Since 2001 when the Chevrolet Avalanche was introduced as a crossbred SUV/full size truck, there has been three distinct camps:  love it or bought it, want it and didn't buy, or the crowd that disregarded the combination altogether.  I remember falling into the second category very clearly; the idea of a truck that had a moveable component to open up a full second row and utility space intrigued me (and it clearly intrigued Ford as well as the modified Explorer followed suit), however being 17 at the time I wasn't in the love and bought category for obvious reasons.

Keep in mind that the Chevy Avalanche wasn't always so hard to sell.  Before the Crew Cab boom wherein every truck brand and size was given a double and even full size crew cab, the Chevy Avalanche was king.  In fact in prime form the Avalanche made up 3.5% of total Chevy sales.

It seems I'll never see the day when I have a Chevy Avalanche LTZ in my dooryard... at least it won't be a 2014 model.  As USA Today reports, General Motors and Chevrolet have decided to discontinue the Chevrolet Avalanche after the 2013 model year.

Believe it or not, Avalanche fans, there is a silver lining.  Since the decline from the aforementioned sales figures to a much more dismal 1% (of Chevy sales) in 2009, the Chevy Avalanche has held an average incentive figure of well over $5,000 compared to the GM average of $3,200 and the industry average of around $2,100 (according to Edmunds.com data).  Not only are incentives generally high on the Avalanche truck, it also gets a new trim level for 2013 - it's coup de grace if you will - the 2013 Chevy Avalanche Black Diamond Edition, General Motors' fond farewell to the truck that made full size trucks earn a back seat without question.  The special edition Black Diamond package will add body-colored bed surrounds, a unique badge, additional features on LS and LT models, and a $2,500 price cut across the board.

Not only does the Avalanche's final year get a new package set it also gets standard features galore like a rear camera, rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lamps, and a remote starter.  As mentioned above the entry point for new Chevy owners will also be substantially lower as the base Avalanche LS 2WD starts at a mere $35,980 retail.

For more on your last chance to buy a new Avalanche or to get your hands on a heavily discounted new 2012 Avalanche, contact your eTeam at Handy Chevrolet today by sending them an email, scheduling a test drive, or by calling toll-free at (888) 295-5380.

Chris Dugan
Handy Chevrolet
St. Albans, VT  05478