Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet, GM, Saturn
Compact, seven-seat Chevy crossover coming to the U.S.
While GM's new labor contract with the UAW has been out for some time, it took some snooping on the part of Automotive News to find out that one of the models set to be produced at the General's Hamtramck, Mich. plant will be a new seven-seat people mover. The imaginative codename for the new model is the MPV-7, which will find inspiration from the next generation Opel Zafira. According to AN's sources, it will sport a more manly exterior, with a box shape to make room for a "unique interior."
The minivan replacement will carry a Chevrolet emblem at first, with a Saturn-badged variant to follow. Pricing is expected to be in the upper-$20k to $30,000 realm and GM plans to sell 100,000 units annually, both in the U.S. and Europe. If Ford decides to bring the S-Max from across the pond, this could be the beginning of a competitive segment here in the States.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
BLS 8:39AM (11/12/2007)
Why would you pay upper 20s for this when you can get a Mazda5 or Kia Rondo for under 20? For upper 20s people would probably opt for a FULL SIZED mini van.
This confuses me.
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compy386 8:44AM (11/12/2007)
I completely agree. At first I was like, hey small (relatively) 7 seat crossover. But then I got to that price line and I got extremely turned off. Why is it that hard to build family carrier that doesn't cost over 20K? Plus I'm getting tired of manufacturers getting rid of sliding doors. They're a good idea. If you can do better, show me. Until then, please don't take them away.
toronado455 6:27PM (11/12/2007)
I agree also. I guess GM figures if they can throw the "crossover" badge/styling into the mix they suddenly can charge $10K more and people will buy it because it isn't perceived as a "minivan".
Which totally sucks. GM should build a true competitor to the Mazda5. With sliding doors no less. Not some overpriced pretend SUV.
Bryan 11:24PM (11/12/2007)
Who buys a Kia Rondo? The only one I have seen had an "e" on the back of it lol.
Throwback 8:49AM (11/12/2007)
Does this mean no Lamda (enclave/Acadia) variant for Chevy? That would make sense, but I agree the price has to be low 20s for the Chevy model at least.
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Harrity 9:04AM (11/12/2007)
Wow, maybe actual MINIvans might make a comeback with fuel prices climbing.
Because the "minivans" that are being peddled right now are far from mini...
The Opel that is pictured is a pretty handsome vehicle, as well (as far as one/two box shapes go).
Cool.
DJ 9:58AM (11/12/2007)
"Mini"vans will make a comeback now that they are apparently being called "crossovers".
- 9:06AM (11/12/2007)
Why would anyone pay for a 20K Honda Fit?
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Pokey 12:43PM (11/12/2007)
Since when does a Fit seat 7 people?
psarhjinian 9:15AM (11/12/2007)
It's refreshing (disturbing?) to see that GM is still it's own toughest competitor.
If the point of Saturn is to be an import fighter, then this product should be unique to Saturn and not shared with Chevy. In the same vein, this should see Saturn drop the Outlook and Ford really ought not to cannibalize the Mazda5 (and Mazda does not need the CX-9). Intracompany sales cannibalization is a really good way to weaken all your divisions at once.
This also smacks of GM being beholden to it's whining dealer network ("But how come Chevy gets _____?! We want sales of _____! What about meeeeee!?"). Just because your dealer base wants to have a product for every possible customer, it does not mean that it's a good idea for you as a manufacturer to sell a variation of every product for every customer. It costs production, marketing a distribution dollars to do this, and it's not dollars that GM et al have to spend.
If a dealer wants to sell 7-seat MPVs, then have them buy a Saturn franchise if they think the market exists in that area. Otherwise, the customer can either go to the Saturn store in the next town if the product really is good enough, or they'll buy a Mazda5/Kia Rondo if it's not, in which case GM and the dealer wouldn't have gotten the sale anyway.
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Peter 10:36AM (11/12/2007)
It's ironic that Saturn was meant to be the 'Import Fighter' brand, when in fact, it has morphed into re-badged imports.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:09PM (11/12/2007)
You mean rebadged import designs.
The Aura is built in Kansas.
I don't think that making import-style cars in North America is a bad way to fight imported cars.
Jason 4:24PM (11/12/2007)
Accords and Civics are made in Ohio... that doesn't stop people from calling them imports.
If you're going to say that all of the money goes back to Japan... do you think that the engineers that engineer these Opels in Europe, and the designers that design them in Europe don't get paid?
Same exact thing.
why not the LS2LS7? 10:49PM (11/12/2007)
It's not exactly the same thing.
GM HQ is in Detroit, Michigan. If the "money goes back to HQ", then for these cars, it's flowing to Detroit, not Tokyo, Seoul or Stuttgart.
Personally, I don't follow that reasoning, but if you do, that's how it would work.
psarhjinian 10:37AM (11/13/2007)
Regardless of where the dollars are flowing, it's not going back to the common people and helping the economy. Whether you're sending money to rich guys in Toyota City, Detroit, Stuttgart or Seoul, you're still sending it to rich guys, not back into your own pocket.
If you want to make a difference, especially to your local economy, buy the product that's made in or near your local economy, not the one that's made in Hermosillo, Mexico or Bupyong, South Korea and has it's profits split between executives in Detroit and banks in New York.
SherbornSean 9:16AM (11/12/2007)
Will the 'more manly' exterior mean Chevy borrows from its successful restyling of the Uplander?
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TriShield 9:31AM (11/12/2007)
GM is dropping the Uplander and TrailBlazer. A Chevy-styled Lambda crossover is replacing them both.
I'm a little surprised a Chevy-styled Opel will be added to the brand. But it makes sense as Chevrolet is easily GM's bread and butter with over 60% of the General's overall sales and largest dealer network.
Saturn is an urban niche brand and sales of this vehicle if unique to Saturn would be low. Selling it through both channels keeps both brands fed and the plant humming near capacity.
When you have so many brands this is what you have to do to keep them fresh. As long as they are as well differentiated as the Lambdas and as the Aura and Malibu then I don't see any issues.
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Harrity 9:38AM (11/12/2007)
TriShield,
Stop using reason and logic. You may only post in a thread involving GM if you agree to bash or ridicule the General...
;)
k.w.a 9:48AM (11/12/2007)
who would've thought Honda had it right with its FIRST generation Honda Odyssey?!
i guess it was ahead of its time! haha
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Pat 10:40AM (11/12/2007)
This segment has existed for a very very long time... even in N America.
Consider the Nissan Multi and Axxess. The Mitsubishi/Eagle Vista...
Have you looked at a Chevy Lumina APV or the original Dodge Caravan lately (before they got extended).
All the cars named above are 80s or 90s iteration of the same style.