Editing General Motors U platform (section)

==Minivans==

===First generation===
[[File:ChevroletLuminaAPV.jpg|200px|thumb|right|1994-1996 Chevrolet Lumina]]
[[File:Pontiac Trans Sport front 20070926.jpg|200px|thumb|right|European Pontiac Trans Sport]]
Released in the fall of 1989 for the 1990 model year, the U platform ([[General Motors GMT platform#MPVs|'''GMT199''']]) utilized a galvanized steel space frame underneath composite plastic dent resistant panels similar to those used in [[Saturn Corporation|Saturn]] models and the [[Pontiac Fiero]]. The vans feature unconventional styling, which some commenters likened it to a [[Black & Decker DustBuster|DustBuster]] vacuum cleaner.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/01/automobiles/after-the-dustbuster-a-clean-sweep.html |title=After the Dustbuster, a Clean Sweep |author=Michelle Krebs |work=New York Times |date=1996-12-01 |access-date=2009-09-18}}</ref>

All models used a 120-hp, [[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LG6|3.1L V6]] mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. In 1992, the [[Buick V6 engine#Series I|3800 Series I V6]] became available with a four speed automatic. Both were replaced by the [[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LA1|LA1 3400 V6]] in 1996.

====1990–1996====
The vehicles in this generation included:
*[[Chevrolet Lumina APV]] ("APV" was dropped from the model name in 1994)
*[[Oldsmobile Silhouette]]
*[[Pontiac Trans Sport]]

In 1994, The Lumina and Trans Sport received a facelift, which shortened the nose and gave them a more conventional look. The Silhouette did not receive this update, however, and while it did receive a facelift in 1993, it was very minimalistic with only the front bumper being slightly changed. The rest of the front end remained unchanged.

====International====
The Pontiac Trans Sport was sold in Europe as a rebadged Oldsmobile Silhouette with European safety specifications.

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 a minor facelift, with the Oldsmobile Silhouette being sold as a badge-engineered Pontiac Trans Sport.

The European Trans Sport was also available with two options that were never offered on a North American specification U-body: A four-cylinder engine (the [[Quad 4 engine|LD2 Quad 4]]) and a 5-speed manual transmission.

===Second generation===
[[File:Pontiac-Trans-Sport.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Pontiac Trans Sport Montana]]
[[File:Opel Sintra front 20071011.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Opel Sintra]]
[[File:Vauxhall Sintra CD Front.jpg|200px|thumb|right|1996-1997 Vauxhall Sintra]]
In 1996 (for the 1997 model year), the second U-body (platform) minivans arrived,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_big_test_brand/index.html |title=Big test for 'brand management. |access-date=2009-09-18 |archive-date=2011-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728081235/http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_big_test_brand/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> also known as the [[General Motors GMT platform#MPVs|'''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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/chevrolet/112_9702_1997_chevy_venture_dodge_caravan/index.html |title=1997 Chevy Venture - 1997 Dodge Caravan - Motor Trend Magazine |website=www.trucktrend.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008073727/http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/chevrolet/112_9702_1997_chevy_venture_dodge_caravan/index.html |archive-date=2008-10-08}}</ref>
Production of this generation was performed at GM's [[Doraville, Georgia]] facility, and later at [[GM Shanghai]].

====1996–1999 (Europe)====
*[[Opel Sintra|Opel/Vauxhall Sintra]]

====1997–2005====
The vehicles in this generation included:
* [[Chevrolet Venture]]
* [[Oldsmobile Silhouette]]
* [[Pontiac Trans Sport]]
* [[Pontiac Montana]] (Montana was a trim level of the Trans Sport prior to 1999)

====2000–2005 (China)====
* [[Buick GL8]]

====International====
* The Opel Sintra (badged as the [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]] Sintra in the [[United Kingdom]]) was an export built in the US alongside other vans for the European market. The Sintra used [[Opel]] engines instead of the [[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LA1|LA1 3400 V6]] engine that the US vans used.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_opel_sintra_offers/ |title=Opel Sintra offers something others don't |access-date=2009-09-18 |archive-date=2011-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728081251/http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_opel_sintra_offers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The [[Buick GL8]] is sold by [[Buick]] only in [[China]], but was exported to the Philippines as a Chevrolet Venture.
* The Pontiac Trans Sport of this generation was also sold in [[Europe]], badged as a Chevrolet Trans Sport.

{{clear}}

===Third generation===
[[File:Chevrolet Uplander LWB.jpg|200px|right|thumb|2005-2008 Chevrolet Uplander]]
The U-body was updated once again in 2004 for the 2005 model year, also known as the [[General Motors GMT platform#MPVs|'''GMT201''']]. 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 stopped minivan sales in the United States as of 2008. The Pontiac Montana and Chevrolet Uplander continued to be sold in Canada and Mexico for 2009. Production of the Buick GL8 continues in [[Shanghai, China]].

====2005–2009====
The vehicles in this generation include:
* [[Buick GL8]] (China only, produced until 2016)
* [[Buick Terraza]] (2005-2007)
* [[Chevrolet Uplander]]
* [[Pontiac Montana SV6]] (2005-2006 in the US)
* [[Saturn Relay]] (2005-2007)

===Fourth generation===

In 2010, [[Shanghai GM]] introduced a new version (SGM258) of the [[Buick GL8#Second generation (2010-present)|Buick GL8]] called GL8 Luxury Business Edition. The previous generation remains on sale as the Business Edition.

Prior to the car's release, a [[concept car]] called the [[Buick Business]] was shown at the 2009 [[Shanghai Auto Show]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nextautos.com/shanghai-2009-buick-business-mpv-concept |title=Shanghai 2009: Buick Business MPV Concept  |author=John Beltz Snyder |work=NextAutos.com |date=2009-04-21 |access-date=2009-09-18}}</ref>

===Fifth generation===
[[File:Buick GL8 ES facelift 001.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Buick GL8 III]]

In 2016, [[Shanghai GM]] introduced a new version (SGM358) of the [[Buick GL8#Third generation (2017–present)|Buick GL8]] in 2 versions: ES and top of the line Avenir. The previous generation remains on sale as the Land Business Class. The exterior was completely redesigned but the platform was retained. However, the platform was updated with a new, more sophisticated independent rear suspension. The only engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder engine. This generation of GL8 is produced in Shanghai rather than Shenyang where the older generations of GL8 have been produced since 2004.