The timing of the plant closure and Astro/Safari production end coincides with the most significant mid-van market offensive in the
Over the years GM has offered front-drive minivans, such as the odd and poor selling Space Wagons, consisting of the Chevy Lumina APV (shown), Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac TranSport that ran from 1990 to 1996. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
While the Silhouette will now go out of production, along with the entire Oldsmobile brand, for 2005 GM hopes to increase its mid-van presence by countering with new Buick and Saturn entries. The Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay, the first Saturn to feature a metal outer skin being that all other Saturns are clothed with dent resistant polymer panels, join the new Chevy Uplander and Pontiac Montana SV6.
While carrying over approximately 40 percent of the previous Venture/Silhouette/Montana chassis architecture, as well as their V6, 4-speed automatic drivetrains, the transformation from driving dynamics to interior quality is now black and
For 2005 GM hopes to increase its mid-van presence by countering Oldsmobile's demise with new Buick and Saturn entries. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
With regards to the Astro and Safari, GM will continue to offer them at the dealer level until supply finally runs out. And no doubt a sweet deal can be made, and that for a van which has served faithfully for more than 20 years.