Detroit Coming Back With Small Pick-ups

SEE ALSO: Pickups sold in North America

After ceding market to Toyota, GM and Chrysler plot return

Detroit March 12, 2013; The Wall Street Journal reported that rising fuel prices have General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC taking a second look at peddling smaller pickup trucks; vehicles that the Detroit Three auto makers abandoned in the U.S. amid weak demand.

GM is planning to revive its Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon in late 2014, and Chrysler is considering a replacement for its Dakota. Both see the vehicles helping them to hit higher fuel-economy targets and to regain market share from Toyota Motor Corp.'s Tacoma, the current top-selling small hauler.

A return represents a risk for Detroit's auto makers, which haven't been successful in convincing buyers to downsize to smaller trucks, and which carry smaller profits.