And to those who rely on the Safari and/or Astro for functional, reliable daily transportation, whether it be for work or family use, there's really nothing that immediately fills the white space. No front-driver can haul or tow as capably as the body-on-frame, rear-drive GM vans, and few offer as much usable interior room. While the Safari and Astro may be automotive anachronisms, there's still a small but loyal following that will now be disenfranchised, forced to either purchase a conventional minivan or move up to a less efficient, full-size van.
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| They were never the fastest, best looking or most luxurous, but there's something to be said for simple, faithful service. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
And there's the rub. If GM builds a niche player, it won't be a ho-hum minivan that serves a select group of GM Card-carrying loyalists, but a halo vehicle, such as the Pontiac Solstice, capable of pulling expatriot customers back into the domestic fold from their comfortable imported bucket seats. The Safari and Astro just aren't sexy enough to build in small numbers.
So, make sure and pay your respects to two unsung heroes. A Safari or Astro may not have parked in your home's driveway, but either or delivered your parcels, hauled plumbing equipment that repaired a leaking pipe in your house, towed the utility trailer carrying the ride-on mower the city employee used to cut the boulevard lawn in your neighbourhood, and most importantly, delivered car magazines to the local grocery and convenience stores so that you could enjoy reading about your favourite sports cars. Yeah, they were never the fastest, best looking or most luxurous, but there's something to be said for simple, faithful service. Yes, pay your respects.