Max Value Uplander to Shake Up Minivan Segment
I've previously admitted to my adoration for minivans, at least from a pragmatic standpoint. I love what they can do, they way they
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| While the Oldsmobile Silhouette van will be phased out of production once all 2004 models are sold, GM is betting on new models from Buick (left) and Saturn (far back) to take up the slack. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
balance truck-like functionality with car-like road manners, how every time I get my hands on one I schedule my week full of hauling activities I normally can't get done with a regular car or sport utility. I used to own a 1996 Dodge Caravan, bought brand new with dual sliding doors and removable seats. Now sliders on each side are standard equipment on most competitive models, and rear seats aren't only removable but tumble down to make for a flat loading floor.
Chevrolet offered two minivans when I chose my Caravan, a rear-drive workhorse
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| The Chevy Uplander is quite a step up from anything GM has ever offered minivan customers before. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
that started life in 1985 as the Astro and was only just decommissioned, and a revamped version of the ultra-odd Lumina APV in its last year of production. The Lumina APV never sold well, but the Venture that replaced it has done brisk sales since its 1997 introduction, managing more than 31 percent of the Canadian minivan market along with its Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Montana siblings. While GM will be losing the Silhouette as the Oldsmobile brand gets phased out of production once all 2004 models are sold, the automaker is betting on new models from Buick and Saturn to join stablemates from Chevy and Pontiac to make an unprecedented offensive on the mid-van segment.
