GM has filed a patent for a new minivan toy replica, revealing a curious design that doesn’t appear to correspond to any existing General Motors model. The filing was made under patent number D1,073,535 S with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and was filed on May 23rd, 2023. The filing was published on May 6th, 2025, and lists Logan J. Phillips, Junglim Huh, and Namwoo Kim as the inventors.
The patent images show a compact, boxy, and relatively futuristic vehicle characterized by a clean, modern aesthetic. Up front, the design features a wide, continuous horizontal band that stretches across the front fascia, resembling a sleek LED light bar. The lower front bumper is gently contoured, contributing to its aerodynamic appearance. The sharply angled front windshield flows seamlessly into a slightly curved roofline, creating a streamlined silhouette.
From the side, the vehicle maintains a tall, boxy shape with angled edges, emphasizing its compact and spacious profile. Large, rectangular side windows suggest a bright and open cabin environment, while a prominent side molding runs along the lower half of the body. The front and rear doors are smooth and flush, reinforcing the minimalist, futuristic design. Slightly flared wheel arches are seen in the corners, while the rear design is dominated by a large window and a continuous horizontal light strip, likely mirroring the front light bar.
The toy replica raises several possibilities with regard to the inspiration behind it. One theory is that the toy could preview an upcoming all-electric commercial van developed under a new partnership between GM and Hyundai. As GM Authority covered previously, Hyundai is exploring the possibility of supplying GM with electric commercial vans that could eventually replace or support the aging Chevy Express and GMC Savana, both of which are currently powered by internal combustion engines. Initially, Hyundai is expected to import the vans from South Korea, with North American production around 2028.
To note, the toy’s design does not appear to match the recent Buick van renderings coming out of China. Additionally, this design appears to be significantly smaller than the Chevy BrightDrop electric delivery vans.
Of course, it should be mentioned that GM will occasionally file a design patent for a toy prior to the actual concept or production model. As always, we’ll keep our ear to the ground and report back with any further developments.
Comments
It looks like a Canoo borrowed a Slate suv kit.
I meant a Telo
Dustbuster elements at front glass area. Use of the word “silhouette” in the article: very sly.
Call it Astro and make it a no plug hybrid.
If its going to be global and have the shelf life of the current van, it should have gas, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in options. Low, mid, high roof. Multiple lengths. Wouldn’t be cheap to develop, but with the global reach of Hyundai + GM, its a justifiable cost.
Build them as 4×4 with a low load floor, where the height of the cargo area allows me to roll bikes in and out, I’ll buy one.
This looks very similar (but not identical) to the upcoming Hyundai Staria EV. I suspect this is a GM variant of the Hyundai/Kia EV van that they will share as part of the partnership.
exactly! Also the front end has many elements of the BrightDrop Vans. I suspect this will be under Chevy with in the BrightDrop lineup.
There are a bunch of camouflaged little AV/EV vans running around San Francisco testing.
I thought they were BYD, but maybe they are these?…
Maybe GM will make the van concept an EREV my resurrecting the fantastic power train tech they developed for the Chevy VOLT! I still don’t understand why GM abandoned this technology. They were again, way ahead of everyone else. I’ve read several articles where both domestic and foreign auto manufacturers are seriously talking and offering EREV tech in the near future in order to resolve “mileage anxiety”.
Let’s go camping!
Honda and Toyota still offer vans