U-platform | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | General Motors |
Production | North America: 1990–2009 China: 2000–present |
Assembly | Tarrytown, New York (1990–1996) Doraville, Georgia (1997–2008) Shanghai, China (SAIC-GM) (1999-2004, 2016-present) Shenyang, Liaoning, China (SAIC-GM Norsom Motors) (2010-present) |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Minivan Crossover SUV |
Layout | FF layout/All-Wheel Drive |
Body style(s) | 3-door minivan 4-door minivan 4-door Crossover SUV |
Chronology | |
Successor | GM Lambda platform (North America and Middle East) |
The U-platform (or U-body) is a front wheel drive minivan and crossover SUV platform from General Motors produced since 1990. North American sales ended in 2009, but Chinese production continues. The minivans were divided into three generations, 1990–1996, 1997–2005 and 2005-current. The U-body was also used for General Motors' first generation crossovers from 2001-2005.
Keeping with its EPA designation as a light truck, the fifth character in the VIN for a U-body is "U", instead of the fourth, as is standard for cars.
Confusingly, GM also used the "U-body" (or "U-car") designation in the mid 1970s for its mid-sized European models - principally the Opel Ascona and Vauxhall Cavalier.