GENERAL MOTORS Saturn and Buick get first minivans

The new minivans are designed to look like sport-utility vehicles.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. was to unveil the first minivans for its Buick and Saturn brands today as it strives to broaden their model lines and use a new exterior look to boost sales in the crowded market segment.
The Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay minivans go on sale in fourth quarter 2004. GM will build the two vehicles, as well as the new Chevrolet Uplander and Pontiac Montana SV6, in its Doraville, Ga., assembly plant. Prices are not set.
GM calls the vehicles crossover sport vans because it has tried to make them look something like sport-utility vehicles while keeping key minivan attributes like good fuel economy, seven-passenger seating, ease of entry and plentiful cargo space, said Jeanne Merchant, GM vehicle line director for crossover sport vans.
"People love the utility of their minivans, but they want a more expressive look," she said.
The Saturn and Buick vans have similar exterior designs, but the Relay has a rectangular grille while the Terraza's larger trapezoidal grille features the brand's traditional Buick badge. The vans get more differentiation inside, where the Buick uses wood and chrome trim to cater to upscale customers while the Saturn has a more subdued look with trim mimicking brushed stainless steel to appeal to import-oriented buyers.
Analyst's view
"The minivan market is so competitive that adding these two brands will probably bring GM some more customers," said Jim Hall, vice president for industry analysis at the Southfield, Mich., office of consultant AutoPacific.
"It's probably a net plus for the corporation as a whole, but Chevrolet and Pontiac dealers may lose some business."
The new minivans use the same basic structure as the current Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana minivans, but they will benefit from a number of engineering improvements, including four-wheel disc brakes and GM's new 200-horsepower, 3.5-liter, V6 engine. Both minivans will be available with front- or all-wheel drive.
Interior equipment will include standard 2+3 seating, with the third-row bench seat split 50-50 for flexibility carrying people or cargo.
The third-row seat does not fold down into the floor, as it does in some minivans, but when folded flat it creates a level load floor with the top of the van's two-level rear storage area. The two bins in the rear storage space each have their own cover. The seat backs also have plastic storage bins with lids, and the rail running the length of the headliner can accommodate as many as five storage bins or three storage bins and a DVD system.
Competition for Chrysler
"The Buick has the potential to win empty nesters over," Hall said. "It could be the first real competition the Chrysler Town and Country minivan has ever had." The Town and Country is Chrysler's top-priced and most lavishly equipped minivan.
The Saturn Relay is a natural fit for the brand's family-oriented product line, he said. "People who normally wouldn't consider any vehicle from GM do go to Saturn dealers," he said. "The minivan will bring some of those buyers in."
GM hopes to sell around 250,000 a year of its four new crossover sport vans. That compares to 164,489 sales of the Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana and Oldsmobile Silhouette minivans in 2002. GM will cease building Silhouettes as it phases out the Oldsmobile brand.