General Motor's entire model lineup is due for a dramatic overhaul over the next four years. Virtually every vehicle will be replaced in a program to consolidate the entire range on five main platforms for cars and five for trucks and minivans. Long-term this consolidation may also include “Alliance Partners” Subaru and Fiat. Exact details of many vehicles have yet to be determined, but the following represents the best available knowledge so far.
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The YGM-1. concept/prototype debuted in 1999 at the Tokyo Motor show. This is a very small Japanese-style light-duty 4wd developed and produced in co-operation with Suzuki. Much more of the engineering for this vehicle has been done by GM, in particular the Asia-Pacific team at Holden, than in previous GM/Suzuki joint vehicles like the Chevrolet Metro and Tracker. Suzuki will begin production in September 2001 of a Chevrolet for the Japanese market, followed by a Holden for Australia. Sales and production may follow in other Asian markets such as India and Thailand as demand and capacity allow. A family of vehicles based on this concept is also under development for Asian markets.
The Corsa, Astra and Vectra have grown in size over the years (as have their competitors), so that each is pushing into the next size class, in space if not length. The new larger Corsa hatchback has already debuted in Europe and will be followed by the Holden Barina early in 2001. Latin American Chevrolet models should appear in 2001/2, and will eventually spawn further variants replacing the current pickup, sedan (Monza in Mexico), and station wagon. A new, entry-level 3-door Celta hatch based on the current S-body Corsa fills the gap left at the bottom of the Brazilian market.
Although the Cavalier shared a platform with a predecessor of the Vectra (the Ascona), the next Vectra will be a much larger vehicle. Consequently the new Cavalier will share a platform (Delta?) with the next (larger) Astra, as a large compact. Styling of both will be very similar, as the Astra is also intended to be sold as a Chevrolet in international markets. With the Cavalier as a sedan or coupé and the Astra as a 3/5-door hatch they may even be different models of the same car. The Cavalier may appear in international markets as the Astra sedan and coupé, and the Astra hatch may even be offered in the North America as a Cavalier. The next Saturn S Series and a possible small SAAB (speculatively named the 92) may also share this platform. Launch dates for these vehicle are a concern. The Cavalier is already ancient, the S Series is showing its age, and even the Astra will be getting old by the dates shown.
Recent improvements to the Vectra bode well for new models on the Epsilon platform. The next 93 is expected to appear first, although well-developed models of the Vectra have appeared in tests and will begin production by at least March 2002. Each is expected to be quite different from the current models. The Vectra features much more radical styling, with a sedan, 5-door wagon/hatch, and 4-door coupé reminiscent of the Signum concepts. The 93 is expected to continue the development of standard SAAB styling notes, but with sedan and coupé body-styles more in line with its intended competitors, rather than the current 3/5-door hatch. A fwd Omega on a stretched version of this platform is expected soon after, and a new 95 (already on a stretched Vectra
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platform) later still. Expect both to move closer to full-sized cars. North American models will again be quite old by the time versions on the new Epsilon platform appear. The Signia effectively replaces the smaller Skylark, already absent from Buick's lineup for some years. The Grand Am should grow into a small mid-size model, closer to the current Malibu in size, while the Malibu itself should gain a few inches (and cubic feet) to keep up with the Accord and even out Chevrolet's model spread. The “Bannersport” is development name for a 4wd wagon version of the next Grand Am, similar to the Audi Allroad and Subaru Outback, or perhaps even the BMW X5. If so the Aztek's lifespan may be short indeed. The corresponding Buick should share styling cues with the larger Rendezvous. This is itself a more successful interpretation of ideas seen in the 1999 Signia concept vehicle.
SAAB will soon debut its version of GM's minivan-based GMT25X SUV's (speculatively named 94). Like the Aztek and Rendezvous it will have its own unique styling and personality. This should also be the first SAAB produced outside of Scandinavia.
GM's next generation minivan's should debut in late 2003. With the demise of the Opel/Vauxhall version (too large for the European market) GM is able to design larger replacements for North America. Expect more differentiation, particularly in the nose, with both Pontiac and Chevrolet versions expressing more of their brand signatures than at present. The drivetrain will be upgraded to GM's new generation of V6's and auto transmissions, with optional Versatrak 4wd. Due to the phase-out of Oldsmobile the Silhouette will not be replaced, increasing the possibility of a luxury Buick model in its stead. This would compete more directly with the Chrysler Town & Country and Mercury Villager, and may also provide a replacement for the Chinese market GL8.
All of GM's mid-size and large cars should move to either the Epsilon (fwd) or Sigma (rwd) platforms, but the next Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Century/Regal will probably be interim vehicles based on an updated version of the current W-body. At present the Impala, Monte Carlo, Bonneville and LeSabre are expected to remain fwd. Both platforms will offer 4wd versions, so it is technically possible to produce rwd cars on the Epsilon platform as well.
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Nine models are expected to use the upcoming
Sigma platform, the majority in North America. The first to appear will be the 2002 Cadillac CTS, replacing the stop-gap Catera. All future Cadillac sedans will also move to this new platform. Styling takes its cues from the Evoq, Imaj and Vizon concept cars, with seven-spoke wheels, sharp edges, vertical light clusters and angular shield-shaped grill. Definite are replacements for the Seville (STS) and Deville
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(DTS); and a 4wd wagon (VLX) similar to the Vizon concept, which Cadillac describes as an LAV. GM has also registered XTS and XTX, but the nature of this vehicle is unknown. The other North American model on the Sigma platform is expected to be a production vehicle inspired by the LaCrosse concept, replacing the Park Avenue as the premium Buick.
Outside North America four vehicles on the Sigma platform will be produced by GM's Australian arm, Holden, and exported as Chevrolets to international markets. These vehicles will be the large midsize Commodore (Chevrolet Lumina), a two-door Holden Monaro (due in 2001 on the current V platform), the large luxury Statesman/Caprice and a new “hybrid” SUV (with a different, locally-sourced,
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drivetrain to the VLX). A new American aluminum V6 produced locally should be the base engine. The Holden Ute is a Commodore-based pickup similar in style to the El Camino. Eventual Sigma versions should match Ford's Falcon ute by offering the SUV's 4wd system and an extended cab with rear suicide doors.
Sometime in 2002/3 the Corvette will gain a new, even stronger platform it will share with Cadillac's new roadster. Photos of this Cadillac released by GM show a less aggressive vehicle than the Evoq show car, but production vehicles will apparently be somewhere between the two. Possible names (registered by GM) include CLR, ZLR and XLR. CLR would seem unlikely since this is also an “As Seen On TV” calcium lime and rust remover, an association GM might wish to avoid.
GM completes the comprehensive replacement of its truck models with new entry-level pickup's and SUV's in late 2002. The GMT 305 pickups are being developed in co-operation with Isuzu, and should also provide the basis of the new Isuzu pickup/Holden Rodeo to be produced in Thailand from 2003. GM has registered the name Colorado for the new Chevrolet version, matching the move to Silverado for the fullsize GMT 800. Both GM do Brazil and Jinbei GM in China should later produce Chevrolet versions. A new small SUV on this platform should replace current models produced by SIA in the US (Isuzu Rodeo), Isuzu in Japan (Wizard/MU) and IBC Vehicles in England (Opel, Vauxhall and Holden Frontera). This may also replace the Chevrolet Blazer in international markets like Latin America, Asia and Africa where the Trailblazer may be
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too large and expensive. North America may see a 2/3-door Blazer, but will also get a four-door version similar to the Traverse concept.
Saturn's VUE (GMT 315) is an attractive and versatile small SUV on an unibody platform, similar to the Honda CRV and Ford Escape. A pickup version (GMT 316), perhaps similar to the Ford Explorer SportTrac, and a small minivan (GMT 318) have been considered but have yet to be confirmed.
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GM's new mid-sized SUV's (GMT 360) will be in dealerships by April. GM must be hoping this will reverse. Long wheelbase versions with a third row of seats were also expected, perhaps sometime in 2002. The most eagerly anticipated vehicle on this platform is the Chevrolet SSR (GMT 368), a unique hotrod, roadster pickup to be produced at GM's Lansing Craft Centre. Rumours have also surfaced of a “small” Hummer (H3) on this platform.
Most vehicles in the GMT 800 series have already appeared, and the line will be completed in late 2001 with two SUV/pickup hybrids, the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT. AM General's new Hummer H2 is also expected to use a unique version of the GMT 800 platform to produce more user-friendly versions of its famed off-road warrior. New versions of the standard Escalade and the EXT may appear within just a few years as simply Cadillac EXV and EXT. This next generation is expected to follow the pattern of the H2 and offer its own unique variation of GM's fullsize truck program.
