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Dealers
New Chevrolet Crossover Coming?
By 
Marty Padgett August 4th, 2008
Chevrolet could be ready to step into the midi-van market along with the likes of the Mazda5, if a report from WorldCarFans pans out.
The Web site reports that GM's new people mover for the 2010 model year is set to come from GM's Hamtramck plant, alongside the 2010 Chevrolet Volt and the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu (which opens the question of what gets built at the current Malibu plant in Fairfax, Kan.). The people mover is a five- or seven-seater that's related to the new Opel Zafira, a midi-van offered in Europe.
The site says Chevy's version would get its own interior and design cues, but theorizes a Saturn version could come along after the Chevy version.
A vehicle in this class would give GM some coverage in the minivan class, while helping spread the development costs over a bigger sales base, but the main question would be, Is anyone interested in a Chevrolet minivan, now that minivan sales at Chrysler and Honda are showing major softness? Tell us if you think it's a good idea to greenlight a new Chevy along these lines, and we'll keep digging for more information.
The Web site reports that GM's new people mover for the 2010 model year is set to come from GM's Hamtramck plant, alongside the 2010 Chevrolet Volt and the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu (which opens the question of what gets built at the current Malibu plant in Fairfax, Kan.). The people mover is a five- or seven-seater that's related to the new Opel Zafira, a midi-van offered in Europe.
The site says Chevy's version would get its own interior and design cues, but theorizes a Saturn version could come along after the Chevy version.
A vehicle in this class would give GM some coverage in the minivan class, while helping spread the development costs over a bigger sales base, but the main question would be, Is anyone interested in a Chevrolet minivan, now that minivan sales at Chrysler and Honda are showing major softness? Tell us if you think it's a good idea to greenlight a new Chevy along these lines, and we'll keep digging for more information.
Rex Roy
Responses (4 total)
By Matthew Fleming | Posted: Aug 4th 2008, 07:21:01 PM
IMO, minivan sales are down because the current crop is too big (at 200+ inches long), too heavy, and uses too much gas. Micro-vans in the line of Mazda5 and the original Odyssey will sell well (if done right) for those who need to transport more than 5 people (or two adults and two car seats) but don't want the current no-longer-mini-van or an SUV.
By coolmazda5 | Posted: Aug 5th 2008, 01:48:03 AM
Matthew's comments summarize it well. I own a 2006 and a 2008 Mazda5s, and it is because of that that we have 2 of the same (we love them, especially the Manual Transmission). We use the 6 seater only when needed, but in general for 2 adults and 2 kids, it is just perfect and very versatile...
By hawkeye | Posted: Aug 5th 2008, 11:29:14 AM
I agree with both Matthew & coolmazda5. The current "minivans" are anything but mini... A Zafira sized Chevy or Satrun with manual transmission (or 2-mode hybrid?) would be a great idea! Why should GM leave this segment only to Mazda or wait for Toyota to get into it first?! My 2 cents: it's a good decision.
By x10dude | Posted: Aug 7th 2008, 04:49:00 PM
The current so-called Minivans are MASSIVE:
Sienna = 201"
Sedona = 202"
Odyssey = 202.1"
Town&Country = 202.5"
Quest = 204"
Why are car experts so clueless to this fact?
If Chevy can execute it correctly, I'll bet it will be a hit.
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