GM continued to market badge-engineered variants of the U-body minivans, the Saturn Relay and the Buick Terraza from model years 2005 to 2007.

First shown to the public in 1986, the Pontiac Trans Sport concept car featured futuristic styling, individually removable bucket seats with built-in stereo speakers, a gull-wing rear passenger door and extensive use of glass including a glass-paneled roof.

Sales in Europe were good for an American import, but did not represent enough volume to make a fourth, distinct model economically feasible.

While they were lower and sleeker than the competition, the large, long, and sloped windshield made for a disconcerting driving experience until the driver adjusted to the "different" proportions.

In 1992, the Silhouette and its siblings received the 170 hp (127 kW) 3.8 L 3800 V6 as an option, which provided better torque and acceleration, making them the most powerful as well as best handling minivans then in production.

Production of the first-generation Silhouette and its stablemates ended on June 26, 1996,[2] at which time the Tarrytown, New York, plant which produced them and which had been in operation since 1900, was shuttered and scheduled for demolition.

[3] Having achieved second place in sales to Chrysler, General Motors brought out an entirely new U platform series of minivans, theoretically based[1] on the lessons learned from its previous missteps.

In 1998, it became one of the first vehicles on the market to offer a DVD player with overhead retractable LCD screen for back seat viewing, which has since become a "must-have" option for families with children.

The minivan suffered extreme damage to the vehicle in the 40 mph (64 km/h) moderate overlap crash test, which has resulted in some criticism by contemporary reviewers.

This status was also applied to the Chevrolet Venture and the Oldsmobile Silhouette as they both use the same chassis and body design, including the later first-generation Pontiac Montana.

The safety issues of the Silhouette and its U-body siblings were later addressed with the third-generation redesign (consisting of the Montana SV6 and the related Uplander, Terraza and Relay models), which earned the highest rating of "Good" given by the institute in the moderate overlap crash test.

More information on the Oldsmobile Silhouette/Pontiac Trans Sport:[8] The Silhouette and its platform mates achieved slightly better sales than their avant-garde predecessors, but also failed to capture a significant share of the market.

[9] While the Silhouette was a close competitor in many of the key categories, it was also a winner in luxury, as it was one of the first minivans to offer a factory video entertainment system.

As Oldsmobile itself was gradually phased out with slowing sales, a limited run of 500 units, dubbed Final 500, of each of the brand's five remaining models were built and sold.