AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Chevrolet to Get Michigan-made Version of Opel Zafira

Jalopnik, among other sites, is reporting that General Motors is planning on building a version of the European Opel Zafira mini-minivan in Michigan, starting as early as 2009. (I have my doubts whether they'll meet that on-sale date.) Even though Saturn is the new Americanized Opel, Chevrolet is set to get the first version, with Saturn to follow.

If you don't know about the Zafira, it's a 4-cylinder 3-row MPV, similar to the Mazda5 and the Kia Rondo, but with what appears to be more flexible seating and more uplevel content options (at least in Europe). I first blogged about the Zafira in 2005.

I've always been intrieged by the Zafira, especially after seeing this commercial with the Zafira being dropped out of an airplane, with freefall skydivers entering the car in mid-air. It would be interesting to see a small 3-row peoplemover powered by GM's 2.0-liter direct-injection, turbocharged Ecotech engine coupled with a dual-clutch gearbox. They might just pry money out of my hands with one of those.