Flashback from the Past to Present BUICK SKYLARK The Buick Skylark of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s was the first volume vehicle that was not a Chevrolet, Plymouth, or a Ford, to made a significant impact by opening up the fleet business for other brands. The Skylark was successful enough to start the trend away from full-size cars to an intermediate standard. “Car Selectors” went from one, two, or three choices to lists with as many as seven or eight. Chevrolet, Ford, and Chrysler were joined by Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick, and Mercury. Phar- maceutical companies were among the first to adopt this approach. This practice also contributed to the centralization of vehicle purchases with one supplier per nameplate. OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS The name Cutlass appeared in 1966, the first year of GM’s new intermediate four- door hardtop sedan. For 1967, the Cutlass Supreme full series line was expanded to include a two-door hardtop coupe, two-door pillared coupe, four-door pillared sedan, and a convertible. The Cutlass was a larger vehicle than the Skylark with more capability from a fleet perspective. 2008 Fuel Management Resource Guide Management Resource 2008 Fuel 18 CHEVroLET CITATION The Chevrolet Citation was the first front-wheel-drive vehicle with substantially improved fuel economy, always important to fleets. Front-wheel drive was seen as a more efficient way to build cars. Placing the complete driveline in the front eliminated the traditional large transmission hump and driveshaft tunnel. CHEVroLET CELEBRITY Introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model-year, the Celebrity was the best-selling car in the U.S. in 1986. The mid-size car used the same engines as one of its siblings, the Pontiac 6000. The Celebrity’s breadth of product offerings allowed its use for many commercial applications and it had a longstanding impact on the industry. 18 5/13/2008 2:45:01 PM GM HAS OFFERED AN EXTENSIVE HIstorY OF FLEET VEHICLES. HERE IS A LooK AT FLEET VEHICLES THAT Flashback from the Past to Present CHANGED HIstorY. CHEVroLET Astro/GMC SAFARI VAN The Chevrolet Astro was a mid-size van introduced by Chevrolet in 1985. Sharing the Astro’s truck-based platform was the GMC Safari. It was the first true commer- cial alternative to a full-size van, providing great mobility in metropolitan areas and exceptional fuel efficiency. Due to the truck-based platform, the Astro and Safari were oriented more for cargo and towing. A properly-equipped Astro could pull 6,000 lbs. with ease. Chevrolet Astro CHEVroLET SUBURBAN The Chevy Suburban was the first sport/utility vehicle to crack the fleet market. It still holds a unique position for its application in so many different areas, including government, law enforcement, etc. It is one of the longest, continuous automobile nameplates in the United States, originating in 1935. 19 2008 Fuel Management Resource Guide Management Resource 2008 Fuel CHEVroLET EXPRESS/GMC SAVANA In 1996, the Express/Savana became the first GM entries into the full-size, full-frame van market. GM’s vans were body frame integral and did not meet the GVW needs of commercial customers. GM thus began to make significant inroads into a seg- ment of the industry that up to that point was dominated by Ford. The Express/ Savana currently hold 44.8 percent of the full-size van market in the United States. The cargo version of the Express/Savana is popular as a work vehicle, often used by electricians, plumbers, and others needing to haul significant cargo. The Express/Savana is also available as a passenger van, seating eight to 15 pas- sengers (depending on the model), and is often used as a tow vehicle, ambulance, or shuttle bus. Both the cargo and passenger models, as well as cutaway versions, often serve as the basis for conversion vans and motor homes. Chevrolet Express CHEVroLET HHR PANEL The Chevrolet 2007 HHR Panel can satisfy many commercial uses. It features win- dowless side panels and rear cargo doors instead of conventional rear doors. A flat load floor allows for more than 57 cubic feet of cargo space, along with approxi- mately five cubic feet of additional covered, lockable, under-floor storage. A panel van version of the retro wagon was inspired by GM commercial customers, who saw the original HHR at GM’s fleet and commercial product show. GM predicts business customers will see great value in the HHR Panel, since few commercial vehicles get 30 mpg. 19 5/13/2008 2:45:02 PM.