Roadmaster Vans

[LAMRONH]

Dear Generalissimo Motorsissimo,
This concept is a continuation of the Dodge Sprinter discussion at the Chrysler section.

Why not configure the interior of your large passenger vans as the leading minivans are set up?
Make the interiors user-friendly, warm and comfortable, rather than the current institutional grey. Comfortable chairs, convenient tables, storage here and storage there, smaller windows with curtains, quality carpeting, the beat goes on.

Yes, I know there are things known as conversion vans. But GM can build these at the factory. Put a team on it and give them one month to produce six concepts.

I think a well-laid-out big van could be marketed for $30,000 to $35,000, well equipped. Get away from the dreaded "van" word, rename them, as you like to rename so many vehicles. Call them ROADMASTER, TURNPIKE CRUISER, FAMILY HAULER, GMI EXPRESS...the choices are near-infinite.

Give them a diesel option and slap in a 6-speed and your MPG will get near minivan territory. Make ESC and ABS standard.

Why not? People spend 30-60 grand for SUVs that have far less interior space and flexibility than a full sized van. Time to bring these babies up to modern specs and sell some.

[Bravada]

If people were willing to buy a vehicle out of reason, minivans would still rule. Besides, while it is moderately easy to create a minivan that better SUVs on both practicality and fuel consumption, the same would be much harder in case of fullsize delivery vans.

That said, I believe that an Opel Vivaro sold as the "New Astro" might make sense to replace both the old Astro and the CSVs in GM's lineup.




Well, form follows function, to say the least, but in view of the usual delivery van and the CSV interiors, this should not be that uncompetitive. Renault version pictured, as the Opel steering wheel is rather... crude...

[TDi]

Originally Posted by Bravada

If people were willing to buy a vehicle out of reason, minivans would still rule. Besides, while it is moderately easy to create a minivan that better SUVs on both practicality and fuel consumption, the same would be much harder in case of fullsize delivery vans.

That said, I believe that an Opel Vivaro sold as the "New Astro" might make sense to replace both the old Astro and the CSVs in GM's lineup.




Well, form follows function, to say the least, but in view of the usual delivery van and the CSV interiors, this should not be that uncompetitive. Renault version pictured, as the Opel steering wheel is rather... crude...

Hahaha!! I thought that was a Renault badge I could see on the steering wheel!!

I couldn't agree with you more Bravada, but would GM do it?? That would be a big fat NO!! The Opel Vivaro is just too over the top, in terms of styling, for GM North America to even consider it.

[Bravada]

Well, don't forget that GM NA have approved the Aztek, Ion and Rendezvous... If anything, I believe that the Vivaro might actually be a tad too boxy and uninspired to be seen as fit to compete with actual minivans, but with the Chrysler minivans reverting to boxy and plasticky, I guess the Vivaro might stand a chance...

That said, I think that in order for it all to make sense, the "Astro" should be 1) based on the next-gen IBC medium-size van (X84?) 2) made in North America and tailored to local market conditions. Either way, the "Astro" would be modified compared to the present-day Vivaro, perhaps the "minivan" version could be made more pleasing to the eye, kinda like the delivery vs. passenger Fiat/PSA eurovans:


Lancia Zeta premium minivan


Fiat Scudo delivery van
(1990s models shown, boxy and all, but they were really similar back then)

BTW, in case you were wondering, this is the steering wheel of the GM version of IBC X83 - not exactly the most inspired design...

[King Riffle]

Bah! Don't put the Astro name on those. The Astro was a midivan with truck-like styling. That styling attracted many people who didn't want to be seen in a more car like minivan. That Vivaro is not an Astro.

There was some talk of GM trying to make a shorter version of the Chevy Express to replace some Astro sales but that idea was canned. IMO a short version of the Express/Savana would be the best platform for a large minivanesque vehicle.

Conversion vans would be nice if they didn't go so over-the-top with everything. They usually end up pretty ugly, with wayyy more wood inside than there should be and tons of stickers on the outside. Bleh.

A tastefully done short Express might work though. However, I doubt that it would get that many sales and I also doubt that GM would build something to compete with the Tahoe/Suburban. Probably part of the reason the entire minivan program was canned.

[Bravada]

Well, the Vivaro is how a modern truck looks like, and "Astro" is an ideal name for this promised and never-seen GM minivan that would "look like a spaceship".

PS. AFAIK, the Express platform is older than even the U-body, there are some accounts stating that it is actually even older than Robert C. Byrd...

[t-rex]

Let's see now, what was going on when GM's fullsize vans first appeared...

Richard Nixon was president.

Flip Wilson had a hit TV show.

Half of all Americans only had access to two TV stations.

The Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You" was the #1 song.

A 23" color TV cost 3 weeks' salary.

TG & Y was the big national retailer...

GM might want to consider a redesign!!

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Bah! Don't put the Astro name on those. The Astro was a midivan with truck-like styling. That styling attracted many people who didn't want to be seen in a more car like minivan. That Vivaro is not an Astro.

There was some talk of GM trying to make a shorter version of the Chevy Express to replace some Astro sales but that idea was canned. IMO a short version of the Express/Savana would be the best platform for a large minivanesque vehicle.

Conversion vans would be nice if they didn't go so over-the-top with everything. They usually end up pretty ugly, with wayyy more wood inside than there should be and tons of stickers on the outside. Bleh.

A tastefully done short Express might work though. However, I doubt that it would get that many sales and I also doubt that GM would build something to compete with the Tahoe/Suburban. Probably part of the reason the entire minivan program was canned.

A short Express would need a stronger effort than the minivan program was given. For example, if GM entered into a collaborative agreement with Hyundai, they could produce an excellent product. That will never happen.
IMO this is a segment that is asking to be developed.
GM and Ford are too far behind the creativity curve and they are too timid to do it.
If they had the platform, I'd expect to see Hyundai or Honda, Toyota or Mitsu to develop this concept.
Meanwhile, I expect to see nicer passenger versions of the Sprinter coming this way.