"As gas prices spike and consumers increasingly look for ways to get to work more efficiently, heavy media coverage has spurred interest in one particular old car: the Geo Metro."
US News, 2008[8] |
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.
Following the Chevrolet Sprint, which was based on the Generation I Cultus, the Geo Metro was based first on the Generation II Cultus and then on the Generation III platform — a new platform dedicated solely to the North American market. Generations II and III, appearing in 1989 and 1995 respectively, were designed at GM's Technical Center in Warren, Michigan and were designated the GM M platform, and shared engines and drivetrains developed by Suzuki. Production was Japan-sourced until 1990 manufacture commenced at CAMI Automotive — with Japanese production continuing to source Canadian sedan models.
Solectria, a Massachusettes company, converted examples of the Generation I and Generation II Geo Metro to electric operation. Approximately 500 examples of 1996 and 1997 models were converted to electric operation — the bare vehicles were provided by GM without engines. Called the Solectria Force and Solectria EV, the converted vehicles featured 3 phase AC induction motors and regenerative braking. The battery pack consists of 13 Group 27 Decca Dominator Sealed Gel Lead Acid modules.[9]
The Metro enjoyed increased interest as a used car in 2008, by virtue of its fuel mileage and rising fuel costs.[10][11][8][12][13][14]
Metro engines
Engines for the Metro were from the Suzuki G engine family:
G10: 1.0 L3
In the United States a single engine was available from 1989 through 1994: a 1.0 L I3 engine. Rated at 55 hp (39 kW), the engine achieved 38 city, 45 highway mpg per the revised 2007 EPA mileage standards.
The detuned 49 hp (37 kW) engine in the XFi combined a shorter duration cam, leaner fuel map, two ring pistons, and a higher final drive gear model to achieve 43 city, 51 highway per the revised 2007 EPA mileage standards.
G13: 1.3 L I4
In 1995, with the third generation Metro came the 1.3 L I4 with 70 hp (52 kW). The engine was the same engine that had been in use in the Suzuki Swift (except for the GT models) in prior years. LSi models produced from 1995 onward featured the 4-cylinder engine tuned to produce 79 hp, with the 3-cylinder still used on base models and becoming an option for non-LSi models in 1997.
Canadian Metros had the 1.3 L engine available as an option beginning in 1993 in the 3-door GSi model, and as standard equipment in the sedan (exclusive to the Canadian market at the time: as noted in the previous paragraph, American market Metros were not available in a sedan bodystyle until 1995).
1992-1994 Geo Metro sedan
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Geo Metro 5-Door, 1992-1994, Gen II
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Geo Metro Convertible, Gen II
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Geo Metro 3-Door, Gen III
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Metro history
Generation I Metro
- 1984 - Suzuki and General Motors announced they would sell rebadged models of the Suzuki Cultus in North America as Chevrolets and Pontiacs, with Suzuki selling their own version as the Forsa.
- 1985 - GM began marketing in North America as the Chevrolet Sprint. The car is also sold as Suzuki Forsa and Pontiac Firefly in Canada. The Chevrolet Sprint was sold only in the Western United States until 1986.
- 1986 - Chevrolet Sprint began nationwide sales in the US. Sprint consumers had a choice of ER, Base, and Turbo models. Firefly marketed in FE, Turbo, and Base models.
- 1987 - The Metro name first appeared on a model of the naturally-aspirated Chevrolet Sprint: the "Chevrolet Sprint Metro."
- 1988 - Production began on the first Geo Metro models at Suzuki's plant in Hamamatsu, Japan.
Generation II Metro
- 1989 - The Geo Metro debuted in the United States, replacing the Sprint. Canadian models continued with the Chevrolet Sprint and Pontiac Firefly nameplates, while the second generation Suzuki Swift replaced the Forsa nameplate. Suzuki begins marketing the Swift in the United States.
- 1990 - Geo introduced Metro LSi models, which included an automatic transmission, air conditioning and a stereo with cassette player. Geo introduced the XFi model optimized for mileage, featuring the three-cylinder engine with a shorter duration cam, leaner fuel map, two ring pistons, and a higher final drive gear ratio and deleting interior amenities (e.g., the passenger mirror), thereby achieving 43 city, 51 highway per the revised 2007 EPA mileage standards. XFi made up less than 10% of Metro sales.[2] Production began at CAMI Automotive, where all remaining Metro models with the exception of convertibles would be produced. The convertible model debuted, available in LSi trim. As with the Metro, the Firefly is offered in sedan and convertible models.
- 1991 - GM increases convertible production and adds paint options.
- 1992 - The Metro received a facelift with new hubcaps, exterior modification and new interior controls. The Pontiac Firefly is dropped.
- 1993 - Convertible production ended. Automatic door locks, which deploy after the car reaches a speed of 10 mph (16 km/h) are introduced this year.
- 1994 - 5-door hatchback production ended. There was also a slight but barely noticeable change in the headlights, as well. Canadian Pontiac dealers began selling the Firefly (first generation) again, but with a facelift. The Convertible is dropped from the Firefly lineup, but Suzuki still produced Firefly and Metro sedans for Canada this year. Geo drops the Xfi model.[15]
Generation III Metro
- 1995 - The third generation Metro was introduced with a revised 4-cylinder engine for LSi models with hydraulic lifters and lash adjusters, and a 30,000-mile service interval[2] — supplementing the 3 cylinder models. The hatchback featured a three-inch lower liftover height compared to the Generation II,[2] and safety equipment included optional anti-lock brakes, safety cage construction with deformable front and rear crush zones, and steel side impact door safety beams.[3] and new daytime running lights mdash; the Metro was the first GM car to get DRLs as standard equipment), as well as dual frontal airbags. The sedan and coupe chassis were 20% and 5% stiffer respectively than the previous generation Metros,[2] and at the time of its introduction, the Metro was the smallest car in the world to meet the impending 1997 side impact standards.[2] The revised sedan was also introduced in the United States, replacing the 5-door hatchback. Its twins, Pontiac Firefly and Suzuki Swift featured the same redesign. The Metro now featured a coefficient of drag of .32.[3] At the introduction of the Generation III, GM arranged for a car carrier with 1995 Metros to drive to college campuses across the country. Local writers took a half-day seminar at "Metro University" with the head product planner and senior members of the engineering, assembly, and marketing teams.[2]
- 1996 - OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, Second generation) was added to Metro models, at a cost of some fuel efficiency.
- 1997 - The last year for the Geo brand. The Metro returned in 1998 as with a Chevrolet nameplate.
- 1998 - The Metro now carried the Chevrolet nameplate, along with new front and rear fascias and a SOHC 16v design I-4 1.3L engine with a horsepower increase of 12%. Electronic ignition replaced the distributor, and MPFI (Multiport Fuel Injection) replaced the TBI (Throttle Body Injection). The new motor offered more HP, torque, and higher fuel economy. This I-4 engine replaced the older 8v 4 cylinder, but the 3 cylinder engine remained unchanged.
- 2000 - Metro and Firefly sales to the general public ceased, with fleet sales only returning in 2001.
- 2001 - The Metro's final year. The only model available this year is the 4-door LSi sedan. The Metro continued on sale in Canada. General Motors announces that the Metro would not be included in the 2002 Chevrolet model lineup. CAMI Automotive manufactures the last Metro, a red sedan, in April, 2001.
Beginning in late 2003 as a model year 2004 model, the Daewoo Kalos, marketed variously as the Chevrolet Aveo, Pontiac Wave and Suzuki Swift+, effectively replaced the Metro.
Pontiac Firefly
The Pontiac Firefly was a marketing and manufacturing variation of the Suzuki Cultus available in Canada and the Middle East from 1985 to 1991, and again from 1994 to 2001 — as a joint effort of GM and Suzuki.
The Firefly received redesigns in 1989 and 1995, following the product cycle of the Geo/Chevrolet Metro. Solely the G10 engine was available from 1989 through 1994, the 1.0 L 3-cylinder. A turbocharged variant of G10 was also available from 1987 to 1991. The Firefly was not marketed for the 1992 and 1993 model years when the 1993-only Asuna brand introduced the larger 1992 LeMans to replace the Passport Optima and the pre-facelift Firefly.
In 1994, the Firefly returned with a facelift following the demise of the Asuna brand. With the Generation III 1995 redesign, the G13 1.3 L 4-cylinder engine also became available. The Firefly was phased out of production after the 2000 model year with its Chevrolet and Suzuki siblings.
From 1991 to 1992, the Firefly was sold in a convertible and in a 4-door sedan. All hatchbacks were manufactured at CAMI, while convertibles and sedans were from sourced from Japanese production.
With model year 2005, the Pontiac Wave, a rebadged Daewoo Kalos, replaced the Firefly.
1994 Pontiac Firefly Sedan, Gen II
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1994 Pontiac Firefly 3dr hatchback, Gen II
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1995-1997 Pontiac Firefly 3dr hatchback, Gen III
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1998-2000 Pontiac Firefly sedan, Gen III
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Manufacture
From 1985 through 1989, Cultus-derived models sold in North America — under the nameplates Suzuki Forsa, Suzuki Swift, Chevrolet Sprint, Geo Metro and Pontiac Firefly — were sourced from Suzuki's facilities in Japan. Beginning in 1990, all North American M-cars were produced at CAMI Automotive, a 50-50 joint venture between General Motors and Suzuki in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. Japanese production continued to source Canadian sedan models. CAMI never reached its intended Metro/Firefly/Swift capacity.[16] While at its peak, Canadian Swift/Metro/Firefly production reached more than 100,000 vehicles a year, the number fell to just 32,000 in 2000.[17] In response to the waning popularity of smaller automobiles in the North American markets, Chevrolet/Geo sold only 55,600 Metros in 1997, off from 88,700 the year before.[18] In a 2004 Autoweek article, Osamu Suzuki, chairman of Suzuki, called CAMI "a fishbone in my throat" because of its low production.[16]
Assembly also commenced in India (Maruti Suzuki), Hungary (Magyar Suzuki), Pakistan (Pak Suzuki) and China (Chang'an Suzuki). When production began at Magyar Suzuki of the Suzuki Swift in 1992, Suzuki invested $230 million in capital for the new company and flew each of its Hungarian workers to Japan for training in its production methods.[19] Notably, 5-door models of the Generation II (under the nameplate Cultus) are manufactured today in Pakistan and 4-door sedans of Generation II are manufactured today in China.
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- See photos of Subaru Justy (JMA/MS) "Cultus" at Wikipedia Deutsch
"Mk" Nomenclature
Mk nomenclature varies by region, emphasizing local marketing distinctions, restylings, and market adaptations
North America
NA Mk:
Mk1 - 85-88 (Boxy body) — Corresponds to Generation I
MK2 - 89-91 (Round body + Boxy dash) — Corresponds to Generation II
MK3 - 92-94 (Round body + Round dash)— Corresponds to Generation II (first restyle)
Mk4 - 95-97 (Guppy mouth) — Corresponds to Generation III
Mk5 - 98-01 (Razor mouth) — Corresponds to Generation III (first restyle)
Europe
Euro Mk:
MK1 - '86 to '88 — Corresponds to Generation I
MK2 - '88 to '92 — Corresponds to Generation II
MK3 - '92 to '96 — Corresponds to Generation II (first restyle)
MK4 - '96 to '01 — Corresponds to Generation II (second restyle)
MK5 - '01 to '02 — Corresponds to Generation II (third restyle)
MK6 - '05 onward — Corresponds to Generation IV
Australia
Australia Mk:
MK1 - SA310 / SA413 (1984-86).[20] — Corresponds to Generation I
MK2 - SF310 / SF413 / SF416 (1989-92)[20] — Corresponds to Generation II
MK3 - SF310 / SF413 / SF416 (1993-99)[20] — Corresponds to Generation II (first restyle)
MK1 Introduced March 1984, the SA Swift was front wheel drive, with a solid axle and drum brakes on the rear, with front disc brakes.
- Models: GA, GL, GC and GLS.
MK2 New rounder body shape with mechanicals similar to the SA model and the solid rear axle replaced by a trailing arm setup.
- Models: GA, GL, GTi 3-door hatchbacks; GL and GLX Sedans, with 4WD available between 1990-91.
MK3 Remodeled interior, revised front and rear bumper fascias. New rounded dashboard.
- Models: GA, (later replaced with the City Car), the Cino, GL and GLX Sedans, and the GTi
References
- ^ "GM reduces Suzuki alliance by 17.4 percent to raise $2bn". Earthtimes.com, March 7, 2006, Renin Paul.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Little Big Man, First Look: 1995 Geo Metro". Hardive.com, J.J. Gertler.
- ^ a b c d "New Car Review 1995 GEO METRO LSi SEDAN". The Auto Channel, Bill Russ.
- ^ "The 12 Greenest Vehicles in 1999". Ecomall.com.
- ^ "Guide: It Isn’t Easy Being Green". The LA Times, John O'Dell, February 18, 1999.
- ^ "Guide to green cars, trucks released". CNN.com, March 19, 1998.
- ^ a b c d "Historia del Chevrolet Sprint (Spanish)". Carrosyclasicos.com.
- ^ a b "Geo Metro Madness Hits High". USNEWS, May 22, 2008.
- ^ "1997 Solectria EV". Nextautos.com, Seyth Miersma, 05/01/2008.
- ^ "Who's laughing now? Subcompact owners". London Free Press, Norman De Bono, May 16, 2008.
- ^ "Gas prices drive Geos from clunkers to chic". Cnn.com, Mallory Simon, May 20, 2008.
- ^ "The Geo Metro Rides Again, Sort Of". Business Week, Jim Henry, June 2, 2008.
- ^ "All Hail (or Mourn) the Geo Metro". The New York Times, The Lede, June 10, 2008, Mike Nizza.
- ^ "Gas costs have drivers thinking smaller, older". Mercury News, Linda Goldston, 05/20/2008.
- ^ "Economy Champs Get the Cold Shoulder". The New York Times, Matthew L. Wald, November 12, 1995.
- ^ a b "Pontiac planning to add Chevrolet Equinox-based sport wagon to lineup". Autoweek.com, March 5, 2004.
- ^ "CANADA: CAMI ends Suzuki Swift production". Just-auto.com, 5 June 2001.
- ^ "CAMI gets a new lease on life". Wards Auto World, December 1, 1998.
- ^ "Company History: Suzuki Motor Corporation". Answer.com.
- ^ a b c "Suzuki Swift History In Australia". RedlineGTi.com.
External links
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