Chevrolet Tracker (Americas)

The Chevrolet Tracker, formerly the Geo Tracker, is a

mini SUV produced for Chevrolet and Geo by CAMI Geo/Chevrolet Tracker
Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario. Although appearing as a
compact SUV, the Tracker was actually certified as a light
truck due to its off-road capabilities and body on frame
construction. The Tracker was produced under many
brands in several different editions and in many countries.

Contents
First generation
Canada
Overview
Second generation
Manufacturer Suzuki
Markets
General Motors
Mexico
CAMI Automotive
Brazil
Production 1988–1990 (Japan)
Safety report 1989–2004 (Canada/U.S.)
Rebadged Chevrolet Trax 2004–2007 (Argentina)
References 1996–2016 (Ecuador)
External links Body and chassis
Class Mini SUV
Compact SUV
Body style 4-door SUV
2-door convertible
2-door SUV
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel
drive / four-wheel drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase 4-door: 2480mm
Length 4-door: 4135mm
Width 4-door: 1710mm
Height 4-door: 1685mm
Chronology
Successor Pontiac Aztek (Canada)
Chevrolet Equinox (U.S. &
Canada)
Chevrolet Captiva (Mexico)
Chevrolet Trax (Europe)
 Saturn Vue (U.S. & Canada)
Chevrolet Tracker (2019)

First generation
First generation

GMC Tracker (Canada)

Overview
Also called Chevrolet Tracker (1998 &
1989–1991 Canada)
GMC Tracker
Asüna Sunrunner
Pontiac Sunrunner
Chevrolet Vitara
Production 1989–1998
Assembly Hamamatsu, Japan
1998 Chevrolet Tracker 4-door
Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada
Kosai, Japan
The Geo Tracker was a mini SUV introduced in late 1988
Quito, Ecuador
as a 1989 model. It was developed by CAMI which was a
joint venture between General Motors of Canada and Body and chassis
Suzuki. North American models were to be built in Related Suzuki Escudo
CAMI's Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada plant alongside its Suzuki Sidekick
almost identical twin, the domestic-built Suzuki Sidekick Suzuki Samurai
(Escudo). Nearly all 1989 and some 1990 Trackers were
Suzuki Vitara
built in Japan and imported to the US because of delays at
Suzuki Jimny
the CAMI factory in Canada. In late 1989, production
Suzuki X-90
began in Ingersoll with about 6,100 Geo Trackers
finished, with annual production projected to be around Powertrain
200,000 units. In the beginning, all Canadian-made Engine 1.6 L G16 (LS5/L01) I4
Trackers were sent to the United States to circumvent the
25 percent Chicken Tax; the Canadian market was Transmission 5-speed manual
supplied entirely from Japan.[1] Suzuki Sidekicks were 3-speed GM TH180
added to the production line during 1990. automatic
4-speed Aisin 03-72LE
The Tracker was originally powered by Suzuki's 1.6L automatic
SOHC four-cylinder engine producing 80  hp (60  kW).
Dimensions
The trim levels in 1989 were base convertible, base two-
door hardtop and LSi hardtop. LSi equipment included air Wheelbase 2-door: 86.6 in (2,200 mm)
conditioner, chrome rally wheels, intermittent wipers, rear 4-door: 97.6 in (2,479 mm)
window wiper/washer, spare tire cover, three-speed GM Length 2-door:142.5 in (3,620 mm)
Turbo-Hydramatic 180 automatic transmission, tinted (1989–1995)
glass, and special red/black front and rear bucket seats. In 143.7 in (3,650 mm) (1996–
1990 the LSi trim was made available on the convertible 98)
models also. All Trackers were four-wheel drive until a 4-door: 158.7 in
base two-wheel drive convertible was introduced in 1992.
(4,031 mm)
The two-door hardtop models were available until 1995
when they were discontinued to make way for the four- Width 2-door: 64.2 in (1,631 mm)
door hardtop wagon that was to be introduced the 4-door: 64.4 in (1,636 mm)
following year. Although Suzuki started importing four- Height 2-door: 65 in (1,651 mm)
door Sidekicks in 1991, CAMI did not start producing (1989–1991)
them until the 1996 model year, when America got a four-
65.6 in (1,666 mm) (1992–
door Geo Tracker, now powered by Suzuki's G16B 16-
valve 1.6L boasting 96  hp (72  kW). In 1998 the Geo 93)
nameplate was merged back into Chevrolet and all Geo 64.3 in (1,633 mm) (2WD,
models, including the Tracker, were rebadged as Chevrolet 1994–98)
in 1998. 65.1 in (1,654 mm) (4WD
1994–98)
The Tracker was different from most other light SUVs on 4-door: 65.7 in (1,669 mm)
the market in that it is based on a rugged light-truck (2WD)
chassis and certified as a light truck. Although it appeared 66.5 in (1,689 mm) (4WD)
to be a comfortable passenger SUV, it was bolstered by a
GMC Tracker: 65.8 in
sturdy off-road four-wheel-drive system with a
conventional light truck engine and transmission coupled (1,671 mm)
to a hi-lo, 2-4 transfer case. The Tracker had a strong front
suspension with a rugged recirculating ball steering box. The conventional front differential was rigidly
mounted ahead of the engine, with CV axles connecting the coil-spring front hubs to the differential case.
The rear axle was a conventional light truck unit on coil springs. As a result of the truck-like underpinnings,
the Tracker had a fairly truck-like ride, but the benefit was its notable durability in harsh conditions.

The production of the first-generation model of the Tracker (and Sidekick) came to an end in Ontario after
1998 in order to make way for the second generation of Tracker/Vitara. However, the first generation
Sidekick continued in production in other countries until 2004.

Canada

When the Geo Tracker was introduced in the United States, the Geo brand was not available in Canada.
Because of this the Tracker was introduced there as both the Chevrolet Tracker and the GMC Tracker. The
Chevrolet Tracker was sold at Chevrolet dealerships in Canada starting in 1989. Initially there were three
models: a base convertible, base hardtop and a CL hardtop (CL is equivalent to the LSi in the Geo line). In
1990 a CL convertible was added to the line-up. 1991 was the last year for the Chevrolet Tracker as the
Geo marque was brought to Canada in 1992 and all Chevrolet Trackers were renamed Geo Trackers, yet
they continued to display the Chevrolet "bowtie" symbol on the front grille emblem until the end of
production in 1998. All 1989–1990 Chevrolet Trackers were four-wheel drive. From 1991 on, the Geo
Tracker sold in Canada was identical to its US counterpart. The GMC Tracker was also introduced for the
1989 model year to be sold at Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealerships in Canada. Just like the Chevrolet and Geo
initially there were three models: base convertible, base hardtop and SLE hardtop (SLE being equipped the
same as the CL and LSi of the other marques). In 1990 an SLE convertible was added to the lineup. 1991
was the last year for the GMC Tracker as GM introduced the Asüna marque in 1992 and the GMC Tracker
was renamed the Asüna Sunrunner. The Sunrunner was marketed as more upmarket and had no base
model, with all of the Sunrunners being equipped like the SLEs were. The Asüna brand did not last long
though, and after only two years (1992 and 1993) the Sunrunner was rebranded as a Pontiac. The Pontiac
Sunrunner was sold in Canada from 1994 to 1998 in both base and top-of-the-line GT trim. It was available
in two- and four-wheel drive and in both convertible and hardtop body-styles. While the Geo Tracker was
also sold as a four-door wagon beginning in 1996, the Sunrunner never got this body style. The Sunrunner
was discontinued without a direct replacement in 1998.

Second generation
In 1999, the Sidekick was discontinued, and a second Second generation
generation Tracker was introduced, differing from the
Sidekick's successor, the Grand Vitara. A Suzuki version
of this North American-exclusive Tracker was sold in the
North American market as a Suzuki Vitara, which is
shorter than the Grand Vitara. In Mexico, the second-
generation Tracker remained in production and was sold
there as Chevrolet Tracker. The Tracker series was
discontinued in the United States and Canada in 2004, but
all models including the LJ80/Jimny are still in production
in other Suzuki plants. Some Trackers and Sidekicks were
made at a Suzuki plant in Kosai, Japan.
Overview
The later (1999 and up) Tracker models reverted to a
Also called Suzuki Vitara
lightweight automobile-type rack and pinion steering, and
thus unpopular with rural and off-road users since the rack Production 1999–2004 (Canada)
and pinion is easily damaged. The 1st generation Tracker 1999–2008 (Argentina)
was sold as the Chevrolet Vitara in Latin America, and the 1999–2016 (Ecuador)
2nd generation Tracker is sold as the Chevrolet Grand Assembly Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada
Vitara in Latin American countries. In North America, the
Kosai, Japan
first generation Tracker was sold as a Chevrolet in 1998
Quito, Ecuador
after GM discontinued the Geo brand. In Latin America,
GM made the Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara and sold it as Rosario, Argentina
Chevrolet Vitara/Grand Vitara (Colombia, Ecuador and Body and chassis
Venezuela produced in GM Ecuador) or Suzuki Grand Platform GMT190
Vitara (Argentina) and Chevrolet Tracker (Brazil and
Mexico) - both produced by GM Argentina.
On January Related Suzuki Escudo
27, 2004, production of the Chevrolet Tracker was Suzuki Samurai
discontinued at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, and Suzuki Vitara
replaced with the Chevrolet Equinox. Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki XL-7
Chevrolet Tracker
Suzuki Jimny
Suzuki X-90
Powertrain
Engine 1.6 L L01 I4
2.0 L J20A I4 130 hp
2.5 L H25A V6 155 hp

Rear view Transmission 5-speed manual

4-speed Aisin 03-72LE
(A44DE) automatic
 Dimensions
Markets
Wheelbase 2-door: 86.6 in (2,200 mm)
4-door: 97.6 in (2,479 mm)
Mexico Length 2-door 2WD: 151.6 in
(3,851 mm)
2-door 4WD: 151.8 in
(3,856 mm)
4-door 2WD: 162.6 in
(4,130 mm)
4-door 4WD: 162.8 in
(4,135 mm)
2006–2008 Chevrolet Tracker Width 67.3 in (1,709 mm)
(Mexico)
Height 2002–04 2-door 2WD:
65.7 in (1,669 mm)
Geo Tracker was sold since 1994 (Imported from Canada) 2-door 4WD & 1999–2001
three-door soft top 4WD or 2WD, automatic or manual 2WD 2-door: 66.5 in
transmissions. In 1996 Geo Tracker was dropped, and (1,689 mm)
back 1998 from Canada as Chevrolet Tracker three-door
4-door 2WD: 65.6 in
soft top or five-door hard top available in 2WD or 4WD
(1,666 mm)
automatic or manual. In 2000, a new generation Chevrolet
Tracker was available as a three-door soft top or five-door 4-door 4WD: 66.3 in
hard top 2WD or 4WD, manual or automatic; in 2001 the (1,684 mm)
soft top was dropped. The V6 option with 2WD or 4WD
automatic was available from 2002 to 2004. Even though the Tracker was discontinued in the U.S. and
Canada, the Tracker continued sales in Mexico and Brazil imported from Argentina, although the model
was face-lifted in 2005 from Suzuki Grand Vitara. For the 2006 model year, the silver GM logo was added
on the front doors. The Tracker was replaced in the summer of 2008 by the Saturn Vue in the U.S. and
Canada (Chevrolet Captiva Sport in Mexico).

Brazil

First generation Geo Trackers made in Canada were never offered by GM officially. Still, private importers
brought them to the country, even though Suzuki brought the Suzuki Vitara from Japan. Private importers
also brought to the country soft-top and four-door Sidekicks made in Canada.

For the second generation, it became initially available in the country in 2001, with only a diesel engine and
four-door body style. Suzuki also offered the Grand Vitara at the time, with more engine choices and also a
two-door hardtop and the XL-7. As the dollar soared, Suzuki left the Brazilian market in 2003.

Even though the Tracker was discontinued in the U.S. and Canada, the Tracker continued sales in Mexico
and Brazil, although the model received a facelift in 2005. For the 2006 model year, the silver GM logo
was added on the front doors. The Tracker was finally replaced by the 4-cylinder versions of the already
introduced Chevrolet Captiva Sport (Saturn Vue in the U.S and Canada, even though the Vue and Captiva
are both built in Mexico) in the summer of 2008.

Safety report
According to a 1995 report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,[2] the 1991–1993 two-wheel
drive Geo Tracker had 21 driver fatalities for 66,210 registered vehicles, the highest incidence reported, at
3.2 per 10,000 vehicles. The 4x4 version, however, reported 48 driver fatalities for 271,355 registered
vehicles (1.8 per 10,000). The IIHS states that the small utility class had a total of 366 driver fatalities for
2,144,891 total registered vehicles (1.6 per 10,000). This study was widely criticized for faulty
comparisons. For example, this study does not note the difference between two-door models and four-door
models. A later IIHS study clearly shows that, while two-door Trackers have a slightly below-average
injury rate, the four-door models are better than the average for utility vehicles.[3]

Rebadged Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax was sold in Russia and South America as the
Tracker.[4] In Russia, the name Trax would be too closely related to
the word trakh (Rus. трах), which is a colloquialism for
copulation.[5]

Chevrolet Tracker (Chile)

References
1. Stark, Harry A.; Bush, James W., eds. (1990). Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1990. Vol. 52.
Detroit, MI: Ward's Communications, Inc. p. 251. ISBN 9990347808.
2. "Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Status Report, Vol. 30, No. 9" (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20180820110150/http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr3009.pdf) (PDF).
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 14 October 1995. Archived from the original (http://w
ww.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr3009.pdf) (PDF) on 20 August 2018. Retrieved
4 June 2009.
3. "Injury, Collision, and Theft Losses" (http://www.carsafety.org/research/hldi/ictl_pdf/ictl_0901.
pdf) (PDF). Highway Loss Data Institute. 21 September 2000.
4. Chevrolet Tracker 2015, www.chevrolet2016.com (http://www.chevrolet2016.com/chevrolet-t
racker-2015/) Retrieved 4 July 2015
5. трах - Wiktionary (https://ru.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%85)
Retrieved 22 March 2019

External links
Chevrolet Grand Vitara Classic (http://www.chevrolet.com.ec/grand-vitara-todoterreno-3-pue
rtas.html) (in Spanish)
Chevrolet Tracker reviews (http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/chevrolet/tracker/)
Sidekicks and Trackers Users Group (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/sidekicksandtrac
kers/)

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