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VinFast aims to grow with Vietnam’s car market.

If you consider Vietnam, automotive manufacturing is not one of its strong suits. But with more than 93 million people, this southeast Asia nation is following a well-established passage taken by other emerging countries as consumers trade up from scooters and motorcycles to automobiles.

So far, the Vietnamese market has been served mostly by Chinese manufacturers, along with Toyota, Hyundai, Ford and GM. But the country’s leaders see an opportunity for a native manufacturer to take root and earn its own slice of the consumer pie. That company is VinFast, the automotive arm of the Vingroup, which is a leader in Vietnam’s construction and real estate sectors.

VinFast and GM

Indeed, VinFast has already inked an agreement with one automaker, the General Motors Company, to launch its nascent enterprise. In June, the two companies signed a strategic partnership whereby GM will transfer its Hanoi plant, dealer network and employee base to VinFast by the end of 2018.

As part of the transfer agreement, VinFast will produce small cars under a GM global license beginning in 2019. Further, VinFast will become the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet models throughout the country. In effect, GM is entrusting VinFast to further its own growth.

VinFast at the Paris Motor Show

But a strategic partnership with GM isn’t the only thing VinFast is doing to make a name for itself. For example, the automaker is working with the Pininfarina design and engineering company to develop its first two vehicles — a sedan and an SUV.

Just this week, VinFast released sketches of the new models and announced plans to unveil prototypes at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October.

The two models will not be manufactured at the Hanoi plant. Instead, the company is building a new plant in northern Vietnam to accommodate the new models and others that will follow.

When the assembly plant is operational it will produce the two new models, with sales set to commence in September 2019. The company plans to saturate the domestic market before launching abroad a few years later. With a top capacity of 500,000 units, the new plant launches as consumer demand for passenger vehicles surges.

Company Leadership

Besides working with GM and Pininfarina, the company hired outside executives to build the enterprise. James DeLuca is the company’s Chief Executive Officer, who had a long history working at GM. He began his senior management career in 2002 as the plant manager for GM’s Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Indiana. From there, he headed the stamping operation in Pontiac, Michigan.

Beginning in 2008, DeLuca traveled to South Korea to head Product Quality for GM Daewoo. Following stints in China and Michigan, DeLuca retired from GM in 2016, ending his 37-year tenure with the company. But his retirement didn’t last long as VinFast appointed him CEO in September 2017.

DeLuca is one of four members of the company’s executive team. Le Thi Thu Thuy is the Chairwoman of VinFast and also serves as Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup. Le Thanh Hai is the CEO of VinFast Trading and Service, while David Lyon is the Executive Design Director. Both Hai and Lyon previously held senior positions with GM.

Ready, Set, Launch

VinFast’s $US1.5 billion investment in a new manufacturing plant, its collaboration with GM and the Pininfarina design relationship collectively underscore its purpose. By debuting its new models on a world stage, its mission as an automotive manufacturer should become clear.

Finally, with Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) projected to rise by at least 6.5-percent annually over the next three years and car ownership expected to double within just a few years, VinFast’s launch couldn’t come at a better time.

When you think of the Chevy Blazer name, an image of a burly full-size SUV may come to mind. That representation would be correct, especially if you had in mind the first model sporting the Blazer inscription.

Indeed, when the Chevrolet K5 Blazer rolled out in 1969, it immediately made a name for itself as a traditional body-on-frame utility vehicle with standard rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive. Like all models of that period, the Blazer was derived from a full-size truck platform, in this case, the same GM architecture supporting Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

2019 Chevy Blazer — 2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS.

2019 Chevrolet Blazer

Fast forward to today and Chevrolet has plans to bring the Blazer name back for the 2019 model year. The new model has aggressive looks, but it is now a crossover based on the same platform underpinning the Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia. While the original had strong off-road chops, the new model is chiefly for on-road service with its standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive.

Thus, you may be able to safely head down a clearly marked path with the new Blazer, but you won’t follow that Jeep as it works its way through a slough or fords a shallow creek. Instead, the all-new Blazer is all about giving Chevrolet and its fans something it really needed: a competitor to the midsize, two-row Ford Edge.

Chevrolet introduced the 2019 Blazer this month, offering photos and details we’ll examine here. The new model will arrive at Chevrolet dealers in early 2019 and slot between the Equinox and the three-row midsize Traverse. Other competitors in this segment include the Jeep Cherokee, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Murano and the Kia Sorento.

This 1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Cheyenne is one example of the earliest Blazer model.

A Matter of Design

As the photos reveal, Chevrolet strived to make the Blazer aggressive without carrying that look too far. The front fascia features a gaping grille, offset by slender lights and pronounced cut-outs housing the available fog lamps. The hood turns downward into the grille, giving this model a powerful appearance.

Front to back, the new model projects strength, imbuing it with an attitude that underscores its aggressiveness. Take note of the high beltline, which abruptly pulls up at the rear door handles. It is a look Volvo rolled out with the 2019 XC40. From the rear is an available liftgate spoiler with dual-element tail lamps.

Moving inside, the emphasis is on accommodating five passengers with ease. That’s something the Ford Edge does and we expect the Blazer will manage. Chevrolet describes the cockpit as driver-centric, making note of the various color and trim choices. Further, the Blazer’s cabin features a padded knee area, round air vents and grab handles on each door. Behind the front bucket seats is a sliding rear seat.

Importantly, the Chevrolet Blazer offers up to 64.2 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seat folded flat. This compares to 73.4 cubic feet in the Edge and 67 cubic feet in the Murano. The two top trim models also come with a unique cargo management system.

Under the Hood

If you’re looking for something different under the hood, you won’t find it. At least not yet. GM does have a turbo-diesel offered in select models such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Colorado, but it won’t find its way into the 2019 Blazer.

Instead, the automaker’s trusty and ubiquitous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes standard, delivering 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. If that isn’t enough power, the popular 3.6-liter V6 is another choice. This one makes 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Chevrolet pairs both engines with its new nine-speed automatic transmission. The available all-wheel-drive system offers an optional twin-clutch engagement on the two top trim models.

Chevrolet says that the Blazer will pull up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped. That beats the Edge (3,500 pounds) and is well ahead of the Murano. On the other hand, it trails the Kia and Hyundai as the pair top out at 5,000 pounds.

Chevy Blazer Miscellany

So, what are the other finer points about the all-new Blazer?

Well, let’s look closer at towing. Not only can this new model pull your camper or skiff, but it will offer available hitch view and hitch guidance to aid you as you make a connection without a second person present.

You’ll also find a Chevrolet-first electronic locking glove box with valet mode, available automatic heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, wireless charging and up to six USB ports. Chevrolet’s latest infotainment system with an 8-inch color touch screen comes standard. You’ll also find Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility and 4G LTE Wi-Fi.

Your New Chevy Blazer

Chevrolet’s new Blazer isn’t anything like that first model or any other that once sported the name. The original Blazer was popular, with more than 8 million units sold. That said, we think the new one will find its own place in the market and enable Chevrolet to compete effectively against all comers.