Image by: Oscar Vargas
WOW
If you haven’t seen thisĀ Chevrolet Astro rendering yet, then you are missing out.
A fellow known as Oscar Vargas, known as WB.Artist20 on Instagram used his creativity and drew up what the Astro van should look like in the modern day.
What lead to the demise of the Astro?
The Chevrolet Astro and the GMC was a huge hit in America and had fantastic sales from 1985 till the early 2000s. Sales continued to dwindle, which lead to GMs decision to end to production of the two loved mini vans in 2005.
What lead to decreased sells?
Well, take a look at this gas price chart from EIA.gov:
As you can see, the gas prices grew immensely from 2000-2008. Because of that, the average person couldn’t afford the gas prices and opted in for an economical solution.
Analysis of the rendering:
The rendering, in my opinion, is definitely what I would imagine the Astro van in modern times. I mean, take a look at this:
Although this is an amazing design I do think the windows should be slightly larger, the cab should be taller, and the van should have a slight lift. If GM recreates this, the van should for sure come with a 4×4 option for many different reasons. Folks who currently own the Astro van admire the van for its potential. If it was FWD with limited potential, the van wouldn’t have such a following it does today.
This is a mash up consisting of similar proportions of that Chevrolet Astro van and the new Chevy Silverado.
What should GM do?
What GM should do and what GM would do is completely different stories. For instance, the Chevrolet Express, a typical workers van, has not had a majore update since 2003! That is insane.
This is a 2021 Chevrolet Express:
Here is a 2003 Chevy Express:
So, GM obviously doesn’t care about he van market.
But, if you look at all the folks who own the basic run in the mill van, like the Honda Odyssey, I am sure they would love to have a mini van that looks apart.
The modern design of the Astro van is rugged, ruthless, and beautiful. The van would steal sells from those companies and probably make a killing.
Chevy Astro Fans
Yes, there is still a huge following for the Chevrolet Astro and the GMC Safari.
Why? Well its basically a 400k mile mini van if you take care of it properly. All of its common issues are fairly easy to fix, as well. Click here to see all the Astro vans common issues.Ā
There are lifted, lowered, 4×4, and camper van Astros. The uses for this van is nearly endless, only your creativity will limit you.
What do I think?
GM should step up and make a brisk decision. People would love to have one.
I have a series of videos on the Chevrolet Astro consisting of a camper van build and replacing and fixing different issues I have had with the van.
Here is the playlist if you are interested: