Chevy to Ax Avalanche

General Motors Co. says it will end production of the slow-selling Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility truck when the 2013 model year ends in June 2013. The company says it wants to devote its resources to core models.

The Avalanche debuted in 2001 as an SUV cabin melded with a pickup truck bed. Its sales peaked at 93,500 units in 2003. Analysts say rising gasoline prices, the economic downturn and the growing availability of crew-cab pickups eroded demand for the $45,200 SUT. Chevy sold 20,100 Avalanches last year.

The company didn't say whether it will continue to make the Cadillac Escalade EXT, the luxury SUT that rides on the same platform as the Avalanche. Analysts expect GM to terminate the EXT by mid-2013 because it shares many components with the Avalanche.

Both SUTs are built at GM's truck plant in Silao, Mexico, which will begin building the next-generation Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra fullsize pickups next year.