Geo (automobile)

Infobox Defunct Company
company_name = Geo
company_
slogan = "Get to know Geo"
fate = Merged into Chevrolet
successor =
foundation = 1988
defunct = 1998
location = Detroit, Michigan, United States
industry = Automobile
key_people =
products = Compact cars
num_employees =
parent = General Motors (Chevrolet division)
subsid =

Geo was a brand of small cars and SUVs marketed by General Motors and sold through Chevrolet dealerships throughout North America beginning in 1989 in the United States and 1992 in Canada. Their original slogan was "Get to know Geo." Originally formed by GM to compete with the growing small import market of the late 1980s, the line continued through the 1997 model year, after which the remaining models joined the Chevrolet lineup. The 1990s saw fading consumer interest in the economy compact market,Fact|date=January 2008 and the last vehicle of the former Geo line, the Tracker, was discontinued in 2004. In Canada, another import marque, Asüna, was introduced in 1993 to provide Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealers access to a similar range of import vehicles.

Geo models were manufactured by GM in joint-ventures with Japanese import manufacturers. The Prizm was produced at the GM/Toyota joint-venture NUMMI assembly plant in Fremont, California, and the Metro and Tracker were produced at the GM/Suzuki joint-venture CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. The exceptions, the Spectrum and Storm, were entirely manufactured by Isuzu in Japan.

Models

Metro

The Geo Metro was a marketing and manufacturing variation of the Suzuki Cultus available in North America from 1989 through 2001 as a joint effort of GM and Suzuki. The Metro, which (in the US) carried a Geo nameplate from 1989 through 1997, and a Chevrolet nameplate from 1998 to 2001, evolved with the Cultus and its siblings over 13 years, three generations and four body styles: 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback and 2-door convertible — and was ultimately replaced by a family of vehicles based on the Daewoo Kalos.

Prizm

The Prizm was a compact four-door sedan based on the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Sprinter. It is the successor to the Chevrolet Nova and Isuzu-built Geo Spectrum. While the Prizm consistently won awards from the auto industry (including having the honor of being a Consumer's Digest Best Buy), it was always outsold by the Toyota Corolla. Additionally, the Prizm had an awkward position in Chevrolet's lineup since it competed with Chevrolet's own Cavalier for market share and dealer floor space. The Prizm was sold from 1989 through 2002 and was produced at NUMMI in Fremont, California.

Spectrum

The Spectrum was a short-lived compact based on the Isuzu I-Mark and one size up from the Metro. The Spectrum was previously sold as a Chevrolet model, and was added to the Geo lineup to offer potential buyers an option other than the Geo Metro. The Geo Spectrum was only sold in 1989 until being replaced by the Isuzu-produced Geo Storm hatchback.

Storm

The Storm was a sporty car based on the Isuzu Impulse, available as either a two-door fastback or a hatchback. The Storm entered Geo's lineup in 1990, replacing the related Geo Spectrum, and made a quick departure in 1993 despite strong sales. This was due in part to Isuzu discontinuing their car lines, and refocusing on trucks and SUVs. The Geo Storm was the performance oriented vehicle of the Geo Brand. The storm was produced in Japan by Isuzu alongside the Geo Spectrum.

Tracker

The Tracker was a mini-SUV based on the Suzuki Escudo/Suzuki Sidekick. The Tracker was part of the original Geo lineup in 1989 and was the longest running model. The Tracker was available in either a convertible or hardtop configuration, with either two or four-doors. The buyer had the option of either rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. The Tracker was produced in Canada by CAMI.

External links

* [http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Geo/ Category at ODP]
* [http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/90-98tracker.htm 1990-1998 Chevrolet and Geo Tracker in Canadian Driver's used car review]
* [http://www.vmrintl.com/reviews/Geo_prizm_93-97.htm 1993-1997 Geo Prizm review]
* [http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/95-00metro.htm 1995-2000 Chevrolet and Geo Metro in Canadian Driver's used car review]
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