It's the last hurrah for a number of trucks in the U.S. this year, as automakers update their lineups and leave some previously popular models behind. Some of these trucks ended production last year as 2012 models, while others are chugging along for a few more weeks as 2013s. This made us wonder how many were left for consumers, if your preference in new trucks is more focused on the deals than on the metal itself. Here's a look at trucks that are quickly (and not-so-quickly, in some cases) disappearing from dealer lots.
Chevrolet Avalanche
Appearing for the 2002 model year in late 2001, the Avalanche has been through two iterations but the formula has remained the same: Take one big Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pickup and add the novel "midgate" system, which turns the cab's rear wall into a folding door. At its most popular, Chevy sold more than 93,000 Avalanches in 2003, but these numbers have since fallen to just more than 20,000 in 2012. With sales dwindling, GM decided not to create a new Avalanche out of the upcoming redesigned 2014 Silverado. The company announced that Avalanche production would end after the 2013 model year, and has offered a special Black Diamond Last Edition, the only way the 2013 model is offered. If you're interested in a new Avalanche, you may want to find your Chevy dealer soon; there are fewer than 7,500 of them in inventory around the country, and production is set to end before May. Click here to find an Avalanche near you.
Cadillac Escalade EXT
The Cadillac Escalade SUV was often held up as the poster child for truck-based excess in the U.S. (until the Hummer H2 came along, anyway), and the Avalanche-based Escalade EXT was only more ostentatious. Basically an Avalanche with the Cadillac Escalade styling, interior, powertrain and bling thrown in, the Escalade EXT remains perhaps the most outrageous luxury truck ever made. Like the Avalanche, however, 2013 is its final model year, so get them while they last. Unlike the Avalanche, the Escalade EXT is fairly rare — fewer than 1,200 are currently on dealer lots. Click here to see Escalade EXT inventory nationwide.
Suzuki Equator
Suzuki has sadly departed these shores after a long and drawn-out battle with dwindling sales and a lack of new product. The Equator compact pickup in some ways exemplifies what went wrong at the brand in the U.S. Despite being a relatively popular global manufacturer of small cars and motorcycles, Suzuki tried to make a go of it here with stopgap content like the Equator — essentially a rebadged, mildly restyled Nissan Frontier. Suzuki's gone out of business here, but there is a handful of dealers still selling the brand's remaining inventory, and at fire sale prices, too. There are fewer than 50 Equators left in the country, but if you can find one, you'll get a well-optioned, reliable truck that shares the vast majority of its parts with the popular Frontier. Click here to see where you might be able to find one of the last remaining Equators.
Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon
The brand-new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon compact pickups are still at least a year away, and there were no 2013 models produced — but there are still 2012 models sitting on dealer lots around the country. To be specific, there are fewer than 1,000 Colorados and fewer than 400 Canyons at dealers right now, all 2012s. The new ones are going to be bigger, more expensive and based on international models sold around the world; they may even feature a small diesel engine. Click here to see current Colorado inventory or here to see where the Canyons are.
Jeep Liberty
It may not be a pickup, but it's still a fairly rugged go-anywhere, all-terrain hauler — at least for a few more months. It will be replaced by the car-based Jeep Cherokee debuting at next week's New York International Auto Show. The 2012 Liberty ended production last year to allow the plant to prepare for the new product, so no 2013 models were made, but that doesn't mean there aren't some new 2012 models sitting on dealer lots. There are nearly 1,800 of them, in fact, waiting to hit the trails — or at least trek to the local supermarket for milk. If you prefer your ride stiffer instead of something more sedan-like, find one of the last bastions of Liberty here.
