Chevrolet Tracker facts for kids
The Chevrolet Tracker was a cool and compact SUV made in Canada. It was sold by a big car company called General Motors. The Tracker first came out in 1989 as a Geo model. It was based on a popular model from Suzuki called the Escudo.
The Tracker was built at a factory called CAMI Automotive. This factory was owned by both General Motors and Suzuki until 2010. In Canada, the Tracker was sold under different names like GMC Tracker and Asüna/Pontiac Sunrunner. The Sunrunner was later replaced in 2001 by a different type of vehicle called the Aztek.
In 1998, the Tracker officially became a Chevrolet brand. This happened because General Motors decided to combine its Geo brand into Chevrolet. The Tracker continued to be sold in the United States and Canada until 2004. After that, it was replaced by the Chevrolet Equinox.
The Tracker was still made in Mexico and Brazil for a few more years, until the late 2000s. There, it was replaced by the Chevrolet Captiva and the Chevrolet Captiva Sport. Later, in 2015, Chevrolet introduced a new model called the Trax in the U.S. This car is like a modern replacement for the Tracker.
What is the Chevrolet Tracker?
The Chevrolet Tracker is a type of vehicle known as a subcompact SUV. This means it's a smaller SUV, perfect for city driving and adventures. It combines the toughness of an SUV with the easy handling of a car.
How the Tracker Began
The Tracker's story began in 1989. It was first introduced as part of the Geo brand, which was a line of smaller, fuel-efficient cars sold by General Motors. The Geo Tracker was designed to be a fun and affordable SUV.
Its Suzuki Roots
The design of the Chevrolet Tracker came from a Japanese car company called Suzuki. It was based on Suzuki's popular Escudo model, which was known for being reliable and good off-road. This partnership helped create a strong and dependable vehicle.
Where the Tracker Was Built
The Chevrolet Tracker was built in Canada at a factory called CAMI Automotive. This factory was a joint venture, meaning it was owned by two companies: General Motors and Suzuki. They worked together to produce the Tracker and other vehicles until 2010.
Different Names for the Tracker
In Canada, the Tracker was known by several names. Besides Chevrolet Tracker, it was also sold as the GMC Tracker. There was even a version called the Asüna Sunrunner and later the Pontiac Sunrunner. These different names helped General Motors sell the same basic vehicle to different types of customers.
The Pontiac Sunrunner's Journey
The Pontiac Sunrunner was a version of the Tracker sold in Canada. It was a popular choice for people looking for a compact SUV. However, in 2001, the Sunrunner was replaced by a new vehicle called the Pontiac Aztek. The Aztek was a different kind of vehicle, more like a minivan mixed with an SUV.
Becoming a Chevrolet Brand
Before 1998, the Tracker was part of the Geo brand. But General Motors decided to simplify its car brands. So, in 1998, the Geo brand was stopped, and the Tracker officially became a Chevrolet vehicle. This made it easier for customers to find and buy the car under one well-known name.
When Was the Tracker Discontinued?
The Chevrolet Tracker was stopped being made in the United States and Canada in 2004. Car companies often replace models with newer designs and technologies. The Tracker was replaced by the Chevrolet Equinox, which was a larger and more modern SUV.
Tracker's Life in Other Countries
Even after it was discontinued in North America, the Tracker continued to be made in other countries. It was still produced in Mexico and Brazil until the late 2000s. In these countries, it was eventually replaced by other Chevrolet SUVs like the Chevrolet Captiva and the Chevrolet Captiva Sport.
The Tracker's Modern Successor
Years later, in 2015, Chevrolet introduced a new small SUV called the Trax in the U.S. While not a direct replacement, the Trax serves a similar purpose as a compact and versatile SUV, much like the original Tracker. It offers a modern option for people who liked the size and style of the Tracker.