All Cars, All the Time

GM Permanently Out of the Minivan Business? I Think Not

The Detroit News is running a piece about GM and the possibility that it is completely getting out of the minivan business. The argument goes that if Spring Hill which was theoretically in line to produce a minivan has been told that it will not be getting minivan production next year, well then GM must be letting the segment go out to pasture. To be sure the new crop of crossovers will be able to meet the needs of many families, but there is always going to be a market for the big old minivan. My thinking is that yes, GM will allow its current lineup of vans to fade into the sunset, but after a brief absence from the segment I would look for GM to field another entry. Given GM's recent resurgance in the design field, I would be very interested to see what it had up its sleeve for 2010.

OR....

Well there is more backup to the story that GM is indeed dumping its future minivan plans. GM feels secure enough in its crossover lineup that it feels funds would be better spent elsewhere. I'm personally shocked by this move if it indeed comes to pass. Yes, it is true that GM has not been competitive in this segment, but certainly with the right design approach it could have fielded a winner.