Geo Metro History

The Geo Metro launched for the 1989 model year as a rebadged Suzuki Cultus/Swift, built at the GM–Suzuki CAMI joint-venture plant in Ingersoll, Ontario (with early cars imported from Japan while the plant came online). A featherweight subcompact powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder producing around 49 hp, it was among the cheapest and most frugal new cars sold in the United States.

Its claim to fame was economy: the XFi trim, offered from 1989 through 1994, was rated 53 mpg city and 58 mpg highway — making it America's most fuel-efficient gasoline car throughout that stretch. Geo also offered a Metro convertible from 1990 through 1993, an unusual open-top in the subcompact class. A five-door hatchback and, later, a four-door sedan rounded out the body-style choices.

A second generation arrived for 1995 with restyled sheetmetal, standard dual airbags, optional anti-lock brakes, and an available 70-hp 1.3-liter four-cylinder for the sedan. The XFi trim was not carried over. The Metro ran as a Geo through 1997, then continued as the Chevrolet Metro through the 2001 model year.