NEW FAMILY OF GM CROSSOVER VEHICLES!

Date Posted 06-23-2005

DETROIT — General Motors' new Lambda architecture will be used for future crossover vehicles as well as a couple of minivans, supplier sources have told Inside Line.

At the moment, successors to the current Chevrolet Uplander and Saturn Relay minivans are the only Lambda-based minivans in the pipeline for 2009. Suppliers say the Pontiac Montana and the Buick Terraza will be phased out of production before the end of the decade.
The new Lambda-based crossovers will be sold by GMC and Saturn, beginning in model-year 2007. A Saab 9-8X should arrive in 2008, along with a Buick patterned after the Centieme concept, which replaces Rendezvous.

The Lambda architecture accommodates both V6 and V8 engines. Lambda-based CUVs will feature hinged rear doors, and the next-generation Uplander gets sliding rear doors.
The midsize Theta platform, which now underpins the Saturn Vue and the Chevrolet Equinox, will be greatly expanded over the next four years with a smaller, lower-priced variant and a premium derivative.

The next Theta-based product is the new 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Replacements for the Vue, the Equinox and the Torrent are coming in 2010.

Chevrolet and Saturn are planning to add smaller, cheaper five-passenger Theta spinoffs in 2008. The compact four-doors would be aimed at new competitors from Chrysler and Ford as well as such recent Asian entries as the Hyundai Tucson.

What this means to you: Traditional minivan buyers will have less to choose from among the GM divisions, but will have a number of options when it comes to small sport-utilities and car-based crossovers.