GM U platform
Encyclopedia
The U-platform is a front wheel drive minivan
and crossover SUV
platform from General Motors
produced since 1990. North American sales ended in 2009, but Chinese production continues. The minivans were divided into three generations, 1990-1996, 1997-2005 and 2005-current. The U-body was also used for General Motors' first generation crossovers from 2001-2005.
Keeping with its EPA
designation as a light truck, the fifth character in the VIN
for a U-body is "U", instead of the fourth, as is standard for cars.
Released in the fall of 1989 for the 1990 model year, the U platform/GMT199 utilized a galvanized steel space frame underneath composite plastic dent resistant panels similar to those used in Saturn
models and the Pontiac Fiero
. The vans features unconventional styling, which some commenters likened to a DustBuster
vacuum cleaner.
All models used a 120-hp, 3.1L V6 mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. In 1992, the 3800 Series I V6 became available with a four speed automatic. Both were replaced by the LA1 3400 V6 in 1996.
In 1994 The Lumina and Trans Sport received a facelift, which shortened the nose and gave them a more conventional look. The Silhouette however did not receive this update.
European customers had grown accustomed to sleek minivans, thanks to vehicles such as the Renault Espace
, and did not object to the Trans Sport's futuristic styling. In 1994, when the Trans Sport was updated, the European version retained the original shape, with the Oldsmobile Silhouette being sold badged as a Pontiac Trans Sport.
In 1997 the second U-body (platform) minivans arrived, also known as the GMT200.The new minivans were of unibody steel construction and the styling was intentionally conventional to such an extent that contemporary reviewers remarked that without looking closely at the badging and grille treatments, these minivans could be mistaken for their primary competitors, the Dodge Caravan
and Plymouth Voyager
, which at the time commanded a 50% share of the minivan market.
Production of this generation was performed at GM's Doraville, Georgia
facility, and later at GM Shanghai.
The U-body was updated once again (GMT-201) in 2005. These vans were referred to as "Crossover Sport Vans" (CSV) by General Motors, in reference to their SUV-inspired styling. North American vans were built in GM's plant in Doraville, Georgia
. General Motors ceased minivan sales in the US in 2008. The Pontiac Montana and Chevrolet Uplander continue to be sold in Canada and Mexico for 2009. Production the Buick GL8 continues in Shanghai, China.
In 2001 General Motors
decided to produce its first entry into the Crossover SUV
category using a shortened U-body platform.
Vehicles:
, reportedly a preview of a next generation U-body application.
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
and crossover SUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
platform from General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
produced since 1990. North American sales ended in 2009, but Chinese production continues. The minivans were divided into three generations, 1990-1996, 1997-2005 and 2005-current. The U-body was also used for General Motors' first generation crossovers from 2001-2005.
Keeping with its EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
designation as a light truck, the fifth character in the VIN
Vehicle identification number
A Vehicle Identification Number, commonly abbreviated to VIN, is a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles. VINs were first used in 1954...
for a U-body is "U", instead of the fourth, as is standard for cars.
1st Generation
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
models and the Pontiac Fiero
Pontiac Fiero
The Pontiac Fiero is a mid-engined sports car that was built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1984 to 1988. The Fiero—meaning "proud" in Italian and "wild", "fierce", or "ferocious" in Spanish—was designed by George Milidrag and Hulki Aldikacti as a Pontiac sports car...
. The vans features unconventional styling, which some commenters likened to a DustBuster
Black & Decker DustBuster
The Black & Decker DustBuster is a cordless vacuum cleaner that was introduced in January, 1979.It was invented by Mark Proett and developed by Black & Decker. Carroll Gantz, FIDSA, was Manager of the Black & Decker United States Consumer Power Tool Division’s Industrial Design Department at the...
vacuum cleaner.
All models used a 120-hp, 3.1L V6 mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. In 1992, the 3800 Series I V6 became available with a four speed automatic. Both were replaced by the LA1 3400 V6 in 1996.
1990–1996
The vehicles in this generation included:- Chevrolet Lumina APVChevrolet Lumina APVThe Chevrolet Lumina APV was a minivan produced by General Motors for the 1990 to 1996 model years. In 1994 the APV was dropped from the name to make the name more consistent with the cars, and it was simply known as Lumina or Lumina Minivan. It is similar to the Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile...
("APV" was dropped from the model name in 1994) - Oldsmobile SilhouetteOldsmobile SilhouetteThe Oldsmobile Silhouette and its siblings, the Pontiac Trans Sport and Chevrolet Lumina APV , were a trio of minivans that débuted in late 1989 as 1990 models...
- Pontiac Trans SportPontiac Trans SportThe Pontiac Trans Sport and its siblings, the Chevrolet Lumina APV and Oldsmobile Silhouette were a set of minivans that débuted with radical styling in fall 1989 as 1990 models. There was also a Chevrolet Trans Sport sold in Europe until 2005 that was a version of the Chevrolet Venture that had...
In 1994 The Lumina and Trans Sport received a facelift, which shortened the nose and gave them a more conventional look. The Silhouette however did not receive this update.
International
The Pontiac Trans Sport was also sold in Europe.European customers had grown accustomed to sleek minivans, thanks to vehicles such as the Renault Espace
Renault Espace
The Renault Espace is a large MPV from French car-maker Renault. Generations 1-3 were sold under the Renault brand but manufactured by Matra. The current fourth generation model, which seats seven passengers, is an all-Renault product; the Renault Grand Espace is a long-wheelbase version with...
, and did not object to the Trans Sport's futuristic styling. In 1994, when the Trans Sport was updated, the European version retained the original shape, with the Oldsmobile Silhouette being sold badged as a Pontiac Trans Sport.
2nd Generation
Dodge Caravan
The Dodge Caravan is a family minivan manufactured by Chrysler Group LLC and sold under its Dodge brand. Along with its nameplate variant, the Plymouth Voyager, the Caravan was introduced for the 1984 model year. In 1987, the Dodge Grand Caravan long-wheelbase model was introduced and sold...
and Plymouth Voyager
Plymouth Voyager
In 1984, the Voyager name was applied to Plymouth's variant of Chrysler's all new minivan. This Voyager used the Chrysler S platform, which was derived from the K-platform . In addition to using a derived platform, the Voyager shared many components with the K-cars, most notably the interior...
, which at the time commanded a 50% share of the minivan market.
Production of this generation was performed at GM's Doraville, Georgia
Doraville, Georgia
Doraville is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 8,330.-History:Doraville was incorporated by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, approved December 15, 1871...
facility, and later at GM Shanghai.
1997–1998–1999–2004–2005
The vehicles in this generation included:- Chevrolet VentureChevrolet VentureThe Chevrolet Venture is a minivan produced by General Motors from the 1997 to 2005 model years. It replaced the Chevrolet Lumina APV. Identical minivans were also sold in Europe as the Opel Sintra, and in the UK, they were badged as a Vauxhall. Opel assisted in the development of the minivan as well...
- Oldsmobile SilhouetteOldsmobile SilhouetteThe Oldsmobile Silhouette and its siblings, the Pontiac Trans Sport and Chevrolet Lumina APV , were a trio of minivans that débuted in late 1989 as 1990 models...
- Pontiac Trans SportPontiac Trans SportThe Pontiac Trans Sport and its siblings, the Chevrolet Lumina APV and Oldsmobile Silhouette were a set of minivans that débuted with radical styling in fall 1989 as 1990 models. There was also a Chevrolet Trans Sport sold in Europe until 2005 that was a version of the Chevrolet Venture that had...
- Pontiac MontanaPontiac MontanaThe Pontiac Montana is a minivan from the Pontiac division of General Motors. Prior to the 1997 model year, it was known as Pontiac Trans Sport. In 1997, the Trans Sport added the Montana moniker as part of an available trim package. The package proved so popular the line was renamed Montana in...
(Montana was a trim level of the Trans Sport prior to 1999)
International
- The Opel Sintra (badged as the VauxhallVauxhall-Demography:Many Vauxhall residents live in social housing. There are several gentrified areas, and areas of terraced townhouses on streets such as Fentiman Road and Heyford Avenue have higher property values in the private market, however by far the most common type of housing stock within...
Sintra in the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) was an export built in the US along side other vans for the European market. The Sintra used OpelOpelAdam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
engines instead of the LA1 3400 V6 engine, that the US vans used. - The Buick GL8 is sold by BuickBuickBuick is a premium brand of General Motors . Buick models are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Israel, with China being its largest market. Buick holds the distinction as the oldest active American make...
only in ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. - The Pontiac Trans Sport of this generation was also sold in EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, badged as a Chevrolet Trans Sport.
3rd Generation
Doraville, Georgia
Doraville is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 8,330.-History:Doraville was incorporated by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, approved December 15, 1871...
. General Motors ceased minivan sales in the US in 2008. The Pontiac Montana and Chevrolet Uplander continue to be sold in Canada and Mexico for 2009. Production the Buick GL8 continues in Shanghai, China.
2005–2006–2007–2009
The vehicles in this generation include:- Buick GL8Buick GL8The Buick GL8 is a minivan sold by General Motors' Buick division in China. Introduced in 2000, the GL8 is similar to the Pontiac Montana. Unlike other GM minivans, a roof rack was never offered...
(China only) - Buick TerrazaBuick TerrazaThe Buick Terraza is a minivan from General Motors' Buick brand that was sold from the 2005 through 2007 model years. It filled the position of GM's luxury minivan that was previously occupied by the Oldsmobile Silhouette until the division's demise in 2004...
- Chevrolet UplanderChevrolet UplanderThe Chevrolet Uplander is a minivan produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. It replaced the Venture and Astro. Although introduced for the 2005 model year, it overlapped with the final model years of the Venture and Astro. It was built on the same platform as the Saturn Relay, Buick...
- Pontiac Montana SV6 (2005-2006 in the US)
- Saturn RelaySaturn RelayThe Saturn Relay was the first and only minivan from the Saturn brand of American automaker General Motors. It was introduced for the 2005 model year, and was built alongside its sisters, the Buick Terraza, the Chevrolet Uplander, and the Pontiac Montana SV6 in Doraville, Georgia...
Crossover SUVs
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
decided to produce its first entry into the Crossover SUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
category using a shortened U-body platform.
Vehicles:
- 2001–2005 Pontiac AztekPontiac AztekThe Pontiac Aztek was a mid-size crossover, the first offered by General Motors, that was produced by Pontiac from the 2001 model year to the 2005 model year. The Aztek was heavily criticized on its exterior styling, with Time magazine in 2007 calling the Aztek one of the worst cars of all time,...
- 2002–2007 Buick RendezvousBuick RendezvousThe Buick Rendezvous, introduced in the spring of 2001 as a 2002 model year vehicle, was a Mid-size crossover SUV that was sold by the Buick division of General Motors for the 2002-2007 model years.-Background:...
Future
At the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, GM demonstrated the Buick Business Concept concept carConcept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
, reportedly a preview of a next generation U-body application.