General Motors subsidiary Opel is planning a new crossover vehicle with minivan-like characteristics for the 2009 model year, according to a report by Automotive News. The vehicle would be similar to the Mercedes R-Class, but would be priced lower — probably against a similar vehicle from Volkswagen. The vehicle would likely come to the United States as a Saturn.

Ford is replacing its discontinuing its minivans and replacing them with a slew of new crossovers, including the SUV-like Edge and van-like Fairlane. Incidentally, GM strategist and Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said in a weblog posting yesterday his company doesn't feel the minivan segment is dead.

"Obviously in recent years a stigma has attached itself to the minivan and won’t let go," Lutz wrote, suggesting slightly different vehicles might need to be offered in the future. He said the company's new crossovers like the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave won't replace vans entirely. Will Opel's answer to Ford's Fairlane fill the remaining gap? Stay tuned…

da leftlanenews.com

Ormai tutte le case si buttano sulle berline-coupè e sui crossover...Strano che proprio Mercedes (casa abbastanza tradizionalista) abbia creato questi nuovi "segmenti"...