GMC Tracker: the Canadian mini SUV of 1989-1991

The GMC Tracker was a mini SUV sold in Canada at Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealers from the 1989 to the 1991 model year. It was the GMC-badged version of the Geo Tracker, a small four-wheel-drive vehicle built by CAMI in Ingersoll, Ontario.

GMC Tracker at a glance

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Chevrolet Tracker. The photograph shows a Geo Tracker, the same vehicle sold in Canada as the GMC Tracker.

History of the GMC Tracker

A joint venture small SUV

The Geo Tracker was a mini SUV introduced in late 1988 as a 1989 model. It was developed by CAMI, a joint venture between General Motors of Canada and Suzuki, and North American cars were built at CAMI’s Ingersoll plant alongside the almost identical Suzuki Sidekick. Because of delays at the Canadian factory, nearly all 1989 and some 1990 Trackers were built in Japan and imported to the United States, and at first all Canadian-made Trackers went to the US to avoid the 25 percent chicken tax, with the Canadian market supplied entirely from Japan.

The GMC version in Canada

The Geo brand was not available in Canada, so when the Tracker was introduced in the United States it arrived in Canada as both the Chevrolet Tracker and the GMC Tracker. The Chevrolet version was sold at Chevrolet dealers from 1989, and the GMC Tracker was sold at Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealerships. It came in three models, a base convertible, a base hardtop and an SLE hardtop equipped like the CL and LSi of the other marques, and in 1990 an SLE convertible was added. The 1991 model year was the last for the GMC Tracker: GM introduced the Asuna marque in 1992 and renamed the vehicle the Asuna Sunrunner, which was marketed as more upmarket with no base model. After only two years the Sunrunner was rebranded as a Pontiac and sold in Canada from 1994 to 1998.

Engineering

The Tracker was originally powered by Suzuki’s 1.6-litre single-overhead-camshaft four of 80 hp. Unlike most light SUVs it was based on a rugged light-truck chassis and certified as a light truck: a sturdy four-wheel-drive system with a conventional truck engine and transmission coupled to a high-low, two-to-four-wheel-drive transfer case, a recirculating-ball steering box, a rigidly mounted front differential with CV axles to coil-sprung hubs and a conventional rear axle on coil springs. The result was a fairly truck-like ride but notable durability in harsh conditions. All Trackers were four-wheel drive until a base two-wheel-drive convertible was introduced in 1992; two-door hardtops lasted until 1995, and a four-door wagon with a 96 hp 16-valve engine arrived for 1996.

Design and features

• Canadian-only GMC: the Tracker was badged GMC only for the Canadian market.
• CAMI build: made alongside the Suzuki Sidekick in Ingersoll, Ontario.
• Truck-based: light-truck chassis, high-low transfer case and recirculating-ball steering.
• Three trims: base convertible, base hardtop and SLE hardtop.
• Short life: replaced by the Asuna Sunrunner after 1991.

GMC Tracker versions

• Base convertible: the open version with a soft top.
• Base hardtop: the two-door closed body.
• SLE hardtop: the best-equipped GMC Tracker.
• SLE convertible (1990-1991): the open version in top trim.
• Asuna Sunrunner (1992-1993): the renamed successor.

The Tracker was GMC’s smallest four-wheel-drive vehicle, far below the GMC Jimmy and the GMC Suburban. More cars are in the GMC collection.

Sources

• Chevrolet Tracker (Americas), English Wikipedia: CAMI, Canadian GMC version, engines, chassis, end of GMC Tracker