is simply too strong to compromise in any way, but what if the Colorado were to be positioned a bit differently? Surely it could be a sportier and more lifestyle-orientated alternative - much like the Mazda BT-50 is to the Ford Ranger in South Africa.
The Colorado's tough, 'American truck' styling would surely appeal to many bakkie lovers, even those that don't fantasise about dressing up like John Wayne.
Would you like GMSA to bring the Colorado here?