Chevy Avalanche

Soon after the release of the Chevy Avalanche customers began to notice cosmetic problems with the cladding on their vehicles. Over time exposure to heat and sunlight would cause a chalky faded appearance. It was especially noticeable on the cargo bed panels, and sailpanel windows where "Zebra Striping" would appear. Customer reaction to this problem resulted in General Motors agreeing to a one...time treatment of a product called ArmorDillo. This product would temporarily restore the cladding for a period of about 6 months. 2003 models featured darker cladding, but GM's new president, Rick Wagoner, demanded deletion of this "unpopular" trim (as did certain elements of the public). From mid-year, Avalanche could be ordered without the cladding. The uncladded model was known as the Without...Body Hardware (or better by its acronym "WBH"), and alternatively called "slicksides" by GM marketers.