(autoinsidernews) - Following Ford's move, General Motors is abandoning the minivan business when production of its existing models ends, according to The Detroit News. GM has scrapped plans for redesigning its minivans for the 2009 model year. Instead, GM will focus on its Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave crossovers, with eight passenger seating, reports Trend.
We do believe it is a declining segment, said GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. Our new crossovers, Acadia, Outlook and Enclave with their three rows of seats and economical V-6 engines, can meet the same customer needs, minus the Soccer Mom' stigma.
Ford has decided to exit the segment completely, and produce a people mover crossover based on the Ford Fairlane concept, arriving in early 2008. However, Lutz says that GM has made no official decision to exit the segment completely or permanently, but company insiders said there are no plans for new models after GM closes its last minivan plant in Doraville, GA.
This is just another blow for workers at GM's Spring Hill, TN plant, which was expected to build the axed minivan. The Saturn plant has already lost the Ion, which will be replaced by imported Opel Astras, and the Vue, which will now be built in Mexico). GM likely will find new vehicles for that plant, company officials said.