Who Makes Geo Prizm: An Overview

Geo Prizm is a popular compact car that was manufactured by General Motors from 1989 to 2002. The car was a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota, with the Prizm being a re-badged version of the Toyota Corolla. The Geo Prizm was sold primarily in the United States and Canada and was a popular choice for those looking for a reliable and affordable vehicle. In this article, we will take a closer look at who makes Geo Prizm and the history of the car.

History of the Geo Prizm

The Geo Prizm was first introduced in 1989 as part of General Motors’ Geo brand, which was created to offer small, fuel-efficient vehicles to compete with Japanese imports. The car was initially offered in two trim levels: the base model and the LSi. The base model was equipped with a 1.6-liter engine, while the LSi was equipped with a more powerful 1.8-liter engine.

The Geo Prizm was well-received by consumers and was praised for its reliability and fuel efficiency. The car was also sold under the Toyota brand as the Toyota Corolla, with only minor cosmetic differences between the two vehicles.

Over the years, the Geo Prizm underwent several updates and redesigns. In 1993, the car received a major facelift, with a new front-end design and redesigned interior. In 1998, the Prizm was given a sportier look, with a new grille and bumpers.

Who Makes Geo Prizm?

As mentioned earlier, the Geo Prizm was a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota. The car was manufactured at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California, which was operated by both GM and Toyota.

The NUMMI plant was unique in that it was a joint venture between the two companies. The plant opened in 1984 and was designed to produce vehicles for both GM and Toyota. The plant was seen as a way for the two companies to learn from each other and improve their manufacturing processes.

The plant produced a variety of vehicles over the years, including the Geo Prizm, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Tacoma, and Pontiac Vibe. The plant was closed in 2010, after GM withdrew from the joint venture.

Geo Prizm Specifications

The Geo Prizm was available in several different trim levels over the years, each with its own set of specifications. Here are some of the key specifications for the 1996 Geo Prizm:

Engine: 1.6-liter four-cylinder
Horsepower: 100 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque: 105 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 31 mpg city / 38 mpg highway (manual transmission)

Geo Prizm Features

The Geo Prizm was known for its reliability and fuel efficiency, but it also offered a variety of features that made it a popular choice for consumers. Here are some of the key features of the 1996 Geo Prizm:

Air conditioning
Power steering
Dual airbags
AM/FM radio with cassette player
Remote trunk release
Split-folding rear seat

Geo Prizm Safety Ratings

The Geo Prizm was also known for its safety features, which helped it earn high ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here are the safety ratings for the 1996 Geo Prizm:

Driver-side impact: 4 out of 5 stars
Passenger-side impact: 3 out of 5 stars
Front-end crash: 4 out of 5 stars
Side impact: Not rated

Geo Prizm Reliability

The Geo Prizm was known for its reliability and was a popular choice for those looking for a dependable and affordable vehicle. According to Consumer Reports, the 1996 Geo Prizm had an overall reliability rating of "good" and was ranked #10 in its class.

Geo Prizm Price

The Geo Prizm was known for its affordability and was priced competitively with other compact cars of its time. In 1996, the base model Geo Prizm had a starting price of $11,240, while the LSi model started at $13,305.

Geo Prizm Final Thoughts

The Geo Prizm was a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota and was manufactured at the NUMMI plant in California. The car was known for its reliability, affordability, and fuel efficiency, and was a popular choice for those looking for a dependable vehicle. Although the Geo brand was discontinued in 1997, the Prizm continued to be sold under the Chevrolet brand until it was finally discontinued in 2002. Despite its discontinuation, the Geo Prizm remains a popular choice among car collectors and enthusiasts, who appreciate its history and reliability.