* 1984 - Suzuki and General Motors announced they would sell rebadged models of the Suzuki Cultus in North America as Chevrolets and Pontiacs, with Suzuki selling their own version as the Forsa.
* 1985 - GM began marketing in North America as the Chevrolet Sprint. The car is also sold as Suzuki Forsa and Pontiac Firefly in Canada. The Chevrolet Sprint was sold only in the Western United States until 1986.
* 1986 - Chevrolet Sprint began nationwide sales in the US. Sprint consumers had a choice of ER, Base, and Turbo models. Firefly marketed in FE, Turbo, and Base models.
* 1987 - The Metro name first appeared on a model of the naturally-aspirated Chevrolet Sprint: the "Chevrolet Sprint Metro."
* 1988 - Production began on the first Geo Metro models at Suzuki's plant in Hamamatsu, Japan.
Generation II Metro
* 1989 - The Geo Metro debuted in the United States, replacing the Sprint. Canadian models continued with the Chevrolet Sprint and Pontiac Firefly nameplates, while the second generation Suzuki Swift replaced the Forsa nameplate. Suzuki begins marketing the Swift in the United States.
* 1990 - Geo introduced Metro LSi models, which included an automatic transmission, air conditioning and a stereo with cassette player. Geo introduced the XFi model optimized for mileage, featuring the three-cylinder engine with a shorter duration cam, leaner fuel map, two ring pistons, and a higher final drive gear ratio and deleting interior amenities (e.g., the passenger mirror), thereby achieving 43 city, 51 highway per the revised 2007 EPA mileage standards. XFi made up less than 10% of Metro sales[2]. Production began at CAMI Automotive, where all remaining Metro models with the exception of convertibles would be produced. The convertible model debuted, available in LSi trim. As with the Metro, the Firefly is offered in sedan and convertible models.
* 1991 - GM increases convertible production and adds paint options.
* 1992 - The Metro received a facelift with new hubcaps, exterior modification and new interior controls. The Pontiac Firefly is dropped.
* 1993 - Convertible production ended. Automatic door locks, which deploy after the car reaches a speed of 10 mph (16 km/h) are introduced this year.
* 1994 - 5-door hatchback production ended. There was also a slight but barely noticeable change in the headlights, as well. Canadian Pontiac dealers began selling the Firefly (first generation) again, but with a facelift. The Convertible is dropped from the Firefly lineup, but Suzuki still produced Firefly and Metro sedans for Canada this year. Geo drops the Xfi model [16].
Generation III Metro
* 1995 - The third generation Metro was introduced with a revised 4-cylinder engine for LSi models with hydraulic lifters and lash adjusters, and a 30,000-mile service interval[2] — supplementing the 3 cylinder models. The hatchback featured a three-inch lower liftover height compared to the Generation II [2], and safety equipment included optional anti-lock brakes, safety cage construction with deformable front and rear crush zones, and steel side impact door safety beams [3] and new daytime running lights — the Metro was the first GM car to get DRLs as standard equipment), as well as dual frontal airbags. The sedan and coupe chassis were 20% and 5% stiffer respectively than the previous generation Metros,[2] and at the time of its introduction, the Metro was the smallest car in the world to meet the impending 1997 side impact standards [2]. The revised sedan was also introduced in the United States, replacing the 5-door hatchback. Its twins, Pontiac Firefly and Suzuki Swift featured the same redesign. The Metro now featured a coefficient of drag of .32 [3]. At the introduction of the Generation III, GM arranged for a car carrier with 1995 Metros to drive to college campuses across the country. Local writers took a half-day seminar at "Metro University" with the head product planner and senior members of the engineering, assembly, and marketing teams [2].
* 1996 - OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, Second generation) was added to Metro models, at a cost of some fuel efficiency.
* 1997 - The last year for the Geo brand. The Metro returned in 1998 as with a Chevrolet nameplate.
* 1998 - The Metro now carried the Chevrolet nameplate, along with new front and rear fascias and a SOHC 16v design I-4 1.3L engine with a horsepower increase of 12%. Electronic ignition replaced the distributor, and MPFI (Multiport Fuel Injection) replaced the TBI (Throttle Body Injection). The new motor offered more HP, torque, and higher fuel economy. This I-4 engine replaced the older 8v 4 cylinder, but the 3 cylinder engine remained unchanged.
* 2000 - Metro and Firefly sales to the general public ceased, with fleet sales only returning in 2001.
* 2001 - The Metro's final year. The only model available this year is the 4-door LSi sedan. The Metro continued on sale in Canada. General Motors announces that the Metro would not be included in the 2002 Chevrolet model lineup. CAMI Automotive manufactures the last Metro, a red sedan, in April, 2001.
Beginning in late 2003 as a model year 2004 model, the Daewoo Kalos, marketed variously as the Chevrolet Aveo, Pontiac Wave and Suzuki Swift+, effectively replaced the Metro.
[edit] Pontiac Firefly
The Pontiac Firefly was a marketing and manufacturing variation of the Suzuki Cultus available in Canada and the Middle East from 1985 to 1991, and again from 1994 to 2001 — as a joint effort of GM and Suzuki.
The Firefly received redesigns in 1989 and 1995, following the product cycle of the Geo/Chevrolet Metro. Solely the G10 engine was available from 1989 through 1994, the 1.0 L 3-cylinder. A turbocharged variant of G10 was also available from 1987 to 1991. The Firefly was not marketed for the 1992 and 1993 model years when the 1993-only Asuna brand introduced the larger 1992 LeMans to replace the Passport Optima and the pre-facelift Firefly.
In 1994, the Firefly returned with a facelift following the demise of the Asuna brand. With the Generation III 1995 redesign, the G13 1.3 L 4-cylinder engine also became available. The Firefly was phased out of production after the 2000 model year with its Chevrolet and Suzuki siblings.
From 1991 to 1992, the Firefly was sold in a convertible and in a 4-door sedan. All hatchbacks were manufactured at CAMI, while convertibles and sedans were from sourced from Japanese production.
With model year 2005, the Pontiac Wave, a rebadged Daewoo Kalos, replaced the Firefly.
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