Some folks want/need full sized vehicles that can do more than haul 5-8 people.I have a Pilot, it is a great trip vehicle.It can carry 3 adults+ big dog=4 cats+ misc 'stuff".We can also sleep in the back of it.Same story with any of the minivans-carry lots of people,animals,"stuff". They have a of limitation:
They can't tow/aren't suitable for towing anything over 3500 lbs(and that really means you had better stay under 2500 lbs tow wt ).This means it can tow light utility trailers,motorcycles,and very small boats.
There will always be a market for a vehicle that can tow "big" meaning~6500 lbs, and still carry 5 people in relative comfort.This means a big SUV with a variation of body on frame frame, or a 4 door pickup.If GM has done their homework correctly, then they"know' how big that market will be with $3 gas, or $4 gas.Their vehicles are perfect for this dual use/haul lots of people while hauling something heavy-frequently something "fun"-boat,ATVs,motorcycles,camper etc.
Folks here-S Louisiana-love their boats.In some parts there is a boat in every other driveway,side of house-plenty of MCs also.
Does anyone out there have a boat-offroad MC,atv etc? I don't care much for boats, but a lotta folks love boating.
GM isn't targeting folks from this forum for their large vehicle; that doesn't mean that there isn't a big (PUN) market for them.
Fun counts!! Some people spend their $$ on boats others want a 2500+ sq ft house.No family of 5 needs 2500 sq ft(in Europe and Japan families probably live in 1000 sq ft).Big houses cost energy-lots of energy.I would bet that most folks spend a little more on "house energy" than on vehicle energy.
Luck,Charlie