Quite obviously,
General Motors have evaded the minivan segment. But the Detroit automaker finds it opportune to win back family hauler legions by unveiling a 7-seat crossover at the Chicago Auto Show.
From its
Chevy brand, GM will introduce the Traverse set to hit dealerships this fall. By far, the new crossover is GM’s highest-profile, family-centered offering in years. The wagon-like ride hits the market as other automakers here touted revamped minivans as still the answer for a utilitarian three-row vehicle, according to
DetNews.
The Traverse is GM's attempt to win some credibility from the soccer-mom crowd. The market demand space, elegance and functionality - factors that must all be packed into a safe and reasonably priced vehicle.
"Depending on the pricing and how it looks at the end, it may be a viable force for GM," said Jesse Toprak, chief economist for Edmunds.com. "It's very tough competition and
Toyota and
Honda dominate the market. You try to get in there and try to capture the segment with what's not quite a minivan."
“Seven-passenger crossovers are today's family vehicle,” said Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "There is a coolness factor. There are certain families that would definitely not own a minivan."
To tout the Traverse even more, the manufacturer of Chevy Parts is pleased to announce that the crossover will be the first vehicle in its lineup to offer
XM NavTraffic as a factory- installed feature.
"XM NavTraffic is certain to save drivers of the all-new Chevy Traverse precious time and money," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet’s general manager in an interview with
CNN. "We think we have a great-looking family vehicle with lots of utility in the Traverse, and NavTraffic just adds to that."
"XM is pleased with Chevy's commitment to providing the best in entertainment and technology by making XM NavTraffic and XM Radio available on the 2009 Traverse," said Joe Verbrugge, senior vice president, automotive partnerships and international operations, XM Satellite Radio. "2009 Chevy Traverse customers will benefit from the experience of real-time traffic data and more than 170 channels of entertainment."
