Chevrolet Lumina
The Chevrolet Lumina is a mid-size car that was produced and marketed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1989 until 2001. The Lumina was replaced by the Chevrolet Impala in 2000.
Chevrolet Lumina Overview
The Chevrolet Lumina is a nameplate that General Motors used on two distinct models in North America, spanning from the late 1980s to the early 2000s.
- Lumina Sedan and Coupe (1990-2001):
- Introduced in 1989 for the 1990 model year, the Lumina was positioned as a mid-size sedan and coupe, replacing the Chevrolet Celebrity sedan and the Monte Carlo coupe in Chevrolet’s lineup.
- It was part of GM’s effort to modernize its mid-size offerings and compete more effectively with foreign mid-size sedans.
- Over its lifespan, it saw two generations, with the first one running from 1990 to 1994 and the second one from 1995 to 2001.
- Multiple engine options were available throughout its production, ranging from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder to more potent V6 options.
- The coupe version of the Lumina was replaced by the revived Monte Carlo in 1995, while the sedan continued until 2001.
- Lumina APV (1990-1996):
- Standing for “All Purpose Vehicle,” the Lumina APV was a minivan and part of Chevrolet’s response to the growing popularity of minivans in the late 1980s.
- It featured a futuristic (for its time) “dustbuster” design, characterized by a long, sloping nose. This design was shared with the Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette, often collectively referred to as GM’s U-body minivans.
- It offered seating for up to seven passengers and was powered by V6 engines.
- In 1994, the “Lumina” prefix was dropped, and it was simply called Chevrolet APV. However, by 1996, the model was replaced by the Chevrolet Venture.
Outside North America, particularly in the Middle East and South Africa, Chevrolet used the Lumina nameplate for a rear-wheel-drive sedan and Ute (pickup) based on the Australian Holden Commodore. This version of the Lumina was entirely different from the North American model and had more of a performance orientation. In North America, the Lumina sedan was eventually replaced by the Chevrolet Impala in 2001, marking the end of the Lumina nameplate in the region.
Chevrolet Lumina U.S Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 214,595 |
| 1996 | 237,973 |
| 1997 | 228,451 |
| 1998 | 177,631 |
| 1999 | 97,607 |
| 2000 | 46,573 |
| 2001 | 17,649 |
| 2002 | 35 |
| 2003 | 15 |
